Given by Lady Joan Ingoldisthorpe: The Caxton Cordyal (1479) from a Library at Pott Chapel (Pott Shrigley, Cheshire), c. 1493, Identified

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes a copy of William Caxton’s printing of the Cordyal of the four last and final thinges (Westminster: 24 March 1479) recently acquired by the Brotherton Library, University of Leeds. It bears a gift inscription from Lady Joan Ingoldisthorpe (d. 1494) to the Downes Chantry Chapel at Pott Shrigley, Cheshire, which possessed a small library of books, including several others printed by Caxton, previously known only through an early inventory. It discusses the book’s ownership and provenance, the reception of Caxton’s printings beyond London, the possible patronage of his edition of John Tiptoft, earl of Worcester’s translations of Cicero and Buonaccorso da Montemagno printed by Caxton in 1481, and the early provenance of the unique copy of the Sarum Missal printed in Paris by Guillaume Maynyal for Caxton in 1487 owned by the National Trust at Lyme Park in Cheshire.