Notes and Queries/Series 7/Volume 5/Number 112/John Lilburne: A Bibliography
JOHN LILBURNE: A BIBLIOGRAPHY.
The following catalogue of the writings of John Lilburne, and of those by other persons concerning him, is not offered to the readers of ‘N. & Q.’ as complete. In the present transitional state of knowledge as to the persons and the literature of our great Civil War, it would be extremely rash were I to assume that I had found a trace of every scrap of printed matter that Lilburne, his friends, and his enemies have left behind them. For upwards of thirty years I have had it in my mind to write a biography of John Lilburne. Whether he was a mere noisy agitator and fanatic, as the popular history books for the most part represent him, or an honest and resourceful person who, from the year 1638, when he was whipped at the cart’s tail from the Fleet Ditch to Westminster, to the time of his death, in August, 1657, devoted himself with single-minded earnestness to what he believed to be the highest interests of the English people, I do not now wish to inquire, though I hold the latter opinion with some confidence.
During the time that Lilburne’s career has been an object of interest to me, I have at leisure moments, when in the British Museum and other libraries, endeavoured to compile, for my own use, a bibliography as nearly perfect as possible of Lilburne’s books and those connected with his career. Until this was done with some approach towards completeness, neither I nor any one else could hope to gain an accurate knowledge of his life. Though the catalogue I now give is almost certainly incomplete, I feel pretty well assured that no important pamphlet has been overlooked.
As many of these tracts are very rare—some, indeed, existing, so far as is known at present, in but a single copy—it has been thought advisable to mark in each case the collections in which they may be found. To the abbreviations used the following is the key: B.M., British Museum; Bodl., Bodleian; C.C.C., Corpus Christi College, Oxford; G.L., Guildhall Library, London; Linc. Coll., Lincoln College, Oxford; P., the writer’s own collection; Soc. Ant., the Society of Antiquaries; S.K., the Forster Library, South Kensington Museum.
The articles are arranged in roughly chronological order. Great difficulties stand in the way of doing this perfectly. Many of these tracts occur in more than one edition. Some instances of this, but not nearly all, have been noted by me. Others of what seem to be the same edition are dated on several different days. There was, it would seem, a great demand for many of Lilburne’s publications; and, in consequence, the type was sometimes left standing, and an alteration made in the date from day to day.
Those who consult the list must bear in mind that the legal, not the ecclesiastical year was commonly used by the seventeenth century printers, and that, in consequence, a pamphlet printed on any day between Jan. 1 and March 25, was credited to the year that had gone by.
The worke of the Beast, or a relation of a most unchristian censure. executed vpon John Lilbvrne......the 18 April 1638. With the heavenly speech vttered by him at the time of his suffering......Printed in the yeare the Beast was wounded 1638. B.M., G.L., S.K.
Come out of her my people or an answer to the questions of a gentlewoman (a professour in the Antichristian Church of England) about Hearing the Public Ministers: where it is largely discussed and proved to be sinfull and vnlawfull. Also a Just apologie for the way of Totall Separation (commonly but falsely called Brownisme) That is the Truth of God......By mee John Lilburne, close Prisiner in the Fleete for the Cause of Christ......Printed in the yeare of hope, of England’s purgation, and the Prelates dissolution. Anno 1639. G.L.—The last leaf contains some verse by Lilburne called ‘The Work of the Beast.’
The Poore man’s cry. Wherein is shewed the present miserable estate of mee John Lilburne, close prisoner in the Fleete......Published by a backe friend of the English Popish Prelates 1639. G.L.
A copy of a letter written by John Lilburne, close prisoner in the wards of the Fleet, which he sent to James Ingram and Henry Hopkins, wardens of the said Fleet, wherein is fully discovered their great cruelty exercised upon his body. [No title. Date at end] 4th of October 1640. S.K.
The Christian Mans Triall or a Trve Relation of the first apprehention and severall examinations of John Lilburne, with his Censure in Star-chamber and the manner of his cruell whipping through the Streets......by William Kiffin. London printed for William Larnar......1641. B.M., Linc. Coll., S.K.—There are two editions.
The Examination......of Captaine Lilburne and Viviers......1642. P., S.K.—Concerning his being taken prisoner at Branford.
A Declaration of the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament, with their Resolution that if Captaine Catesby, Captaine Lilborne, Captaine Vivers, or any others, which are or shall be taken Prisoners, by his Majesties Army; shall be put to death, or any other hurt or Violence offered to their Persons......the like punishment shall be inflicted by death or otherwise, upon such Prisoners, as haue bin or shall bee taken by the forces raised by authority of both Houses of Parliament......Decemb. 19. Printed for John Wright in the Old-Bailey. 1642. B.M., Bodl., Soc. Ant.
A true and most sad Relation of the hard usage and extrem cruelty used on Captain Wingate......Capt. Lilburne......under the custody of one South. London Geo. Hutton, Feb. 13. 1642. Bookseller’s catalogue.
Letter sent from Captaine Lilbvrne......wherein he fully expresseth the misery of his imprisonment, and the barbarous usage of the cavaliers towards him. London, printed for James Rogers, 1643. B.M., Bodl., G.L., P.
Examination and Confession of Captaine Lilbourne and Captaine Viviers who were taken at Brainford by his Maj. forces, and had their triall at Oxford on Saturday the tenth......December......Sent in a letter from Mr. Daniel Felton, a Scholar of Trinity Colledge, to one Mr. Tho. Harris in Lincolne Inness Fields......London, Printed for T. Wright......[1643]. G.L.
Speech spoken by Prince Robert to the K... wherein is declared his resolution concerning Serj. Maj. Skippon, Col. Browne and Col. Hvrry......Likewise the Heads of a speech, spoken by Captaine Lilbovrne before a Councell of Warre, held at Oxford December 18. Dec. 21. Printed for J. H. and Richard Crosby 1643. G.L.
A fragment beginning p. 150. An extract relating to the militia, with a commentary by John Lilburne. A single folio leaf. Probably of the year 1645. B.M., 669. f. 10. 43.
Prynne, William. The Liar confounded or a briefe refutation of John Lilburne’s miserably misstated case......1465. B.M.
The Presbyterian Brother and Sister, or a briefe reply to Dr. Bastwicks Vindication, which he wrote against Collonell Lilburne......1645. B.M.
An answer to nine arguments written by T.B. by John Lilburne. London 1645. B.M., Bodl.
Just Defence of John Bastwick, Doctor of Phisicke, against the Calumnies of John Lilburne......in way of Reply to a Letter of Master Vicars. London by F. Leech......1645. B.M., G.L.
A Review of a certain Pamphlet. under the name of one John Lilburne. By a well-willer to the Peace of Sion. London 1645. B.M., P., S.K.
Innocency and Truth Justified......against William Prinn. Printed in the yeere 1645. [No printer’s name.] G.L., Linc. Coll.
Reasons of Lieu. Col. Lilbournes sending his letter to Mr. Prin......presented to the......committee of Examinations, [No title-page. At the end is] Printed 13. June, 1645. B.M., Bodl., G.L., S.K.
A more full relation of the great Battell fought betweene Sir Th. Fairfax & Goring on Thursday last July 1645 made......by Lt. Col. Lilburne......London, [July 26] 1645. B.M.—Battle of Langport, Thursday, July 10, 1645.
Copy of a letter from Lieutenant Coll. John Lilburne to a friend. [No title.] B.M., Bodl., G.L., Linc. Coll., P., S.K.—There are two, or perhaps three editions of this. Dated at end July and August, 1645, respectively. It contains a letter written by Oliver Cromwell which is not in Carlyle’s collection. It is printed in the Athenæum, Dec. 8, 1877, p. 733.
Englands miserie and remedie in a judicious letter from an utter barrister to his speciall friend concerning Lieut. Col. Lilburns imprisonment in Newgate, Sep. 1645. [No place or date.] B.M., Bodl., S.K.
The copie of a Letter from an vtter Barrister to his speciall Friend concerning Lieutenant Col. Lilburns imprisonment Sep. 1645. [No place or date.] Bodl., Linc. Coll.—This is probably another edition of the preceding.
Col. Lilburnes Letter to a friend, published to vindicate his Aspersed Reputation. Published by Authority. London for Peter Cole......Sept. 23, 1645.
Englands Birth Right Justified against all Arbitary Vserpation, whether Regall or Parliamentary......by a well-wisher to the just cause for which Lieutenant John Lilburn is unjustly imprisoned in New-gate. [No title.] B.M., G.L., Linc. Coll., P., S.K.—Some copies are dated at the end “Octob. 1645,” others “Novemb.” of the same year.
(To be continued.)