HMC MS No. 12
A folio volume of state letters and papers, in several hands, written from both ends, 531 pages, in contemporary calf with remains of metal clasps. Compiled by, and partly in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1620s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
pp. 1-26 rev.
• DaS 39.1: Samuel Daniel, The Collection of the History of England
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Daniels History’.
First part first published in London, 1612. First published complete in London, [1618?]. Grosart, IV, 69-299. V, 1-291.
HMC MS No. 18
An octavo commonplace book, largely in one mixed hand, written from both ends, with two tables of contents, 185 leaves, in contemporary calf with remains of metal clasps. Owned by, and with additions and annotations in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1620s-30s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
ff. 1r-6r
• DnJ 4052.8: John Donne, A Sermon of Commemoration of the Lady Danvers, Late Wife of Sir John Danvers, 1627
Extracts, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Collections out of Dr Dunns funerall Sermon for the Lady Dauers’.
First published in London, 1627. Potter & Simpson, VIII, 61-93.
ff. 106r-11r
• RaW 611.5: Sir Walter Ralegh, A Discourse of the Original and Fundamental Cause of Natural, Arbitrary, Necessary, and Unnatural War
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Collections out of Sr Walter Raleghs discourse of War’.
A tract beginning ‘The ordinary theme and argument of history is war...’. First published (in part), as ‘The Misery of Invasive Warre’, in Judicious and Select Essays and Observations (London 1650). Published complete in Three Discourses of Sir Walter Ralegh (London 1702). Works (1829), VIII, 253-97.
See also RaW 610.
HMC MS No. 19
A quarto commonplace book, in a single rugged italic hand, with a table of contents in another hand, written from both ends, begun 16 December 1616, 389 pages, in contemporary calf gilt. The text entirely in the hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1616-30.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
pp. 29-34
• DnJ 4173: John Donne, Extracts
Extracts, headed ‘Dunss Satire’.
pp. 101-13
• DnJ 4174: John Donne, Extracts
Extracts, headed ‘Dunns sermon’ and ‘Notes out of Doc Duns sermon at court’.
pp. 224-8
• JnB 765: Ben Jonson, Extracts
Extracts from Jonson's poems on women, headed ‘Johnsons verses’.
HMC MS No. 20
A folio commonplace book, in two hands, written from both ends, begun 26 November 1622, 426 pages, in old calf (rebacked). Partly in the rugged italic hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician, partly in the hand of an amanuensis. c.1622-30.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
HMC MS No. 21
A folio commonplace book, in several hands, written from both ends, with a table of subject headings, begun 7 March 1624/5, 358 pages of text (plus blanks), Chiefly in the rugged italic hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician, partly in the rounded secretary hand of an amanuensis and two others. c.1625-30s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
p. 1
• DnJ 4177: John Donne, Extracts
Extracts from a sermon, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Dean of Poels dunn Mathew 19 ve 16’.
p. 16
• CoR 765.5: Richard Corbett, Sermon at Court, on 2 Corinthians 4. 8
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Corbet at court / 2 Corin. 4: 8’ and indexed in the table of headings as by ‘Dr Corbett’.
Unpublished.
pp. 25-6
• DnJ 1587.5: John Donne, An hymne to the Saints, and to Marquesse Hamylton (‘Whether that soule which now comes up to you’)
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Dunns verses vpon marqiss Hamletoun’.
First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 288-90. Shawcross, No. 154. Milgate, Epithalamions, pp. 74-5. Variorum, 6 (1995), pp. 220-1.
pp. 57-9
• BcF 677: Francis Bacon, Extracts
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Lo St Albanse’.
pp. 70-1
• BcF 121.8: Francis Bacon, Certain Considerations touching the Better Pacification and Edification of the Church of England
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Lo. St Albans reformation of the church of Ingland’.
First published in London, 1604. Spedding, X, 103-27. The circumstances of the original publication and the book's suppression by the Bishop of London discussed, with a census of relevant exempla, in Richard Serjeantson and Thomas Woolford, ‘The Scribal Publication of a Printed Book: Francis Bacon's Certaine Considerations Touching...the Church of England (1604)’, The Library, 7th Ser. 10/2 (June 2009), 119-56.
pp. 72-5
• BcF 166.5: Francis Bacon, Considerations touching a War with Spain
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Considerations touching a warr with Spayn’, indexed in the Earl's hand in the table of headings as by ‘Lo St Albons’.
A tract dedicated to Prince Charles, beginning ‘Your Highness hath an imperial name. It was a Charles that brought the empire first into France...’. First published in Certaine Miscellany Works, ed. William Rawley (London, 1629). Spedding, XIV, 469-505.
pp. 103-4
• CoR 806: Richard Corbett, Extracts
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Docter Corbet at Oxford Parlement’.
pp. 133-6
• HrJ 328.5: Sir John Harington, A Supplie or Addicion to the Catalogue of Bishops, to ye Yeare 1608
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Sr John Haritons addishons to Goodwins works about Bishops’.
First published, as A Briefe View of the State of the Church of England, edited by John Chetwind (London, 1653). Edited by R.H. Miller (Potomac, 1979).
pp. 175-6
• HlJ 65: Joseph Hall, Extracts
Extracts from a sermon, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Doctor Hall Salm 68: 19’.
pp. 176, 178
• AndL 55.6: Lancelot Andrewes, Tortura torti
Extracts from sermons, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Andres at St Martins’ and again ‘Andres’ (both indexed by a scribe in the table of headings as by ‘Dr Andrewes’).
First published in London, 1609.
pp. 179-80
• DnJ 4178: John Donne, Extracts
Extracts (from sermons?), in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Docter dunn’.
p. 181
• CoR 807: Richard Corbett, Extracts
Extracts (from a sermon?), in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Docter Corbet’ and beginning ‘That Creture which hase last made service...’.
pp. 189-94
• GgA 131: Sir Arthur Gorges, The Islands Voyage
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Sr Arthur Gorges of the Iland Viage’.
First published, as ‘A larger Relation of the...Iland Voyage’ (but without any dedicatory epistle), in Hakluytus Posthumus or Purchas his Pilgrimes (London, 1625). Glasgow edition of Purchas, XX (1907), 34-129. According to Purchas the work was written in 1607 and dedicated to Prince Henry.
pp. 4-5 rev.
• BcF 232.1: Francis Bacon, Offer to the King of a Digest to be made of the Laws of England
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘My Lo: St Albans of a digest to be made of the laws of england’.
Spedding, XIV, 358-64.
pp. 62-5 rev.
• DnJ 4179: John Donne, Extracts
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Dr. Dunns Sermuns uppon the deth of K. Jeamse’.
HMC MS No. 22
A folio commonplace book, in several hands, begun 18 May 1626, written from both ends, with two tables of contents, 415 pages of text, in contemporary leather with traces of metal clasps. Compiled by, and partly in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1626-30s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
pp. 9-13
• CtR 444: Sir Robert Cotton, A Speech Made by Sir Rob Cotton Knight and Baronet, before the Lords of his Majesties most Honorable Privy Covncel, At the Councel Table being thither called to deliver his Opinion touching the Alteration of Coyne. 2. Sept. [1626]
Copy of a version, in a professional secretary hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘A speech by Sr. Robert Cotton, before ye lords of the Councill 1626 2o Caroli Regis’, followed (pp. 13-17) by the ‘answere’ of the Committees.
Speech beginning ‘My Lords, Since it hath pleased this Honourable Table to command...’. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [283]-294, with related texts (‘The Answer of the Committees Appointed...2 September 1626’ and ‘Questions to be proposed’, etc.) on pp. 295-307. W.A. Shaw, Writers on English Monetary History, pp. 21-38.
pp. 11-12
• RuB 12: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.20-22 March 1627/8
Copy of Version 1, in a neat secretary hand, with a correction in the fourth Earl of Bedford's hand, headed ‘The effect of Sr Beniamine Ruddiers three speeches in Parliament 4o Carol 1628 / 1. speech’.
Speech. Yale 1628, II, 58-60, two parallel versions: (1) beginning ‘This is the crisis of parliaments...’; (2) beginning ‘It is the goodness of God and the favour of the King...’; II, 68, third version, beginning ‘If we be thankful, all is well. By this we shall know whether parliaments will live or die...’; II, 73, fourth, brief reported version, beginning ‘We are not now upon the bene esse of our kingdom but the esse...’.
pp. 13-14
• RuB 107: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.11 June 1628
Extracts, in a neat secretary hand, as ‘3 Speech’ under the heading ‘The effect of Sr Beniamine Ruddiers three speeches in Parliament 4o Carol 1628’
Speech beginning ‘I hold the same ground still that I brought with me...’.
pp. 54, 56
• GrF 47: Fulke Greville, Extracts
Extracts from a poem, in a secretary hand, headed ‘Verses out of my ould lord Brooke’, here beginning ‘Man dreame noe more of Curious misteries’.
pp. 64-7
• HlJ 66: Joseph Hall, Extracts
Extracts, in a predominantly italic hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘The Bishop of Exeters opinion touchinge mariage wth a sisters daughter’.
pp. 68-9
• JnB 746: Ben Jonson, Letter(s)
Extracts from a letter, in a mixed hand, with annotations by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Ben Johnsons to Sr Kenelme Digby on the Lord Digbies opinion concerning Barcleys Euphonnio’, here beginning ‘If as that great examiner, and iudge of benefitts hath decreed...’, followed (p. 69) by ‘Notes out of my Lord Digbies Reply’.
HMC MS No. 23
A tall folio commonplace book, chiefly of naval tracts and sermons, in two hands, begun 23 May 1629, 322 pages of text (plus numerous blanks), in contemporary calf gilt. Partly in the rugged italic hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician, partly in the neat mixed hand of an amanuensis. c.1629-30s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
pp. 1-9
• BcF 166.8: Francis Bacon, Considerations touching a War with Spain
Extracts, in a mixed hand, with annotations by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Considerations touchinge a warre with Spaine by the hoble: Lo: Verulam Vicount St Alban’.
A tract dedicated to Prince Charles, beginning ‘Your Highness hath an imperial name. It was a Charles that brought the empire first into France...’. First published in Certaine Miscellany Works, ed. William Rawley (London, 1629). Spedding, XIV, 469-505.
pp. 9-17
• BcF 55.2: Francis Bacon, Advertisement touching a Holy War
Extracts, in a mixed hand, headed ‘An advertisement touchinge a holy warre written Anno 1622: by: ffr: St Albans’.
First published in Certaine Miscellany Works of the Right Honourable Francis Lo. Verulam, ed. William Rawley (London, 1629). Spedding, VII, 1-36. Edited by Michael Kiernan, The Oxford Francis Bacon, Vol. VIII (Oxford, 2012), pp. 183-206.
pp. 17-18
• BcF 232.2: Francis Bacon, Offer to the King of a Digest to be made of the Laws of England
Extracts, in a mixed hand, headed ‘Of a digest to be made of the lawes of England’.
Spedding, XIV, 358-64.
p. 18
• BcF 215.1: Francis Bacon, The History of the Reign of King Henry VII
Extracts, in a mixed hand, with annotations by the fourth Earl of Bedford.
First published in London, 1622. Spedding, VI, 23-245. Edited by Michael Kiernan, The Oxford Francis Bacon, Vol. VIII (Oxford, 2012), pp. 3-169.
pp. 28-34
• RaW 1121: Sir Walter Ralegh, The Scepticke
Copy, in a mixed hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Sr Walter Rawleighs Skepticke’.
A tract beginning ‘The Scepticke doth neither affirm nor deny any position...’. First published, as by Sir Walter Ralegh, in London, 1651. Works (1829), VIII, 548-56. William M. Hamlin, ‘A Lost Translation Found? An Edition of The Sceptick (c.1590)’, ELR, 31/1 (Winter 2001), 34-51 (pp. 42-51).
A translation of extracts from the Hypotyposes of Sextus Empiricus. See S.E. Sprott, ‘Ralegh's “Sceptic” and the Elizabethan Translation of Sextus Empiricus’, PQ, 42 (1963), 166-75, and Lefranc (1968), pp. 66-7.
pp. 61-4
• GgA 130: Sir Arthur Gorges, A discourse concerning vs and the vnited Provinces of the Lowe Countries
Copy, in a mixed hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, as ‘by Sr Arthur Gorge’.
A tract beginning ‘The loue and amitie betweene the realme of England and the vnited Provinces...’.
pp. 65-75
• GgA 127: Sir Arthur Gorges, Advice to a favorite
Copy, possibly incomplete, in a mixed hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford ‘Written by Sir Ar Gorg to my Lo: D of Buckingam’.
A letter to George Villiers, first Duke of Buckingham, beginning ‘And what in ballancing of the scales...’.
pp. 77-9
• GgA 138: Sir Arthur Gorges, Observations & Overtures for a Seafight
Copy, in a mixed hand, with annotations by the fourth Earl of Bedford including the ascription ‘Written by Sr Arthur Gorg to Lo Du of Buckingam’, the tract dated ‘1 March: 1618’.
The fuller title: Observations & Overtures for a Seafight vppon our owne Coasts, and what kynd of order and disciplyne is fittest to be vsed...against the præparations of such Spanish Armadas...as shall at anie tyme come to invade vs. Unpublished.
pp. 93-105
• RaW 701.5: Sir Walter Ralegh, Orders to be observed by the Commanders of the Fleet with Land Companies. 3 May 1617
Copy of Gorges's adaptation of Ralegh's orders, in a mixed hand, headed ‘A forme of Orders and directions to be given by an Admiral...’.
Orders, beginning ‘First, because no action or enterprise can prosper (be it by sea or land) without the favour and assistance of Almighty God...’. First published in Newes of Sir Walter Rauleigh (London, 1618). Works (1829), VIII, 682-8. Edited by V. T. Harlow in Ralegh's Last Voyage (London, 1932), pp. 121-6.
pp. 111-14
• GgA 143: Sir Arthur Gorges, Observations concerninge the abuse of our lawes in matters Criminall
Copy, in a mixed hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, as ‘Sr Arthur Gorge his observations...’.
Unpublished tract beginning ‘Soe again we doe find...’.
pp. 114-31
• GgA 129: Sir Arthur Gorges, A dialouge discourse betweene the marchant venturer and a Sea Captaine
Copy, in a mixed hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘A dialouge discourse betweene the marchant venturer and a Sea Captaine, of the Sea fight betweene the Navies of England and Spaine on the Narrowe Seas in the yeare: 1588 -- written by Sr Arthur Gorge Knight’.
Unpublished tract.
pp. 132-4
• HlJ 62: Joseph Hall, Sermon on 2 Timothy 5. 3
Extracts, in a mixed hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Notes out of a Sermon preacht at Court the 28 of ffebruary 1629 by Jos: Exon, called the hipocrite / The text: 2 Tim: 5: 3’.
Unpublished?
pp. 246-65
• GrF 26.5: Fulke Greville, Life of Sir Philip Sidney
Extracts, in a mixed hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Notes out of a dedication of the ould Lo: Brookes to Sr Phillip Sidney’.
Generally entitled A Dedication to Sir Philip Sidney. First published in London, 1652. Grosart, IV, 1-224. Edited by Nowell Smith (Oxford, 1907). Gouw, pp. 3-135.
pp. 265-70
• GrF 15.6: Fulke Greville, A Letter to an Honourable Lady
Extracts, in a mixed hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Notes out of a Letter written to an honoble Ladie’.
First published in Certaine Learned and Elegant Workes (London, 1633). Grosart, IV, 233-99. Gouws, pp. 137-76.
pp. 281-301
• GrF 28.5: Fulke Greville, Mustapha
Extracts, in a mixed hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Notes out of my ould lord Brookes tragidye of Mustapha’.
An early version first published in London, 1609. A later version first published in Certaine Learned and Elegant Workes (London, 1633). Bullough, II, 63-137. Wilkes, I, 210-97.
HMC MS No. 24
A quarto commonplace book, in several hands, begun 1 May 1634, written from both ends, 262 leaves, in contemporary calf (rebacked). Compiled by, and largely in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1634-5.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
ff. 35r, 36r
• CwT 1022.8: Thomas Carew, To Ben. Iohnson. Vpon occasion of his Ode of defiance annext to his Play of the new Inne (‘'Tis true (deare Ben:) thy just chastizing hand’)
Copy, in a neat mixed hand, headed ‘To Benn Johnson uppo occation of his Ode of defiance to the Age’, inscribed by the fourth Earl of Bedford ‘by Cary the poet’.
First published in Poems (1640). Dunlap, pp. 64-5.
f. 91r
• WaE 618.5: Edmund Waller, To the King, on his Navy (‘Wher'er thy navy spreads her canvas wings’)
Copy, in a neat mixed hand, headed by the fourth Earl of Bedford ‘Wallers verses’.
First published in Workes (1645). Thorn-Drury, I, 15-16.
See also WaE 765.
ff. 195r-205r (rectos only)
• SuJ 189: John Suckling, Extracts
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Sr Jo. Sucklins Play’, here beginning ‘Ther if prettier knots about you then this we see...’.
ff. 231r-3r
• SuJ 153.5: John Suckling, A Letter to a Friend to diswade him from marrying a Widow which he formerly had been in Love with, and quitted
Copy, in a mixed hands, headed ‘Sr John Sucklins letter to Tom: Cary the Poet’.
First published in Fragmenta Aurea (London, 1646). Clayton, pp. 155-6.
HMC MS No. 25
A folio commonplace book of tracts and verses, in several hands, begun 1 October 1639, written from both ends, 35 leaves from the front, 241 pages (plus numerous blanks) at the reverse end, in old calf gilt. Compiled by, and partly in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1639.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
ff. [5r-7v]
• ToC 6.5: Cyril Tourneur, The Character of Robert Earl of Salisbury
Copy, in a neat predominantly italic hand, headed ‘The Character of Robert Late Earle of Salisbury’, unascribed.
A character, beginning ‘He came of a parent, that counselled the state into piety, honour and power...’, and dedicated to Lady Theodosia Cecil. First published in Logan Pearsall Smith, The Life and Letters of Sir Henry Wotton (Oxford, 1907), II, 487-9. Nicoll, pp. 259-63.
pp. 2-3 rev.
• CaW 125: William Cartwright, Extracts
Extracts, subscribed ‘W. Cartwright’.
pp. 8-9 rev.
• MyJ 30: Jasper Mayne, ‘Wert thou an ancient Corse of a grey head’
Copy, in a neat italic hand, subscribed ‘Jasper Mayne’.
pp. 26-7 rev.
• SuJ 149.5: John Suckling, An Answer to a Gentleman in Norfolk that sent to enquire after the Scotish business
Copy, in a neat italic hand, as ‘by Sr John Suckling’.
First published in Last Remains (London, 1659). Clayton, pp. 142-4.
HMC MS No. 26
A tall folio commonplace book of miscellaneous extracts, in a single hand, 139 leaves, in contemporary vellum. Entirely in the rugged italic hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1620s-30s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1. Recorded (as the ‘Bedford MS’) in Peter Beal, ‘More Donne Manuscripts’, John Donne Journal, 6/2 (1987), 213-18 (p. 213).
f. 23r
• DnJ 4180: John Donne, Extracts
Extracts, headed ‘Dunn of justifying faith’.
ff. 44r-7r
• DnJ 4081.5: John Donne, Paradoxes and Problems
Copy of seventeen Problems and Paradoxes, headed ‘dunnse problems’.
Eleven Paradoxes and ten Problems first published in Juvenilia: or Certaine Paradoxes and Problemes (London, 1633). Twelve Paradoxes and seventeen Problems published in Paradoxes, Problems, Essayes (London, 1652). Two more Problems published in 1899 and 1927 (see DnJ 4073, DnJ 4089). Twelve Paradoxes and eighteen Problems reprinted in Paradoxes and Problemes by John Donne (London, 1923). Twelve Paradoxes (Nos XI and XII relegated to ‘Dubia’) and nineteen Problems (No. XI by Edward Herbert) edited in Peters.
f. 49r
• RaW 11.5: Sir Walter Ralegh, ‘Euen such is tyme which takes in trust’
Copy, headed ‘By Sr wal: Rawly the night befoer his heading’ and here beginning ‘Euen shuch is tiem that holds in trust’.
First published in Richard Brathwayte, Remains after Death (London, 1618). Latham, p. 72 (as ‘These verses following were made by Sir Walter Rauleigh the night before he dyed and left att the Gate howse’). Rudick, Nos 35A, 35B, and part of 55 (three versions, pp. 80, 133).
This poem is ascribed to Ralegh in most MS copies and is often appended to copies of his speech on the scaffold (see RaW 739-822).
See also RaW 302 and RaW 304.
f. 49r-v
• EsR 154: Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, First Letter of Advice to the Earl of Rutland
Copy, headed ‘The Erle of Essex letter to the Erle of Rutland’.
The letter, dated from Greenwich, 4 January [1596], beginning ‘My Lord, I hold it for a principle in the course of intelligence of state...’.
First published, as ‘The Late E. of E. his aduice to the E. of R. in his trauels’, in Profitable Instructions; Describing what speciall Obseruations are to be taken by Trauellers in all Nations, States and Countries (London, 1633), pp. 27-73. Francis Bacon, Resuscitatio (London, 1657), pp. 106-10. Spedding, IX, 6-15. W.B. Devereux, Lives and Letters of the Devereux, Earls of Essex (1853), I, No. xciii.
Essex's three letters to Rutland discussed by Paul E.J. Hammer in ‘The Earl of Essex, Fulke Greville, and the Employment of Scholars’, SP. 91/2 (Spring, 1994), 167-80, and in ‘Letters of Travel Advice from the Earl of Essex to the Earl of Rutland: Some Comments’, PQ, 74/3 (Summer 1995), 317-22. It is likely that the first letter was written substantially by Francis Bacon.
f. 50r
• DnJ 280.5: John Donne, The Autumnall (‘No Spring, nor Summer Beauty hath such grace’)
Copy in a 39-line abridgement, untitled.
First published, as ‘Elegie. The Autumnall’, in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 92-4 (as ‘Elegie IX’). Gardner, Elegies, pp. 27-8. Shawcross, No. 50. Variorum, 2 (2000), pp. 277-8.
f. 50v
• DnJ 1984.5: John Donne, Loves Alchymie (‘Some that have deeper digg'd loves Myne then I’)
Extracts, untitled.
First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 39-40. Gardner, Elegies, p. 81. Shawcross, No. 59.
f. 50v
• DnJ 3708.8: John Donne, The undertaking (‘I have done one braver thing’)
Extracts, untitled.
First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 10. Gardner, Elegies, p. 57. Shawcross, No. 63.
ff. 50v-1r
• DnJ 3086.3: John Donne, The Storme (‘Thou which art I, ('tis nothing to be soe)’)
Extracts, ungtitled.
First published (in full) in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 175-7. Milgate, Satires, pp. 55-7. Shawcross, No. 109.
f. 51r
• DnJ 569.5: John Donne, The Calme (‘Our storme is past, and that storms tyrannous rage’)
Extracts.
First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 178-80. Milgate, Satires, pp. 57-9. Shawcross, No. 110.
f. 51r
• DnJ 1086.5: John Donne, Elegie on the Lady Marckham (‘Man is the World, and death th' Ocean’)
Extracts, headed ‘epitaph La: Markam’.
First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 279-81. Shawcross, No. 149. Milgate, Epithalamions, pp. 55-9. Variorum, 6 (1995), pp. 112-13.
f. 51v
• DnJ 452.5: John Donne, Breake of day (‘'Tis true, 'tis day. what though it be?’)
Copy in a slight abridgement, untitled.
First published in William Corkine, Second Book of Ayres (London, 1612), sig. B1v. Grierson, I, 23. Gardner, Elegies, pp. 35-6. Shawcross, No. 46.
f. 51v
• DnJ 1894.5: John Donne, A licentious person (‘Thy sinnes and haires may no man equall call’)
Extracts, headed ‘A leter to the La Cary at Esex Rich:’.
First published in Henry Fitzgeffrey, Satyres and Satyricall Epigram's (London, 1617). Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 77. Milgate, Satires, p. 52. Shawcross, No. 90. Variorum, 8 (1995), pp. 8 and 11.
ff. 51v-2r
• DnJ 2149.5: John Donne, Loves Progress (‘Who ever loves, if he do not propose’)
Extracts, headed ‘Elegy’.
First published in Wit and Drollery (London, 1661). Poems (London, 1669) (as ‘Elegie XVIII’). Grierson, I, 116-19. (as ‘Elegie XVIII’). Gardner, Elegies, pp. 16-19. Shawcross, No. 20. Variorum, 2 (2000), pp. 301-3.
f. 52r-v
• DnJ 2356.5: John Donne, ‘Natures lay Ideot, I taught thee to love’
Copy, headed ‘Elegy’.
First published, as ‘Elegie VIII’, in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 89-90 (as ‘Elegie VII’). Gardner, Elegies, p. 12. Shawcross, No. 13. Variorum, 2 (2000), p. 127.
f. 52v
• DnJ 74.5: John Donne, The Anagram (‘Marry, and love thy Flavia, for, shee’)
Copy, headed ‘elegy’.
First published as ‘Elegie II’ in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 80-2 (as ‘Elegie II’). Gardner, Elegies, pp. 21-2. Shawcross, No. 17. Variorum, 2 (2000), pp. 217-18.
f. 52v
• DnJ 2224: John Donne, Loves Warre (‘Till I have peace with thee, warr other men’)
Extracts, headed ‘Elegy’.
First published in F. G. Waldron, A Collection of Miscellaneous Poetry (London, 1802), pp. 1-2. Grierson, I, 122-3 (as ‘Elegie XX’). Gardner, Elegies, pp. 13-14. Shawcross, No. 14. Variorum, 2 (2000), pp. 142-3.
f. 53r-v
• DnJ 2785.3: John Donne, Satyre II (‘Sir. though (I thank God for it) I do hate’)
Extracts, headed ‘Satier’.
First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 149-54. Milgate, Satires, pp. 7-10. Shawcross, No. 2.
ff. 53v-4r
• DnJ 3191.5: John Donne, To his Mistris Going to Bed (‘Come, Madam, come, all rest my powers defie’)
Extracts.
First published in Poems (London, 1669). Grierson, I, 119-21 (as ‘Elegie XIX. Going to Bed’). Gardner, Elegies, pp. 14-16. Shawcross, No. 15. Variorum, 2 (2000), pp. 163-4.
The various texts of this poem discussed in Randall McLeod, ‘Obliterature: Reading a Censored Text of Donne's “To his mistress going to bed”’, EMS, 12: Scribes and Transmission in English Manuscripts 1400-1700 (2005), 83-138.
f. 54r-v
• DnJ 1946.5: John Donne, The Litanie (‘Father of Heaven, and him, by whom’)
Extracts, relating to the Trinity, angels, patriarchs, and prophets.
First published in Poems (1633). Grierson, I, 338-48. Gardner, Divine Poems, pp. 16-26. Shawcross, No. 184.
ff. 54v-5r
• HrE 19.5: Edward, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Elegy for the Prince (‘Must he be ever dead? Cannot we add’)
Extracts, headed ‘Mr Ed Harbert of the prince’ and beginning at line 3 (here ‘My Soule Layd up in you’).
First published among ‘Sundry Funeral Elegies’ appended to Joshua Sylvester, Lachrymae Lachrymarum, 3rd edition (London, 1613). Occasional Verses (1665). Moore Smith, pp. 22-4.
f. 73v
• BcF 678: Francis Bacon, Extracts
Extracts from work by Bacon.
ff. 87r-8r
• DnJ 4181: John Donne, Extracts
Extracts from a sermon at Whitehall in ‘Lent 1621’.
f. 92r, 93r
• CoR 766: Richard Corbett, Sermon at Whitehall, 1621
Copy or extracts, headed ‘Whithall D: Corbet:: 1621’, here beginning ‘Sorow is the elder brother to prayer...’.
Unpublished.
f. 99r
• HlJ 60.5: Joseph Hall, Sermon on Psalms 41.4
Extracts, headed ‘Bish Exeter Can / Whithall April 1622’.
Unpublished.
ff. 105r, 107r
• HlJ 67: Joseph Hall, Extracts
Extracts, headed ‘Docter Hall dedication’.
ff. 136r-8r
• BcF 679: Francis Bacon, Extracts
Extracts, headed ‘My Lo: St Albans / Historia...’.
HMC MS No. 27
A tall folio composite volume of state and antiquarian tracts and papers, in several hands, with a table of contents, 153 pages, in contemporary vellum. Assembled by, and partly in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
pp. 1-2
• BcF 254.5: Francis Bacon, A Prayer, or Psalm
Copy, in a neat predominantly italic hand, on two pages of a pair of conjugate folio leaves once folded as a letter or packet. c.1620s-30s.
First published in Remaines (London, 1648). Spedding, XIV, 229-31.
p. 3
• JnB 669.5: Ben Jonson, The Gypsies Metamorphosed, Song (‘ffrom a Gypsie in the morninge’)
Copy, in a neat predominantly secretary hand, untitled, on one side of a small folio leaf once folded as a letter or packet, endorsed by the fourth Earl of Bedford ‘Johnsons verses’. c.1620s.
Herford & Simpson, lines 1329-89. Greg, Windsor version, lines 1129-89.
For a parody of this song, see DrW 117.1.
pp. 87-8
• DaS 39.2: Samuel Daniel, The Collection of the History of England
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Daniels cronicall’. c.1620s-30s.
First part first published in London, 1612. First published complete in London, [1618?]. Grosart, IV, 69-299. V, 1-291.
pp. 122-7
• BcF 429: Francis Bacon, Bacon's Humble Submissions and Supplications
Copy of Bacon's submissions on 19 March 1620/1 and 22 April 1622, in a professional secretary hand, on two pairs of conjugate folio leaves, once folded as letters or packets, the first bifolium endorsed by the fourth Earl of Bedford ‘for my lo: Russell. Lo. Chancers Letter to the London parlement’. c.1620s.
The Humble Submissions and Supplications Bacon sent to the House of Lords, on 19 March 1620/1 (beginning ‘I humbly pray your Lordships all to make a favourable and true construction of my absence...’); 22 April 1621 (beginning ‘It may please your Lordships, I shall humbly crave at your Lordships' hands a benign interpretation...’); and 30 April 1621 (beginning ‘Upon advised consideration of the charge, descending into mine own conscience...’), written at the time of his indictment for corruption. Spedding, XIV, 215-16, 242-5, 252-62.
pp. 135-8
• BcF 215.2: Francis Bacon, The History of the Reign of King Henry VII
Extracts, in a secretary hand, in double columns, headed ‘Notes out of the lord verulams Historie of Henrie. 7.’ c.1620s-30s.
First published in London, 1622. Spedding, VI, 23-245. Edited by Michael Kiernan, The Oxford Francis Bacon, Vol. VIII (Oxford, 2012), pp. 3-169.
pp. 146-51
• HlJ 68: Joseph Hall, Extracts
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Out of Hall’. c.1620s-30s.
HMC MS No. 28
An octavo commonplace book of extracts from state tracts and proceedings, largely in one mixed hand, paginated 1-133 (but lacking many leaves), in paper wrappers. Annotated in the rugged italic hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1630s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
passim
• WiG 12.4: George Wither, Britain's Remembrancer (‘One Storm is past, & though some clouds appear’)
Extracts.
First published, with preliminary material including a dedication to Chares I, in London, 1628. Spenser Society, Nos 28-29 (1980; reprinted in New York, 1967).
See also WiG 22.
HMC MS No. 31
A folio commonplace book of extracts from devotional and miscellaneous works, largely in two secretary hands, 241 pages (plus 37 blank pages), in contemporary reversed calf with remains of metal clasps. Partly written, and annotated, in the rugged italic hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1630s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 1.
pp. 99-140
• CmW 102.1: William Camden, Remaines of a Greater Worke concerning Britaine
Copy of portions of the work, in a secretary hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, subscribed in another hand ‘Here wee left 19 Aprilis 1630’.
First published, dedicated to Sir Robert Cotton, in London, 1605. 2nd edition (with additions) London, 1614. 3rd edition (with a few further additions) London, 1623. Edited by R.D. Dunn (Toronto, Buffalo & London, 1984).
For individual essays in Remaines, see under separate titles.
pp. 237-41
• HlJ 63: Joseph Hall, Via Media: The Way of Peace
Extracts, in the hand of the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Doctor Halles via media’.
First published 1619. Wynter, IX, 488-519.
HMC MS 186
A folio volume of state tracts and letters, in a single accomplished mixed hand, i + 352 pages, in contemporary limp vellum with ties. Possibly in the hand of Edward Paynton or Peyton, whose name, dated 1633, also appears in ‘A Discourse of Court and Courtiers’ in HMC MS No. 266. c.1630.
Woburn bookplate dated 1873, but probably owned earlier at the time of the fourth Earl of Bedford.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 2.
pp. 1-273
• LeC 3: Anon, Leicester's Commonwealth
Copy, with a formal title-page subscribed ‘written in the yeare: 1630: Peytons booke’, including (pp. 271-3) the meditation of Job, the rear cover of the volume inscribed ‘Leicesters Common Wealth’.
First published as The Copie of a Leter, Wryten by a Master of Arte of Cambrige, to his Friend in London, Concerning some talke past of late betwen two worshipful and graue men, about the present state, and some procedinges of the Erle of Leycester and his friendes in England ([? Rouen], 1584). Soon banned. Reprinted as Leycesters common-wealth (London, 1641). Edited, as Leicester's Commonwealth, by D.C. Peck (Athens, OH, & London, 1985). Although various attributions have been suggested by Peck and others, the most likely author remains Robert Persons (1546-1610), Jesuit conspirator.
pp. 274-335
• EsR 99: Robert Devereux, second Earl of Essex, Apology
Copy, the full title-page dated ‘Anno: 1598’.
First published, addressed to Anthony Bacon, as An Apologie of the Earle of Essex, against those which jealously and maliciously tax him to be the hinderer of the peace and quiet (London, [1600]), but immediately suppressed. Reprinted in 1603.
HMC MS No. 189
A folio volume of Hayward Townsend's journal of parliamentary proceedings from 27 October to 19 December 1601, in two or more secretary hands, unfoliated (2 inches thick), in later speckled leather gilt. Early 17th century.
Bookplate of William, Earl of Bedford, 1867.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 2.
unnumbered pages
• ElQ 257: Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth's Golden Speech, November 30, 1601
Copy of Version I, on several pages.
First published (Version III), as Her maiesties most princelie answere, deliuered by her selfe at White-hall, on the last day of November 1601 (London, 1601: STC 7578).
Version I. Beginning ‘Mr. Speaker, we have heard your declaration and perceive your care of our estate...’. Hartley, III, 412-14. Hartley, III, 495-6. Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 337-40 (Version 1). Selected Works, Speech 11, pp. 84-92.
Version II. Beginning ‘Mr. Speaker, we perceive your coming is to present thanks unto me...’. Hartley, III, 294-7 (third version). Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 340-2 (Version 2).
Version III. Beginning ‘Mr. Speaker, we perceive by you, whom we did constitute the mouth of our Lower House, how with even consent...’. Hartley, III, 292-3 (second version). Collected Works, Speech 23, pp. 342-4 (Version 3). STC 7578.
Version IV. Beginning ‘Mr Speaker, I well understand by that you have delivered, that you with these gentlemen of the Lower House come to give us thankes for benefitts receyved...’. Hartley, III, 289-91 (first version).
HMC MS No. 190
A folio volume of letters by Francis Bacon, in a single professional predominantly secretary hand, 79 leaves (plus 64 blanks), in contemporary vellum gilt. Owned by, and occasionally annotated in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1620s-30s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 2.
ff. 4r-45v, 55v-79r
• BcF 547: Francis Bacon, Letter(s)
Copy of a series of letters by Bacon, to Queen Elizabeth, James I, Burghley, Essex, Robert Cecil, Northampton, Buckhurst, Edward Coke, Sir John Davies, Toby Mathews and others, with a title-page ‘A true Copie of the Lord Chancellor Bacons Letters of State from the time of his being Sollicitor till his Death’.
ff. 46r-55r
• BcF 176.2: Francis Bacon, Considerations touching the Queen's Service in Ireland
Copy.
First published in Remaines (London, 1648). Spedding, X, 46-51.
HMC MS No. 191
Copy, in a cursive secretary hand, headed ‘Of the latelie Erected Service called the office of Composicons for Alienacons Written by the right honble ffrancis Lord Verulam, visc St. Alban late Lord Chancellor of England’, on ten folio leaves, in modern cloth. c.1620s-30s.
BcF 737: Francis Bacon, The Office of Compositions for Alienations
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 2.
A tract, beginning ‘All the finances of revenues of the imperial crown of this realm of England...’. Discussed in Spedding, IX, 120-1. By William Lambarde (1536-1601), whose partly autograph MS (1590) is in the Folger (MS V.a.208), but the work is frequently ascribed to Bacon, who may have used and adapted it at the time of the debate on alienations in October 1601.
HMC MS No. 192
A folio volume of speeches principally by Francis Bacon, in two or more neat secretary hands, 204 pages (plus numerous blanks), in contemporary limp vellum. Owned by, and occasionally annotated in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1628-30s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 2.
pp. 1-111, 143-65
• BcF 323: Francis Bacon, Speech(es)
Copy of a series of charges by Bacon, including those ‘touching Duells...against Preist and Wright’, in the Star Chamber, against William Talbot, in the case of Lady Shrewsbury, against Whitlock, against the Countess and Earl of Somerset, against Owen, and in the Irish Parliament.
pp. 111bis-42, 179-82
• BcF 324: Francis Bacon, Speech(es)
Copy of a series of speeches by Bacon, including those when he received the seal of Lord Chancellor (1617), in the Star Chamber (1617), to Sir William Jones, Sir John Denham and Sergeant Hatton, and on the first day of Parliament 17 March 1618/19.
pp. 195-8
• RuB 13: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, c.20-22 March 1627/8
Copy, headed ‘Beniamin Rudyeard’.
Speech. Yale 1628, II, 58-60, two parallel versions: (1) beginning ‘This is the crisis of parliaments...’; (2) beginning ‘It is the goodness of God and the favour of the King...’; II, 68, third version, beginning ‘If we be thankful, all is well. By this we shall know whether parliaments will live or die...’; II, 73, fourth, brief reported version, beginning ‘We are not now upon the bene esse of our kingdom but the esse...’.
pp. 201-4
• RuB 56: Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, Speech in the House of Commons, 28 April 1628
Copy, untitled.
Speech beginning ‘We are here upon a great business...’. Yale 1628, III, 127-9 and 133-4. Variants: III, 138-9, 141, 143, and 161. Variant version in Manning, pp. 126-8.
HMC MS No. 198
A folio composite volume of parliamentary tracts, in various hands, written from both ends, 370 pages (plus blanks), including a table of contents, in contemporary limp vellum. Owned by, and occasionally annotated in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 3.
pp. 24-31
• CtR 438: Sir Robert Cotton, A Speech Delivered in the Lower House of Parliament Assembled at Oxford: In the first year of the Reign of King Charles [6 August 1625]
Copy, in a professional cursive secretary hand, as ‘by Sr R. Cotton Kt and Bart’, and dated 1625. c.1625-30s.
Speech beginning ‘Mr. Speaker, Although the constant Wisdome of this House of Commons...’. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [271]-281.
pp. 268-80
• CtR 487: Sir Robert Cotton, That the Soveraignes Person is Required in the Great Covncells, or Assemblies of the State, aswell at the Consultations as at the Conclusions
Copy, in a professional cursive secretary hand, as ‘Written by Sr R. Cotton Kt. and Baronett’. c.1625-30s.
Tract beginning ‘Since at these Assemblies few Diaries, or exact Iournall Books are remaining...’. First published as A Treatise, shewing that the Soveraignes Person is Required in the great Councells or Assemblies of the State, aswell at the Consultations as at the conclusions, London, 1641. Cottoni posthuma (1651), pp. [41]-57.
HMC No. 200
A tall folio volume of parliamentary proceedings against Clarendon in 1667, in a professional rounded hand, 268 pages, in modern cloth. Late 17th century.
ClE 94: Edward Hyde, First Earl of Clarendon, Impeachment Proceedings against Clarendon in 1667
Articles of Treason exhibited in Parliament against Clarendon, 14 November 1667 published in London, 1667. The Proceedings in the House of Commons touching the Impeachment of Clarendon 1667 published in London, 1700.
HMC MS No. 246
Copy, in a professional secretary hand, 90 folio leaves, imperfect at the beginning, lacking a title and opening of the dedicatory epistle to James I, in modern cloth. c.1620s.
DaJ 256: Sir John Davies, The Question concerning Impositions
Owned by Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 3.
A treatise, with dedicatory epistle to James I, comprising 33 chapters, beginning ‘The Question it self is no more than this, Whether the Impositions which the King of England hath laid and levied upon Merchandize, by vertue of his Prerogative onely...’. First published in London, 1656. Grosart, III, 1-116.
HMC MS No. 261
A folio volume of tracts and letters relating to seafaring, in several professional secretary hands, 560 pages (plus a table of contents and blanks), in contemporary limp vellum gilt. Owned by, and occasionally annotated in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1620s-30s.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 4.
pp. 19-64
• RaW 605: Sir Walter Ralegh, A Discourse of the Invention of Ships, Anchors, Compass, &c.
Copy, in a secretary hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, a title-page in italic, as ‘Written by Sr Walter Raleigh Kt’.
This MS recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 4.
An epistolary tract addressed to Prince Henry, beginning ‘That the ark of Noah was the first ship because the invention of God himself...’. First published, as ‘Upon the first Invention of Shipping’, in Judicious and Select Essayes and Observations (London, 1650). Works (1829), VIII, 317-34.
pp. 65-138
• RaW 611: Sir Walter Ralegh, A Discourse of the Original and Fundamental Cause of Natural, Arbitrary, Necessary, and Unnatural War
Copy, in a secretary hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, the title in italic, unascribed.
A tract beginning ‘The ordinary theme and argument of history is war...’. First published (in part), as ‘The Misery of Invasive Warre’, in Judicious and Select Essays and Observations (London 1650). Published complete in Three Discourses of Sir Walter Ralegh (London 1702). Works (1829), VIII, 253-97.
See also RaW 610.
pp. 388-437
• RaW 683: Sir Walter Ralegh, Observations concerning the Royal Navy and Sea-Service
Copy, in a secretary hand, as ‘Written by Sr Wa: Raleigh’.
A tract dedicated to Prince Henry and beginning ‘Having formerly, most excellent prince, discoursed of a maritimal voyage, and the passages and incidents therein...’. First published in Judicious and Select Essayes and Observations (London, 1650). Works (1829), VIII, 335-50. These notes probably written by Ralegh but usually appended to Sir Arthur Gorges, A larger Relation of the...Iland Voyage, printed in Purchas his Pilgrimes (London, 1625). Glasgow edition, XX (1907), 34-129. See Helen Estabrook Sandison, ‘Manuscripts of the “Islands Voyage” and “Notes on the Royal Navy”’, Essays and Studies in Honor of Carleton Brown (New York, London & Oxford, 1940), 242-52, and Lefranc (1968), pp. 53, 58-9.
pp. 438-43
• RaW 710.92: Sir Walter Ralegh, Sir Walter Ralegh unto Prince Henry touching the Model of a Ship
Copy, in a secretary hand.
This MS recorded in Latham & Youings.
A letter to Prince Henry, written from the Tower, c.November 1607, beginning ‘If the ship your highness intends to build be bigger than the Victory...’. First published in Judicious and Select Essays (London, 1650), pp. 8-15. Works (1829), VIII, 627-9. Youings, No. 194, pp. 301-4.
pp. 444-518
• RaW 543: Sir Walter Ralegh, Apology for his Voyage to Guiana
Copy, in a secretary hand, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, under the general title in another hand ‘Sir Walter Raleiges large Apologie for his last voyage to Guiana with certaine letters of his written to the King, his wife and others’.
A tract beginning ‘If the ill success of this enterprise of mine had been without example...’. First published in Judicious and Select Essays and Observations (London, 1650). Works (1829), VIII, 477-507. Edited by V. T. Harlow in Ralegh's Last Voyage (London, 1932), pp. 316-34.
pp. 519-60
• RaW 827: Sir Walter Ralegh, Letter(s)
Copy of six letters by Ralegh, to his wife (2), to James I (2), to Ralph Winwood (both parts), and to Sir Robert Carr, in at least two secretary hands, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford.
HMC MS No.269
A formal copy, in a professional cursive secretary headed ‘Obseruations Pollitical Ciuill’, the ‘Argument’ (f. ivr-v) subscribed ‘T* B*’, vi + 138 folio leaves, in contemporary vellum gilt. Owned by, and occasionally annotated in the rugged italic hand of, Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1630s.
RaW 1042: Sir Walter Ralegh, The Cabinet-Council: containing the Chief Arts of Empire and Mysteries of State
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 4.
A treatise beginning ‘A Commonwealth is a certain sovereign government of many families...’. First published, attributed to Sir Walter Ralegh in John Milton's preface ‘To the Reader’, as The Cabinet-Council [&c.] (London, 1658). Works (1829), VIII, 35-150.
Widely circulated in MSS as Observations Political and Civil. The various attributions include ‘T.B.’, for whom Thomas Bedingfield (early 1540s?-1613), translator of Machiavelli, is suggested in Ernest A. Strathmann, ‘A Note on the Ralegh Canon’, TLS (13 April 1956), p. 228, and in Lefranc (1968), p. 64.
HMC MS No. 270
A folio volume of state tracts and speeches, entitled (probably mistakenly) Certain Select Manuscripts on Several Subjects Collected by George late Marq. of Halifax, in two or more professional rounded hands, with a table of contents, x + 320 pages, in contemporary vellum boards gilt. c.early 1700s.
Booklabel of Wriothesley Russell (1680-1711), second Duke of Bedford, dated 1703.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 4.
pp. 71-80
• HaG 27: George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax, Maxims of the Great Almansor
Copy of 33 maxims, headed ‘Maxims of State or Obsevations on Government by the late Marqs. of H--x: 1694’. The text followed (on pp. 81-4) by fourteen supplementary maxims by Charles Montagu.
This MS collated in Brown, I, 398-401.
First published, anonymously, under the heading The following Maxims were found amongst the Papers of the Great Almanzor…[&c] (London, 1693). Foxcroft, II, 447-53. Brown, I, 292-5.
pp. 85-94
• SeC 112: Sir Charles Sedley, Certain Maxims or Moral Reflections
Copy of 47 maxims, headed ‘Certain Maxims or Moral Reflections. By the late Sr Cha: Sidley. 1700’, beginning ‘A man that knows how to Mingle business and pleasure, is never taken up intirely with either of them...’.
Unpublished.
HMC MS No. 295
Copy, in a neat mixed hand, with a title-page ‘The Royall Slaue A Tragi: Comedy’, complete with prologue to the University and epilogues to the King and Queen and to the University, 35 folio pages, in modern cloth. c.1636-8.
CaW 80: William Cartwright, The Royal Slave
Owned by Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician.
Recorded in HMC, 2nd Report (1871), Appendix, p. 4. This MS collated in Evans.
First performed at Christ Church, Oxford, 30 August 1636. First published in Oxford, 1639. Evans, pp. 193-253.
MS 4E-43
A folio commonplace book, in an least two secretary hands, inscribed at one point (p. 133) ‘Heere wee left 30th Nov. 1628’, 238 pages, in remains of contemporary vellum. Annotated in the rugged italic hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1628.
pp. 1-81
• HlJ 56.1: Joseph Hall, Meditations and Vows. Divine and Moral. Three Centuries
Extensive extracts, in secretary hands, annotated by the fourth Earl of Bedford, headed ‘Dr. Halls book on meditations & vows’.
First published in London, 1605. Wynter, VII, 439-521.
MS 4E-44
A folio commonplace book of extracts, in secretary hand(s), 255 pages, in contemporary calf. Annotated in the rugged italic hand of Francis Russell, MP (1593-1641), fourth Earl of Bedford, politician. c.1620s-30s.
pp. 134-46
• HlJ 16.8: Joseph Hall, Contemplations upon the Principall Passages of the Holy Storie
Extracts.
First published, in four volumes, in London, 1612-18. Wynter, I and II, 1-290.