TURNBULL LIBRARY ACQUISITION

Evening Star, Issue 23292, 14 June 1939, Page 13

TURNBULL LIBRARY ACQUISITION

EARLY HISTORY OF ENGLAND SIXTEENTH CENTURY MANUSCRIPT [Pen United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, June 13. A specially handsome gift ■ has recently come to the Alexander Turnbull Library from the Guildhall Library, Lonclon. This is a handsomely produced book called ‘ The Great Chronicle of London,’ printed on specially made paper, and bound in crushed brown Morocco by Messrs Zaehusdorf, London. The work is extremely interesting, being the first publication of an ancient manuscript containing a very great deal of the early history of England. This manuscript was recently presented to the Guildhall Library by Lord Wakefield, of Hythe, who bore the cost of printing the hook as well. The manuscript is the one from which John Stowe, famous for his monumental ‘ Survey of London in 1598.' drew much of his information for tnat and other works. It was used, too, by John Foxe, noted for his widely-read ‘ Actes and Monuments of These Latter Days ’ (generally known as ‘ Foxe’s Book of Martyrs’), also by Richard Hakluyt, the scholarly compiler of English voyages, and Ralph Hidgen, author of ‘ Polychronicon.’ Another standard early history, ‘ Hall’s Chronicle of 1550,’ owes a considerable amount to ‘ The Great Chronicle.’

It is probable that the manuscript was the work of Robert Fabian, an alderman of the City of London, who died in 1513. Some of Fabian’s writings were published in 1510, but this manuscript appears to hare been banded down through the centuries without getting into. print. It is, therefore, of groat interest to historians and antiquarians to compare its contents with other chronicles. In some respects it can almost be said to be the parent of many of the accepted ancient histories of England. The book is not on sale, but is being placed in certain libraries throughout the world. Only 500 copies have been printed, which enhances its value. It is on public exhibition at the TurnbullLibrary.