William Croft: Ode 'Laurus cruentas', 1713. Largely complete autograph working manuscript. Bound before it are leaves from the working manuscript of another ode by an unidentified composer. With various annotations by later owners on the identity of the works, the state of completeness, etc. ii + 24 leaves.

a (fols. 1-5v) 'Celebratory Ode to Q: Anne'. Incomplete working draft; neither the composer nor the author of the words has been identified, but the text suggests that it was composed to celebrate the anniversary of Charles II's birth and his return to London at the Restoration on 29 May ('Oak Apple Day') in the early years of the 18th cent. The title is in a later hand. Present are: an overture (not so named), apparently for 2 violins and continuo (fol. 1r+v); a duet, 'Welcome, welcome, welcome, thrice welcome happy day', for SA, 2 violins and continuo (fols. 2-3v); a chorus, 'High as we can with our poor humble lays', for SATB, 2 violins and continuo (fol. 4r+v); a bass air, 'Methinks victorious Light', for voice and continuo (with violins at the end) (fol. 5r), preceding a duet, 'Drown'd in thy Light they sink', for SB, 2 violins and continuo (fol. 5r+v), wanting the ending. At the end of the overture is the note 'Verse for contra tenor & tenor to a ground'; however, the duet which follows (on fol. 2), although on a ground, is for soprano and alto.

b (fols. 6-22v) William Croft: Ode 'Laurus cruentas', for AAB soloists, SSAATTBB chorus and orchestra. Latin words by Joseph Trapp. Composed to celebrate the Treaty of Utrecht, 1713, and submitted with another ode ('With noise of cannon') for the Oxford D.Mus. degree. Both works were performed in the Sheldonian Theatre on 13 July 1713, and published by the composer as Musicus apparatus academicus in 1720. Autograph working manuscript, except for the Overture, which is in the hand of a contemporary copyist; wanting the last 4 pages of the final chorus. Includes the names of two of the singers ('Mr. Wanley' and 'Mr. Hughes'). Marked up in pencil by the engraver of the printed edition.