Abstract

The death in 1677 of Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury, was followed by a dispute concerning the fate of his books. Sheldon had bequeathed a generous portion, listed in a schedule to be annexed to his will, to Lambeth Palace Library. However his executors alleged that the schedule could not be found. The entire collection was thereupon removed from Lambeth and its dispersal by sale was set in motion. The collection was saved, in large part, by the elevation to the see of Canterbury of one of the most bibliophile Archbishops in its history, William Sancroft. Beginning in 1679 Sancroft pursued the Sheldon legacy through two courts before finally reaching a settlement favourable to Lambeth Palace Library in 1683.

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