Papers of the Bagot family of Blithfield, Staffordshire [manuscript], 1428-1671 (bulk 1557-1671).

Folger card catalog title: Letters to and from various members of the Bagot family of Blithfield, Staffordshire

1,076 items (19 boxes)

Primarily autograph letters signed, dating from 1557-1671, especially of Richard Bagot and of his son Walter. They are letters to them, letters from them (some of them drafts written on blank parts of letters addressed to them) and copies made by them of letters addressed to others, especially of official letters. The letters cover a wide range of topics and amply illustrate the life of a prosperous county family the multifarious duties it members were called upon to perform for the Crown. Also included are documents, dating from 1428-1662, concerning recusants, a form of the oath of supremacy (L.a.1044), a few deeds, specifications for two buildings (L.a.1070) and other papers.
Topics of letters include: news of the wars on the Continent, of Ireland, of Frobisher's first voyage to America in 1576 (L.a.987), and of parliamentary elections. One from Richard Broughton to his father-in-law Richard Bagot discusses parliamentary procedure (L.a.269). Several discuss certain glass and iron works, and one (L.a.75) contains an inventory of equipment at the Cannock iron works. A number were written at Oxford when their writers were students; two (L.a.53, L.a.58) are some of Sir Harvey Bagot's Latin exercises. Both these exercises, and five others (L.a.571, 573, 581, 605 and 992) contain poems.

All poems are listed in the Union First Line Index of English Verse, and in the microfilm First line index of manuscript poetry in the Folger Shakespeare Library (published by Adam Matthew, 1998).

Richard Bagot (d. 1597) and his son Walter (1557-1623) were both sheriffs of Staffordshire. Richard was also a deputy lieutenant, a commissioner for recusants, a J.P., and steward of several royal manors, some of which had been confiscated from Thomas, lord Paget.

For a fuller description, see online finding aid. Finding aid also available in typescript (Calendar of the Bagot papers. compiled ca. 1965. Z6621.F61 B4 R.R.)

B34684

Transcriptions of L.a.36-46 and L.a.473 included in "A semi-diplomatic edition of the letters of Anthony Bagot (1558-1622) at the Folger Shakespeare Library."

Formerly Folger MSS Add. 26.1, 26.2, 207, 360.
Formerly part of the collection of André de Coppet (1892-1953).

L.a 63, 64, 182, 1067. Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 2015 Age of Lawyers. Flat.
L.a.598, 1052. Washington, D.C., Folger Shakespeare Library, 2019. First Chefs.Opening: flat.

To request items from this collection, view the finding aid for the Bagot Family Papers, 1428-1671 (bulk 1557-1671) Folger MS L.a.1-1076
Folgerpedia article about Folger Shakespeare Library L.a.1-1076 (with selected transcription)
Digital image(s) of Folger Shakespeare Library L.a.1-1076

Great Britain -- England.

L.a.1-1076