The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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James II of England, King of England and Ireland (1633 - 1701)

Alias James VII of Scotland

King of England, Ireland, and Scotland Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/14593?docPos=2 Other biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_II_of_England Relevant locations: Residence at England, Europe
Workplace or place of business Ireland, Ireland [duplicate]
Relationships: James II of England was a brother of Charles II of England (1630-1685)
James II of England was a son of Charles I of England (1600-1649)

Anne of Great Britain (1665-1714) was a daughter of James II of England
George Bower (-1690) was a employed by James II of England
Mary II of England (30 Apr 1662-28 Dec 1694) was a daughter of James II of England
Mary of Modena (5 Oct 1658-7 May 1718) was a wife of James II of England
James Reed (-fl. 1690) was a source of object(s) for James II of England
John Riley (1646-Mar 1691) was a employed by James II of England
John Wood (-) was a donor to James II of England
Linked print sources: as Mentions or references - Geschichte der Deutschen in England von den ersten germanischen ansiedlungen in Britannien bis zum ende des 18. jahrhunderts..
References in Documents:
MS Book of Benefactors (MacGregor, ed.)

The very Reverend Father in Christ, John [Fell], by the Grace of God Bishop of Oxford and Dean of Christ Church, gave the collection, as a token of his good will to the Ashmolean Museum, two original medals, one of them gold and the other silver, struck to commemorate the coronation of their Royal Highnesses King James II and Queen Mary Beatrice of England on 23 April 1685; also an outline map of Africa and two ancient maps of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. (One hopes that there may be more.)

MS Book of Benefactors (MacGregor, ed.)

A.D. 1691

Robert Plot LLD, Fellow-Commoner of University College; Historiographer-Royal to King James II; military secretary to the most illustrious Duke Henry of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of 7 AMS 2: THE BOOK OF BENEFACTORS England; first professor of Chemistry in this great University, first and best curator of this Museum. He was deservedly celebrated for his superior talents and universal erudition, which anyone who has impartially read the Natural Histories of Oxfordshire and Staffordshire which he has published will acknowledge (as well as other works which I pass over). After he had directed the Ashmolean Museum with great commitment and diligence for seven years, he finally gave up that post and moved to London, leaving to future keepers a great example of hard work and of generosity (we hope not a burdensome one). He donated to the museum the great variety of material which he was luckily the first to uncover in Oxfordshire and Staffordshire, and he published fine illustrations and careful descriptions of them a short while ago in his histories of these counties. He also gave many minerals, and ancient objects from the period of the Roman occupation of this island, which he had both excavated in his native county of Kent and acquired elsewhere from all over Britain; and also a fair number of exotic items such as shells, minerals, metals, earths, salts, stones, tufa, sponges, corals and many other things of that kind (he told us to expect more) which are considered to be of great value by students of Natural History. These he willingly donated to the museum and generously dedicated them to advance the cause of the natural sciences.

Consolidated catalogue of 1695: The Book of the Vice-Chancellor (MacGregor, ed.) 18 365 Numisma in Natalitijs illustr. Jacobi Ducis Eborac. percusi. viz t. Oct. 15. 1633. Ar. Medal struck to celebrate the birth of James, Duke of York, 15 October 1633.
Consolidated catalogue of 1695: The Book of the Vice-Chancellor (MacGregor, ed.) James, Duke of York. born 15 October, baptized 24 November 1633. See no. 294
Consolidated catalogue of 1695: The Book of the Vice-Chancellor (MacGregor, ed.) James II. King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland. Crowned 23 April 1685.
Consolidated catalogue of 1695: The Book of the Junior Proctor (MacGregor, ed.) [Addendum 6] Mr. Crynes's account of the Feather-piece which he left to the Museum. This Mexican Feather-piece was given to Mrs. Margaret Dawson (one of the Gentlewomen of the Bedchamber to Mary of Modena, wife of King James the Second, as her nephew said; & as appears by the printed depositions on the birth of the Prince of Wales) by the said Queen Mary. Mrs Dawson left it by will to her nephew Dr. Harrison of All Souls, after whose death I bought it. N. Crynes Mr. John Shippen told me he saw five pictures of the same kind in the King of Spain's Cabinet (I think) at the Escurial.
MS Book of the dean of Christ Church (MacGregor, ed.) 732 Effigies Serenissimi Principis Jacobi 2.di Regis Angl. &c. simili Limbo adornata. 54 Portrait of His Majesty King James II of England etc., with a similar frame. MacGregor 1983, no. 283.
A Catalogue of Many Natural Rarities (Authorial, print 1664) A Phenicopter or Passoflamingo; given by the Ingenious Lover of Rarities Mr. Povey Treasurer to his Highnesse the Duke of Yorke. This bird is good meat and was much esteemed by the delicate-mouthed Romans.
A Catalogue of Many Natural Rarities (Authorial, print 1664) A Catalogue of the Names of those Great Princes and persons of Quality whose Love of Vertue, Learning, and of the admirable workes of God in Natural Rarities has been shewed by their Bountifull adding of something to the increase of the forementioned Collection. CHARLES the First, King of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland, &c. CHARLES the Second, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. Ferdinand the third, Emper. of Germany &c. Elionora Empresse, &c. Ferdinand. the fourth, King of the Romans, &c. Elleonora Queen Dowagere of Sweade, &c. Christina Queen of Swede, &c. John Philips Archbishop of Mentz and Prince Elector, &c. Charles Lewis Palsgrave of the Rhein and Prince Elector, &c. John George Prince Elector of Saxony, &c. Maximilianus Henry Archbishop of Collen and Prince Elector, &c. Christian Lewis Duke of Lunemburg and Brunzwich, &c. Frederick Duke of Holstein, &c. William Landgrave of Hessen, Prince of Hersefeild, &c. Gaston Duke of Orleans, &c. Philip Earl of Pembrooke. Monsieur de Believre Great Prresident President of France. The Honorable Sr. Thomas Row, His Majesties Ambassadour to the Great Mogor in India, and also Embassador to the Emperour of the Turks at Constantinople, and to the Emperour of Germany and also to divers other Kings, Princes and Free States. Sr. Thomas Wardner General for the Caribea Islands, and Governour of St. Christophers, and one of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber to King Charles the first. Sr. Francis Peters a friend to Ingenuity and Rarities. Frederick Shink Governour of Selle, and Privy Councellour to the Duke of Brunzwich. The Learned Petrus Carisius Resident for the King of Denmark, in the united Provinces. Sr. Theodore de Mayerne, Physitian to Queen Mother Heneretta Maria. Esquire Courtine a lover of vertue and Ingenuity. Mr. Povey Treasurer to his Royal Highnesse the Duke of Yorke. Dr. Saltzman Physician, and Professor in the University of Strasburgh. Dr. Fausius, Professor in the University of Hidelberg. Dr. Moretus, Professor in Astronomy in the University of Prague. Dr. Cornelius van der Lingon Physician in the University of Utrecht. Dr. Housewetel, Physician to the King of Sweden, and Cheif Physician in Hamburg. Dr Bezler Cheif Physician in Nuramberg. Dr. Brown Physician in Ausburg. Dr. Dewit, Physician in the Country of Lief-land. Dr. Eastgate, Physician in Poplar. Mr. Thornton Chaplain to the Righ Right Honorable Earl of Bedford. Mr. Cornelius Middlegest, Clerk to the Company of the Royal Adventurers of England Trading into Africa
A Catalogue of Many Natural Rarities (Authorial, print 1665) A Phenicopter or Passoflamingo, given by the Ingenious lover of Rarities Mr. Povey Treasurer to his Hignesse Highness the Duke of Yorke. This Bird is good meat, and was much esteemed by the delicate-mouthed Romans.
A Catalogue of Many Natural Rarities (Authorial, print 1665) A spotted Serpent of the Island Jamaica; This with the three following Serpents was given to the increase of these Rarities, by worthy Mr. Povey one of the Royal Society of Philosophers, and Treasurer to his Highnesse the Duke of Yorke.
A Catalogue of Many Natural Rarities (Authorial, print 1665) A Catalogue of the Names of those Great Princes and Persons of Quality, whose love of Virtue, Learning, and of the admirable Works of God in Natural Rarities has been shewed by their Bountiful adding of something to the encrease of the fore-mentioned Collection. CHARLES the First, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, &c. CHARLES the Second, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland. Ferdinand. the third, Emper. of Germany, &c. Elionora Empress, &c. Ferdinand the fourth, King of the Romans, &c. Elionora Queen-Dowager of Swede, &c. Christiana Queen of Swede, &c. John Philips Archbishop of Mentz, and Prince Elector, &c. Charles Lewis Palsgrave of the Rhein, and Prince Elector, &c. John George Prince Elector of Saxony, &c. Maximilianus Henry Archbishop of Collen, and Prince Elector, &c. Christian Lewis Duke of Lunemburg and Brunswick, &c. Frederick Duke of Holstein, &c. William Landgrave of Hessen, Prince of Hersefield, &c. Gaston Duke of Orleans, &c. Philip Earl of Pembroke and Mongomry. Monsieur de Belieure Great President of France. The Honorable Sr. Thomas Row, His Majesties Embassador to the Great Magor in India, to the Emperour of the Turks at Constantinople, and to the Emperour of Germany, and also to divers other Kings, Princes and Free States. Sr. Thomas Wardner General for the Caribea Islands, and Governour of St. Christophers, and one of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber to King Charles the first. Sr. Richard Everard, one of the Burgesses of the Honorable house of Parliament, and a great Lover of ingenuity. Sr. Francis Peters, a great lover of Rarities. The Learned Petrus Carisius Resident for the King of Denmark, in the united Provinces. Frederick Shink Governour of Selle, and Privy Councellour to the Duke of Lunemburg, &c. Sr. Theodore de Mayerne. Physitian to Qu. Mother Henreitta Maria. Willian Courtine Esq; a friend to Ingenuity. Mr. Povey Treasurer to his Royal Highnesse the Duke of Yorke. Dr. Saltzman Physitian, and Professor in the University of Strasburg. Dr. Fausius Physitian, and Professor in the University of Hidelberg. Dr. Moretus, Professor of Astronomy in the University of Prague. Dr. Cornelius van der Lingon Physitian in the University of Vtrecht. Dr. Housewetel Physitian to the King of Sweden, and Chief Physitian in Hamburg. Dr Bezler Chief Physitian in Nuramburg. Dr. Brown Physitian in Ausburg. Dr. Dewit Physitian in the Country of Lief-land. Dr. Eastgate Physitian in Poplar. Mr. Thornton Chaplain to the Right Honorable Earl of Bedford. Mr. Cornelius Middlegest, Clerk to the Company of the Royal Adventurers of England Trading into Africa.
A Catalogue of Those Rarities Collected (Authorial, print 1669) A rare Phenicupter, given by that ingenuous true lover of Rarities Mr. Powey, Treasurer to his Highnesse the Duke of York.
A Catalogue of Those Rarities Collected (Authorial, print 1669) A spotted Serpent some 13 foot long, this with the three following Serpents was presented to the encrease of these Rarities, by that Honourable Mr. Povey, one of the Royal society of Philosophers, and Treasurer to his Royal Highnesse the Duke of York.
A Catalogue of the Rarities To be seen at Don Saltero's Coffee-House [1775] 291 A Wooden Shoe, that was put under the Speaker's Chair in King James II's Reign.
[Travel Diary of Georg Christoph Stirn of Nuremberg, includes description of the Tradescant collection, as well as those in the tower and at Oxford]
[Travel Diary of Georg Christoph Stirn of Nürnberg]

1638, July 2nd. Hem (at Dieppe) we left France and sailed in the evening in an English vessel across the British channel; we got on to the vessel with great discomfort, since it could not be moored by the harbour on account of the tide, and we had to pay the French boatmen as much as they demanded for putting us on board. We sailed on through the whole night and the next day, had very fine weather, but because there was no wind at all, we had to pass the next night also on the sea. Early on the third day [marg. July 4th] we came to land, and as the tide was not yet high enough, we were put on shore in a small boat and thus reached Rye (Rie, in the margin Rhea) in England; it is a small town, to which many persons cross from France, although it has hardly any harbour, for the tide runs out so far that vessels can only get in at high tide. Here a great examining goes on and foreigners have not only to give in their names, but must also pay something for themselves and their luggage.

Here the same day we took the post; there are three stages to London[*]Ogilby, Britania (1675) says in the Preface: 'The Rye Road has only 3 stages of 20 miles each, as from London to Chepstead' (a manor in Kingsdown, near River Head) '20 miles, to Stone-Crouch 20 m., and to Rye 20 M.;' on p. 61 he speaks of this road as 'a well frequented Road, as conveying you to the readiest passage to Diep and Haur du Grace in Normandy, in France.' (Londen), and we arrived in the evening at Flimwell (Flemwoelt) a distance of 18 English miles. The following day (marg. July 5th) we had a long stage, which we had to break at Tunbridge (Donnenpritsch), taking the other half of the stage on to Chepstead (Chepsted), 22 miles, where we halted for dinner. The third stage was thence to London, where we arrived in the evening. London (marg. Londinum, here is pasted in a plan of London) is the capital of England, very large and populous, built three miles along the left bank of the Thames, of which Owen[*]Epigrammatum Joannis Owen Tiber singularis (1607 London), no 160 Londinium. writes Imbibit ut fontes Tamesis fluuiosque minores; oppida Londinium (MS. Londinum) pauperiora vorat.

This river empties itself into the sea two days' journey hence, and yet has even here high and low tide; it rises not far from Oxford (Oxenford) and near its source is called Isis or Ouse, but after the Thame (Tama) enters it below the little town of Dorchester (Dortchester), it receives the name of Thames (Tamesis); other tributaries too flow into it. It has a fine port here, on the side towards the sea large vessels are moored in considerable numbers, and on the other side towards Oxford the little boats, in which people go up and down the river, if they do not want to walk so far in the town. The bridge which leads from the suburb of Southwark (Southwerke) into the city, was at one time built right over with houses and shops, of which however a third part was burnt down five years ago. The city itself has yet other suburbs above and below it, fine streets and large squares, chief amongst them Goldsmiths' Row, Shoe Lane and King Street. The open space where people are executed is called Tower Hill; the manner in which executions are conducted here has been noticed by Sincerus[*]Justus Zinzerling published his travels in 1616 under the name of Jodocus Sincerus (Rye p. 131). p. 308. Another fine, pleasant open space, planted with trees, is called Moorfields, where on Sundays the young men and ladies are accustomed to take their walks. Charing Cross (Charingcrosse) [is] a square, in which there is a monument that king Edward I had put up to his wife Eleanor, daughter of king Ferdinand III of Castile. Not far from this are the Royal Mews. There is besides another large open space, on which the prentices wrestle on Sundays. Here I saw (1) St. Paul's Church, a grand, very large building of remarkable length, built in the shape of a cross. The roof of this Church, as of almost all the churches in London, of which there are 122, is covered with lead, and so is the great square tower; this tower is very high and massive, and from the top of it one can look right over the town, building operations are going on now at the Church, there are various places in it from which preaching is possible, and it is said that some princes and noble perso¬nages lie buried there (2). Westminster (Westmünster), it faces west, where formerly the temple of Apollo is said to have stood. It is a most magnificent building, adorned with many marble columns; here the kings are crowned. King Henry VII. A. D. 1502 had built on to it at a cost of 14000 pounds sterling a very beautiful and costly chapel as a burial-place for himself and family. Many kings lie here, whose monuments are very well [described] by Zeiller[*]Martin Zeiller's Itinerarium Magnae Britanniae, das ist: Reyss Beschrei¬bung durch Engelland, Schottland and Irrland, Strassburg 1634 in 8. p. 177 foll., and about them a special book[*]Camden's work, entered on January 21th, A booke called Reges. Reginae, Nobilij et Alij in ecclesia Collegiata. Beati Petri Westmonasterij sepulti vsque ad annum reparat(a)e salutis Moo VJd (Arber, Transcript of the Registers of the Company of Stationers of London, III p. 56). — Valens Arithmaeus was Professor of Poetry at Frankfort (Rye p. 177, Schaible p. 306.) in 4° was printed A. D. Moo and afterwards enlarged by Valens Arithmaeus under the title Mausolea Regum, Reginarum, Dynastarum, Nobilium etc. Londini etc. and published in 12° in 1618 at Frankfort on Oder. But as the latest epitaphs are not in it, it is to be hoped that a new edition of this book will be brought out. The epitaph of Buckingham (Bubingam) is very beautiful, Mr. Bernegger in Strasburg has had it printed. The monument to Buckingham's parents is very fine, as are also those of the Duke of Richmond and Lennox (Lenox and R.), of Lady Cottington, and of Francis Holies (Hollis), [third] son of the Earl of Clare. In the Church is also [that] of Geoffrey Chaucer (Galfridi Chauzers), an old poet, also of Ed. Spenser (Spenceri) and Michael Drayton, who were also famous poets. Of W. Camden as follows: qui fide antiqua et opera [assidua][*]The words in brackets are from John Dart, Westmonasterium. 1723 vol. II pp. 67, 68. Britanicam antiquitatem ndicauit [indagavit], simplicitatem inatam honestis studijs excoluit, animi soler-tiam candore illustrauit, Guilielmus Camdenus [Cambdenus] ab Elisabetha R. ad regis armorum (Clarentij titulo) dignitatem evocatus, hic spe certa resurgendi in Christo s. e. obijt ano Dni 1623. 9. Nouemb. ætatis suæ 74. The epitaph of Isaac Casaubon follows close by Isaac Casaubon (doctiorum quidquid est assurgite Huic tam colendo nomini). Quern Gallia Reip. literario [literariae] Bono peperit, Henric IV. Francorunm Rex Invictissim Lutetiam Literis suis avocatum [evocatum] Bibliothecæ suæ præfecit, charumque deinceps dum vixit habuit eoque terris erepto Jacob Mag. Brit. Monarcha, Regum Doctissim, doctis indulgentissim in Angliam accivit, munifice fovit, posteritasque ob doctrinam æternum mirabitur. H. S. E. invidia maior. obijt aeternam in XPO vitam anhelans Kal. Jul. MDCXIV set. LV viro opt. immortalitate digniss.; Th. Mortonns Ep. Dunelm. iucundissimæ quoad fieri licuit consuetudinis memor P. R. S. P. C. V. MDCXXXIV.

Qui nosse vult Casaubonum, non saxa sed chartas legal, Sic perfuturas [superfuturas][*]Dart, Westmonast. II p. 68. marmori, ut [et][*]Dart, Westmonast. II p. 68. profuturas posteris.

Thomas Richardson too lies buried here. On the tomb of Edward I lies a great sword which he used, 9 spans long, a hand broad, very heavy. He conquered the Scots and brought hither their king's sceptre and crown, together with the chair in which they used to be crowned; this chair is of wood and of coarse, poor workmanship, under it is a large stone on which the patriarch Jacob is said to have rested when he saw the angels in a dream. On the chair hangs a little tablet on which are some verses that may be read in Zeiller p. 179.[*]cf. Dart 1. I. II, p. 32. In the cloisters there is a library for the use of all. (3) Near to Westminster was the palace in which the kings of England formerly lived; what is left of it is the chamber where the King, Lords and Commons meet when a parliament is held; there, in A. D. 1605, as Barclay tells the story, they were to have been sent up to heaven in smoke. (4). the collegia Ictorum, which the English call hospitia, in English 'Inns', of which the chief are: I. the Temple, in which some Saxon kings have been buried,[*]Hentzner has: 'The Temple has a round Tower added to it, under which lie buried those kings of Denmark that reigned in England.' Rye p. 283 adds in brackets 'meaning the Knights Templars. Hentzner transformed Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn into Grezin and Lyconsin, explained by the English editor of the reprint of t 807 as the names of two Danish kings buried in the Temple! the chapel is said to be like that which stands over the Sepulchre of Christ in Jerusalem, in the choir of the chapel is a stone, on which [is graven] 'obliuioni sacrum'; H. Lincoln's Inn (Lincolns Inne); III. Gray's Inn (Grayes lane) etc. (5). In the Town Hall called Guildhall, well built [there are] the statues of two giants, Gog and Magog (Goe Magot Albiong and Corineus Britannus).[*]The names of these two giants were originally Gogmagog and Corineus (Guildhall huge Corinaeus Rye p. 139); the name of the former has been split in two, and one of the giants is now called Gog, the other Magog. Corineus is one of the principal characters in the old tragedy of Locrine, once attributed to Shakspeare; he is one of the two brothers of Brutus who are companions in his wanderings; Brutus details the history of his wanderings from Troy, until upon the strands of Albion To Corus haven happily we came, And quell'd the giants, come of Albion's race, With Gogmagog, son to Samotheus, The cursed captain of that damned crew. T. W. Fairholt, Gog and Magog, London 1859. (6). The old merchants' Bursa, which they call Exchange, an imposing square building with fine corridors and vaults; in the space below, where the merchants meet, is the coat of arms of the founder, above, all round the courtyard, are the statues of all the kings of England down to the present one; four corridors run round above, where all kinds of wares are sold. The new 'bursa' is not so large, neither does it contain so many goods. (7). London Tower, or the Fortress, which is called in British Bringwin and Towgwin[*]Camden, Britannia I p. 4 Bringwin and Towergwin.; its shape is that of a square, without wings, it resembles a strong castle, there are many large pieces of ordnance on the top of it behind the parapets or bulwark running round; here great men are kept prisoners, and there is, in the large square within, a scaffold on which such are executed. Within the Tower is besides to be seen the Royal Mint. In the armoury there are to be found strange spears, many arrows, shields, halberds, muskets, guns, suits of armour and the like; amongst others the old weapons of Henry VIII,[*]In the Badenfahrt these weapons are enumerated, and Rye p. 19 translates 'langes rohr and fäustling' by 'long barrel and stock'. In Cellius, Eques Auratus Anglo-Wirtemb., 1605 p. 86 the passage runs Monstratur ibidem . . . sclopetum longum, et manuarium quod ab ephippii arcuto pendens gestasse dicitur, Musketis, ut vocant, nostris ferè comparandum. Is not a long hand-gun meant? cf. Meyrick, Critical Inquiry into Antient Armour p. 46: 'si quis clericus . . . . tormentum quoduis manuarium, id est, sclopetum . . . if any clerk shall carry . . . any hand-gun, that is, harquebuss.' — There is another passage in the Badenfahrt on which Cellius' translation throws light. Rye p. 16 translates '(ein kleines knäblein) colorirt dermassen mit seinem zünglein' by 'threw such a charm over the music with his little tongue'; 'coloriren' of music occurs in Scheidt, Grobianus (1551): wie die Musici offtermals under die fuergeschribne notten ire laeufflin machen, und das gesang colerieren, doch alweg wider in schlag komen (Germania, 1884 p. 348), Cellius (p. 81) uses for it: agilima sua lingula tàm celeriter voces variabat. E. Kölbing, Englische studien. X. 3. some suits of armour as used for ballets, and one very strange one which a fool is said to have worn, also a wooden piece of ordnance on which is written 'quid opus est Marte, cui Minerva non desit'. In another room we saw much imposing gold, silver and silk tapestry, likewise royal chairs, apparel, bed furniture and the like, of great value, especially a beautiful cushion which Queen Elizabeth worked in prison. Furthermore we were shown here a fine horn of a unicorn of fair length, a gold font in which the king's son was baptised, six large silver candlesticks brought over by the king from Spain, four large gilt flasks, two high gilt beakers, a drinking vessel of terebinthus (? MS. turpentin) and a large sword which Pope Julius III. gave to Henry VIII. Besides these are to be seen here a few pairs of lions, a leopard, a lynx, and an eagle; also a very large snake skin. The Royal Palace, called Whitehall (Weithall) is not very splendid, but it has some fine rooms and apartments, in which [are] many fine pictures, particularly of Rubens (Rubentz) a Dutchman; in one gallery there are on old paper shields all kinds of beautiful emblems. By the side of the Palace is a garden. The Queen's Palace, called Somerset House (Sommerseth), a large and beautiful house, with a square courtyard inside; this is more beautifully built than the King's Palace, and there are also far more costly things to be seen in the rooms, such as pictures and all kinds of silver plate. York House (Yorkenhauss) which belonged to the Duke of Buckingham, which is much grander than the rest as regards rooms, noble pictures, statues and other objects of art; in the garden hard by are some boars. In the special palace of the Prince of Wales (Wallis), the king's son, are also to be seen fine pieces of painting, in the gardens [is] an ostrich; we have not seen the king's statuary and library which are likewise there. In the art museum of Mr. John Tradescant[*]John Tradescant, one of the earliest naturalists of Great Britain, died 1638; his son John Tradescant published in 1656 Musaeum Tradescantianum or a Collection of Rarities preserved at South-Lambeth neer London. [are] the following things: first in the courtyard there lie two ribs of a whale, also a very ingenious little boat of bark; then in the garden all kinds of foreign plants, which are to be found [enumerated] in a special little book which Mr. Tradescant has had printed about them.[*]Mus. Trad. p. 41: 'A Booke of Mr. Tradescant's choicest Flowers and Plants, exquisitely limned in vellum, by Mr. Alex. Marshall.' In the museum itself we saw a salamander, a chameleon, a pelican, a remora, a lanhado[*]Mus. Trad. p. 6: lanhado is mentioned amongst snakes. from Africa, a white partridge, a goose which has grown in Scotland on a tree,[*]On the so-called Barnacle Goose cf. M. Müller, Science of Lang. II p. 585 foll. a flying squirrel, another squirrel like a fish, all kinds of bright coloured birds from India, a number of things changed into stone, amongst others a piece of human flesh on a bone, gourds, olives, a piece of wood, an ape's head, a cheese etc; all kinds of shells, the hand of a mermaid, the hand of a mummy, a very natural wax hand under glass, all kinds of precious stones, coins, a picture wrought in feathers, a small piece of wood from the cross of Christ, pictures in perspective of Henry IV and Louis XIII of France, who are shown, as in nature, on a polished steel mirror, when this is held against the middle of the picture, a little box in which a landscape is seen in perspective, pictures from the church of S. Sophia in Constantinople copied by a Jew into a book, two cups of 'rinocerode' (the horn of the quadruped, or the beak of the hornbill?[*]P. B. Duncan, Introd. to the Catalogue of the Ashmolean Museum p. 4, mentions as deserving especial notice 'the beak of the helmet hornbill, from the East Indies, which has been but lately imported in the entire state, having been long suspected to have been a foolish imposition contrived to deceive Tradescant.' The younger Tradescant bequeathed the Museum in 1662 to Ashmole who presented it to the University of Oxford.), a cup of an East Indian alcedo which is a kind of unicorn,[*]The Mus. Trad. does not give Alcedo, but it mentions (p. 53) Albado horn together with Unicorn horn and Rinoceros horn. many Turkish and other foreign shoes and boots, a sea parrot, a toad-fish, an elk's hoof with three claws, a bat as large as a pigeon, a human bone weighing 42 pounds, Indian arrows, an elephant's head, a tiger's head, poisoned arrows such as are used by the executioners in the West Indies — when a man is condemned to death, they lay open his back with them and he dies of itan instrument used by the Jews in circumcision (with picture) some very light wood from Africa, the robe of the king of Virginia, a few goblets of agate, a girdle such as the Turks wear in Jerusalem, [a representation of] the passion of Christ carved very daintily on a plumstone, a large magnet stone, [a figure of] S. Francis in wax under glass as also of S. Jerome, the Pater Noster of Pope Gregory XV, pipes from the East and West Indies, a stone found in the West Indies in the water, whereon were graven Jesus, Mary and Joseph, a beautiful present from the Duke of Buckingham, which was of gold and diamonds affixed to a feather by which the four elements were signified, Isidor's MS. of de natura hominis, a scourge with which Charles V. is said to have scourged himself, a hat band of snake bones.

In order that the common people may while away their time, they have bear- and bull baiting, which are a great pleasure to see; comedies also are performed, but not with so much grace as in France, although they represent gestures and postures particularly well. The citizens are also in the habit of practising wrestling and fencing. Games of ball are not so common as in France, there are some ballhouses, but very few good ones. Outside the city we first sailed down the Thames to the Royal Palace of Greenwich (Grenwich) on the right bank of the river, where we saw the king and the queen and the court dine; there were also many other grand folks present. Otherwise there is little to be seen in the palace, but the garden is fairly pleasant, at the back of it the queen has built a new pavilion in a peculiar style, which has a fine view on to a hill whereon stands a house. After that we walked along on the other bank, — we crossed the river at Putney (Putnay), — until we came to Richmond which lies nine English miles from London: it is likewise a Royal Palace, built on the right bank of the Thames. There we saw dining together the two sons of the king, the elder Charles, Prince of Wales, the younger James, Duke of York. Whatever else is to be seen in the palace, is described by Sincerus p. 309 fin. Thence again across the river to Hampton Court (Hambton court), 3 miles distant, the finest palace in all England, on the left bank of the river; what is to be seen there (marg. July 13th), Zeiller gives p. 196 foll. Near it lies the little town of Kingston (Kingsthon). From thence, at Staines (Stanes) across the Thames bridge to Windsor (marg. Vindesorum), 8 miles, a town with a castle on the heights, lying on the right bank of the river, where the Knights of the Garter are invested. The castle is very well built and the chapel, in which the knights are invested, is beyond measure beautiful. What is to be seen in both may be found in the above mentioned Zeiller p. 198 foll. From here (marg. July 14th) we proceeded to Oxford, where we had first the Thames to the right; we passed then near Henley a bridge and had our dinner at Nettlebed (Nedelbett), 20 miles. We kept the Thames to the left until we came over a bridge at Dorchester (Dortchester), then to the right up to Oxford, 14 miles, where we rode across the bridge. This town (marg. Oxonia) lies to the left of the Thames, called here still Ouse, as stated above p. 478. There falls into it another stream called Cherwell. It lies in a grassy plain, surrounded by pleasant wooded hills, nicely built, as well as clean and healthy. Here is the celebrated university and library, with 17 fine colleges and as many aulae or inferior schools which are so well built and so richly endowed that this university surpasses almost all others. There are very many students here who are provided with free board and clothing and with long gowns. Each college has its own chapel, library, garden and other pleasant walks. We saw here (1) St. John's College, which is very large, the present bishop has built another on to it, behind which is a beautiful garden, in which a high terrace-walk of grass is made; (2) Christ Church, partly built by a cardinal who fell into disgrace (marg. July 15th, 1638); (3) Magdalen College, in the court of which, high up, some statues are put up. (4) Queen's College, where we drank out of the great oxhorn and out of a very big cup, presented by a student as a memorial. (5) New College, in the garden of which is to be found the mount Parnassus. (6) Brasenose College, at the door of which a big copper nose is to be seen; (7) Exeter College, where the theological school is. Here is the greatly celebrated library for which a very large building is set aside; of MSS. vetera historica there are few in it, only some fragments of Sallust are said to be there; the library in general is not so excellent as is reported. We saw however the following MSS.: officia Ciceronis, Graecos Palms quam plurimos, proverbia Salomonis in French written by a young lady,[*]Mrs. Esther Inglis (now in the glass case). two catholic breviaries with very fine illuminations, opera Regis of the present[*]The late king James I. king, libros Hist. Vet. Test. latinè, cum figuris aureis, a MS. in the Chinese language, a book written on Indian rind (palm-leaves), many MSS. in Arabic, Hebrew, and Greek, a West Indian idol, an Egyptian idol. In the gallery there are to be found the portraits of many learned men, on the ceiling there is everywhere the university crest, an open book with the words 'Dominus illuminatio mea', with two crowns above and below only one. In another room we were shown various coins, an astronomical compass or calendar made of pure gold,[*]Gilt (in the glass case). a portrait[*]Of Queen Elizabeth (in the glass case). wrought in feathers, Joseph's coat, which he wore when he was sold to the Egyptians.[*]This last item is crossed out in the MS. In a lower room are some skeletons, a human skin, a basilisk, a piece of the salt pillar (of Lot's wife?), two feet of a man who had been hanged, on each of them only two toes,[*]For the visit to Oxford I have taken both translation and notes, with very slight alterations, from Dr. Neubauer's letter to the Athenaeum; in the last sentence only I have not followed him, when the MS. has 'zween füss von einem menschen so gehangt worden, an deren ieglichem nur zwo zeen' and he translates 'two human feet suspended in such a way that only two toes are to be seen on each of them.' a huge shell of a tortoise and many similar objects.

From hence (marg. July 15th) we passed again out over the bridge, left the river on our left until we crossed over the bridge at Dorchester, reached Nettlebed in the evening. Next day (marg. July 16th) we had the Thames at our right, crossed the bridge at Henley, left the Thames again on our left, until we rode over the bridge at Maidenhead (Madenhett); from thence we had the river, as also the town of Windsor, on our right and had our midday meal at Colnbrook (Coolbrock), and henceforward had the Thames always on our right; we crossed various streams and came through various villages, till we reached London again, where we stayed four days longer (marg. July 21th). Thence we sailed down the Thames to Gravesend, lying on the right bank of the river, where people usually embark; it is but a poor village, although it has a small bastion on which there are a few guns, and the same on the opposite side of the river; these always fire one in the direction of the other, when a ship arrives from the sea or when one sails, also to drive off the enemy if one should come. There are very large ships here; we saw amongst others the royal ship of immense size which the king has lately had built at a fearful cost; it is called the Royal Sovereign (Sauverain); it is very well equipped with all necessaries, also adorned with gilded rooms and other apartments, so that the like of it may not easily be seen in all Europe. A copperplate engraving of this large ship has been made in London, and also a little book and account of it printed in the English tongue.[*]John Okes and John Aston. Entred for their Copie Sept. 15th 1637 . . . a booke called The discription of the kings great new ship at Woolwich by Master [Thomas] Haywood (Arber, Transcript IV p. 367). Here we waited four days for a favourable wind, and as the wind always remained contrary, we went back to London and waited there twelve days longer From London we went again to Gravesend, where we at once (marg. August 6th) met with a good vessel; we sailed away that same evening (bound for Rotterdam).

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

An Indian Arrow with a Flint Head, of an Orange Colour, in the Form of those called Elves-Arrows in Scotland. This Arrow (which is two Foot two Inches long) is only feathered on two Sides. It was brought from the Indies by Capt. John Wood, who presented the Bow and the Rest of the Arrows to King James II. Don. Step. Tempest de Broughton Arm.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

A Set of Beads, or more strictly a Corona Virginis; it is of fine wrought Ivory dyed a Crimson Colour. A lesser Set, of different Number as well as Workmanship. A much finer Set upon a Crimson Ribband near two Yards long. This was taken from the Image of the Virgin Mary at Alicant, and brought thence by Capt. Cary. Don. D. Fr. Middlebrook. I must confess my self at a Loss for the strict Number of Ave's that compose the Crown of our Lady; the first of these hath 53 Ave's (and six Pater Nosters): That which was used by the Countess of Richmond (Mother to K. Hen. 7th), Bishop Fisher tell us had 63, and this last hath 74. if, according to the different Places, Rome held then the Medium, for the Cardinal saith expresly, that the Countess's was after the Manner of Rome. Of the Virgin's having ten Prayers for one to her Son, see a noted Vicar of Leedes Works †, wherein he refers to a particular Form, wherein were 150 Ave's, yet is quite out-done as to Nubmer by the Jesus Psalter, wherein the Word Jesu is repeated in the 15 Petitions 450 Times: But to give them their due, in the late Edition of King James the IId's Time they are reduced to 150. I have both the Editions.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

95. His Grace my Lord Archbishop of Yorke's most accurate Treatise, I. Of the Silver Coins of England; wherein, 1. Of the several Pieces; 2. Of the Fineness of our English Coins: 3. Of the different Weight of our Coins of the same Denomination in the several Reigns, arising from the Increase of the Price or Value of Silver. 4. Of the Impresses or Stamps upon our Coins. 5. Of the Inscriptions. 6. How to distinguish the Coins of the several Kings of the same Name (as two Williams, eight Henrys, six Edwards, and three Richards.) II. Observations on the Golden Coins of England; 1. Of their Fineness, which we call the Standard; 2. Of the Proportions between Gold and Silver, with Respect to their Values; 3. Of the several Pieces from the first Coining of Gold to the Reign of K. Henry VIII. 4. Of the Stamps and Inscriptions of the foregoing Pieces. 5. Of the several Pieces from the first of Hen. VIII. to this Time: 6. A farther Account of those Pieces as to the Impresses and Inscriptions. 7. A Table of the present Rates of Gold for the more easily finding the Value of the old Pieces. III. Observations on the Scots Money; 1. Of the Scots Weights and Standards: 2. Of the Scots Sums compared with the English, and the different Proportions they bore to one another in the several Reigns; 3. Of the several Scots Pieces. IIII. Of the Irish Coins, to K. James IId's inclusive. Don. R. R. DD. Archiepiscopi Ebor. To this may be added what I had the Honour to receive from another Noble Lord, the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Pembroke, viz. An Account of the fourteen distinct Sorts of the Silver Monies of England, from a Farthing to the Twenty Shillings Piece; and who are said by our Historians to coin the first of each Sort; with what particular Exceptions are in his Lordships inestimable Musæum: For Example, whereas K. Edw. Ist. 3d. and 6th. are said to Coin the first Silver Farthings, Groats and Crowns, his Lordship hath a round Farthing (not the 4th Part of a Penny broken, as had been usually currant before) of K. Hen. 3d's. A Groat of Edw. I. and an English Crown of Henry VIII.

Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713) Prince Rupert, James Duke of Yorke, the same when King of England;
Sale Catalogue of Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1764) 72 The Coronation Medals of James II. and his Queen. No. 497 and 499 3
Sale Catalogue of Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1764) 206 King James II. Crown, Half Crown, Shilling, Six-pence, Four-pence, Three-pence, Two-pence, and Penny 8
Sale Catalogue of Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1764) 220 A Series of the Irish Gun Money of King James II. Crowns, Half Crowns, Shillings, and Six-pieces 39
Sale Catalogue of Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1764) 222 King James II. Pewter Irish Crown, very rare and well preserved 1
Sale Catalogue of Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1764) 226 English Pewter Half Pence and Farthings of Charles II , James, William, and Mary 15
Sale Catalogue of Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1764) 89 three Letters and Signatures of King James II.- four ditto of King William- Two ditto of Queen Anne - Two ditto of King George I. and a Letter from his late Royal Highness Frederick Prince of Whales to Queen Caroline
Musaeum Tradescantianum (1656) Upon JAMES Duke of Yorke his Birth.
British Curiosities in Nature and Art (1713)

Cotton Library] In the passage from Westminster-Hall, to the Abby, where are a curious Collection of Ancient choice manuscript Vollumes: done mostly on Vellum, collected by Sir Robert Cotton; and is by Act of Parliament, made a publick Library. With Medals and other Curiosities.

The Palace] (where Queen Anne was Born 1664.) and Chapel of St. James. Here in the great Court, is a Whales Rib, in length about 21 Foot and 21 Inches in Breadth or Diameter in the thickest part; and at White-Hall, the Banqueting-House, and Statue of King James II. in Brass, with the Dial in Privy-Garden, are observable.

The Duke of Montague's House] is also very remarkable for curious Finishing and Furniture.

Shells, Insects, a Coffee-tree with Berries, &c.] A curious Collection at Dr. Sloan’s, in Bloomsbury-Square.