Add MS 82935-82943

The 'Chamberlayne Evidences': documents relating to the Chamberlayne family of Coton, co. Northt. and subsequently of Shirburn, co. Oxon.; last quarter of 15th cent. Latin, French and Middle English. They were copied during the lifetime of Sir Richard (III) Chamberlayne (d.1493/4?), with occasional additions. Add. 82935 is a calendar: 'Here begynneth the kalender of all the euidence[s] that longeth vnto Richard Chamberlayne Esquier of all hys manors.' A second calendar concludes Add. 82943: 'Here begynneth the calender of alle the courtes that longeyth vnto Mayster Rychard Chamberleyne Squyer et cetera.' Sir Richard was the son of William Chamberlayne, and the grandson of Richard (I) Chamberlayne, who died probably in 1438 (his will is dated 8 August 1438: Add. 82937, f. 253r). Richard (I) was succeeded briefly by his son Richard (II), who died about midsummer 1439 (Add. 82936, f. 53r-v). This Richard was succeeded in turn by his brother William, who was made a ward of the Duke of Suffolk circa 1442. An account of the Chamberlayne family from the late-fifteenth to the eighteenth centuries is given on Add. 82939, f. 161r. According to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Sir Richard (III) Chamberlayne died on 28 August 1496, not in 1493/4 (s.v. Sir Edward Chamberlayne). See G. R. C. Davis, Medieval Cartularies of Great Britain: A Short Catalogue (1958), no. 1211; H. E. Salter, ed., The Boarstall Cartulary, Oxford Historical Society, lxxxviii (Oxford, 1930), p. v. One hundred and twelve deeds are transcribed among the papers of Revd. Herbert Edward Salter (d.1951) at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Salter was vicar of Shirburn 1889-1909. Passed by descent through the Chamberlayne (Chamberlain) family, and then with the sale of Shirburn Castle to Thomas, Baron Parker of Macclesfield, 1st Earl of Macclesfield in 1716 (Shirburn Castle, North Library, 56.H.1-9). Purchased from the Countess of Macclesfield, 29 March 2007.

Vellum. Nine volumes. Folios (approx.) 150 + 229 + 143 + 370 + 163 + 205 + 172 + 218 + 200. Add. 82936-82943 have contemporary foliation in the upper margins. 410 × 280mm. (written space approximately 290 × 205 mm.). Bound in brown calf, stamped on the upper boards with the arms of the Earls of Macclesfield.