Leland Manuscripts
MSS. Top. gen. c. 1-4, e. 8-15
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Description
From Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts.
Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts contains descriptions of the Bodleian Libraries’ archival collections, including post-1500 manuscripts. Some manuscripts with records in other catalogues are also described here as part of a description of a larger archive. Learn more.
Title
Leland Manuscripts
Shelfmark
MSS. Top. gen. c. 1-4, e. 8-15
Summary
Topograhical manuscripts of John Leland.
Associated place
Great Britain -- Topography
Date
c. 1540-1555
Language
English
Latin
Physical extent
0.84 Linear metres
12 boxes
Custodial history
MSS. Top. gen. c. 1-4 passed at Leland's death to Sir John Cheke, from him to Humphrey Purefoy, whose son Thomas gave them to William Burton in 1612.
Acquisition
The manuscripts were presented to the Library by William Burton in 1632 and 1642-3. See letter of gift in MS. Bodl. 470. The 8th volume did not actually reach the Library till presented anew by Charles King, M.A., in or soon after 1677, and vols. 4, 6, and 7 came by Burton's gift rather later than the rest (1642-3).
In I748 there was published at Frankfurt Ein Brief von . .. Herrn Johann Locke, containing Locke's account and transcript of a supposed Bodleian MS. entitled 'Certain questions concerning Maconrye [i. e. Free-Masonry], written by kynge Henry the sixthe and copyed by me Johan Leyland Antiquarius': the letter is dated May 6, 1696. This mythical treatise is to be found referred to in many modern books on Freemasonry, such as W. Preston's Illustrations of Masonry, and even as early as the Gentleman's Magazine of 1753 (vol. xxiii, p. 417).
Subject
16th century
Antiquarians
