Add MS 41503

FORMULARY of ecclesiastical deeds, etc., including also a few civil instruments, with index. Latin and (in some cases) English. The compilation draws chiefly upon episcopal records of the 15th century, markedly those of Robert Stillington (d. 1491), Bishop of Bath and Wells, both in that capacity and as Dean of St Martin-le-Grand in London. There is also a visus compoti of one of his agents, Robert Ultyng, taken in 1482 (ff. 154-155). The latest document in the main hand is dated 1490 (f. 88b), and in the additional matter 1519 (f. 164). The book opens with forms of presentations, and the material is roughly arranged in blocks of similar deeds, such as commissions, licences, indentures, wills, oaths. Interspersed are a few sets of instructions, viz.:(1) On wills, beg. 'Tria dicuntur testamenta' (f. 87);-(2) On summonses, beg. 'Citacionum forme sunt velud negocia' (f. 104);(3) On the nature of charters, beg. 'Ye shall vnderstonde that what persone or persons that shalbe bounden' (f. 116), followed by 'forma faciendi obligacionem' (f. 116b), and by questions and answers, beg. 'Quid est Carta' (f. 117);-

(4) On procuracy, beg. 'In primis Sciendum est quod omne iudicium' (ff. 148-151b);(5) 'De Arte Notariatus', beg. 'Nota quod in Resignacione beneficii' (ff. 160-162b). On f. 155 is a version in English, breaking off suddenly, of the Easter trope 'Quem quaeritis', viz.:-'Good women I say nolyte timere I wote ye seke for Jesus of Nazareth he is not here your selef may come and se he is rysen. & gon hauynge sence lyfe & breth be hole the plase w[here'. A medical recipe 'for a consumpcion' is entered on f. 170b in a later hand. Vellum (flyleaves) and paper; ff. i + 185. 11 1/8 in. x 7 7/8 in. XV-XVI centt. Gatherings of eight leaves (the first two of ten) numbered and with catchwords. Bookplate of arms of Richard Massie of Coddington, co. Chest. (d. 1770). Previous owners, of the 16th and 17th centuries, who have recorded their title, are: Edward Hogeson (f. 184), Richard Moulde (f. 2b), Thomas Morris (ff. 4, 184), Owen Hodges (f. 2b), and John Morgell, Principal Registrar of the Diocese of Chester (will, 1640; f. 2b). Other names occur scribbled on the flyleaves and elsewhere, and on ff. 181b- 182b are recorded births and other details in the above Hogeson family of Leatherhead (Ledred), co. Surr., 1508-1523. Sotheby's sale-cat., 3 Nov. 1927, lot 1159 A.