[6] "Seint Marie College of
Wynchestr," or New College, made a better start than any
house (1380). The founder, William of Wykeham, endowed
it with no fewer than 240 or 243 volumes, of which
135 or 138 were theology, 28 philosophy, 41 canon law,
36 civil law; somebody unnamed, but possibly the founder,
presented 37 volumes of medicine and 15 chained books
in the library; and Bishop Reed--also the good friend of
Merton--gave 58 volumes of theology, 2 of philosophy,
and 3 of canon law.[7] Lincoln College had a collection of
books at its foundation (1429); Dr. Gascoigne gave 6
manuscripts worth nearly three pounds apiece (1432); and
Robert Flemming, a cousin of the founder, renowned for
his travels and studies and collections in Italy, left a
number of manuscripts, variously estimated at 25
and 38 in number, to his house. In 1474 this
college had 135 manuscripts, stored in seven presses.
Rules for the use of books were included in the first
statutes of All Souls College, founded in 1438. At
Magdalen the library had a magnificent start when
William of Waynflete brought with him no fewer than
800 volumes on his visit in 1481; many of these were
printed books.
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