Add MS 40085-40091

MINUTE-BOOKS of the House of Lords, 1621-1628, kept by H[enry] E[lsynge], Clerk of the Parliaments (the last by his son Henry Elsynge, jun., afterwards Clerk of the House of Commons), and entitled by him on the original vellum covers "The scrybled booke of the Parliament." These notes, as the numerous marginal directions indicate, were used to compile the official Journal of the Lords. Published, save for the last volume and omitting the matter printed in the Lords' Journals, by S. R. Gardiner, Notes of the Debates in the House of Lords (Camden Society, 2 vols., 1870, 1879). The unpublished volume covers the debates on the Petition of Right. As it now stands the series comprises, with gaps, the last two parliaments of James I and the second and third parliaments of Charles I. Two volumes, the first and the third, are missing from the 1621 parliament. An intentional mutilation occurs in vol. I at ff. 151-156, where the record of the Arundel-Spencer quarrel has been shorn away. In vol. IV the proceedings of 16 Apr. and 7 May 1624 are imperfect, and all between has fallen out. A few notes and entries in specified hands as well as the occasional signatures of attestation are indexed. Various numbers (library-marks or sale-marks) are written on the vellum covers and elsewhere. The original cover of vol. II is composed of a deed by Anthony Mason al. Wickes of Wintney co. Southt., Clerk of the Parliaments, transferring to Robert Bowyer of the Middle Temple [uncle of H. Elsynge sen.], his remaining life-interest in the office, 13 May 36 Eliz. [1594]. The subsequent history of the clerkship is detailed in the petition by H. Elsynge jun. for its reversion, 1636(?), in Cal. State Papers. Domestic, 1625-1649, p. 545. Paper (original covers of vellum). Folio. Belonged to James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos (sale-cat. 1747, lot 284, 8 vols. Perhaps; vol. III, If. 94-122 formed a separate volume). Passed to the Carew family of Crowcombe Court, co. Som. (Hist. MSS. Com.

4th Report, App. p. 368, and sale-cat., Sotheby's, 6 May 1903, lots 259,.

260). Afterwards to Messrs. P. J. and A. E. Dobell.