Swiss Historical Texts

Collection of eight manuscript texts [17th century] for the history of Switzerland, bound together:

(1) Dispositiones dess Closters Fruwenbrunnen gewarsame (10 leaves + 6 blank)

(2) Ein beschreibung was zwschen Zrich und Bern eins: denne den 5 Papischische Orthe in Baden vom 14 Apr biss 23 May 1606 gehandlet worden. Part, entitled 'Form der uberein Stimung der Reformischen...' and dated 1675, is signed Engel 1718. With some printed leaves, entitled 'Bender Statten Zurich und Bern' and dated 1659 (various paper sizes; some blank leaves)

(3) Abscheid gehaltener Conferenz zwischen Bern und Freybourg 18 und 19 Feb 1649 (8 leaves + 3 blank)

(4) Gedancken eines Ehrwrdigen Ministerii zu Bern betreffend die Beybehaltung der formula consensus (8 leaves)

(5) Verhandlungen mit Solothurn Betreffend die Landtsherliche Oberheit in dero Nideren vnd St Bern Hochgericht 1659 (13 leaves + 3 blank)

(6) Trait d'alliance entre le Roy et la Couronne de France et Monseigr. le Duc de Longueville; pour les Etats et Comtes souverains de Neuchatel et vallengin en suisse 1658 (4 leaves)

(7) Friedens Articul von den Cathol. Orten der Stnde Zrich und Bern vorgeschlagen nebst Antwort (12 leaves)

(8) Verhandlung zu Baden, uff der den 18-28 Martz 1674 gehalteren Tagsatzung wegen des Neutralgeschaffts in Burgund vorder Oesterreichischen landes, nebst 3 beylagen [1674?] (22 leaves + 2 blank).

The Swiss Confederation originated in the medieval period, the number of constituent cantons increasing over the centuries. They varied in size, character and language; some were Protestant, others Catholic. The constitution of 1848 created a federal state from the loose alliance of autonomous cantons which had existed hitherto, although they retained much automony.

Open

The papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.

The Phillipps Manuscripts at University College London were given to the College by the German government in 1912.

Dorothy K Coveney, 'A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of University College London' (London, 1935); handlist at University College London Special Collections.

Paper manuscripts bound in green boards. Texts (1), (4) and (6) are each in a single hand, (2), (3), (5) and (7) in several hands, and (8) in at least two hands. 23cm.

Normal copyright restrictions apply.

The manuscripts belonged to Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872), baronet, an antiquary and bibliophile whose collection included c60,000 manuscripts of various kinds, some relating to the administration of Swiss towns. Various manuscripts were sold after Sir Thomas's death, some to the German government, and were dispersed to several libraries. Formerly Phillipps MSS (respectively 3409, 3414, 3420, 3426, 3428, 3446, 3453, 3458); (2) was also an Engel MS.