[1]
[1] C. A. S. 8vo. Publ., No. 33 (1900), Dr. James on MSS. in the
Library of Lambeth Palace, pp. 1, 2, 6.
Then again Henry's myrmidons--to use the classic
word--would be unlikely to carry their vandalism too far.
To do so, in view of the great value of books, would bring
them no profit. Knowing their character, may we not
reasonably assume that they sold as many books as they
could to make illicit gains?[1] Sometimes they fell in love
with their finds, as was natural. "Please it you to understand,"
writes Thomas Bedyll, one of Henry VIII's commissioners,
"that in the reding of the muniments and
chartors of the house of Ramesey, I found a chartor of King
Edgar, writen in a very antiq Romane hand, hard to be red
at the first sight, and light inowghe after that a man found
out vj or vij words and after compar letter to letter. I am
suer ye wold delight to see the same for the straingnes and
antiquite thereof.... I have seen also there a chartor of
King Edward writen affor the Conquest."[2]
[1] See Dr. James' view of the dispersion of Bury Abbey
Library.--James 1, 9-10.
[2] Monasticon, Dugdale, ii.
Pages:
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124