A Mirrour of Virtues and vices in 2 decads by way of description and Characters

Scope and Content

A Mirrour of Virtues and vices in 2 decads by way of description and Characters manuscript by Thomas Bilson, successively Bishop of Worcester and of Winchester. In a prefatory note to his sister, Bilson characterizes the work as "the extract of the superfluous humour of youth's distemperature, which I hope maturity of judgment, and ripenesse of further experience will either purify or utterly extinguish." Perhaps written while he was at Oxford.

Administrative / Biographical History

Bilson born 1547 in Winchester, where he was educated and at New College Oxford; fellow 1564/5; Prebendary of Winchester, and Warden of the College there; Bishop of Worcester, 1596; translated to the see of Winchester, three years later; died 1616.

Access Information

Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Access to archive collections may be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Acquisition Information

Unknown

Other Finding Aids

Collection level description

Archivist's Note

Compiled by J Caudwell.

Separated Material

Other Bilson material British Library Lansdowne Manuscripts 77, 79, 80, 84, 145, Additional 6177, Burney Manuscripts, 366; Bodleian Rawlinson Manuscripts D47, D1175, Western Manuscripts, 28, 184; Lambeth Palace Manuscripts 943; Winchester College and New College muniments.

Conditions Governing Use

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original, which must be assessed by a conservator. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

Custodial History

Unknown