Add MS 78181

EVELYN PAPERS. Vol. XIV. Abuses by purveyors; 1587-circa but after Nov. 1592. Fair copy, with additions. The twenty-one counties represented comprise all those below the line between the Severn and the Wash, with the addition of Lincolnshire but excluding Devon and Cornwall. The first section (ff. 1-20) comprises, on rectos only, tables of provisions supplied by named purveyors for the years 1590 and 1591, with prices charged, etc., compiled from certificates issued by local JPs. This is followed (ff. 21-50) by a record of ‘The sondry and great abuses and disorders comytted by the purveiors of Oxen and Muttons in sondrie sheres breiflie collected as followeth’, followed by other commodities. The three final pages [ff. 51, 52] comprise expenses of provisions in Oct. and Nov. 32 and 34 Eliz. I [1590, 1592]. Text transcribed in a secretary hand, with additions and annotations in others. Inscribed by John Evelyn on third flyleaf is ‘Note that these Abuses & Clamors produced a Reformation of Pu[r]veyers & of that settlement of euery dayes provision in Court, by the sole suggestion, paines & Industry, of Sr: Rich: Browne, Cleark of the Greene-cloth to Q: Eliz. & K. James’. Name of William Loveden jotted in contemporary italic hand on verso of first flyleaf, probably a relation of the Hercules Loveden listed in 1587 as a servant of Leicester’s in Cotton MS Galba C. VIII, f. 98. Formerly Evelyn MS 67.

ff. [iii + 52.]. Sections of leaves excised at various points. Watermark (of bunch of grapes surmounted by ‘4+ / M’) similar to Briquet 13200, dated 1573-1588. Docketed on front cover in Evelyn’s hand. Contemporary binding of limp vellum, back cover now wanting. 420 x 285 mm.