Primary Source Material

Calendars

NB: Calendars are large heavy volumes and are therefore expensive to send through the post. However, they all have full name indexes so I can supply photocopies of the index entries for a particular name or copies of individual entries from the main sequences.

Calendar of the Charter Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office Vol VI: 1427-1516

Published: 1927
Summaries of royal charters granting lands, privileges, possessions, etc.

 

Calendar of the Close Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office

1476-1485 – Published: 1954

1485-1500 – Published: 1955

1500-1509 Published: 1963

Summaries of letters close: mainly royal orders and instructions, private deeds such as land transfers, etc.

 

Calendar of the Fine Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office 1471-1485

Published: 1961

Summaries of payments to the king for lands and offices, appointments of sheriffs and other officers, etc.

 

Calendars of Inquisitions Post Mortem and other Analogous Documents preserved in the Public Record Office: Henry VII

Vol I – Published: 1898

Vol II – Published: 1915

Vol III Published: 1955

Summaries of enquiries held on the death of tenants holding land directly from the king: listing lands held, rents and services, and the name and age of the heir.

 

Calendar of the Patent Rolls preserved in the Public Record Office

1461-1467 Published: 1897

1467-1477 Published: 1900

1476-1485 Published: 1901

1485-1494 Published: 1914

Summaries of letters patent: ie grants of offices, lands, pardons, etc.

 

Calendar of the State Papers and Manuscripts relating to English Affairs existing in the Archives and Collections of Venice and in other libraries of Northern Italy Vol 1: 1202-1509

ed. Rawdon Brown

Published: 1864

Summaries of the contents of the various letters, reports, decrees, etc in English

 

Calendar of the State Papers and Manuscripts existing in the Archives and Collections of Milan Vol 1: 1385-1618

ed. Allen B Hinds

Date of Pub: 1912

Transcripts or summaries of the documents relating to English affairs.

Chronicles and other Source Material

Documents relating to the Foundation and Antiquities of the Collegiate Church of Middleham in the County of York, with an historical introduction and incidental notices of the castle, town and neighbourhood.

Atthill, William (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1847

Subjects covered: Middleham; Richard III
Synopsis: Definitive account of Richard’s founding of the College, including transcripts of relevant documents in original spelling.

 

York House Books 1461-1490

Attreed, Lorraine (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1991

Synopsis: First complete transcript (in original spelling) of the records of the City Council – a major source for the legal, political, economic and social history of York; with detailed name and subject index.

 

Historical Interpretation: sources of English medieval history 1066 to 1540

Bagley, JJ

Paperback

Published: 1965

Subjects covered: York

Synopsis: Study of the way in which a historian works with his raw material, with many quotations from original documents, letters, chronicles, etc.

 

Edward IV’s French Expedition of 1475: the leaders and their badges, being MS 2 M 16 College of Arms

Barnard, Francis Pierrepont (Editor)

Facsimile of 1925 first edition

Published: 1975

Subjects covered: Edward IV; France; Picquigny

Synopsis: Annotated transcript, with very full biographical notes.

 

Excepta Historica: or illustrations of English history

Bentley, Samuel (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1833

Synopsis: Extracts from various public and private documents illustrating events and customs of 13th to 16th centuries: in original spelling.
We regret that this book is too valuable to risk sending through the post but it may be borrowed if it can be collected and returned in person. Photocopied extracts including the wills of Anthony Earl Rivers and King Edward IV and an account of the coronation of King Richard III are available for borrowing by post.

 

Shakespeare’s Holinshed: the Chronicle and Historical Plays compared

Boswell-Stone, W G

Hardback

Published: 1966

Synopsis: Extracts from Holinshed (originally published in 1896).

 

Historie of the Arrivall of Edward IV in England and the Finall Recouerye of his Kingdomes from Henry VI AD MCCCCLXI

Bruce, John (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1838

Publisher: Camden

Synopsis: Contemporary account of the campaigns of 1471, in original spelling. See The Chronicles of the White Rose of York edited by JC Giles for a version in modernised spelling.

 

Choix de Chroniques et Memoires sur l’Histoire de France: XVe Siecle

Buchon, JAC (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1836

Synopsis: Chronicles by Commynes, Villeneuve, La Marche, Castelain and Bouchet, in French.

 

The Chronicles of the White Rose of York, a series of historical fragments, proclamations, letters and other contemporary documents relating to the reign of King Edward the Fourth

Giles, J C (Editor)

Facsimile reprint of 1843 edition

Published: 1974

Synopsis: Includes Hearne’s Fragment, the Historie of the Arrivall and Warkworth’s Chronicle, all in modernised spelling.

 

The Chronicles of the Wars of the Roses

Hallam, Elizabeth (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1988

Synopsis: Extracts from contemporary accounts of events 1377-1485 (spelling modernised) with 100 short essays, giving background information on people, politics, social and artistic history; large format, lavishly illustrated volume.

 

British Library Harleian Manuscript 433 Vol I Register of Grants for the Reigns of Edward V and Richard III

Horrox, Rosemary (Editor); Hammond, P W (Editor)

Published: 1979

Synopsis: Detailed introduction to the manuscript and transcripts of folios 1 to 105.

Vol II Second Register of Richard III Date of Pub: 1980

Synopsis: Transcripts of folios 106 to 220

Vol III Second Register of Edward V and Miscellaneous Material

Published: 1982

Synopsis: Transcripts of folios 221 to 340

Vol IV Indexes by name and subject

Published: 1983

All Hardback

Synopsis: The Signet Office records, i.e. transcripts of Richard’s grants, letters, etc, in original spelling but with translations of the Latin.

 

York and Lancaster 1399-1485 (English History Source Books, 3rd edition)

Jones, W Garmon

Hardback

Published: 1920

Synopsis: Short extracts (spelling modernised) from chronicles, letters, ballads, etc, illustrating the history of the period.

 

The Politics of Fifteenth Century England: John Vale’s Book

Kekewich, Margaret Lucille (Editor); Richmond, Colin (Editor); Sutton, Anne F (Editor), Visser-Fuchs, Livia (Editor); Watts, John (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1995

Synopsis: Collection of documents – broadsides, public and private letters, literary and political texts – illustrating the period c.1420-1483, transcribed or calendared with long introductory essays.

 

Richard III: the great debate [containing] Sir Thomas More’s ‘History of King Richard III’ and Horace Walpole’s ‘Historic Doubts on the Life and Reign of King Richard III’

Kendall, Paul Murray (Editor)

Hardback and paperback

Published: 1965

Synopsis: An edition of More’s and Walpole’s books with spelling and sentence structure modernised and some of Walpole’s notes omitted.

 

Chronicles of London

Kingsford, Charles Lethbridge (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1905

Facsimile Reprint

Published: 1977

Synopsis: Annotated edition of three medieval London chronicles (Julius B II, Cleopatra C IV and Vitellius A XVI) in original spelling, covering the years 1189 to 1516.

 

The Usurpation of Richard III – translated and with an introduction by CAJ Armstrong

Mancini, Dominic

Hardback

Published: 1936

Hardback

Published: 1969

Paperback

Published: 1984

Synopsis: Eye witness account of events from April to July 1483, written by visiting Italian monk.

 

Death and Dissent: The Dethe of the Kynge of Scotis and Warkworth’s Chronicle (Medieval Chronicles Series)

Matheson, Lister M (Editor) (translation by John Shirley)

Hardback

Published: 1999

ISBN: 0-85115-725-4

Publisher: The Boydell Press

Subjects covered: Chronicles; John Warkworth; Scotland; James I; manuscripts;

Synopsis: Selections from many of More’s works in modern translations.

 

The Essential Thomas More

More, Thomas; Selected and edited by James J Green & John P Dolan

Paperback

Published: 1967

Synopsis: Selections from many of More’s works in modern translations.

 

The Historie of the Pitifull Life and Unfortunate Death of Edward the Fifth and the then Duke of York his Brother, with the Troublesome and Tyrannical Government of Usurping Richard the Third and his Miserable End

More, Thomas

Hardback

Published: 1640

Synopsis: The version of The History of King Richard III printed by Edward Hall in his Union of the Two Noble and Illustrious Families of Lancaster and York.
We regret that this copy is too valuable to risk sending through the post.

 

The History of King Richard III

More, Thomas; edited by J Rawson Lumby

Hardback (first edition)

Published: 1883

Hardback

Published: 1924

Synopsis: Text in original spelling with notes, glossary and index of names. Includes a continuation up to Bosworth from The Continuation of Hardyng’s Chronicle.

 

The History of King Richard III Vol 2 of the Yale edition of the ‘Complete Works of St Thomas More’

More, Thomas; edited by RS Sylvester

Hardback (not in stock)

Published: 1963

Hardback

Published: 1967

Synopsis: Standard edition: parallel Latin and English text, with very full introduction and commentary.

 

The History of the reigns of Edward V and Richard III written in part by Sr Thomas Moor (sic) and finished from the Chronicles of Hall and Hollinshead (sic) with notes and additions by the editor of the Historical Magazine Bound with ‘The History of the Reign of Henry VII’, written by Francis Lord Verulam, 1790

More, Thomas

Hardback

Published: 1789

We regret that this book is too valuable to risk sending through the post but it may be borrowed if it can be collected and returned in person.

 

The History of King Richard III

More, Thomas

See also copies printed in Richard III: the great debate, edited by PM Kendall and in Early Britain.

 

English Historical Documents 1327-1485

Myers, A R (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1969

Synopsis: Extracts from contemporary documents, in modernised spelling, illustrating every aspect of the life of the period. (NB This volume weighs over 5 lbs.)

 

The Chronicle of Calais in the Reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII to the Year 1540

Nichols, John Gough (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1846

Publisher: Camden Society Old Series, No. 35

Subjects covered: Calais

Synopsis: Transcript (in original spelling) of the Chronicle covering 1485 to 1540 and of other documents relating to events at Calais in that period.

 

Grants, etc from the Crown during the Reign of Edward the Fifth, from the original docket-book MS Harl 433; and two speeches for opening Parliament by John Russell, Bishop of Lincoln, Lord Chancellor

Nichols, John Gough (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1844

Publisher: Camden Society Old Series Vol. 60

Synopsis: Text in original spelling with historical introduction.

 

Privy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York; Wardrobe Accounts of Edward IV

Nicolas, Nicholas Harris (Editor)

Hardback (facsimile reprint)

Published: 1830 / 1972

Synopsis: Transcripts in original spelling of privy purse expenses from March 1502 to March 1503 and wardrobe accounts from April to September 180, with notes, index and a memoir of Elizabeth of York.

 

Holinshed’s Chronicle as used in Shakespeare’s plays

Nicoll, Allardyne (Editor); Nicoll, Josephine (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1927

Synopsis: Extracts from Holinshed’s Chronicle in original spelling.

 

The Reign of Henry VII from Contemporary Sources (three volumes)

Pollard, A F

Hardback

Date of Reprint: 1967

Vol 1: lxx Chronological history of the reign
Vol 2: Constitutional, social and economic history
Vol 3: Ecclesiastical history and foreign affairs

Synopsis: Extracts from official documents, letters, chronicles, etc, some in original spelling and some modernised.

 

The Crowland Chronicle Continuations 1459-1486

Pronay, Nicholas (Editor); Cox, John (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1986

Synopsis: Detailed introduction followed by a transcription of the Latin text with a parallel English translation of this monastic chronicle which includes valuable contemporary accounts of Yorkist history.

 

York Civic Records Vol 2

Raine, Angelo (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1941

Publisher: Yorkshire Archaeological Society Record Series Vol. CIII

Synopsis: Transcription of York City Council records 1487-1504, original spelling.

 

Ingulph’s Chronicle of the Abbey of Croyland, with Continuations by Peter of Blois and anonymous writers

Riley, Henry T (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1893

Synopsis: English translation of monastic chronicle including contemporary accounts of Yorkist history up to 1486.
For first publication in Latin see under FULMAN, for new standard English and Latin edition see under PRONAY AND COX.

 

Nobles and the Noble Life 1295-1500

Rosenthal, Joel T

Hardback

Published: 1976

Synopsis: Extracts (in modernised spelling) from official documents, letters etc, reflecting all aspects of aristocratic life and behaviour.

 

Rotuli Parliamentorum: the rolls of parliament, Volume 6 1472-1503

Unbound

Published: 1783

Subjects covered: Parliament

Synopsis: Proceedings of Parliament, including bills, petitions, etc.
We regret that this book is too valuable to risk sending it through the post but it may be borrowed if it is collected and returned in person; a photocopies extract covering Richard III’s Parliament in 1484 is available for loan.

 

The Rous Roll: with an historical introduction on John Rous and the Warwick Roll

Rous, John; Introduction by Charles Ross

Hardback

Published: 1980

Synopsis: Facsimile reprint of the 1859 edition of Rous’ illustrated chronicle of the Earls of Warwick from earliest times to 1485, with a new introduction.

 

The Beauchamp Pageant

Sinclair, Alexandra (Editor)

Hardback (facsimile)

Published: 2003

ISBN: 1900-289-61-X

Publisher: The Richard III and Yorkist History Trust in association with Paul Watkins of Donnington

Subjects covered: Richard Beauchamp; Anne Beauchamp; manuscripts; dress; arms; armour; society

Synopsis: The Beachamp Pageant is a late fifteenth century illustrated life of Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick (1382 – 1439), probably commissioned by Anne Beauchamp, Countess of Warwick. It incorporates fine, extremely detailed line drawings which are works of art in their own right, but provide a unique insight into late medieval society, dress, arms and armour. Dr Sinclair provides an introduction, describing the origins, purpose and history of the manuscript, as well as the first detailed biography of Richard Beauchamp, along with an interesting description to accompany each of the illustrations.

 

The Coronation of Elizabeth Wydeville, Queen Consort of Edward IV, on May 26th 1465: a contemporary account now first set forth from a XV century manuscript

Smith, George (Editor)

Hardback (first edition)

Published: 1935

Hardback (facsimile)

Published: 1975

Synopsis: Transcription in original spelling with an introduction and biographical notes on the participants.

 

A relation, or rather a True Account of the Island of England, with sundry particulars of the customs of these people and of the royal revenues under King Henry the Seventh about the year 1500; translated from the Italian with an introduction and full notes

Sneyd, Charlotte Augusta (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1847

Publisher: Camden Society Old Series No. 37

Synopsis: Confidential report to the Senate, probably written by a member of the Venetian Ambassador’s staff c.1496. Original Italian with English translation.

 

The coronation of Richard III: the extant documents

Sutton, Anne F (Editor); Hammond, P W (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1983

Synopsis: Transcripts in original spelling of all material relating to the preparations for the coronation, the ceremony itself and the banquet afterwards, with full introductions and notes, including a detailed chronology of events April to July 1483 and biographies of participants.

 

The Great Chronicle of London

Thomas, A H (Editor); Thornley, I D (Editor)

Hardback (microprint)

Published: 1983

Synopsis: Text of major London chronicle, in original spelling, with full introduction, notes and glossary.

 

England under the Yorkists 1460 to 1485, illustrated from contemporary sources

Thornley, Isobel D

Hardback

Published: 1921

Synopsis: Short extracts from official records, chronicles, letters, etc, some in original spelling.

 

Epitome of Military Science

Vegetius; Milner NP (Translator)

Paperback

Published: 1993

ISBN: 085-323-228-8

Publisher: Liverpool University Press

Subjects covered: War

Synopsis: English translation of a standard Latin text on the art of war, well known in the Middle Ages – Richard III owned a copy. (Translated with notes and introduction).

 

Polydore Vergil’s English History from an early translation. Vol 1: containing the first eight books, comprising the period prior to the Norman Conquest

Vergil, Polydore; Edited by Sir Henry Ellis

Hardback

Published: 1846

Publisher: Camden Society Old Series Vol 36

Synopsis: 16th Century English translation with introduction and index.

 

Three Books of Polydore Vergil’s English History comprising the reigns of Henry VI Edward IV and Richard III from an early translation

Vergil, Polydore; edited by Sir Henry Ellis

Hardback

Published: 1844

Publisher: Camden Society Old Series Vol 29

Synopsis: 16th Century English translation with introduction and index.

 

Angleica Historia of Polydore Vergil AD 1485-1537

Vergil, Polydore; edited & translated by Denys Hay

Hardback

Published: 1950

Publisher: Camden Society Old Series Vol 74

Synopsis: Modern English translation printed opposite Latin text with introduction and index.

 

A Chronicle of the First 13 Years of the Reign of King Edward IV

Warkworth, John; Edited by J O Halliwell

Hardback

Published: 1839

Publisher: Camden Society Old Series Vol 10

Synopsis: Text in original spelling with introduction, notes and index.
For version in modernised spelling see under GILES.

 

England under the Early Tudors 1485-1529: illustrated from contemporary sources

Williams, C H

Hardback

Published: 1925

Synopsis: Extracts from contemporary documents (in original spelling) on political, ecclesiastical, social and economic topics.

 

Political Poems and Songs relating to English History composed during the period from the Accession of Edward III to that of Richard III (Rolls Series No. 14)

Wright, Thomas (Editor)

Vol 1 (Hardback) Date of Pub: 1859 Edward III to Richard II
Vol 2 (Hardback) Date of Pub: 1861 Henry IV to Richard III

Synopsis: Original spelling, some items in Latin

Letters

The Cely Letters 1472-1488

Hanham, Alison (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1975

Publisher: Early English Text Society

Synopsis: Private letters and business papers (in original spelling) of a merchant family, trading mainly in wool, with notes, glossary and index.

 

Cely Papers: selections from the correspondence and memoranda of the Cely family

Malden, Henry Elliott (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1900

Publisher: Camden Third Series Vol 1

Synopsis: Transcripts in original spelling

 

Christ Church Letters: a volume of medaeval letters relating to the Priory of Christ Church Canterbury

Sheppard, JB (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1877

Publisher: Camden Society New Series Vol 19

Synopsis: Papers including the famous letter from Dr Thomas Langton that Richard ‘contents the people… best that ever did prince…’

 

Kings’ Letters, from the days of Alfred to the accession of the Tudors

Steele, Robert (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1903

Synopsis: Selection of letters in modernised spelling, mainly from the 15th Century.

 

Lisle Letters

Boland, Bridget (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1985

Publisher: Early English Text Society

Synopsis: Abridged version of correspondence (in modernised spelling) of Arthur Plantagenet, Lord Lisle, illegitimate son of Edward IV, while Governor of Calais between 1533 and 1540.

 

A Mediaeval Post-Bag

Lyell, Laetitia (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1934

Synopsis: Selection of letters (in modernised spelling) from the Celys, Marchalls, Pastons, Plumptons, Shillingfords and Stonors.

 

Letters of Queen Margaret of Anjou and Bishop Beckington and others, written in the reigns of Henry V and Henry VI

Munro, Cecil (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1863

Publisher: Camden Society No. 86

Synopsis: Collection of letters in original spelling, written between 1415 and 1455.

 

Paston Letters

Archer-Hind, Mrs (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1924

Publisher: Everyman

Synopsis: Selection from the letters in modernised spelling.

 

Paston Letters: selections

Ball, A R (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1949

Publisher: Early English Text Society

Synopsis: A selection from the letters in modernised spelling, arranged to illustrate: the Paston family, the Fastolf inheritance, local affairs and public events.

 

Paston Letters: a selection in modern spelling

Davis, Norman (Editor)

Paperback

Published: 1983

Synopsis: A selection of the papers with an introduction, notes and glossary.

 

Paston Letters: original letters written during the reigns of Henry VI, Edward IV and Richard III…with notes historical and explanatory by John Fenn.

Ramsay, A (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1840/1

Synopsis: A new edition in which the less important letters are abridged, the whole series is digested in chronological order and additions made to the notes of the original editor. Two volumes in one, spelling modernised, rather small print.
Fenn’s edition originally published 1787-1823.

 

Paston Letters: 1422-1509 AD

Gairdner, James (Editor)

Hardback – 1st edition

Published: 1872-5

Vol 1: 1422-61
Vol 2: 1461-71
Vol 3: 1471-1509

Hardback – 2nd edition

Published: 1910

Synopsis: Standard edition, in original spelling, with detailed introduction.

 

Paston Letters

Warrington, John (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1956

Publisher: Everyman

Synopsis: Selection from the letters, in modernised spelling and with an introduction.

 

Private Life in the 15th Century: illustrated letters of the Paston family

Virgoe, Roger (Editor)

Paperback

Published: 1989

Synopsis: Selection of letters (spelling modernised) interspersed with short essays on the people and social history of the period, lavishly illustrated.

 

Plumpton Correspondence: a series of letters, chiefly domestick, written in the reigns of Edward IV, Richard III, Henry VII and Henry VII with notices historical

Dockray, Keith (Editor)

Hardback – Facsimile

Published: 1990

Synopsis: Correspondence (in original spelling) of a Yorkshire gentry family, frequently involved in law suits over property. Reduced sized version of Stapleton’s edition with new introduction.

 

Plumpton Letters and Papers

Kirby, Joan (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1996

Publisher: Camden Fifth Series, Vol. 8

Synopsis: New and comprehensive edition of the letters (in original spelling), including new material discovered since the 1839 edition.

 

Plumpton Correspondence: a series of letters, chiefly domestick, written in the reigns of Edward IV, Richard III, Henry VII and Henry VII with notices historical

Stapleton, Thomas (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1839

Publisher: Camden Society Old Series No. 4

Synopsis: Correspondence (in original spelling) of a Yorkshire gentry family, frequently involved in law suits over property.

 

Letters of the Queens of England 1100-1547

Crawford, Anne (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1983

Synopsis: Brief biographies of each queen, with examples of her letters (in modern spelling); no letters survive from Anne Neville but there are some from Margaret of Anjou, Cecily Neville, Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort and Elizabeth of York.

 

Kingsford’s Stonor Letters and Papers 1290-1483

Carpenter, Christine (Editor)

Paperback

Published: 1996

Synopsis: Re-issue in one volume of the original three volumes by C L Kingsford, with a new introduction and notes.

 

Stonor Letters and Papers 1290-1483

Kingsford, Charles Lethbridge (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1919

Publisher: Camden Third Series Vols 29 & 30

Synopsis: Letters of an established gentry family based in the Thames Valley, in original spelling.

 

Supplementary Stonor Letters and Papers 1314-148

Kingsford, Charles Lethbridge (Editor)

Hardback

Published: 1924

Publisher: Camden – published in Camden Miscellany Vol XIII

Synopsis: Letters of an established gentry family based in the Thames Valley, in original spelling.

 

 

Banner image of King Richard III’s Book of Hours (MS 474f. 7v) reproduced by kind permission of Lambeth Palace Library.