Every book
belonging to University College had a high value set upon
it, so that a borrower should not be careless in his use of
it (statutes, 1292); and at Peterhouse the Master and two
Deans were expected to set a value upon the books (special
statute, 1480). Punishment for default was severe. Any
Fellow of Oriel neglecting or refusing to restore his books,
or to pay the value set upon them, forfeited his right of
selecting for another year, and if he failed to make good
the loss before the following Christmas, he was no longer a
Fellow--eo facto non socius ibidem existat (1441). If a
Fellow of Peterhouse did not produce his book at the fresh
selection, or appoint a deputy to bring it, he was liable to be
put out of commons until he restored it (statute, 1480).
Equal care was taken of the books which were not
circulated. At Merton they were to be kept under three
locks (1276). The deeds, books, muniments, and money
of Stapeldon Hall or Exeter College were kept in a
chest, of which one key was in the hands of the Rector,
another of the Senior Scholar, and a third of the Chaplain
(statutes, 1316). Three different locks, two large and one
small, were used to secure the library door of New College:
the Senior Dean and the Senior Bursar had the keys of the
large locks, and each Fellow had a key of the small lock;
all three locks were to be secured at night (statutes, 1400).
Pages:
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268