HON. M.R.I.A., HON. M.R.S.L., F.S.A., ETC. CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE COMITE DES ARTS ET MONUMENTS. PRINTED FOR THE CAMDEN SOCIETY, BY JOHN BOWYER NICHOLS AND SON, PARLIAMENT STREET. M.DCCC.XLIV. OF THE CAMDEN SOCIETY, FOR THE YEAR 1844. President, THE RIGHT HON. LORD BRAYBROOKE, F.S.A. THOMAS AMYOT, ESQ. F.R.S., Treas. S.A. Director. JOHN PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ. F.S.A. THE LORD ALBERT CONYNGHAM, K.C.H., F.S.A. SIR HENRY ELLIS, K.H., F.R.S., Sec. S.A. THE REV. JOSEPH HUNTER, F.S.A. SIR FREDERIC MADDEN, K.H., F.R.S., F.S.A. THOMAS JOSEPH PETTIGREW, ESQ. F.R.S. F.S.A. THOMAS STAPLETON, ESQ. F.S.A. WILLIAM J. THOMS, ESQ. F.S.A., Secretary. ALBERT WAY, ESQ. M.A., DIR. S.A. THOMAS WRIGHT, ESQ. M.A., F.S.A. The COUNCIL of the CAMDEN SOCIETY desire it to be understood that they are not answerable for any opinions or observations that may appear in the Society's publications; the Editors of the several Works being alone responsible for the same. INTRODUCTION. ABOUT the year 1440, or perhaps somewhat earlier, Robert Thornton, a native of Yorkshire, residing in the neighbourhood of Oswaldkirk, compiled a goodly volume of English treatises or translations, embracing the various subjects of history, romance, religion, and medicine. Nor must such a medley appear incongruous to the modern reader. At a time when the library of the University of Oxford is said to have contained no more than two or three hundred chained books, a folio volume which could afford amusement in hall, instruction at other times, religious information and perhaps consolation to the sick, and withall be produced as a medical authority for nearly every ill "that flesh is heir to," was not to be despised by a family resident in a remote part of the country, where, in all probability, literary luxuries were not readily accessible. It must not, however, be supposed that Robert Thornton was the author of this miscellany. Although in more than one instance the tracts are said to be "written " by him, we must be content, excepting perhaps a very few lines, with giving him the bare honour |