The Only Way is Essex

A recent reader enquiry brought a rarely used manuscript out of the strong rooms and into the light of the Library office this week. This closely written commonplace book (MS A.2.78)  belonged to Abdias Assheton, who served as one of the household chaplains of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (1565-1601). Devereux was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth but was beheaded for treason in 1601, and was accompanied to his execution by Assheton.