ANECDOTES OF LITERATURE, &c. DE ANTIQUITATE, LIBRI DUO. LONDINI IN EDIBUS JOHANNIS DAII, THIS is one of the scarcest books that we have, There is a copy in the Cracherode Collection which belonged to Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury, and is distinguished by his autograph; and indeed the book was written at his recommendation. There was a map of Cambridge engraved for the book, by one Lind, a domestic of Archbishop Parker, *This is the only example I have seen of Cantebrigien is instead of Cantabrigiensis. Queen Elizabeth coming to Cambridge in August, 1564, the orator made a speech before her, in which he extolled the antiquity of that University, and affirmed, that it was more ancient, by much, than Oxford. The Oxonians being offended at this, Thomas Key, Fellow of All Souls College, wrote, in the space of seven days, a little book, in which he strenuously asserted the antiquity of his own University, affirming that it was founded by some Greek Philosophers, companions of Brutus, and that it was restored by King Alfred about the year of Christ 870; consequently that it was more ancient than Cambridge; and this book he presented to Elizabeth at her coming to Oxford. On account of this incident, Dr. Caius, on the suggestion of the Archbishop, entered the lists like a true champion, and in a suitable style. He makes out undeniably, as he affirms, that Cambridge University had for its founder, Cantaber, 394 years before Christ, and in the year of the world 4300 and odd; and therefore that the University of Cambridge was 1267 years more ancient than Oxford. John Caius died in 1573, and in the year following, a new edition of this book appeared under the patronage of Archbishop Parker, with large additions. It was printed in quarto, and under Caius' own name. It had also a plan of the. |