Some years since, my attention was drawn to a MS. account of the Collegiate Church at Northill, drawn up by its last steward in the early part of the 17 th century. I transcribed it at the Record Office, but was disappointed to find that its author had left it unfinished. I have since become aware that much of the material which he used is still available at the Record Office. I hoped to be able to go through the whole of it and use its information to fill up the gap, and comment upon that portion of the pamphlet which the steward completed. But the material proved to be considerable, and required more time for transcription and reconstruction than I have yet been able to give it. I have, accordingly, decided to publish this first instalment, and hope to give some account of the rest, and comment upon the whole, in a future volume of the Bedfordshire Records.

The account of the College which has appeared in the Victoria County History of Bedfordshire (iii, 244) will serve for the present as sufficient introduction.

THE BOOK OF NORRELL COLLEGE.

Ann. Dom. 1634.

A booke of The Courte Barron and Leete belonging to Norrell. A Booke of all the Court Rolles and Rentalls that are any wayes appertaineing to the Colledge of Nor rell in Bedfordshire, as alsoe a narration and declaration of all things that any wayes concern the Court; beginninge with the time of 4 R. 2 (An: dom: 1380) and continued unto the year of 10 Jacobi (Ann. Dom: I6I2).

This book is to be layed upp amongst the Courte Rolles and Rentalls in the Boxe of the Courte Rolles and Rentalls.

[fo. 146]. A Booke of the Mannor of Norrell of Bedfordshire] in wch is sett downe all things belonging to the Colledg of Norrell and Mannor of Norrell aforesayd belonging to the sayd Colledge. In this Book is still the originall of the sayd mannor from the time of 4°R.2. An: Dom: 1380 unto the 10th yeare of King James Ann :Dom: 1612. 10. Jac. In this is alsoe a Catalogue of all the Court Rolles and Rentalls from 4° R2 unto 10° Jacob: 1612.