Amongst the objects of the useful medium of literary communication
afforded by the publication of "NOTES AND QUERIES," one appears to be a
record of the casual notice of "some book or some edition, hitherto
unknown or imperfectly described." I am induced therefore to inquire,
whether the existence of an ancient MS. volume of Chronicles, which I
have recently noticed in the little library adjoining Reigate Church, is
already known to those who investigate out monastic annals? This volume
may probably not have escaped their research, especially since the
republication and extension of Wharton's Collection, have been recently
proposed. A chronological series of chronicles relativing to the see of
Canterbury was announced amongst the projected publications of the
"Anglia Christiana Society."
The Reigate library, of which brief mention is made in Manning's and
Bray's _History of Surrey_ (vol. i. p. 314.) without any notice of its
contents, is preserved in the upper chamber of a building on the north
side of the chancel, erected in 1513, and designated as a "vestibulum"
in a contemporary inscription. The collection is small, and amoungst the
most interesting volumes is a small folio, in the original oaken boards
covered with white leather, presented to the library, 7. June, 1701, by
William Jordan, of Gatwick, in the adjacent parish of Charlwood,
probably the same person who was member for the borough of Reigate in
1717. Of previous possessors of the book nothing is recorded.
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