Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Monday, 23 March 2026

An atlas that belonged to Queen Mary I


Artnet recently had an article about a copy of the third volume of Polydore Vergil’s Anglica Historia. This was the last part of his account of English history and finally completed in the year of his death in1555.

The book was printed in Basel, but for this presentation copy for Queen Mary I there was the addition of a number of maps which were without precedent in an English book.

The illustrated account of the volume can be seen at Rare Atlas Owned by Queen Mary I Could Sell for $1.6 Million

As the writer points out there are export prohibitions in place so the book will remain in this country.

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