The Statutes and ordinances of the most noble order of Saint George named "ye Garter" 1571
Manuscript on vellum, 90 p. Decorated with illuminated initials and coats of arms. | 23.0 cm (Height) x 2.5 cm (Depth) (book measurement (conservation)) | RCIN 1081223
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This manuscript contains the Statutes of the Order of the Garter as they were in 1571. The inclusion of the arms of the reigning Sovereign of the Order (in this case, Elizabeth I) on the binding, does not indicate that the copy was ever owned by the monarch.
Due to its interesting binding, this book was one of those selected by the Royal Librarian Richard Rivington Holmes in 1893 as a fine example of bookbinding in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle.
Binding information
Full leather bound in brown calf, with the royal coat of arms blocked in gold to centre, flanked by initials E.R. for Elizabeth Regina, within badge of the Order of the Garter surmounted by crown. Central block all one stamp. Within fillet frame border of two blind, one gilt, and again same frame for central panel, with corner stamps. Same design to front and back boards. With marks to top and bottom of fore-edge where ribbons used to be.
Rounded spine, no compartments but falsely divided with eight compartments with four-petalled flower tool in each, over-tooling in second compartment at later date to add title THE STATV OF THE ORDER OF T. GEORG. MSSProvenance
Owned by Sir John Woolley, Chancellor of the Order of the Garter, 1589-96; later owned by John Lockman, Canon of St George's Chapel Windsor, 1758-1807, who acquired it at the sale of the Earl of Sussex's library, probably that of Henry Yelverton, 3rd Earl (d.1799); probably acquired by Queen Victoria by September 1861. Loaned by Queen Victoria to the Burlington Fine Art Club Exhibition of Fine Binding in 1891 (Case L, No. 7).
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Creator(s)
(corporate author)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Manuscript on vellum, 90 p. Decorated with illuminated initials and coats of arms.
Measurements
23.0 cm (Height) x 2.5 cm (Depth) (book measurement (conservation))
23.0 x 2.5 cm (book measurement (inventory))
22.0 x 14.5 cm (page dimensions)
17.5 x 9.5 cm (written space dimensions)
Category
