Add MS 74745

Glossary of French legal terms; 1553. French. Autograph. Written by Jean Bellemain, as a New Year gift for his pupil King Edward VI, to whom he was French tutor. The glossary is preceded by a dedicatory letter to Edward VI from Jean Bellemain, dated 'De Vostre Hostel de ceans [Sheen] ce premier iour de l'An 1553'. For other MSS. in the hand of Bellemain, see Royal 16 E I and Royal 20 A XIV. The MS. was possibly purchased in London during the latter part of the 18^th cent. by the 1st Baron Kenyon who was a celebrated lawyer. On the death of the 5th Baron Kenyon, it was accepted by HM Treasury in lieu of inheritance tax and allocated to the British Library in 2000.

Paper; ff. x + 36 (modern foliation). 150 x 197mm. Original limp vellum binding with remains of four green / gold silk ribbons. Preserved in fawn cloth-covered box, with green leather spine which bears gilt-stamped legend JAN BELLEMAIN – GLOSSARY - 1553. The front of the box incorporates a black-leather, square label bearing gilt-stamped Kenyon arms.