may interpret and declare this ambiguity and obscurity. The advice and consent of two doctors (if there are so many) must be waited for by the chancellor, otherwise of two discreet bachelors chosen for this purpose, viz. one a regent, and the other a non-regent, (which doctors and masters shall be appointed and assigned to the chancellor by the said University, as is above expressed with regard to other cases,) and he shall declare what he shall know to be most suitable to our said statutes and ordinances, and to our intent, which can and ought to be deduced thence with probability. The aforesaid statutes and ordinances are to remain in their full force unalterably after our death.

It is not our intention, however, that should any fellow by a slight negligence contravene the above in any respect, he shall thereupon incur perjury; but only when craftily, fraudulently, maliciously, or ex lata culpa, he has not taken care to preserve and act up to the aforesaid, duly and effectually.

When we speak of certain things to be reserved to ourselves during our life-time, we do not mean that any right should devolve to our heirs after our death, how much soever we may have enjoyed this right. But they shall be observed after our death, according to their literal meaning.

Also, for the more complete evidence and remembrance of the aforesaid, we desire that our said statutes and ordinances be reduced to three original copies, one of which shall be deposited for ever with us, a second with the said master and fellows, and the third with the said University to be laid up in its archives for ever.

We also will, that the said chancellor may, if necessary, visit the master and all and singular the fellows of the aforesaid house every year, if there is need; and should he find any thing among them requiring correction, he shall

correct and punish on such an occasion, duly, according to the exigency of our statutes and ordinances. In so doing he must have the advice and assent of two doctors or masters, according to what is expressed above in similar cases.

We do not wish however any prejudice to befal the jurisdiction and power of the master, as far as regards punishing the future offences of the fellows and boys.

In testimony, and also in approbation, of all the above, we have caused to be added hereto as well our seal, and the public seal of our aforesaid house, as the public seal of the aforesaid University; also the seal of the venerable father and lord, Thomas, by the grace of God, bishop of Ely.

Given (as far as we are therein concerned) at Berdefeld, the 26th day of March, A. D. 1359.

And we Nicholas de Brunne master of the said house, and all the fellows of the same, having diligently treated and prudently deliberated concerning all and singular the aforesaid; sincerely embracing, and as far as in us lies, specially and expressly approving the aforesaid ordinances and statutes, to be beneficial and useful for us and the aforesaid house and University, which statutes, &c. have been diligently revised and fully discussed; do of our certain knowledge give to all and every of them our consent and assent, and we strictly bind ourselves and all our successors whomsoever for the time being, to the observance of all and every of them, and we desire them and all of them, as far as appertains to us, to be inviolably observed for ever hereafter.

In testimony of all which, our common seal has been unanimously appended by us to the aforesaid.

Given (as far as we are concerned therein) in our aforesaid house, the 27th day of March, the year of our Lord aforesaid.

Moreover we Thomas de Sutton, chancellor of the aforesaid University, and its unanimous congregation, assembled

together for this especial purpose, do, by our unanimous assent and consent, and by our authority and certain knowledge, approve, ratify, and confirm the aforesaid ordinances and statutes, and our concession, (of which more complete mention is made about the end of the same ordinances and statutes) which have been minutely and distinctly read in our presence, (all which we consider, acknowledge, and declare to be done to the honor of God and the aforesaid University) having diligently treated hereof; and being requested by the said lady Elizabeth, and the masters and scholars of the aforesaid house, in this matter.

In testimony of which concession, approbation, ratification, and confirmation, we have caused our public seal to be added to these presents.

Given (as far as we are therein concerned) at Cambridge the 27th day of March, in the year of our Lord aforesaid.

1359.

STATUTES OF KING EDWARD VI.

Another set of Statutes of Clare Hall, which appears to be the revised copy as given to the college in the reign of Edward VI, is found in MS. Harl. No. 7032, p. 319. These statutes contain many mere verbal alterations of the old Latin, which are of no consequence, but there are some more important additions. In chapter (1), Of the election of the master, after the first paragraph, the following words are added.

And they being thus assembled, let the fellow who shall have been chosen fellow first, take an oath on the gospels that, inordinate affection, favor, or hatred of whatsoever kind being removed altogether, he will without the waste of delay nominate, as master of the aforesaid house, a virtuous and blameless man who has graduated as doctor of divinity, devoted to divine worship, virtue, and sacred learning, and whom he shall believe to be best, according to God and his own right conscience, for ruling this house in spiritual and temporal matters. Who being sworn, we will that an oath similar in all things be forthwith taken by each of the fellows of our said house present, according to the order of his admission.

In the same chapter, p. 116, &c. a month's space," is changed for " a space of ten days." Chapters 3 and 4 are transposed, and at the end of chap. 4, Of the muniments and public seal, the following paragraph is added.

We will, that no action in the name of the college be mooted without the consent of the master and the greater part of the fellows, and that nothing be sealed with the common seal, unless previously granted by the same and fully written in the register and collated with the same and approved.

Chapter 6, of removing the master, commences thus—

If the master of the said house shall be legally convicted of the crime of homicide, adultery, fornication, simony, or dilapidation of the goods of the college, or be so negligent and deceitful in his administration, &c.

Chapter 7, On the number and qualification of the fellows, is modified as follows.

Concerning the qualification and number of the fellows and the form of their election.

We will and ordain, that in the said house there be not fewer than ten fellows, unless it shall happen (which may God avert) that the house be oppressed with such want by the diminution of the returns or other great misfortune, that this number must, according to the judgment and opinion of the vice-chancellor, the master, and the greater part of the fellows, necessarily according to their consciences, be diminished.

But according to the decrease or increase of the goods and possessions of the house, it is just that the number of the fellows or scholars should also decrease or be increased.

Let those be elected as fellows who shall be more distinguished for morals and learning, and whom the master and fellows shall hope and firmly believe to be devoutly willing and able to add to the honor of God and the increase of scholastic study, and amongst these let those be elected who shall be the more needy.

We decree moreover and ordain, that the half only of the fellows and not more be chosen from the counties beyond the Trent, and the rest from the other parts of England. But that more than two be taken from no county. Provided always that those counties throughout the whole of England, in which the college has farms or possessions, be preferred to the rest.