CHAP. V. QUEEN ELIZABETH CHARTER UNIVERSITY STA TUTES QUEEN'S VISIT. BUT the most remarkable, according to some the most glorious, and certainly to us the most interesting periods, in our University history, are the reigns of the Virgin Queen and James I. Elizabeth was a learned princess, and had a predilection for Cambridge. Her early tutor, Roger Ascham, was of this University; and thence she chose, with no little discrimination, some of her most eminent ministers. In the public library of the University are some good specimens of her majesty's classical abilities, Latin Epistles on different subjects, and a Translation of Xenophon's Dialogue, entitled Hiero, from the Greeka. A new state-religion now over-shadowing the old, state-policy required that our universities should follow the order of the change; and, accordingly, since eleven Protestant Masters of colleges were obliged to give way to as many popish, of Queen Mary's reign, an exact *A paper book, in 4to. " A Dialogue of the Royall and Privat Lyffe between King Hiero, sometymes a privat Man, and Simonides." This Translation (says the author of the last catalogue of MSS. Mr. Nasmyth) is ascribed, in the former catalogue, to Queen Elizabeth, and rightly, though her name does not appear in the MS. See, further, Walpole's Royal and Noble Authors. Among the Bodleian MSS. at Oxford, is a Latin Exercise Book of Elizabeth's, when she was very young. proportion of ejectments, and a similar rule in supplying the vacancies, took place in Elizabeth's. This was a most significant memento to the Catholic party. The change was conducted by Cecil, afterwards Lord Burlegh, the new Chancellor, with other commissioners, who, with all the formalities of royal authority, made a visitation of Cambridge, in the beginning of this reign. In the third year of her reign Elizabeth gave her famous charter, which with all the charters from Henry III. downwards, were ratified by the Act of Parliament' for incorporating the two universities, the Mayor, Bailiffs, Burgesses, being left to enjoy such liberties, freedoms, and immmunities, AS BEFORE THE MAKING THIS ACT. The charter may be perused at length in Hare's Collections. It contains the recital and confirmation of Henry III. and Edward II.'s charters, with some new privileges. The most prominent points in it are that the Vice-chancellor's court is made A COURT OF RECORD, from which there is no appeal; with power in all causes before-mentioned, of determining actions as well ex officio, as at the suit of a party: That the justices of the courts of King's Bench and others should, without difficulty or impediment, give allowance (allocationem faciant) to all their pleas; and that no judge or magistrate should interfere in their pleas, or call any of their parties to answer before them.-The charter runs thus: Coram seipsis habeant cognitionem omnium et omnimodorum Placitorum, personalium, &c. quam Transgressionum contra Pacem, &c. infra Villam prædictam, a Fuller's Hist. of Camb. pp. 134, 135. * 13 Eliz. cap. 29. &c. Mahemio et Feloniâ exceptis. (Hare's Collect. Vol. iii. f. 122) ubi, et quandocunq. aliquis magister, vel scholaris, vel serviens scholaris, aut communis minister Universitatis unus Partium fuerit.That the University are forgiven all former nonuse or abuse of their privileges; that all members and scholars, their officers and servants, are exempt from all musters of the militia; that their horses shall not be liable to be taken for the king's use; that the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the University, are made Clerks of the Market, in Cambridge, and the suburbs, and the fairs at Barnwell and Sturbridge; with power of inquiring after and punishing, forestallers, &c. That they shall have authority to inquire after, and punish (as before), loose women, &c. That the University shall have power, under the seal of the University, of appointing twelve preachers, to preach through the whole kingdom of England and Ireland, without any licences from the ordinaries of the places. That Graduates and Scholars, together with their officers and servants, should be liable to no subsidies, reliefs, taxes, or contributions, of any kind, except the yearly tax to the crown of ten pounds, for the assize of bread and other victuals; and that the suburbs of Cambridge should extend one mile all round the town. The most remarkable part of this charter is that which empowers the Chancellor, or Vice-chancellor, by his Steward (Seneschallus), to claim a privileged person indicted before any judge, and imprisoned, for any treason or felony, done within Cambridge, or the suburbs, and under certain regulations, according to which the person is to be tried by one half who are privileged |