John Branthwaite: Commonplace book

Commonplace book of a man with High Anglican leanings, with additions in other hands. The volume contains historical extracts, religious and moral treatises, accounts of cities and countries of Europe and Asia Minor, and anecdotes. At the back it reads 'Sum unus ex libris Joannis Branthwaite'. [p.1] W. Sallustius, 'The first day of the week', verse. [p.7] Table to determine truth tellers, 'Pythagoras his wheele of fortune', and other tables. [p.11] 'The reasons against subscribing the Address by the clergy of the Diocese of Oxon'. [p.15] 'Sophronius Bishop of Jerusalem... delivereth this History following to posterity, as a most certayne thing'. [p.19] Extracts from Milton's History of England. [p.27] 'The Bacon of Dunmowe Priorie in Essex, collected out of Dugdale his Monasticon Anglicanum...The Forme of the oath taken by those at Dunmowe, who are to have the Bacon'. [p.31] A Hebrew alphabet. [p.34] Verses on prohibited degrees of marriage. [p.37] Extract from Jeremy Taylor, Ductor dubitantium. [p.51] 'A story of Queene Mary'. [p.52] 'An historicall concise description of Queen Elizabeth'. [p.61] 'An epitaph... in memory of Mr. Rich: Hooker'. [p.67] 'Predestination in the Church of England'. [p.73] 'The dismal Tryall of that steady-handed, indefatigable, and incomparable Minister... William Laud... 1643'. [p.82] Laud's speech before his execution, 1644. [p.92] 'An elegie on the death of...William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury...1644'. [p.95] 'How far...Canterbury was from designing to bring in Popery'. [p.112] Geographical notes, from Heylin. [p.152] Notes on transubstantiation. [p.197] 'The Independent or Congregationall way, or constitution is founded upon these two principles'. [p.199] 'Majesty in misery: or an imploration...written by...King Charles the first...during his captivity at Carisbrook Castle...1648'. From the back of the volume there is a treatise on Church and State in Scotland (p1.); biographical anecdotes (p.63); articles imposed on French Protestants during the persecution of 1685; and notes on the Council of Trent.

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The volume has modern ownership inscriptions of Alfred George Edwards, Bishop of St. Asaph, 1904, and R.W. Ketton-Cremer, Felbrigg, 1956. Purchased by the Library in 1995.

A catalogue of the collection can be found on ArchiveSearch.

Modern calf binding; one original card cover.