The principal items in the collection are two original petitions to Oliver Cromwell frominhabitants of Nottinghamshire, dating from c. 1658. Both have suffered physical damage and althoughnow repaired lack small elements of text. The first petition requests tougher control on profanity,libertinism and heresies, revision of the laws of the nation, and asks that during Cromwell'slifetime provision for future government is secured. The second petition requests regulation of theancient laws regarding the Sacrament of the Last Supper and has 15 signatories.
The collection includes a number of items referring to the history of the petitions and researchinto them. A catalogue issued by Jabez Elliot (1972) provides the entry which prompted theirpurchase by a local Nottingham bibliophile. Cuttings from 'Notes and Queries' for 19 February 1853contain a transcription of the second petition. A manuscript transcription of the first petition,mounted on card presumably for display purposes, is also present.