[1] Mun. Acad., 266.
Of the character of the Duke's gifts in 1413 and in
1430 we know nothing: in 1435 he gave books and money,
but how many books or how much money is not recorded.
Three years later the University sought another gift from
him, and he forthwith sent no fewer than 120 volumes
(1439).[1] The University's gratitude was unbounded. On
certain festivals during the Duke's lifetime prayers were to
be said for him, within ten days after he died a funeral
service was to be celebrated, and on every anniversary of
his death he and his consort were to be commemorated.[2]
Their letters were fulsome: as a founder of libraries he was
compared with Julius Caesar--a compliment also paid him
about the same time by Pier Candid Decembrio; Parliament
was besought to thank him "hertyly, and also prey Godd
to thanke hym in tyme commyng, wher goode dedys teen
rewarded";[3] as a prince he was most serene and illustrious,
lord of glorious renown, son of a king, brother of a king,
uncle of a king, "the very beams of the sun himself"; as a
donor, as greatly and munificently liberal as the recipients
were lowly and humble.
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