INTRODUCTION

Summary

THE volume known as Grace Book Δ in the Registry is a large and somewhat composite one. The part of it which is here reproduced occupies the first 160 pages. It is, so far, continuous, carefully written, and in excellent condition. It records the graces passed by the Senate during the 47 Academical years from 1542 to 1589 inclusive, together with the Ordo Senioritatis of the bachelors and masters of each year. These graces belong to two classes. By far the majority of them are for the passing of the various degrees. The remainder, under the usual heading of “Gratiæ variæ et nullam formam concernentes,” are concerned with the ordinary executive business of the University. It is, of course, almost entirely amongst these latter that references to any facts of historical or local interest are to be found. In respect both of the handwriting, and of the completeness of the Ordo lists, this volume offers a decided contrast when compared with some of those which follow. It is written, one would suppose, by a trained scribe: the Ordo is hardly ever omitted, and, what is more, the lists embrace the name of every man (with insignificant exceptions) who is mentioned in the preceding graces. In the volumes dealing with subsequent years there are many omissions. Indeed during a long course of years only a selection of names is given,—the first 20 or 30 out of 250 or 300.

The rest of the volume is of a very miscellaneous character. There are many blank pages. The Ordo list of three later years (1603–4, 1604–5, 1607–8) is inserted quite out of place.