Guide to the Clifford collection of manuscripts relating to Roman Catholicism, ca. 1250-1915

Summary

Collection number:

MS 1097

Creator:

Clifford, Hugh, Colonel Hon.

Extent:

3.6 metres and (72 volumes + 1 archives box)

Language:

English and English

Availability:

Available

Access conditions:

Available for research. Not for loan. Please note: Items 1-9 and item 65 have been digitised and are available online. The originals of these may only be viewed by prior arrangement with the Curator of Manuscripts

Background

Content Summary:

The Clifford collection of manuscripts comprises 75 English and European manuscripts, including nine medieval volumes and one of three extant 14th century Chertsey Abbey cartularies, books owned by Cardinal Weld and writings about the Catholic religion. There is also a file of correspondence of Charles Clifford, 6th Baron Clifford, dating from 1812-1825.

The later manuscripts, written in several languages, were collected by members of the Clifford Family and there are also a few papers documenting some of their activities in the 19th century.

Provenance:

The collection was purchased by the National Library of Australia from the estate of the 11th Baron Clifford in November 1963. It reached Canberra in April 1964. The Chertsey Cartulary (item 65), possibly the most important medieval manuscript held in Australia due to the fact that it is one of only three extant from the 14th century and the only one held outside the UK, was received in 1975, following the granting of an export licence by the British Government.

Arrangement:

Material in this collection has been arranged into 76 items. Material in each item ranges from single volumes to groups of papers on a particular subject. They have been listed for the most part in chronological order.

Related

Other Finding Aids:

The catalogue of Lord Clifford's Library, written in various hands in the late 19th century and with a note at the end by the 9th Lord Clifford, is not held in the Manuscript Section. It is instead shelved in the Rare Books Collection as part of the Clifford Collection .

Existence and Location of Copies:

Items 1-9 and item 65 have been digitised and a link to the images is included in this guide, following the description of relevant item.

The following items have been microfilmed: 13, 15, 17, 30, 40, 41, 42, 72 and 73 (reels G7676-7683). There is also a microfilm of the Chertsey Cartulary (reel G24143). The reels can be used in the Newspaper and Family History Zone or borrowed on interlibrary loan.

Indexed terms

Names:

Clifford, Hugh, Colonel Hon.

Conditions Governing Access:

Available for research.

Location of this collection:

National Library of Australia

Parkes Place

Canberra ACT 2600, Australia

Contact:

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