A brief discourse touching the office of Lord Chancellor of England written by the learned John Selden of the Inner Temple, Esq., and dedicated by him to Sir Francis Bacon ... ; transcribed from a true copy thereof, found amongst the collections of ... St. Lo. Kniveton ... ; together with A true catalogue of lord chancellors and keepers of the great seal of England, from the Norman conquest untill this present year, 1671, by William Dugdale, Esquire ...

A brief discourse touching the office of Lord Chancellor of England written by the learned John Selden of the Inner Temple, Esq., and dedicated by him to Sir Francis Bacon ... ; transcribed from a true copy thereof, found amongst the collections of ... St. Lo. Kniveton ... ; together with A true catalogue of lord chancellors and keepers of the great seal of England, from the Norman conquest untill this present year, 1671, by William Dugdale, Esquire ...

Table of contents

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Title page

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Sir FRANCIS BACON Knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England.

A BRIEF DISCOURSE TOUCHING THE OFFICE OF Lord Chancellor of England, &c.

The Name and Office of Lord Chancellor of England under the Saxons.

II. Whether the Keeping of a Seal, were in the Chancellorship under the Saxons.

III. Testimonies of the Chancellorship and Keepership joyned, in times neer after the Norman Invasion.

IV. Of the Division and Conjunction of Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper, till an Old Act made that they should be One.

A true CATALOGUE of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England, from the Norman Conquest, untill this present Year 1671.

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Tumulus Praenob: FRANCISCI Baronis VERVLAM Vicecomitis (que) S. ALBAN In Cancello Ecclesiae S. Mich▪ apud. S. ALBANVM.

FRANCISCVS BACON BARO DE VERVLAMS. ALBANI VIC: SEV NOTIORIBVS TITVLIS SCIENTIARVM LVMEN. FACVNDIAE LEX SIC SEDEBAT

QVI POSTQVAM OMNIA NATVRALIS SAPIENTIAE ET CIVILIS ARCANA EVOLVISSET NATVRAE DECRETVM EXPLEVIT COMPOSITA SOLVANTVR AN DNI. M.DC.XXVI. AETAT. LXVI

TANTI VIRI MEM▪ THOMAS MEAVTVS SVPERSTITIS CVLTOR DEFVNCTI ADMIRATOR H. P.

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[Page] [Page]A BRIEF DISCOURSE TOUCHING THE OFFICE OF Lord Chancellor OF ENGLAND.

WRITTEN BY The Learned John Selden of the Inner Temple, Esq and Dedicated by him to Sir Francis Bacon Knight, then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of ENGLAND.

Transcribed from a true Copy thereof, found amongst the Collections of that Judicious Antiquary St. Lo Kniveton, late of Grayes Inne Esq

TOGETHER WITH A True Catalogue of Lord Chancellors, and Keepers of the Great Seal of England, from the Norman Conquest, untill this present Year, 1671.

BY WILLIAM DƲGDALE, Esquire, NORROY King of Arms.

LONDON, Printed for William Lee at the Turks Head in Fleet street, over against Fetter-lane end, 1671.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Sir FRANCIS BACON Knight, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England.

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MY LORD,

THE Times obvious discourse, whereby that All which truly loves Nobless or Learning congratulates your highly deserved Honor, caused me collect these, taken out of no obvious Monuments, touching the auncientest mention, conjunction, and division of those two Great Offices of State which your Lordship really bears, though stiled but by the name of one: they are short, yet give large testimony of the former times. They conclude with an Act made about 320. years since, of like tenor in substance with that later under Queen Eliz. which was as proper to your name, whence these also were the fitter to offer you: Enough, other particulars touching both these Great Offices might have been added, but these were chosen for the usual Question of the present, and thus are given (not yet seen by any other eye) as a taste of my humble Observance. My Lord, they are only yours, as their Author would be,

J. Selden.

A BRIEF DISCOURSE TOUCHING THE OFFICE OF Lord Chancellor of England, &c.

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The Name and Office of Lord Chancellor of England under the Saxons.

THE eldest mention in good authority of the name of Chancellor of this Kingdom, is in Edward the elders time,Temp. Edw. senioris & sequentium Regum. Ingulphus. about the year DCCCCXX. he made Turketill Abbot of Croyland his Chancellor. Cancellarium suum eum constituit, ut quaecunque negotia temporalia vel spiritualia, Regis Judicium expectabant illius consilio & decreto (nam tantae fidei et tam profundi ingenij tenebatur) omnia tractarentur, & tractata irrefragabilem sententiam sortirentur. This Abbot held the Office under Athelstan, Edmund and Edred succeeding Kings.

King Ethelred afterwards divided the Chancellorship between the Abbots of Ely, Temp. Ethelredi. and St. Augustine in Canterbury, and of Glastenbury, who were to exercise it by turn. The words of an Old Monk of Ely are, Statuit atque concessit quatenus Ecclesia de Ely extunc & semper in Regis Curiâ, Cancellarii ageret dignitatem quod & aliis, Sancti viz. Augustini & Glasconiae Ecclesiis constituit, ut Abbates istorum Coenobiorum vicissim assignatis succedendo temporibus annum trifariè dividerint,[Page]cum Sanctuarii & caeteris ornatibus Altaris ministrando: So as the Abbot of Ely, or some Monk by him appointed, exercised the Office from Candlemas four moneths yearly, and the other two of Glastenbury and St. Augustines made up the twelve.

But there occurres not any subscription in Charters by that name, till the Confessor, in his Patent to the Church of Westminster; after the King, Bishops, Abbots, and others, comes Ego Rembaldus Cancellarius subscripsi.

Yet in the ancientest Monument of a Grant by any King extant here, I doubt not but the Chancellor subscribed, though under another name.

The first Christian King of the Saxons founded and endowed Canterbury Church,Temp. Ethelberti. and in his Charter amongst the Earls, occurrs Ego Augemandus Referendarius subscripsi; where Referendarius may well stand for Cancellarius, the Office of both (as the words applyed to the Court are used in the Code, Novells, and Story of the declining Empire) fignifying an Officer that received Petitions and Supplications to the King, and made out his Writs and Mandates, as a Custos Legis: And though there were divers Referendarii, as 14. then 8. then more again, and so divers Chancellors in the Empire; Yet one especially here, exercising an Office of the nature of these many, might well be stiled by either of the names. These are testimonies of that time without exception, though Polydore begin the Name and Office at the Norman Conquest.

II. Whether the Keeping of a Seal, were in the Chancellorship under the Saxons.

FOR that Principal part of the Office, or that other Office joyned with the Chancellorship, the Keeping of the Seal; If the common Opinion were cleer, that under the Saxon State no Seals were here used, then were it vain to think of it as of that time. But there is yet remaining an Old Saxon Charter of King Edgar, Edgar. beginning, A Orthodoxorum vigoris Ecclesiastici monitu creberrime instruimur, &c. to the Abbey of Persore, wherein divers Lands are given, and there remains in the Parchment plain signes of three Labells by the places cut for their being hanged on: and of the selfsame [Page] Charter a testimony also as ancient, that the Seals were, one of King Edgar, the second of St. Dunstan, and the third of Alfer Ducis Merciorum. That testimony is in a Letter from Godfrie Archdeacon of Worcester to Pope Alexander III. writing of that Charter, and the Authority of it: Noverit, saith he, Sanctitas vestra, verum esse, quod conscripti hujus scriptum originale in virtute Sanctae Trinitatis sigilla tria, trium personarum autenticarum, ad veritatem, triplici confirmatione commendat; Est autem Sigillum primum illustris Regis Edgari; secundum Sancti Dunstani Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi; tertium Alferi Ducis Merciorum; sicut ex diligenti literarum impressarum inspectione evidenter accepi. And it's reported by those which have searched the Records of St. Denys Church in France, there remain two Charters, the one of one Offa, the other of one Edgar, with Seals annext; the one of which I have seen cast off in Lead, and is about the breadth of a Shilling thick, and having a face on the one side. Likewise amongst the Chartae Antiquae, divers being reckoned cum Sigillo, others sine Sigillo; one is cum Sigillo of King Cnout, neither is there any colour of doubt but that the Confessor had his Seal, for the Print yet remains in part to be seen. But notwithstanding these singular examples of Kings Sealing in the Saxons times, it's most certain it was not a thing common then; neither could any in the Chancellorship be denominated from Keeping the Seal, nor in any other Office. Curiosity in some particular occasion swayed more in it, than any Custom;In the Register of Croyland it appears that the Normans brought in the use of Seals to Charters. Although we admit those before mentioned for true, which may well be doubted, in regard of the frequent fraud and ignorance in committing it, which in the elder times possess'd the Church-men. But for the Confessor's Seal, that was without scruple certain, and thence may we confidently derive the Great Seal of England.

III. Testimonies of the Chancellorship and Keepership joyned, in times neer after the Norman Invasion.

AS in the Monuments of the Confessor Rembald is named Chancellor;Will. 1. so under the first William, Maurice Bishop of London, and in the succeeding times others. Old Stories of the Monks sufficiently mention them. But little [Page] appears of the Office till the time of H. 2. under whom, one writing the life of Thomas Beckett that was Lord Chancellor, hath this most ancient testimony of it, and of Keeping the Seal also; Cancellarii dignitas est, ut secundus à Rege in regno habeatur; ut altera parte Sigilla regii, quod & ad ejus pertinet custodiam, propria signet mandata, ut Capella Regia in illius sit dispositione et cura, ut vacantes Archiepiscopatus, Episcopatus, Abbatias & Baronias cadentes in manum Regis ipse suscipiat & conservet; ut omnibus Regis assit consiliis, etiam non vocatus, accedat; ut omnia Sigilliferi Clerici regii sua manu signentur: Item ut suffragantibus, ex Dei gratia vitae meritis, nòn moriatur, nisi Archiepiscopus vel Episcopus si voluerit: Inde est quod Cancellaria non emenda est. And another of the same time, Cancellarius sicut in Curia, sic & ad Scaccarium magnus est; adeò ut sine ipsius consensu vel consilio nihil magnum fiat vel fieri debeat: verum hoc habet officium dum residet ad Scaccarium: Ad ipsum pertinet custodia Sigilli regii, quod est in Thesauro; Sed indè nòn recedit nisi cum Praecepto Justiciarii, (that is Chief Justice of England that was a Viceroy) ab inferiore ad superius Scaccarium, à Thesaurario vel Camerario defertur ad explenda solum negotia Scaccarii; quibus peractis in loculum mittitur, & loculus à Cancellario consignatur, & sic Thesaurario traditur custodiendus. Item cùm necesse fuerit, signatus sub omnium oculis Cancellario offertur, nunquam ab ipso vel ab alio alias offerendus. Item ad ipsum pertinet rotuli, qui est de Cancellaria, custodia per suppositam personam. Another about the time of Edw. 1. Officium Cancellariae viro provido & discreto ut Episcopo vel Clerico magnae dignitatis debet committi, simul cum curâ majoris Sigilli regni, cujus substituti sunt Cancellarii omnes in Anglia, Hibernia, Wallia & Scotia. Omnesque sigilli regii custodes praeter Custodem Sigilli privati.

IV. Of the Division and Conjunction of Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper, till an Old Act made that they should be One.

BUT for that of Cancellaria emenda nòn est, Cart. 14. Joh. dorso. Walt. deGray Cancellar. & alii missi ad Othonem Imp. nepotem Regis Johannis. an example not long after was, not only in truth to the contrary, but entred also in Publique Records; For Walter de [Page]Gray of the Family of the Greyes of Rotherfeld in Oxfordshire, In dorso sin. 7. Joh. in 7th of King John, Dat. Domino Regi quinque millia Marcarum pro habendâ Cancellariâ Domini Regis totâ vitâ suâ; & pro habendâ inde Charta Domini Regis. Pat. 14 Joh. m. 5. Carta Regis W. de Carrio de domo sua de Carrio &c. Teste Will. de Brewer apud Westm. 21. Maii. Carta Regis Joh. facta Mauricio de Gant de Manerio de [...] ▪ Teste or Dat. per manum Radulphi de Nevill apud Buttevill 28 Julii an. 16. Pat. p. 2. m. 8. Et ibid. m. 4. Ric. de Mariscis Cancellarius. So are the words of the Roll, and the dayes of Payment are set down also; and in the Rolls of the same year occurrs, Hic recepit W. Gray Cancellaria. Yet had he not alwayes the Custody of the Seal, for in the Charter Roll of that Year after the taking his Chancellorship there is but one Patent or Charter dated by him, as the fashion then was, with Dat. per manum W. de G. Cancellarii nostri, or the like.

Those that both follow and precede,Pat. 17. Joh. m. 2. [...]. de Mariscis Cancellar. are Dat. per manum Hugonis de Welles Archidiaconi Wellensis, who, it seems,28 Apr. kept the Seal: and therefore he is expresly called the King's Chancellor in some Monks that writ of that time,Et ib. in dors. idem Cancellarius missus Rom [...]m. as others are for the same cause: Neither was it ever heard of them to have the Chancellorship granted,Cart. 18. Joh. Rex dedit Baldwino de Guisne Manerium de Benefeld &c. Dat. per manum Magistri Ric. de Mariscis Cancellarii nostri apud Nareas 30 Maii. yet the Seal still to Remain in another hand. For also while this W. de Gray was Chancellor, Richard de Marisco whom Matthew Paris calls Chancellor too, and others misreckon him for one had the keeping of the Seal, the Roll is nono die Octobris anno regni Domini Regis 15. Liberavit Magister Richardus de Marisco Archidiaconus Richmond. & Northumbr. Domino Regi Sigillum apud Ospring;Pat. 15. Joh. p. 1. m 8. Et fin. m 5. Walt de Gray Cancellar. Ib. m. 5. Idem factus suit Episc. Wigor. and then on the 22. of Decemb. following, apud Windlesores liberatum fuit Sigillum Domino R. de Nevill, deferendum sub Domino P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, that was Peter de Roches or de Rupibus Chief Justice of England. But this here out of the infallible testimony of Records touching W. de Gray, differs not a little in time from the relation of the Monk, notwithstanding the Seal thus committed to Ralf de Nevill who had it also under H. 3. in the beginning of his Raign, totius Regni ordinante consensu & consilio; Pat. 18 Joh. m. 5. Ric. de Marisco Cancellar. 14 Julii. yet the Patent and other Charters and close Letters of the time, are, for the most part, Per Rectorem Regni, or Teste P. Wintoniensi Episcopo, or T. H. de Burgo Chief Justice of England under H. 3. Per eundem; or Per P. Wintoniensem Episcopum, or the like. And yet also in Rolls of that time,Cart. 17 Joh. m. 3. Ric. de Mariscis Cancellarius. where Nevill never at all makes the Teste, or hath his name added, mention is of him [Page] for other uses as belonging to the Office of Chancellorship, as the delivery of the Counterbriefs to him and Fines, &c. mittend' in Scaccarium, according to the use of that age. But although both Records and Story thus make R. de Nevill Lord Keeper from King John unto H. 3. yet had not he any Patent of either Chancellorship or Keepership till 11. H. 3.Cart. 11 H. 3. p. 1. m. 28. where both a Patent of the Keeping of the Seal for life, either by himself or Deputy, and another of the Chancellorship of England toto tempore vitae suae, were made to him, both bearing the same Date.

Yet after this also,An. 13 H. 3. The King granted to R. Bishop of Chichester the Chancellorship for life, 16 Nov. through divers oppositions in State against the goodness and Noble Carriage of this Ralf de Nevill, the Seal was after unjustly taken from him, and restored again as his former right.And likewise to the same R. the same office, An. 16 H. 3. 14 Julii. And by another Charter of the same date the Custody of the Seal for life also, to exercise that Keepership in person, or by an assignee. And in 20 H. 3. the King would have had it from him, Sed idem Cancellarius (saith the Monk) hoc facere renuit, videns impetum Regis modestiae fines excedentem; dixitque se nulla ratione hoc facere posse, cum illud communi consilio Regni suscepisset. Quapropter nec illud similiter sine communi assensu Regni alicui resignaret: Yet in 22 H. 3. the King violently took it from him, and committed it to one Godfrey a Templar, and John of Lexinton; Emolumentis tamen (so sayes the Story) ad Cancellarium spectantibus, Episcopo quasi Cancellario, redditis & assignatis. Afterward one Simon Norman a Lawyer had it: and from him it was taken, and committed to Richard Abbot of Evesham, who kept it three years, and then resigned it in 26 H. 3. The Chancellor and Keeper (of right) Nevill was afterward reconciled to the King, and dyed 28 H. 3.

In the Acts of Parliament of which year, one is,Vide etiam Cart. 17 H. 3. pro eodem Episcopo de eisdem Officiis pro termino vitae suae. That the Keeper of the Seal should be alwayes the Chancellor, and that all things sealed otherwise should be voyd. The words are, Si aliqua interveniente occasione Dominus Rex abstulerit Sigillum suum à Cancellario, quicquid fuerit interim sigillatum, irritum habeatur & inane, Deinde Cancellario fiat restitutio. And it appears otherwise that they alwayes took it unjustly done, if the Chancellorship and Keepership were not in one: By Reason whereof, before that, in a Charter of King John's yet extant in some hands, of the Moderation of the Fees of the Seal, no person is spoken of but the Chancellor and his under [Page] Officers; as if it could not have been but that who ever had the Seal, the same should only bee Chancellor.

According to that the Chancellorship and Keepership were joyned in all the Chancellors under Henry the 3 and Edward the 1. most of which being made Bishops, resigned their Seal and Office, although afterward under the succeeding Kings sometimes the Seal was committed to others hands upon some requiring occasions; and some Lord Keepers were created in later times before Sir Nicholas Bacon, in whose time that Statute of 5 Eliz. was made.

A true CATALOGUE of the Lord Chancellors and Keepers of the Great Seal of England, from the Norman Conquest, untill this present Year 1671.

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An. D. 1067. 1 Will. Conq. | MAurice (afterwards Bishop of London.) Will. Malmsb. de Cestis Pontif. lib. 2. f. 134. b.
| Osmund (afterwards Bishop of Salisbury) Godw. de Praesul. p. 389.
Anno 1073. 6 W. Conq. | Arfastus (Bishop of Helmham) Pat. 8 E. 2. p. 1. m. 3. per Inspex.
| Baldric; Pat. 8 E. 2. p. 2. m. 1. per Inspex.
| Herman Bishop of Shireburne.
| Will. Wilson (Chaplain to the King) Chron. Rob. de Monte.
| Will. Giffard (Bishop of Winchester) Cart. 51 H. 3. m. 1. per Inspex.
Will. Rufus. | Robert Bloet (afterwards Bishop of Lincoln) R. Hoved. f. 265 b. n. 30.
Henr. 1. | Will. Giffard (Bishop of Winchester) Text. Roff. cap. 6.
| Roger (afterwards Bishop of Salisbury) W. Malm. f. 91. a. l. 2.
| Geffrey Ruffus (afterwards Bishop of Durham) H. Hunt. f. 220 b. 10.
| Randulph H. Hunt. f. 218 b. n. 40.
| Geffrey (Bishop of Durham) Regist. Eccl. Elien. in Bibl. Cotton. f. 29 a.
Steph. | Alexander Bishop of Lincoln, Will. Neubrigensis lib. 1. cap. 6.
| Roger Pauper. Ord. Vit. p. 319 C. D.
Anno 1153. 18 Steph. | Philip, Regist. Eccl. Elien. in Bibl. Cotton. f. 32 a.
Anno 1157. 3 H. 2. | Thomas Archdeacon of Canterbury, R. Hoved. 281 b. n. 20. (afterwards Archbishop) Ro. Hoved. 282 a. n. 20.
Anno 1173. 20 H. 2. | Raphe de Warnevill (Sacrist of Roan, and Treasurer of Yorke) Matth. Paris. in anno 1173.
Anno 1181. 26 H. 2. | Geffrey, natural Son to King Henry the 2d, R. Hoved. f. 349. n. 10. Chancellor.
| Walter de Bidun, Lel. col. Vol. 1. p. 38.
Anno 1189. 1 R. 1. | Will. de Longcamp (afterwards Bishop of Ely) R. Hoved. f. 375 a. n. 40.
Anno 1198. 7 R. 1. | Eustace Bishop of Ely, R. Hoved. f. 449 a. n. 40.
Anno 1199. 1 Johan. | Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury, R. Hoved. f. 451 a. n. 40. Chancellor.
Anno 1204. 6 Joh. | Hugh Archdeacon of Wells (afterwards Bishop of Lincoln) M. Paris. in anne 1205. Chancellor.
Anno 1205. 7 Joh. | Walter de Gray, Cart. antiq. BB. n. 22. (afterwards Bishop of Worcester) Chancellor.
Anno 1212. 14 Joh. | Richard de Marisco, Mat. Westm. in eodem anno. Chancellor.
Anno 1213. 15 Joh. | Raphe de Nevill, Keeper of the Seal under Peter de Roche Bishop of Winchester, Pat. 15 Joh. p. 1. m. 6.
Anno 1223. 8 H. 3. | Richard de Marisco (Bishop of Durham) Cl. 8 H. 3. m. 25. Chancellor.
Anno 1226. | Raphe Nevill (Bishop of Chichester) 12 Febr. Cart. 12. H. 3. m. 28. Chancellor.
Anno 1230. | The same Kaphe constituted Keeper of the Seal 14 Junii, Cart. 15 H. 3. m. 8.
Anno 1238. 22 H. 3. | Geffrey a Templar, and John de Lexinton, made Keepers of the Seal, M. Paris. in eodem anno.
Anno 1239. 23 H. 3. | Simon Norman, from whom the Seal was taken, and delivered to Richard Abbot of Evesham, M. Paris. in eodem anno.
Anno 1246 30 H. 3. | Ranulph Briton, Mat. Paris. in eodem anno, Chancellor.
Anno 1247. 31 H. 3. | Mr. Silvester, a Clerk of the Kings, executed the Office of the Chancellor, M. Paris. in eodem anno.
| John de Lexinton had the Custody of the Seal, 18 Sept. Rot. Fin. 31 H. 3. m. 2.
| John Mansell Chancellor of the Cathedral of St. Paul in London, had the Custody of the Seal, to execute the Office of Chancellor, M. Paris. in eodem an. & Pat. 31 H. 3. m. 2.
Anno 1249. 33 H. 3. | The same John Mansell Provost of Beverley had the Custody of the Seal untill the Feast of St. Mary this year, Pat. 12 H. 3. m. 3.
Anno 1250. 34 H. 3. | Peter de Rievaulx, and Mr. Will. de Kilkenny, had the Custody of the Seal, Claus. 34 H. 3. m. 15.
Anno 1253. 37 H. 3. | P. Chaceport, and John de Lexinton had the Custody of the Seal, by reason that Mr. W. (de Kilkenny) was sick 15 Maii, Rot. Fin. 37 H. 3. m. 9.
| XXII. Junii the Queen had the Custody thereof, the King then going into Gascoign, Pat. 37 H. 3. m.
Anno 1254. 38 H. 3. | Mr. Will. de Kilkenny, the Kings Clerk, supplied the Office of Chancellor, M. Paris. in eodem anno.
Anno 1255. 39 H. 3. | H. de Wengham Clerk, had the Custody of the Seal, M. Paris. in eodem anno.
Anno 1258. 42 H. 3. | VI. Maii, W. de Merton had the Custody of the Seal, by reason that Henry de Wengham was sick, Pat. 42 H. 3. m. 29.
Anno 1260. 44 H. 3. | Mr. N. Archdeacon of Ely had the Custody of the Seal, M. Westm. in eodem anno.
Anno 1261. 45 H. 3. | Walter de Merton made Chancellor without the advise of the Barons, M. Westm. in eodem anno, & Pat. 45 H. 3. m 18, & 19.
Anno 1263. 47 H. 3. | Mr. Nicholas Archdeacon of Ely had the Custody of the Seal, whilst the King was beyond Sea, Pat. 47 H. 3. m. 1.
Anno 1265. 49 H. 3. | Mr. John Chishull Archdeacon of London had the Custody of the Seal, Claus. 49 H. 3. m. 9.
| On Wednesday next after the Feast of St. Peter in Cathedra the Seal was delivered to Mr. Thomas de Cantilupe, Claus. 49 H. 3. m. 9. who was constituted Chancellor 16 Martii, Pat. 49 H. 3. m. 18.
| W. Bishop of Bathe and Wells made Chancellor 20 Aug. Liberate de anno 49 H. 3. m. 2.
Anno 1267. 51 H. 3. | Mr. Godfrey Giffard (afterwards Bishop of Worcester) had the Custody of the Seal, Claus. 52. H. 3. m. 7. & m. 16.
Anno 1269. 53 H. 3. | John Chishull Dean of London had the Custody of the Seal on Tuesday next after the Feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude, Pat. 53 H. 3. m. 29.
| Richard de Middilton made Keeper of the Seal on Monday next before the Feast of St. Peter ad vincula, Pat. 53 H. 3. m. 6.
Anno 1272. 56 H. 3. | John de Kirkeby made Keeper of the Seal (upon the death of Rich. de Middilton Chancellor) which John did thereupon associate to himself in that trust P. de Winton Keeper of the Kings Wardrobe, Pat. 56 H. 3. m. 6.
Anno 1274. 1 E. 1. | Walter de Merton, Clause 1 Edw. 1. m. 10.
| Robert Burnell Archdeacon of Yorke, (afterwards Bishop of Bathe and Wells) made Keeper of the Seal upon St. Matthew [Page] the Apostles day, Pat. 2 Edw. 1. m. 8.
Anno 1284. 12 E. 1. | This Robert going from Aberconwey to Acton-Burnell, delivered the Seal unto Hugh de Kendall and Walter de Odyham, Pat. 12 E. 1. m. 7.
Anno 1286. 14 E. 1. | He attended the King into France, being his Chancellor, and took the Great Seal with him, on Munday next preceding the Feast of St. Dunstan, Pat. 14. E. 1. m. 9.
Anno 1289. 17 E. 1. | On Friday next preceding the Assumption of our Lady he return'd with the King out of France, and the Seal, Pat. 17 E. 1. m. 13.
Anno 1292. 20 E. 1. | Walter de Langton Keeper of the Kings Wardrobe, made Keeper of the Seal at Berwick, on Saturday preceding the Feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude, Pat. 20 E. 1. m. 2.
Anno 1293. 21 E. 1. | John de Langton made Chancellor, Pat. 21 E. 1. m. 23. afterwards Elect Bishop of Ely, Pat. 26 E. 1. m. 10.
Anno 1302. 30 E. 1. | Mr. Will. de Grenefeld Dean of Chichester, made Chancellor on Sunday being the morrow after the Feast of St. Michael, Claus. 30 E. 1. m. 5.
Anno 1303. 31 E. 1. | The Great Seal delivered unto him on Tuesday before the Feast of St. Lucie the Virgin, Claus. 31. E. 1. in dorso m. 18.
Anno 1305. 33 E. 1. | Will. de Hamelton, Dean of Yorke, made Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered unto him 16 Jan. Pat. 33 E. 1. p. 1. m. 21.
Anno 1307. 35 E. 1. | Rauf de Baudale Bishop of London made Chancellor, and Keeper of the Seal, Rot. Fin. 35 E. 1. m. 1.
Anno 1308. 1 E. 2. | John de Langton Bishop of Chichester made Chancellor, &c. Rot. Fin. 1 E. 2. m. 9.
Anno 1311. 4 E. 2. | Walt. (Reginald) Bishop of Worcester had the Custody of the Seal 6 iulii, Claus. 4 E. 2 m. 6. in dorso.
Anno 1312. 5 E. 2. | He was the Kings Chancellor, Claus. 5 E. 2. in dorso.
Anno 1315. 8 E. 2. | John de Sandale (afterwards Bishop of Winchester) the King's Chancellor, Pat. 8 E. 2. p. 2. m. 2.
Anno 1318. 11 E. 2. | John Hothum Bishop of Ely, Pat. 11 E. 2. p. 2. m. 8.
Anno 1320. 13 E. 2. | John (Salmon) Bishop of Norwich, named Chancellor by the King in full Parliament, received the Seal, Claus. 13. E. 2. in dorso, m. 9.
Anno 1323. 16 E. 2. | Will. de Ayrmin (Mr. of the Rolls in Chancery) had the Custody of the Great Seal, John Bishop of Norwich being then sick, Claus. 14 E. 2. m. ...
Anno 1324. 17 E. 2. | Robert de Baldok Archdeacon of Middlesex made Chancellor 20 Aug. Claus. 17 E. 2. m. ...
Anno 1328. 1 E. 3. | John de Hothum Bishop of Ely had the Custody of the Great Seal 28 Jan. and to do therewith what belong'd to the Chancellor, Claus. 1 Edw. 3. p. 1. in dorso m. 25.
Anno 1329. 2 E. 3. | Henry de Clyff Mr. of the Rolls in Chancery, and Will. de Herlaston Clerk of the Chancery, made Keepers of the Seal 1 Martii, Claus. 2 E. 3. in dorso. m. 33.
| Henry de Burghersh Chancellor of England, Pat. 2 E. 3. p. 2. m. 34. to whom the King committed the Custody of the Great Seal 12 Maii, Claus. 2 E. 3. in dorso m. 26.
Anno 1331. 4 E. 3. | John de Stratford Bishop of Winchester made Keeper of the Great Seal 28 Nov. Claus. 4 E. 3. in dorso m. 16.
Anno 1333. 6 E. 3. | Mr. Robert de Stratford, brother to John Bishop of Winchester, had the Custody of the Seal, whilst his brother was imployed upon the Kings business 23 Junii, Claus. 6 E. 3. in dorso m. 22.
Anno 1334. 7 E. 3. | Will. Archbishop of York Keeper of the Great Seal, by the Kings command delivered it to Henry de Ednestowe, Thomas de Baunburgh, and John de St. Paul, upon Thursday the Epiphany of our Lord, Claus. 7 E. 3. p. 2. m. 4. in dorso.
Anno 1335. 8 E. 3. | John de Stratford elect Archbishop of Canterbury confirmed Chancellor the 6th. of Apr. delivered the Great Seal unto Mr. Rob. de Stratford his brother to be kept, Claus. 8 E. 3. m. 27. in dorso.
| Richard Bishop of Durham being made Chancellor had the Great Seal delivered to him 28 Sept. Ibid. in dors. m. 10.
Anno 1336. 9 E. 3. | John Archbishop of Canterbury made Chancellor had the Great Seal delivered to him 6 Junii, Claus. 9 Edw. 3. m. 23.
Anno 1338. 11 E. 3. | Mr. Rob. de Stratford Archdeacon of Canterbury, and elect Bishop of Chichester, made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal 23. Oct. Pat. 11 E. 3. p. 3. m. 11.
Anno 1339. 12 E. 3. | Mr. Richard de Bynteworth elect Bishop of London made Chancellor and Keeper of the Seal 6 Julii, Cl. 22 E. 3. p. 2. in dorso m. 23.
Anno 1340. 13 E. 3. | Upon the death of this Richard the great Seal was committed to the Custody of John de St. Paul Master of the Rolls in Chancery▪ Mich. de Wath and Thomas de Baunburgh 8 Dec. Claus. 13 E. 3. P. 3. in dorso m. 11.
Anno 1341. 14 E. 3. | John de St. Paul solely constituted Keeper of the Great Seal 13 Febr. Claus. 14 E. 3. p. 1. m. 42. in dorso.
| John Archbishop of Cant. made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal 28 Apr. Claus. 14 E. 3. p. 1. m. 27. in dorso.
| Robert Bishop of Chichester the Kings Chancellor delivered up the Great Seal to the King upon Thursday being the Feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, Claus. 14. E. 3. p. 2. m. 12.
Anno 1341. 14 E. 3. | Sir Robert Burgchier Knight being made Chancellor on Thursday next following St. Lucie the Virgin, had the Great Seal then delivered to him by the King, Claus. 14 E. 3. p. 2. in dorso m. 20.
Anno 1342. 15 E. 3. | Robert Parnyng the Kings Chancellor had the Great Seal delivered to him by the King 27 Oct. Cl. 15 E. 3. p. 3. in dorso m. 13.
Anno 1344. 17 E. 3. | Robert de Sadingtoa made Chancellor had the Great Seal delivered to him upon Michaelmasse [Page] day, Claus. 17. E. 3. p. 2. m. 20. in dorso.
Anno 1346. 19 E. 3. | Mr. John de Offord made Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered to him upon the 26 of Octob. Pat. 19 E. 3. p. 2. m. 7.
Anno 1347. 20 E. 3. | John de thoresby had the Great Seal delivered to him 2 Julii, John de Offord the Kings Chancellor then going beyond Sea, Claus. 20 E. 3. p. 2. in dorso m. 26.
Anno 1350. 23 E. 3. | John Bishop of St. Davids made Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered to him 16 Junii, Claus. 23. E. 3. p. 1. in dorso m. 8.
Anno 1357. 30 E. 3. | Will▪ de Edington Bishop of Winchester made Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered to him 19 Febr. Claus. 30 E. 3. in dorso m. 4.
Anno 1363. 36 E. 3. | Simon de Langham Bishop of Ely had the Great Seal deliver'd to him by the King 19 Febr. Cl. 30. E. 3. in dorso m. 39.
Anno 1368. 41 E. 3. | Will▪ de Wickham Bishop of Winchester made Chancellor 17 Sept. Cart. 14. E. 3.
Anno 1372. 45 E. 3. | Sir Robert de Thorpe Knight made Chancellor 26 Martii, had the Great Seal then delivered to him by the King, Claus. 45 E. 3. in dorso m. 35.
Anno 1373. 46 E. 3. | John Knyvet made Chancellor and keeper of the Great Seal, Claus. 46 E. 3. in dorso m. 12.
Anno 1377. 50 E. 3. | Adam de Houghton Bishop of St. Davids made Chancellor 11 Jan. On which day the Great Seal was delivered to him, Claus. 50 E. 3. in dorso. p. 2. m. 7.
Anno 1379. 2 R. 2. | Sir Richard le Scrope Knight made Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered to him, Pat. 2 R. 2. p. 1. m. 24.
Anno 1380. 3 R. 2. | Simon de Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal on Munday next after the Conversion of St. Paul, Claus. 3 R. 2. in dorso m. 22.
Anno 1381. 4 R. 2. | Will. de Courtney Bishop of London made Chancellor on Saturday being the Feast of St. Laurence, Claus. 5. R. 2. in dorso m. 35.
Anno 1382. 5 R. 2. | Sir Richard Scrope Knight made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal on Wednesday next after the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, Pat. 5 R. 2. p. 1. m. 1.
Anno 1383. 6 R. 2. | Robert de Braybroke Bishop of London made Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered to him on Saturday being the Eve of St. Matthew the Apostle, Claus. 6 R. 2. p. 1. in dorso m. 24.
| Sir Michael de la Pole Knight made Chancellor, and Keeper of the Great Seal 13 Martii, Claus. 6 R. 2. p. 2. in dorso m. 12.
Anno 1387. 10 R. 2. | Thomas de Arundell Bishop of Ely made Chancellor, and Keeper of the Great Seal 24 Oct. Claus. 20. R. 2. m. 35.
Anno 1389. 12 R. 2. | Will. de Wickham Bishop of Winchester again made Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered unto him 4 Maii, Pat. 12. R. 2. p. 2. m. 7.
Anno 1392. 15 R. 2. | Thomas de Arundell Archbishop of Canterb. made Chancellor 7 Sept. had the Great Seal delivered to him, Pat. 15 R. 2. p. 1. m. 19.
Anno 1397. 20 R. 2. | Edmund de Stafford Bishop of Exeter made Keeper of Great Seal 23 Nov. Claus. 20 R. 2. p. 1. in dorso m. 22.
Anno 1400. 1 H. 4. | John de Scarle Master of the Rolls in Chancery made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal 15 Nov. Pat. 1. H. 4. p. 3. m. 27.
Anno 1401. 2 H. 4. | Edmund Bishop of Exeter made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal 9 Martii, Claus. 2 H. 4. p. 2. in dorso m. 3.
Anno 1404. 5 H. 4. | Henry Beaufort Bishop of Lincoln Chancellor Pat. 5 H 4. p. 2. m. 28.
Anno 1405. 6 H. 4. | Thomas Langley Bishop of Durham Chancellor, Godw. de Praesul.
Anno 1407. 8 H. 4. | Thomas Archbishop of Canterb. made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal 30 Jan. Claus. 8. H. 4. in dorso m. 23.
Anno 1410. 11 H. 4. | John Wakering Clerk, Master of the Rolls in Chancery, had the Custody of the Great Seal 19 Jan. Claus. 11 H. 4. in dorso m. 8
| Sir Thomas Beaufort Knight made Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered to him 31 Jan. Claus. 11 H. 4. in dorso m. 8.
Anno 1414. 1. H. 5. | Henry de Beaufort Bishop of Winchester made Chancellor and Keeper of the Great Seal, Claus. 1. H. 5.
Anno 1417. 4 H. 5. | Simon Garnstede Clerk, Master of the Rolls in Chancery, had the Custody of the Great Seal from 4. Sept. untill the 12th. of Oct. Claus. 4 H. 5. in dorso m. 13.
| Henry Bishop of Winchester had the Great Seal delivered to him 12 Octob. Claus. 4 H. 5. in dorso m. 13.
Anno 1418. 5 H. 5. | Thomas de Langley Bishop of Durham had the Great Seal delivered to him by the King 23 Junii, Claus. 5 H. 5. in dorso m. 15.
Anno 1423. 1 H. 6. | Thomas Bishop of Durham made Chancellor by the advice and consent of all the Councell in Parliament, Pat. 1 H. 6. p. 4. m. 19.
Anno 1424. 2 H. 6. | Henry Beaufort Bishop of Winchester, made Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered to him 16 Julii, Claus, 2. H. 6. in dorso m. 2.
Anno 1426. 4 H. 6. | John Kempe Bishop of London made Chancellor, &c. ... Martii, Claus. 4 H. 6. in dorso, m. 8.
Anno 1432. 10 H. 6. | John Stafford Bishop of Bathe made Chancellor &c. 28 Febr. Claus. 10 H. 6. in dorso m. 8.
Anno 1433. 11 H. 6. | John Hank Clerk, Master of the Rolls in Chancery, received from John Stopyngton Clerk on the behalf of the Lord Chancellor of England the Great Seal to use and exercise 22 Apr. Claus. 11 H. 6. in dorso m. 12.
Anno 1450. 28 H. 6. | John Archbishop of Yorke, and Cardinal, made Chancellor 31 Jan. Claus. 28 H. 6. in dorso m. 7.
Anno 1454. 32 H. 6. | Richard Earl of Salisbury made Chancellor 2 Apr. Claus. 32 H. 6. in dorso m. 8.
Anno 1455. 33 H. 6. | Thomas Bourchier Archbishop of Canterbury made Chancellor 7 Martii, Claus. 33 H. 6. in dorso m. 9.
Anno 1557. | Will. Wickham Bishop of Winchester made Chancellor 11 Oct. Claus. 35 H. 6. m. 10. in dorso.
Anno 1460. 38 H. 6. | George Nevill Bishop of Exeter made Chancellor 25 Julii, Claus. 38 H. 6. in dorso m. 7.
Anno 1468. 7 E. 4. | Robert Stillington Bishop of Bathe and Wells made Chancellor 8 Junii, Claus. 7 E. 4. m. 12. in dorso.
Anno 1473. 12 E. 4. | John Alcock Bishop of Rochester made Keeper of the Great Seal 20 Sept. Claus. 12 E. 4. m. 16. in dorso.
Anno 1474. 13 E. 4. | Laurence Bishop of Durham made Chancellor &c. 5 Junii, Claus. 13 E. 4. m. 3.
Anno 1475. 14 E. 4. | Thomas Rotheram Bishop of Lincoln made Chancellor, Godw. de Praesul.
Anno 1484. 1 R. 3. | John Russell Bishop of Lincoln made Chancellor 26 Nov. Claus. 1 R. 3. in dorso.
Anno 1485. 3 R. 3. | Thomas Barow, Master of the Rolls, made Keeper of the Great Seal 1 Aug. Claus. 3 R. 3.
Anno 1486. 1 H. 7. | John Alcock Bishop of Ely made Chancellor upon Munday 6 Martii, Cl. 1. H. 7. in dorso.
Anno 1487. 2 H. 7. | John Morton Archbishop of Canterbury made Chancellor 8 Aug. Pat. 2. H. 7. p. 2.
Anno 1501. 16 H. 7. | Henry Deane Bishop of Salisbury (upon the death of John Morton) had the Great Seal delivered to him 13 Octob. Claus. 26 H. 7. in dorso.
Anno 1502. 17 H. 7. | Will. Warham Bishop of London, elect of Canterb. had the Great Seal delivered to him 11 Aug. and was made Chancellor 1 Jan. following. Claus. 17 H. 7. in dorso.
Anno 1516. 7 H. 8. | Thomas Wolsey Lord Cardinal and Archbishop of Yorke, had the Great Seal delivered to him 7 Decembr. and was made Chancellor, Claus. 7 H. 8. in dorso.
Anno 1530. 21 H. 8. | Sir Thomas More Knight made Lord Chancellor, had the Great Seal delivered to him on Munday 25 Octob. Claus. 21 H. 8. in dorso.
Anno 1533. 24 H. 8. | Thomas Audley had the Great Seal delivered unto him on Munday 20 Maii, and then Knighted, Claus. 24 H. 8. in dorso.
| A New Seal made and delivered to him upon the 6th. of Sept. following, Ibid.
| He was made Chancellor the 26th. of Jan. ensuing, Ibid.
Anno 1545. 36 H. 8. | Thomas Lord Wriothesley Lord Chancellor of England had the Great Seal delivered to him 3 Maii, Claus. 36 H. 8. p. 1.
Anno 1547. 1 E. 6. | Sir Will. Paulet Knight, Lord St. John of Basing, had the Great Seal delivered to him 29 Junii, Pat. 1 E. 6. p. 4.
| Sir Richard Riche Knight made Chancellor of England 30 Nov. Pat. 1 E. 6. p 3. m. 14.
Anno 1551. 5 E. 6. | Thomas Goodricke Bishop of Ely made Chancellor of England 19 Jan. Cl. 5 E. 6. p. 5.
Anno 1553. 1 Mar. | Steph. Gardner Bishop of Winchester made Chancellor of England 21 Sept. Pat. 1 M. p. 8.
Anno 1555. 3 M. | Nicholas Heath Archbishop of Yorke made Chancellor of England on Wednesday 1 Jan. Claus. 2 & 3 Ph. & Mar. in dorso part 11.
Anno 1559. 1 Eliz. | Sir Nicholas Bacon Knight, Attorney of the Court of Wards, made Keeper of the Great Seal 22 Decemb. Annal. Camd. & Pat. 1 Eliz. p. 3.
Anno 1579. 21 Eliz. | Thomas Bromley, the Queens Sollicitor General, made Chancellor of England, 25 Apr. Claus. 21 Eliz. p. 4. in dorso.
Anno 1587. 29 Eliz. | Sir Christopher Hatton Knight made Lord Chancellor of England 29 Apr. Claus. 29 Eliz. p. 24. in dorso.
Anno 1592. 34 Eliz. | Sir John Puckering Knight, Serjeant at Law, had the Great Seal delivered to him 28 Maii, Claus. 34. Eliz. p. 14. in dorso.
Anno 1596. 38 Eliz. | Sir Thomas Egerton Knight, Master of the Rolls in Chancery, had the Great Seal delivered to him 26 Maii, Claus. 38 Eliz. p. 14. in dorso.
Anno 1603. 1 Jac. | Sir Thomas Egerton Knight, had the same Great Seal delivered to him by appointment of King James 5 Apr. Claus. 1 Jac p. 12. in dorso.
| Upon the 29th. of June following that Great Seal was broke, and the New Seal of King James delivered to him, Ibid.
| And on the 24th of July being advanced to the dignity of Lord Ellesmere, he was made Lord Chancellor of England, Ibid.
Anno 1616. 14 Jac. | Sir, Francis Bacon Knight, the King's Attorney General, had the Great Seal committed to his Custody 7 Martii, Claus. 16 Jac. in dorso p. 15.
Anno 1617. 15 Jac. | The same Sir Francis (then Lord Verulam) made Lord Chancellor of England 4 Jan. Claus. 16 Jac. in dorso p. 15.
Anno 1620. 18 Jac. | Henry Vicount Mandevill Lord President of the Councell, Lodowike Duke of Richmund, William Earl of Pembroke, and Sir Julius Caesar Knight, Master of the Rolls, had the Great Seal committed to their Custody in Lent.
Anno 1621. 19 Jac. | John Williams, Doctor in Divinity, and Dean of Westminster, (afterwards Bishop of Lincoln) had the Great Seal committed to his Custody 10 Julii, Claus. 19 Jac, p. 13. in dorso.
Anno 1625. 1 Car. 1. | Sir Thomas Coventre Knight, Attorney General to the King, made Keeper of the Great Seal 1 Nov.
Anno 1639. 15 Car. 1. | Sir John Finche Knight, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, had the Great Seal of England committed to his Custody 23 Jan.
Anno 1640. 16 Car. 1. | Sir Edward Littleton Knight, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, had the Great Seal of England committed to his Custody 23 Jan.
Anno 1645. 21 Car. 1. | Sir Richard Lane Knight, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, had the Great Seal of England commmitted to his Custody 30 Aug.
Anno 1657. 9. Car. 2. | Sir Edward Hide Knight, Chancellor of the Exchequer to King Charles the First, had the Great Seal of England committed to his Custody 13 Jan.
| And was made Lord Chancellor of England at Bruges in Flanders 29 Jan. following.
Anno 1667. 19 Car. 2. | Sir Orlando Bridgeman Knight and Baronet, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, had the Great Seal of England committed to his Custody 30 Aug.

FINIS.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

A brief discourse touching the office of Lord Chancellor of England written by the learned John Selden of the Inner Temple, Esq., and dedicated by him to Sir Francis Bacon ... ; transcribed from a true copy thereof, found amongst the collections of ... St. Lo. Kniveton ... ; together with A true catalogue of lord chancellors and keepers of the great seal of England, from the Norman conquest untill this present year, 1671, by William Dugdale, Esquire ...

Selden, John, 1584-1654.

Edition statement

1671

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Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2006-06 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A59075

ID [STC]

Wing S2420

ID [STC]

ESTC R9986

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12533448

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12533448

ID [VID]

62809

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A59075)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 62809)

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Source

— A brief discourse touching the office of Lord Chancellor of England written by the learned John Selden of the Inner Temple, Esq., and dedicated by him to Sir Francis Bacon ... ; transcribed from a true copy thereof, found amongst the collections of ... St. Lo. Kniveton ... ; together with A true catalogue of lord chancellors and keepers of the great seal of England, from the Norman conquest untill this present year, 1671, by William Dugdale, Esquire ..., Selden, John, 1584-1654., Dugdale, William, Sir, 1605-1686. True catalogue of lord chancellors and keepers of the great seal of England..

Extent

[6], 26 p. : port.

Printed for William Lee ...,. London :: 1671.. (On cover: Dugdale's Office of Lord Chancellor.) (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.)

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