Lending books on hire was usual among both booksellers
and tutors, for it was the exception, rather than the rule,
for university students to own books, while in the college
libraries there were sometimes not enough books to go
round. For example, the statutes of St. Mary's College,
founded in 1446, forbade a scholar to occupy a book in
the library above an hour, or at most two hours, so that
others should not be hindered from the use of them.[1]
[1] Bodl. MS. Rawlinson, 34, fo. 21, Stat. Coll. 5. Mariae pro
Oseney: De Libraria.
At Cambridge the trade was not less flourishing. From
time to time it was found necessary to determine whether
the booksellers and the allied craftsmen were within the
University's jurisdiction or not. In 1276 it was desired
to settle their position as between the regents and scholars
of the University and the Archdeacon of Ely. Hugh de
Balsham, Bishop of Ely, when called in as arbiter, decided
that writers, illuminators, and stationers, who exercise offices
peculiarly for the behoof of the scholars, were answerable to
the Chancellor; but their wives to the Archdeacon. Nearly
a century later, in 1353-54, we find Edward III issuing a
writ commanding justices of the peace of the county of
Cambridge to allow the Chancellor of the University the
conusance and punishment of all trespasses and excesses,
except mayheim and felony, committed by stationers,
writers, bookbinders, and illuminators, as had been the
custom.
Pages:
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320