1414: John Neuton and the Re-Foundation of York Minster Library

In Dei nomine Amen. Quarto die mensis Maii anno Domini millesimo CCCCmo XIIII,  ego Iohannes de Neuton, sancte Eboracensis ecclesie thesaurarius indignus, reminiscens quod nullus hic ordo est, nulla constancia, nulla stabilis aut secura iocunditas, set confusio, labor, dolor et gemitus, a quibus nulla sors hominis necque ulla liberat honoris aut dignitatum altitudo, nec ullus est rectus modus uiuendi aut ordo moriendi; considerans eciam et, utinam uere ac utiliter, recognoscens quod fidelis non est seruus qui, quamuis deliciis affluens, faciem Domini non requirit, testamentum meum seu uerius ultimam meam uoluntatem facio, ordino et constituo in hunc modum. In primis do et lego atque subicio animam meam pecatricem Deo omnipotenti eiusque ineffabili et infinite misericordie,  atque beatissime Marie uirgini gloriose et sanctissimi Petri apostolorum principis omniumque sanctorum precibus eam deuotissime recomendo; corpusque meum licet miserum et caducum ad sepeliendum in ecclesia Eboracensi iuxta predecessores meos. Funeralia autem quecumque, sumptus et ordinacionem eorumdem, arbitrio et discrecioni confratorum meorum infrascriptorum et aliorum executorum meorum eisdem adiunctorum, libere committo exequendum, ita ut, spreta omni pompa quacumque possibili, ad Dei honorem, pauperum refrigerium et anime mee atque omnium fidelium defunctorum salutem, bona mea celerius expendantur et deuocius erogentur.

Item do et lego Deo capitulo ecclesie metropolitice Eboracensis tres pelues argenteas cum rosis in fundo deauratis ad usum et supportacionem trium cereorum coram summo altari eiusdem. Item do et lego eidem capitulo XII chargiours argenti et XII discos argenteos in fabricam et ornacionem summi altaris eiusdem ecclesie solummodo conuertendos. Item do et lego prefato capitulo in subsidium et releuamen librarie faciende tres partes Biblie in tribus uoluminibus; item librum magnum concordanciarum Biblie; item libros Genesis et Exodi glosatos; item tres libros Salamonis cum libris Sapientie et Ecclesiastici glosatos in uno uolumine; item librum XII Prophetarum glosatum; item epistulas Pauli apostuli bene glosatas; item Hamonem supra easdem epistulas; item librum beati Augustini De Trinitate et Supra Exodum ad litteram in uno uolumine; item librum de sermonibus beati Augustini ad fratres in heremo cum tractatibus beati Anselmi et Super Apocalipsim

In the name of God Amen. On the fourth day of May of the year of our Lord 1414, I, John of Neuton, unworthy treasurer of the Holy Church of York, remembering that here there is no order, no constancy, no stable or secure pleasure, but confusion, hardship, pain and sighing, from which no fate of man nor highness of honour or of offices can free us, nor that there is any rightful way of living or condition of dying, also considering and (one hopes truly and profitably) acknowledging that the servant who, although affluent in earthly delights, does not seek the face of God, is not faithful, I do arrange and establish my testament or more truly my last will in this way. First I give and bequeath and submit my sinful soul to the almighty God and to his ineffable and infinite mercy, and I recommend it very devotedly to the prayers of the very blessed glorious Virgin Mary and of Saint Peter prince of the apostles and of all saints, and my body, although miserable and frail, to be buried in the church of York near my predecessors. All funeral arrangements, however, their expense and the organization, I freely leave to be accomplished at the judgment and discretion of my brethren written here below, and of the other executors added to them, so that, having spurned any possible pomp, my goods will be spent more quickly and paid out more devotedly for the honour of God, the support of the poor and the salvation of my soul and of all the faithful departed.

Likewise I give and bequeath to the same chapter of the metropolitan church of York three silver basins with golden roses on the bottom for the use and support of three candles before the highest altar of the same. Likewise I give and bequeath to the same chapter twelve silver chargers and twelve silver dishes to be used exclusively for the fitting and ornament of the same highest altar. Likewise I give and bequeath in aid and support to the same chapter, in order to form a library, three parts of the Bible in three volumes, likewise a large book on the concordances of the Bible; likewise the books of Genesis and Exodus glossed; likewise three books of Solomon with the book of Sapientia and Ecclesiasticus glossed in one volume; likewise the book of the Twelve Prophets glossed; likewise the epistles of Paul the apostle well glossed, likewise Hamo on the same epistles; likewise the book of the blessed Augustine De Trinitate and Supra Exodum ad litteram in one volume; likewise the book of sermons of the blessed Augustine to the friars of the hermitage with the treatises of the blessed Anselm and Super Apocalipsim