Fragments known:—b 3–4, c 3–4 are in the Bodleian (Auct. R. supra 3), having been presented by Sir William H. Cope in 1872. They were fly leaves in a volume containing five treatises dated from 1491 to 1505, probably bound in Oxford for William Cope (d. 1513) who lived near Banbury. Also c 1–2, 5–6 are in Merton College Library, Oxford, among some loose printed fragments.
5. Latin Grammar (1481?, see p. [2]).
This is only known from two leaves in the British Museum, acquired in 1872 or late in 1871, which were found in the binding of a book, which in the sixteenth cent. belonged to Nicholas Browere. It is a Latin grammar in English, the examples of which connect its composition with Oxford (e. g. “I goo to grammer att Oxforde Incumbo grammatice Oxonij,” “Y go to Oxforde Eo Oxonium vel ad Oxonium.”) From letters in the Athenaeum, 4 and 11 Nov. 1871, and notes in the book, it appears that the author might be John Anwykyll (see p. [257]) and that it is probably not by Holt or Stanbridge. The chain lines run across the page: but it is at present impossible to say whether the sections were in sixes or eights. Marked C. 33. i. 10.
6. Ales (1481, see p. [2]).
The woodcut border which is found in some copies of the Ales and Latteburius is the earliest found in English printing, though Caxton uses woodcut engravings in the text (for the first time) in the same year. It consists of birds and flowers grouped on long winding stems, the four pieces which form the border measuring in all not less than 11¼ × 7¾ in. (no quite intact copy is known, the binder’s ruthless knife invariably removing a portion). A full-size reproduction of it is given in E. G. Duff’s Facsimiles of English types (Lond. 1895).
Copies known.
1. British Museum. Without border. Wanting a 4, a 5. Re-bound lately, but with the original sides. Owned by William Wodebrigge, sub-prior of Butleigh, co. Suffolk: then by John Warner: then by Cranmer: then by lord Lumley. In the Old Royal Library: once 520. 9. 12, now C. 38. g. 1.
2. Bodleian. Without border. Perfect: in original Oxford binding, plain sides. Owned by Roger Balkwell in the 15th cent. Marked A. 5. 4 Art., then C. 7. 15 Art., now Auct. R. supra 10.
3. Oxford—Balliol.
4. Oxford—Brasenose. Without border. On vellum. Imperfect, wanting 13 leaves. In contemporary Oxford binding, with stamped sides. Owned by—Claxton and Patrick Grante.