Comprise:

A. ROYAL LETTERS, NOT CONCERNING MANDATES

A.1 Copy of King James’ letter to the Lord Chancellor, Ellesmere, directing that in the Commission of the Peace the Vice-Chancellor's name be placed before that of the Mayor. With a note of the judgement of Essex, Earl Marshall, 14 Feb. 1605/6.

A.2 Letter of Sir Robert Bernard to Dr Rainbow, Dean of Peterborough and Vice-Chancellor, that he had delivered to the Earl of Manchester, Chancellor of the University, the letter of King James (original of the above), 17 Sept. 1663.

A.3 Letter of James I to the Vice-Chancellor and Mayor of Cambridge urging a speedy agreement with the Lord of the Manor of Trumpington for the new water course, 11 June 1610.

A.4 The King’s directions to the Commissioners who are arranging with the Colleges for an aid on the marriage of the Princess Elizabeth. Signed: James R and Francis Bacon, n.d. [1612]. Note: The Assessment on the several Colleges for this purpose and the receipt from the Exchequer are catalogued as UA Luard 198a-b.

A.5 Letters concerning the election of Lord Northampton to the Chancellorship, 1612: A.5.a Latin letter of Lord Northampton to the University on being elected Chancellor (original), 29 May 1612; A.5.b Copy of a; A.5.c Copy of letter from Northampton to the University on hearing that Prince Charles has been proposed, [June 1612]; A.5.d Letter of James I to the Heads expressing displeasure at the nomination of his son, and recommending Northampton, 10 June 1612; A.5.e Copy of letter from Northampton to the Lord Chancellor concerning the same, 13 June [1612]; A.5.f Copy of letter from Northampton the Vice-Chancellor accepting the honour, after a new election, 13 June 1612.

A.6 Letter from James I to Dr Carey, Vice-Chancellor, that a Grace be passed in the University requiring a subscription to the three Articles of the Thirty-sixth Canon, from all persons proceeding to the degrees of BD, DD, MD or LLD. With Privy Seal, 30 June 1613. Note: Grace passed 7 July 1613, appears in printed statutes of 1785 on p.371, see UA Collect. Admin.19i.

A.7 Letter from James I to the University confirming its exemption from ecclesiastical jurisdiction and laying down rules for better conformity and discipline, n.d.

A.8.a Royal injunctions given at Newmarket, 3 Dec. 1616; A.8.b Letter from the Chancellor of the University, Lord Suffolk, to the Vice-Chancellor on receiving a copy of the King’s Injunctions, 6 Dec. 1616; A.8.c Draft of letter from the Vice-Chancellor to the Bishop of Winchester reporting that the Articles are in general willingly subscribed here, 7 Dec. 1616; A.8.d Fair copy of b, 7 Dec. 1616; A.8.e Draft of letter from the Vice-Chancellor to the Chancellor acquainting him with the Articles, 5 Dec. 1616; A.8.f Transcriptions of c and e by Registrary Romilly.

A.9.a Formal recantation of Ralph Brownrigg renouncing any Calvinistic opinions and desiring the King’s favour in remitting his offence, 13 Mar. 1617/18; A.9.b Letter from the Bishop of Winchester saying that His Majesty accepts Brownrigg’s recantation and recommending that he be restored to his degrees on the like submission to the Vice-Chancellor and heads, 20 Mar. 1617/18.

A.10 Draft of Latin letter to the King from the University against the monopoly of the Stationers’ Company, 15 Dec. 1621.

A.11 Note concerning the King’s visit: Thomas Rayment to the Vice-Chancellor that the King will be at Newmarket the next day, 16 Jan. 1623/4.

A.12 Copy of the petition of Registrary Tabor concerning fees for and the registering of subscriptions, with a copy of the King’s answer of 27 Feb. 1623/4. Copy of order of Vice-Chancellor and Heads upon receipt of answer, signed, 15 Mar. 1623/4.

B. PARCHMENTS LETTERS AND INJUNCTIONS OF JAMES I – OUTSIZE

B.1 Letter of James I to the University prohibiting all games, play etc. within five miles of Cambridge (printed in Cooper’s Annals, III, 6), 23 July 1604.

B.2 Letter of James I empowering the University to take cautions from all admitted to degrees by virtue of royal letters [on his 4th visit], 17 Dec. 1624.

C. LETTERS, OTHER THAN ROYAL

C.1 Martin Heton, Bishop of Ely, to the Vice-Chancellor concerning a collection for the city and state of Geneva, 6 Nov. 1603.

C.2.a From the Deputy Lieutenants of the county (John Cutts, John Peyton, John Cotton) to the Justices of the Peace, including Dr Cowell, Vice-Chancellor, concerning the preservation of game in the county, 1 Dec. 1603; C.2.b A copy of the Order from the Privy Council to the Sheriff and Justices of the Peace of the County of Cambridge, that they put into force the laws for preserving game, 16 Dec. 1603.

C.3.a Copy of letter from John Cowell, Vice-Chancellor, to Sir Robert Clarke, Baron of the Exchequer, concerning some privileged persons impleaded in that court, 19 Jan. 1603/4; C.3.b Copy of another letter from the same to Sir John Savile, Baron of the Exchequer, concerning the same, 19 Jan. 1603/4; C.3.c Letter from Sir E. Coke, Attorney-General, with Patent for University Burgesses, granted by the King, 12 Mar. 1603/4. Note: The charter of 1 James I is catalogued as UA Luard 195.

C.4 Letters relating to the translating of the Bible, 1604: C.4.I.i-iii From Robert Cecil (Lord Essendon) to the Vice-Chancellor and Heads, that the translators may choose others to assist them who shall reside in the college of their choice without any cost to themselves. The Bishop of London to defray costs if a poor college is unable to bear the charge, 22 July 1604. 3 copies; C.4.II.a Letter from Richard Bancroft, Bishop of London, to the translators, signifying the royal desire that the work should be speedily undertaken and enclosing a copy (C.4.II.a*) of a draft mandate about to be sent to the Bishops on their behalf, 31 July 1604; C.4.II.b From the same to the Vice-Chancellor and Heads that they hasten the work of translation by recalling all translators to Cambridge, 31 July 1604; C.4.III.a From the same to the Vice-Chancellor that besides the translators already appointed the Vice-Chancellor and Heads should choose some of the best Cambridge divines to oversee the work and particularly that it conforms to the rules drawn up by the King, 30 Aug. 1604; C.4.III.b List of translators appointed, with portions of scripture assigned to each body. Rules for translators, n.d.

C.5.a see UA Grace Book Epsilon p.28; C.5.b Letter from Lord Cranborne [Robert Cecil], Chancellor, to Dr Cowell, Vice-Chancellor, refusing a petition, 26 Sept. 1604.

C.6.a Original letter from Lord Cranborne [Robert Cecil], Chancellor, to Dr Cowell, Vice-Chancellor, acknowledging his contentment that the University is “so cleare of Inconformity”, and promising to do his best in the drawing up of the charter, [1604]; C.6.b The same to the Vice-Chancellor concerning conformity, 15 Dec. 1604.

C.7 Number not used.

C.8 Latin letter from Richard Vaughan, Bishop of London, on his election, accepting the congratulations of the University, 29 Dec. 1604.

C.9.a Order from the Privy Council to Dr Cowell, Vice-Chancellor, and Drs Goad, Tindall and Nevill concerning two young maids supposed to be bewitched, and one Knightley, believed to be the doer thereof. The Vice-Chancellor to arrange an enquiry and see that the maids are not seen by the young men of the University, 4 Feb. 1604/5; C.9.b From the same to Dr Cowell, that the said maids may be dismissed to their friends in the country to recover, 26 May 1605.

C.10.a Copy of letter from Lord Dorset enquiring how the Readership in Divinity may be augmented, as that of Oxford has been, by the addition of some benefice in royal patronage [to become a Regius Chair], 23 June 1605; C.10.b From Sir Edward Coke to Dr Cowell, Vice-Chancellor, concerning the same and recommending the University to draw up a petition on the lines of the recent Oxford one, 7 July 1605.

C.11 Letter from Richard Neile, Chaplain to Sir Robert Cecil, to the Vice-Chancellor and Heads, that his Lordship is about to incorporate MA at Oxford but has not yet taken the oath at Cambridge. Neile wishes to take this oath for him privately as proxy if it can be done in the vacation, 16 July 1605.

C.12.a Draft of a letter to Sir Lawrence Tanfield, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, concerning John Sherman, privileged person, impleaded in that court by Thomas Pie, June 1611 (old index reference: Caryl 179); C.12.b Copy of letter to Lords Justice of the King’s Bench concerning the case of Godfrey Twelves, apothecary [and privileged person], removed from University jurisdiction, 24 Nov. 1610.

C.13 Copy of petition of the University to the Earl of Salisbury, Lord High Treasurer of England and Chancellor of the University, concerning a writ wrongly moved in the Court of the King’s Bench [case of Godfrey Twelves, 1610].

C.14 Lord Salisbury to Dr Newton, Vice-Chancellor, in answer to a complaint of violence done to the privileges of the University and asking for copies of the relevant charters to be sent to him (original, with seal), 2 Sept. 1611.

C.15 Documents relating to cloth-searchers at Sturbridge Fair, 1611: C.15.a Petition of Lawrence Cockin, clothier, to Vice-Chancellor and Heads; C.15.b Depositions of J. Biggs, counsel for Cockin, and John Tompson BA; C.15.c Draft of petition (?to Lord Salisbury) on behalf of Cockin; C.15.d Further draft of the above. Cockin has won his case but has not received satisfaction; C.15.e Note of all proceedings enclosed with the above letter.

C.16 Letter from Lord Northampton, Chancellor, to the Vice-Chancellor, concerning a dispute about the “Fathership” given by the Proctors to Mr Lake, 2 July 1613. Note: For papers relating to this dispute see UA CUR 44 item 146.

C.17.a see UA Grace Book Epsilon p.248*; C.17.b see UA Grace Book Epsilon p.252; C.17.c Letter from the University to Lord Chancellor Egerton complaining of neglect of the Act concerning Popish livings, 12 Apr. 1616; C.17.d Letter from Bishop Montagu of Winchester accepting the University’s congratulations on his preferment to the see (seal intact), 15 Oct. 1617 (formerly UA Grace Book Epsilon p.264); C.17.e Copy of letter to John Argall with thanks for a benefaction, 19 Oct. 1618 (formerly UA Grace Book Epsilon p.280*); C.17.f Original letter from John Argall in reply, 1 Jan. 1618/19 (formerly UA Grace Book Epsilon p.280**).

C.18.a Draft of a Representation by the Vice-Chancellor and Heads ?to Lord Suffolk, High Steward and Chancellor of the University, concerning the damage that would ensure to navigation from the Commission of Sewers’ project, n.d. [1610-14]; C.18.b Further draft of letter to the same against the Commission of Sewers, n.d. [1610-14]; C.18.c Draft of a letter in Latin to the same against dividing the river into several channels, 4 May 1619 (formerly UA Grace Book Epsilon p.296*).

C.19.a Copy Latin letter from the University to Sir George Calvert thanking him for assistance in preserving rivers and getter the Order about thatched houses, 21 Oct. 1619 (formerly UA Grace Book Epsilon p.304*); C.19.b Latin letter from the University to Sir Robert Naunton as above, 21 Oct. 1619 (formerly UA Grace Book Epsilon p.304*).

C.20.a see UA Grace Book Epsilon p.321; C.20.b see UA Grace Book Epsilon p.322; C.20.c see UA Grace Book Epsilon pp.334-5.

C.21 Original letter from Lord Suffolk, Chancellor of the University, revoking his recommendation that Mr French should set up a new brewhouse, 15 July 1621.

D. PORTION OF A LETTER BOOK OF ST JOHN’S COLLEGE, 1619-34

D.alpha.1 Latin letter from John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln: ”An answer return’d to the former letter” congratulating him on becoming a Privy Counsellor and Lord Keeper, 15 Aug. 1621; 2 “A Copy of King James his letters mandatory for George Seaton, a Scotchman to bee fellow”, 10 Mar. 1619/20; 3 “A letter to the Lord Bishop of Durham after the Election of George Seaton into a supernumerary place, upon the Kings Majesty his Mandate”, 12 Apr. 1620.

D.beta.1 “A letter sent to the King’s Majesty in satisfaction to his Mandate for George Seaton … to bee admitted fellow” [Latin], 12 Apr. 1620; 2 “A letter sent to Sir Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, High Chancellor of England” to protect John Collins MD in the matter of a farm [Latin], 6 May 1620.

D.gamma.1 “Another letter sent to the same purpose” [Latin], 8 May 1620; 2 “To Mr Dr Gwyn Mr of St Johns in Camb from [Sir] Ralph Hare” concerning his proposed benefaction of a living, 1 Mar. 1621/2; 3 “A letter sent to Mr Attorney generall from the Colledge concerning the above”, 8 Apr. 1622.

D.delta.1 “A Coppy of a letter sent to the Universitie from the privie counsell by King James his direction”: that texts of Pareus be confiscated (printed in Cooper’s Annals, III, 143); 2 Note from the Vice-Chancellor to the Master of St John’s asking him to bring such texts to the Consistory.

D.epsilon.1 “A coppy of a letter sent from ye right honorable ye Ld Bp of Lincoln Ld Keeper of the great seals of England” asking leave of absence for his chaplain, Mr Downhart, to attend Sir Edward Herbert, Ambassador to France, 22 Dec. 1622; 2 With note of answer sent (Robert Lane, Registrarius); 3 “A coppy of another letter to the same” appealing against Pontage Money levied by the new Lord of the Manor of Hilton, 5 Feb. 1622/3.

D.zeta.1 “The coppy of a letter sent from his Majesty”: that the election of new Fellow be impartial, 29 Mar. 1623/4; 2 “To Sir Raph Hare” concerning his benefaction, 19 Apr. 1623; 3 “To Sir Henry Spillman, Knight” concerning the same [Latin], 13 May 1623.

D.eta.1 “To Doctor Carey Ld Bishop of Exeter” about the new library [Latin], 27 May [1623]; 2 “To the Bp of Lincoln Ld Keeper, etc.” on the same, 27 May [1623].

D.theta.1 To the same thanking his for the Library [Latin], 4 Nov. 1623; 2 To the same thanking him for sundry benefactions [Latin], 14 Jan. 1623/4.

D.iota.1 “A letter from the Ld Bp of Ely directed to Dr Gwyn … and to the Seniors ...” that they should send a representative to attend him for an interpretation of a disputed statute, 15 Apr. 1624; 2 Answer of President and Seniors to the above, n.d.

D.kappa.1 “A letter from Mr Secretary Conway” asking for leave of absence for Robert Mason, 12 May 1624; 2 Memorandum on the above by Robt. Lane, Registrarius.

D.lamda.1 “A letter from the right honble the Earle of Southampton“ asking for leave of absence for Mr Lane as his chaplain, 18 July 1624; 2 “To the Ld Vicount of Dunbarre” thanking him for remitting arrears liable through the negligence of a College tenant, Truttbecke of Holderness, 15 Jan. 1624/5; 3 “To Sir Ranulph Crowe, Knight” on his promotion to Chief Justice of the King’s Bench [Latin], n.d. [1625].

D.mu.1 “A letter from the Duke of Buckingham” to the College certifying that Robert Mason is engaged in the King’s service, 12 Dec. 1625; 2 “An answer to the former”, 18 Dec. 1625; 2 “Memorandum that in satisfaction of this letter the President and Seniors condiscended to his Majestys desyre”, 1627; 3 From Charles I: Robert mason, holding a physician’s place, to commence LLD and keep his fellowship. Memorandum of dispensation, 8 and 10 Mar. 1627/8; 4 Letter to Bishop Morton of Coventry and Lichfield concerning a benefaction to the Library [Latin], 28 Apr. 1628.

D.xi.1 “A letter from Dr Morton Ld Bp of Lychfeild and Coventry” as above [Latin], 6 July 1628; 2 “An answer from the college to the former letter” [Latin], n.d. D.omicron.1 “A letter from the Duke of Buckingham our Chancellor to the University” on his going abroad (printed in Cooper’s Annals, III, 203), 30 July 1628; 2 “The Vice-Chancellor's letter to his Majesty upon the death of the Duke of Buckingham” (Cooper Annals, III, 207), n.d.; 3 “A copy of his Majesty’s letter to the University for the choyce of theyr Chancellor” recommending Henry, Earl of Holland (printed in Cooper’s Annals, III, 207), 28 Aug. 1628.

D.pie Latin letter to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the Bishop of Ely as Visitor, [26 June 1634].

f.300.1 “A letter sent from ye King to the University uppon the choyce of the Duke of Buckingham to bee our Chancellor”, 2 June 1626; 2 “A letter from the Duke of Buckingham to the University beeing chosen Chancellor” (printed with 1 in Cooper’s Annals, III, 192/3), 5 June 1626.