Reference code: GB-0034-UC/P51
Title: Lancaster Catholic Diocese Manuscripts and Archives
Dates of creation: 17th-19th century
Extent: 10 volumes and notebooks
Held by: Ushaw College Library
Origination: Diocese of Lancaster
Language: Mostly English with some Latin
The Roman Catholic diocese of Lancaster was founded in 1924, made up of areas and parishes from the archdiocese of Liverpool and the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. It extends along the west of England from the Ribble River in the south of
Preston to the Scottish border, comprising the counties of Cumbria and much of Lancashire. Prior to the establishment of the hierarchy in 1850, this area was part of the Apostolic Vicariate of the Northern District. The history of the parish library
in the Lancaster diocese is unknown, although from the ownership inscriptions it is possible to deduce that it likely housed a collection of books and pamphlets to be used by the clergy of the district, as well as notable Lancashire lay Catholics
during the penal times, particularly the eighteenth century, In 1976 the entire collection was transferred to Ushaw College Library on permanent loan by the then bishop of Lancaster, Brian Charles Foley (1910-1999). The reasons for the transfer are
not known but they do coincide with the arrangement of a number of loan agreements to take in other parish or diocesan libraries (Middlesbrough, Durham St Cuthbert’s, and Dodding Green) suggesting that there may have been some sort of pan-diocesan
initiative to utilise Ushaw College Library to manage parish libraries more generally. With the closure of Ushaw College in 2011, Durham University Library undertook the management of the archive and early printed book collections of Ushaw College
Library. This included a university-led project to catalogue and provide access to these collections, with the parish libraries also falling under this remit. Cataloguing work began on the parish libraries in 2019.
Small collection of manuscript volumes and notebooks that originally formed part of the Lancaster Diocese Parish Library, mostly Catholic prayers, meditations and sermons
The Library was deposited on permanent loan by the Bishop of Lancaster, Brian Charles Foley in 1976.
Previously part of the Lancaster Diocese Parish Library collection and transferred to the archive in 2020.
Open for consultation.
Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from pg.library@durham.ac.uk and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. The Library will assist where possible with identifying copyright
owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material
No further accruals expected.
Claughton Parish Library
Dodding Green Parish Library
Durham St Cuthbert’s Parish Library
Lancaster Diocese Parish Library
Middlesbrough Diocesan Parish Library
Weld Bank Parish Archives and Manuscripts
Weld Bank Parish Library
Moriarty Library
Foley, B. J.,
Ann Fenwick of Hornby, A Woman of the Penal Times (born 1724 died 1777) (?Lancaster, 1977)
UC/P51/1 1680
“S. Augustin bishop of Hippo to his Friend Honorabus of the utility of beleeuing. Translated into English for the benefit of this Age, because It layes down most solid grounds to conuince false Beleeuers, and confirme true
Christians in the Catholick Faith by James Philalethes”
1 manuscript volume; 95 p
Size: 18 x 12 cm
Binding: limp vellum, manuscript waste
Provenance: on the front pastedown there is a printed bookplate “Ushaw College Library Deposited by the Diocese of Lancaster 1976” and on the verso of the front endpaper there is an inscription
“John Dowbiggin booke Anno Dom 1687”. Former shelfmark: “E AUG”
UC/P51/2 [?17th century]
Untitled volume of meditations, including a lay dedication to God, thoughts on suffering, dedication to the lady patroness of sinners, and prayers for poor persecuted English Catholics
1 manuscript volume; 150 f
Size: 17 x 12 cm
Binding: limp vellum
Provenance: on the front pastedown there is a printed bookplate “Ushaw College Library Deposited by the Diocese of Lancaster 1976”. A manuscript note tipped inside volume confirms that the manuscript volume was
originally part of the Howard of Corby Castle, Cumberland, family. Phillip Howard (or his executor) sold it privately in 1934 and it was subsequently presented to the library of the bishop of Lancaster. Former shelfmark: “E
PRA”
UC/P51/3 [?18th century]
Sermon:
“For the 22nd Sunday of Pentecost. Of our duty & obligation to Caesar”
1 manuscript volume 16 f
Size: 17 x 11 cm
Binding: unbound, in an envelope
Provenance: on the front pastedown there is a printed bookplate “Ushaw College Library Deposited by the Diocese of Lancaster 1976”. Former shelfmark: “E SER”
UC/P51/4 [?18th century]
Sermon: Of the Christians particular judgment.
“Of the circumstances of falling into the hands of him whom he offended: of yr sinner's horror to see his sins manifest in judgement: as also to behold his crimes with all their circumstances. Part 1st Dr Go. To.
2o”
1 manuscript volume 16 f
Size: 17 x 11 cm
Binding: unbound, in an envelope
Provenance: on the front pastedown there is a printed bookplate “Ushaw College Library Deposited by the Diocese of Lancaster 1976”. Former shelfmark: “E SER”
UC/P51/5 [?18th century]
Language: English and Latin
“A Profession of the Catholick Faith for our according to the decrees of the holy Council of Trent”
1 manuscript volume 79 f
Size: 17 x 11 cm
Binding: sheep
Provenance: on the front pastedown there is a printed bookplate “Ushaw College Library Deposited by the Diocese of Lanc[aster] 1976” Former shelfmark: “E PRA”
UC/P51/6 [?early 19th century]
Sermon:
“The folly of sins detected”
1 notebook; 15 p
Provenance: on the front cover ink bookstamp “Lancaster Diocese” . Former shelfmark: “E SER”
UC/P51/7 1808
Transcriptions of sermons arranged by feast days and subjects. Further series of sermons at the back of the volume. Manuscript contents page at the front and rear of the volume.
1 manuscript volume; 231 p
Size: 23 x 15 cm
Binding: wooden boards
Provenance: on the front cover ink bookstamp “Lancaster Diocese”. Former shelfmark: “E SER”
UC/P51/8 1849-1852
Book of verses written by Thomas Walton (seminarian at Ushaw College). With index at the back.
1 manuscript volume; 165 p
Size: 17 x 10 cm
Binding: half-bound goat with marbled paper over boards, marbled endpapers and edges
Provenance: on the verso of the front endpaper and recto of the second flyleaf there is an ink bookstamp “Lancaster Diocese”. On the recto of the second flyleaf pencil inscription “Thomas
Walton Rhet. U.C.C. /49”. Former shelfmark: “E WAL”
UC/P51/9 1877-1878
Notebook of Joseph Blackoe (Syntax student at Ushaw College) on English History.
1 notebook
Provenance: on the inside front cover there is a pencil inscription "E BLA" and ink bookstamp “Lancaster Diocese”. On the recto of the front endpaper ink inscription “Joseph Blackoe
English History Syntax 1877-1878”. There is a leaf of a manuscript glued on to the front cover
UC/P51/10 [19th century]
Notebook of Catholic prayers and meditations, written in different hands.
1 notebook
Provenance: on the inside front cover there is a printed bookplate “Ushaw College Library Deposited by the Diocese of Lanc[aster] 1976”
