St John's College S.28 (James 420)

'J. A.' or William Birde(?), 'Readings of Gilbert, Spilman, Bromeley and other learned lawyers'. French, 1584

'Readings of [Ambrose] Gilbert, Spilman, [George] Bromeley, and / other learned lawyers / Observacons sur Littleton, by Wm Fletewode [the latter line written twice]', in the hand of Thomas Baker. On the last folio, almost certainly in the same hand, is the inscription 'William Birde Gent / Anno Domini 1584'. The word 'Gent' has been erased. Perhaps this is the William Bird who was adm. at Gray's Inn, 1571, an Ancient 1589-90. The initials J. A. conclude some of the readings, eg. at fos 41r, 103r, 141r, 160v.

175x127 mm. [ix]+186 (original)+[xxviii] fos. At fo. ix v 'Tho: Baker, Coll: Jo. Socius ejectus' and 'Lego Collegio D: Jo: Cant:', this line scored through. 'Readinges' on the fore-edges.

Manuscript extra information

A single, clean hand throughout, perhaps that of William Birde. Paper, with ruled margins, the text measuring c. 145x90 mm. Original binding: blind-tooled centrepiece, dark-brown calf over pasteboard, spine with four raised bands, possible trace of a tie or clasp at top, the binding repaired by David English of Messrs Gray, Dec. 1972 (inscription on penultimate folio).