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Copies of rhetorical letters from and to the University of Oxford

 Single Item
MS. Add. C. 206
Held at the Weston Library

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Oxford papers, formerly no doubt in the possession of sir John Benet:

(fol. 3). Copies of Latin rhetorical letters (with a few English) sent to great personages in the name of the University asking for help in building new Schools, i.e. the present Bodleian Quadrangle, 1611-1618.

They are in various handwritings and styles: one is to sir John Benet, Jan. 28, 1611/2 (fol. 10), whose reply (a copy) is at fol. 9. At fol. 24 is a letter from William Lewis, afterwards provost of Oriel, presenting these letters to Benet, July 25 (abt. 1615?). The name of the person to whom they were sent is usually given, and sometimes the name of the writer.

(fol. 108). Copies of miscellaneous letters of the same rhetorical kind, some from the University to the king, some to sir John Benet, 1616-1624:

  1. at fol. 123 is an original Computus of the Vice-Chancellor, July 17, 1616-July 19, 1617, on parchment;
  2. at fol. 124 dr. Richard Gardiner's Latin speech to Convocation when king James presented his works to the University, May 29, 1620;
  3. at fol. 126 Cambridge papers, 1615-1628.

Fol. 129 is a leaf containing 'Brevis et vera narratio eorum quæ Genevæ sunt ab Hugone Broughthono Anglo patrata' by Theodorus Beza (a copy), which bears 'May the 5th. 1716. Given to the Bodleyan Library by Mr Jackson Commoner of Hart Hall.'

Dates

  • Creation: written almost entirely in the first quarter of the 17th century

Extent

130 Leaves

Language of Materials

  • Latin
  • English

Preferred Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Add. C. 206, fols. 1-2]

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Shelfmark:

MS. Add. C. 206

Collection ID (for staff)

CMD ID 18795

Abstract

Copies of rhetorical letters from and to the University of Oxford, written almost entirely in the first quarter of the 17th century.

Biographical / Historical

Sir John Bennet (1553-1627) was a judge and politician.

William Lewis (1591/2–1667) was a Church of England clergyman.

Richard Gardiner (1590/91–1670) was a Church of England clergyman and benefactor.

Other Finding Aids

Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. V, no. 29080.

Custodial History

The whole volume has been re-arranged and re-bound, probably in 1897.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Presented by R. Mullings, esq. in 1874.

Fol. 26 was given in 1897 by John Mullings (application to and reply from F. Gorges, Oct. 10, 1612?), as was also fol. 76 (reply from Thomas Brudenell, Sept, 1, 1613), and fols. 109-10.

Physical Facet

On paper

Dimensions

14 3/8 × 10 5/8 in.

Title
Copies of rhetorical letters from and to the University of Oxford
Status
Published
Date
EAD version 2020 by Pauline Soum-Paris
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom