Talbot, Bishop James Robert

Manuscript volume of sermons of James Robert Talbot, Vicar Apostolic, London District, and instruction on the sacraments of confirmation and confession. The vellum cover is dated 1765, but parts of the text were being delivered at least until 1777. A loose slip of paper bears, in another hand, the names of several parishes north-east of Newbury, Berkshire.

James Robert Talbot (1726-1790) was the brother of the fourteenth Earl of Shrewsbury, and is chiefly known for having been the last priest to be indicted in the public courts for saying Mass. In 1759, he was consecrated coadjutor bishop to Dr. Challoner, and during his episcopate was twice brought to trial, in 1769 and 1771 respectively. In each case he was acquitted for want of evidence. On the death of Bishop Challoner in 1781, Bishop James Talbot became Vicar Apostolic of the London District, which he ruled until his death 9 years later. He lived a retired life at Hammersmith, his chief work during these years being the completion of the purchase of a property at Old Hall, Hertfordshire, where he had a preparatory academy which afterwards developed into St Edmund's College. The penal law against Catholic schools still existed, and Bishop Talbot was again threatened with imprisonment; but he contrived to evade punishment. Talbot died at Hammersmith in 1790.

Single item.

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Bought from Stanley Smith in 1965.

Collection level description.

8" x 6½". Bound in vellum.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Further material relating to Bishop James Robert Talbot may be found in the Westminster Diocesan Archives and the Birmingham Archdiocesan Archives.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.