The important collection of manuscripts described in this volume was accumulated by Dr Thomas Gale and his eldest son Roger Gale. Dr Thomas Gale, born in 1635 or 1636, was successively Regius Professor of Greek in the University (1672), High Master of St Paul's School (1672) and Dean of York (1697). He died in 1702.

Roger Gale, born in 1672, became Scholar of Trinity in 1693 and Fellow in 1697, graduating as B.A. in 1694 and M.A. in 1698. He was at various times in Parliament and held an appointment under Government. He died in 1744.

The elder Gale's publications were of considerable merit and importance. They included the Opuscula Mythologica, the Scriptores Historiae Anglicanae xv, and some works of Johannes Scotus Erigena. Those of Roger were chiefly confined to occasional tracts on subjects of archaeological interest. Both father and son were enthusiastic antiquaries, and the latter bequeathed a collection of coins to the University Library.

A far more important benefaction, however, was his presentation of the Gale manuscripts to Trinity College. In 1697, on leaving London, Dr Thomas Gale presented his Oriental collection; and in 1738 Roger Gale gave the manuscripts now to be described. The letter in which he offered this magnificent gift to the Society is preserved in a small volume in Class O.