Durham University Library Archives & Special Collections Catalogue
Manuscript codex containing English legal statutes, written in French and Latin. Made up of four sections (A)-(D). The last, a single earlier 14th century leaf, is older than the rest. (B) forms a supplement to (A), but (C) duplicates one item in (A), see (1p) and (3b). It was owned by George Davenport, who donated it to Bishop Cosin's Library around 1670.
Parchment; variable; stiffer for (A); some quires (3, 9-10) with hair-side outermost, quire 6 with flesh-side outermost; some flaws), all three edges cropped (see turned-in corners, f.54, 59 and 71).
(A: f.1-43) 18 wants 1-3 before f.1 (stubs now after f.5), 2-58, 66; (B: f.44-59) 7-88; (C: f.60-82) 912, 1012 wants 12 (blank ?) after f.82 (stub now after f.83), (D: f.83) 112 wants 2.
No evidence of line-pricking. Written space approximately 165 x 95 mm; framed in sharp dark grey, often not easy to see. 35-36 or, (C), 33-35, except f.78r-80v, 28-32; the first above top frame-line in (B) and (C).
Written in anglicana of documentary type, or, for headings and “Item” anglicana formata , proficiently, by at least four hands: I, (A) and (B); II, f.60r-77v and 81r-82v; III, f.78r-80vr; IV, f. 83r, more set.
Executed only in (A) and (B). Litterae notabiliores, especially in headings, and top-line ascenders, generally filled or lined with red. Some double virgules in red. Marginal clause-numbers underlined in red. Initials: (i) to some clauses, 1-line, red; (ii) to statutes, 2- or 3-line, not executed. Spaces left for initials by hand III.
Brown calf with blind rolls and tool of Hugh Hutchinson of Durham (c.1660-95); endpapers with watermark of pillars and grapes with CAB, cf. Heawood, nos 3496 and 3525, used in England 1662, 1667, 1671. Pastedowns and bookplate, mid 19th century, originally covering ownership inscription.
Written in England, mid 14th century.
Belonged, at end of 15th century, i.e. when items (4)-(7) were added, presumably to John de Baldyndon, or a close connection; on his family and its links with Thame, see V.C.H. Oxford, vii, 172; on Baldon, ibid., v, 30-56, esp. 51. Inscription: “Anthonie Browne Robert Bynckis his heires executo...”, and other late 16th century pen-trials, f.37v outer margin; and, probably in the same hand, “Elizabethe dei gratia anglis [sic] Francie et Hiberne [sic] fidei”, f.21v outer margin. “Williame Elves Stephen Elves grant”, late 16th century, f.43v. Other 14th-16th century pen-trials, f.6r, 25v, and 83r; also “x queris”, 15th century (?); “Mart... x s.”, 14th century.
“Geo. Davenport Donum Johannis Tempest Armigeri”, on older front pastedown, revealed by part removal of one stuck over it; for Tempest, see Cosin MS V.iv.2, also given by him to Davenport, along with Cosin MS V.iv.9. Note of content, by Davenport, f.viv. “IV 5”, in ink, on spine, early 18th century shelf-mark; ex-libris, and shelf-numbers, by Rud, f.1r.
Statutes, etc., of Edward III for England, 1327-1353, and (1l), for Ireland, of Edward II, 1323. f.43v blank.
Beginning imperfectly
Recital in 1336 of Statute 4 Ed. III caps iii-iv.
Repeated in (3b) below
f. 59v blank.
Ending as BL Royal 19.A.XIV, and without writs; f.60r headed by Rud “Statutm de Servis Sine anno”, and his inter-linear transcription of faded words in first seven lines.
With a further final clause; repeats (1p); “praecedens Statum Gallice” added by Rud
Lower half of f.73v left blank
“anno 37” added by Rud.
Commission of the peace by Edward [III] king of England, to the chancellor of Oxford university or his vice-gerent, the mayor of Oxford and John de Baldyndon, in Oxford and its suburb, saving the liberties of the university; 6 May [1364].
Lacking last 9 lines.
Opening clause, followed by eight alternative clauses, for conveying land and rents in Baldon by final concord, between William of Thame and his wife Agnes and John de Baldyndon; headed in darker ink and bolder hand “fines”.
Writ by the king to the sheriff of Oxford to produce John Noion before the justices at Aylesbury, for infringement of the statute of labourers in leaving the abbot of Notley's service before the end of his agreed term.
Writ by Warin del Isle and his fellows, keeper of the king's peace and justices, to the sheriff of Berkshire to summon juries, and constables and subconstables. For a commission of the peace to Warin del Lisle with, inter alios, John de Baldyngton, 8 March 1364, see CPR Edward III, 1361-1364, p.529.
Leaf from an earlier volume. Badly rubbed. Lower third of f.83r and all of f. 83vv blank.
Beginning imperfectly. Writ by the king to a sheriff to allow the said abbot to take his accustomed fines from his men and tenants of O and D (?) for breaches of this assize
Writ by the king to the mayor and sheriff of London to take custody of O Marchaunt, receiver of W de B, until he satisfy him for arrears of £10.
Catalogi veteres librorum Ecclesiae cathedralis
dunelm. Catalogues of the library of Durham cathedral, at
various periods, from the conquest to the dissolution, including
catalogues of the library of the abbey of Hulne, and of the mss.
,
Surtees Society 7, (London: J.B. Nichols and Son, [1838]).
Calendar of the Patent Rolls ... Edward III, 1361-1364, (London: HMSO, 1912)