MS 250: Richard Zouche, Academiæ Oxoniensis Privilegia in Unum Corpus Collecta.

Archive Unit
  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 473 MS250
  • Dates of Creation
      England, 17th c.; 1674?
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
      English Latin
  • Physical Description
      Support (paper) 373 x 232 mm. Text area: typically 366 x 178 mm. Fol. 94 leaves (later pencil foliation in top right corner dated 1994 on fol lir: ii + 43 + iv-li leaves. Another crossed through pencil foliation also in top right corner: 94 leaves. A sequence of integral pagination from fols 3r-41r: 75 pages). Binding: 18th c? reversed calf over pasteboard, with double blind fillet border, and blind-ornamented panel with exterior corner ornaments. 6 raised bands to spine, defined by double blind fillets, forming 7 compartments. Shelfmark stamped in gilt in top compartment. Tan morocco label with gilt fillet border and gilt lettering; “UNIVERSITY | CHARTERS”, occupying second compartment from top. Binding dimensions: 383 x 255 mm.

Scope and Content

Later fair copy of a collection of privileges of the University of Oxford originally made by the civil lawyer Richard Zouche (1590-1661) to support his (unsuccessful) case for election to the post of keeper of the university archives in 1658. This copy seems to have been made by Benjamin Cooper, a notary public, in 1674, and was left by William Holmes (1689-1748), President of St John's College, to his successors in 1742.

Fols 1r-43r: Zouche, Richard, Academiæ Oxoniensis Privilegia in Unum Corpus Collecta . English & Latin. Single 17th c. hand in black ink, perhaps that of Benjamin Cooper (see bottom of fol. 41r). Written in long lines with ca. 29-32 lines to a page. Both margins ruled in pencil. References and later pencil notes in outer margins.

a. Fol. 1r, Title: "Academiæ Oxoniensis Privilegia in unum | Corpus collecta à Viro et JurisCto. optimo | D. Richdo Zouch LL. Dre Aulæ Albanæ | Principali et Juris | Civilis Professore Publico. May 1659." [fols 1v-2v blank.]

b. Fols 3r-41r, Text: "[Caption] Chap. 1. Of The Authors and Reasons of granting Privileges to Scholars. [text] Justice Finchden a man of great esteem for his knowledge in the Laws of England ... [colophon] Concordat cum Originali factâ debitâ Collatione per me Ben. Cooper, Notarium pub[li]cum. 1674." Contents from captions as follows:

  • i. Fols 3r-3v: "Chap. 1. Of The Authors and Reasons of granting Privileges to Scholars."
  • ii. Fols 4r-5r: "Chap. 2. Of Persons allowed to enjoy the Privileges of the University."
  • .iii. Fols 5r-5v: "Chap. 3. Of the Territories & p[re]cincts of the University."
  • iv. Fols 6r-6v: "Chap. 4. Of Persons injoin'd to observe and permit Scholars &c. to enjoy their Privileges."
  • v. Fols 7r-8r: "Chap. 5. Concerning the Safety and Indemnity of Scholars."
  • vi. Fols 8r-10r: "Chap. 6. Concerning the Sustenance of Scholars by Victuals and other provisio[n]s."
  • vii. Fols 10r-11v: "Chap. 7. Concerning reasonable Accom[m]odac[i]on of Scholars with houses & lodgings, & the paving & cleansing of the Streets & ways in Oxford & Suburbs."
  • viii. Fols 12r-12v: "Chap. 8. Of profits granted to the University."
  • ix. Fols 13r-14v: "Chap. 9. Of freeing Scholars from some burthens, and of securing them from wrong in undergoing others."
  • x. Fols 15r-18v: "Chap. 10. Concerning the Jurisdiction of the Chancell[or] of ye University in Civil Causes."
  • xi. Fols 19r-20v: "Chap. 11. Of the Chancell[or] of ye University his Jurisdiction in matters Criminal."
  • xii. Fols 21r-21v: "Chap. 12. Of the Power of the Chancell[or] in matters Ecclesiastical."
  • xiii. Fols 22r-22v: "Chap. [?]. Of the Chancell[or]'s power to signify Persons excom[m]unicated."
    xiv. Fols 23r-23v: "Chap. 13. Of the Office of the Steward of the University of Oxon in Causes of Felony & Treason com[m]itted by Scholars and privileged persons."
  • xv. Fol. 24v: "Chap. 14. Of the University Leet-Courts & Pound."
    xvi. Fols 24v-38r: "Chap. 15. Of the Charters & Privileges of the University being confirmed by Act of Parliament." [fol. 38v blank.]
  • xvii. Fols 39r-41r: "A Composition made betwixt ye University and Town of Oxon in the 37th Year of King Hen. 6.." [fol. 41v blank.]

c. Fols 42r-43r, "Index Capitum &c." [fols 43v- & iv-li blank.]

Access Information

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Acquisition Information

18th c. note on fol. 1r: "Mem. This Abstract of ye Charters of ye University is given to my Successors in the Office of President of the College, for their use, by me, Will. Holmes. Jan. 12. 1741/2."

Front pastedown has 20th c? armorial bookplate of St John's College, together with pencil shelfmark.

Other Finding Aids

This catalogue entry derives from Stewart Tiley's unpublished descriptive catalogue of the post-1500 western manuscripts at St John's College, Oxford (2018). This entry was uploaded to ArchivesHub in April 2023 as part of the St John's College Library digitization project. To learn more about the project and to find digital resources, please visit the Digital Library

Geographical Names

England