Harley MS 7555

This composite manuscript consists of parts that were written at different times.

Part 1 (ff. 1-32) was written in the 16th century.

Part 2 (ff. 33r-64v) was written in the middle or 2nd half of the 14th century.

Part 3 (ff. 66r-72r) was written in 1546.

Part 4 (ff. 74r-77v) was written in the 15th century.

Contents:

Part 1:

ff. 1r-9r: List of Parliamentary summons ('Summonitio Parliamenti') from the 23rd year of the reign of Edward I to the 22nd year of the reign of Edward IV; written in Latin.

ff. 10r-26v, 32v: Notes relating to tax (oblata, wards and liberties) in the reign of King John, organised by families; written in Latin.

f. 27r: List of admirals and constables from the reigns of Edward I to Henry VI; written in Latin.

f. 27r: Inscription on the tomb of John Talbot (b. c. 1387, d. 1453), 1st Earl of Shrewsbury in English, beginning: 'Here lieth the right noble knight John Talbot erle of Shrewsbury [etc.]'; followed by the note: 'Inscriptum illius tumulo ibidem'.

f. 28r: Descent of William de Montacute [Montagu].

ff. 29r-30r: Escheators in the reign of Henry VI; written in Latin.

f. 31v: List of Knights of the Order of the Temple in England; written in Latin.

Part 2:

ff. 33r-64v: Assizes in the 20th year of the reign of King Edward III; written in Law French.

Part 3:

ff. 66r-72r: Grant of the site of the chapel and college of St Mary in the Fields in Norwich to Miles Spencer 1546, entitled: 'In quinta parte origini de anno xxxvij R. H. viij Rollo viijno ex parte remem. Thesaurarij'; written in Latin.

Part 4:

ff. 74r-77v: Charters relating to St Mary in the Fields (St Mary de Campo) at Norwich and St Peter and St Paul, Fressingfield; written in the 15th century; written in Latin.

The manuscript contains later additions;

f. 65r: King Henry VIII's title, beginning: 'Henricus octavus dei'; added in the 16th century.

f. 72v: 'Be it known to all and in the name of god amen'; added in the 16th century.

f. 73r: A memorandum dated '1582', beginning: 'Received in the yeare above written, of the gifte of Mistris Braby by Simond Copperfeild gen., Nicholas Barber, Frauncis Sanderafte, Jeames Wolnough Senior, John Brame, Richard Aldhowse, Jeames Barber, Jeames Wolnough Junior, Churchwarden. And it is agreed that the said money shalbe presently distributed unto the poore'.