The Chatterton Manuscript Project
C5 = C51 +C52 + C53 + C54 + C55
C51
3rd July 1767 - 14th April 1770
Apprentice Scrivener at
Lambert's the Attorney
The Apprenticeship, which had lasted
Two Years, 9 Months & 13 Days,
Was cancelled on the 14th April 1770
When Lambert Found Chatterton's 'Will'
On the Office Desk.
During his time in Lambert's Office
Chatterton wrote 100+ of his own works.
All are listed below.
Lambert's Office, Corne St.
Corn Street, Bristol
Millerd's Map of Bristol 1671
Corne Street (these days it is known as Corn St) is shown on Millerd's map from 'F' to 'E.'
The Old Bristol Bridge can be seen at the bottom of the map, complete with houses and workshops. The replacement, in 1768, of such an important bridge was a major event in Bristol and inspired Chatterton to write what became his first published Rowlean Work.
Bristol Bridge in Olden Times
The New Bridge 1768
On the 1st of October 1768 an anonymous article appeared in:
Felix Farley's Bristol Journal.
'The Mayor's First Passing Over the Old Bridge
Taken from an Old Manuscript'
by
Dunhelmus Bristoliensis*
*One of Chatterton's Pen Names.
It was a momentous occasion for Chatterton.
The First time in Print of one of his Rowlean Works.
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18th century manuscript copy of a Description of the Mayor's first Passing over the old bridge, tipped into my copy of the 1794 edition of Rowley's Poems.
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The article about Bristol Bridge created quite a stir.
It was to bring Chatterton, Catcott, & Barrett, the main players in the Chatterton-Rowley story, together for the first time. It was the catalyst that would affect their lives more than they could have imagined.
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When they first met, Chatterton was not yet 16, Barrett was 35, & Catcott was 39
The big question is;
How much of a role did they individually (or jointly) play in the creation,
Development and afterlife of the Rowley phenomenon?
Read more on this subject: Biographies of Chatterton
C52
Chatterton's Last Act at Lambert's
Chatterton needed a way out of his suffocating and demeaning apprenticeship, so he wrote his own (mock) Last Will & Testament and left it on his desk for Lambert to find. Chatterton was a good judge of character and he was sure that it would frighten Lambert enough to get his freedom. He had read Lambert perfectly, for when Lambert found the Will he was so shocked he dismissed Chatterton immediately. This was on or about the 14th April 1770 - Chatterton was now free to make his own way in the world.
C53
Chatterton's Works
While an Apprentice Scrivener
At Lambert's the Attorney
Shown in Three Phases
Phase One
First 18 months of his Apprenticeship at Lambert's
3 July 1767 - 30 Sept 1768:
Chatterton Wrote These Works
While still An Unknown Boy
Among Unknown Boys.
They Remained Unpublished
Until After He Died!
A Total of 15 Works to Consider
During this Phase.
Click a Title to View an Ms.
Authentic Works
Eleven in Phase One
Antiquities Book 3rd: Contains Three Works:
7.1: The Battle of Hastynges 1. (Pub. 1777) TP821
7.2: Craishes Herauldry. (Pub. 1971) TP834
7.3: The Unknown Knyght or The Tournament.
(Pub. 1784) TP819
Works of Doubtful Authenticity
All are Up for Debate
One in Phase One
Works Wrongly Attributed
All are Up for Debate
None in Phase One
C54
Phase 2
Lambert's Apprenticeship
1st October 1768 - 5 April 1769:
Still at Lambert's
Still an Unpaid Scrivener
Still an Unknown Boy
Until publication of:
'The Mayor First Passing
Over the Old Bridge'
In Felix Farley's Bristol Journal
1st October 1768
Shortly after Publication
Chatterton was introduced to
George Catcott & William Barrett
Now the Die was Cast
The Chatterton / Rowley Saga
Was Set to Run for the
Next 250 years
There are over 90 works
To consider during this phase.
Most are Authentic;
Two are of Doubtful Authenticity;
Three are Wrongly Attributed.
Phase 2 ends the day before
Walpole's Letter of Rejection.
Authentic Works
87 in Phase 2
Songe of Saincte Werburgh
2. Writ 1768 -Published 1782 TP843
Song of Sayncte Baldwyn
3. Writ 1768 -Published 1782 TP843
Rowley's Printing Press
4. Writ 1768. Published 1782. TP847
6. Writ 1768. Pub 1782. TP857
Ǽlla: A Tragycal Enterlude, or Discoorsenyge Tragedie.
Epistel to Mastre Canynge on Ǽlla
Letter to the Dynge Mastre Canynge
8. Writ 1768. Pub 1782. TP923
10. Writ 1769.
Yellowe Rolle:
Of the Auntiaunt Forme of Monies.
Englandes Glorye Revyved.
11. Writ 1768 - Published 1789 TP851
[Purple Rolle]
Explayneals of the Annexed Yellowe Rolle
12. Writ 1768 -Published 1971 TP855
Byrtonne
13. Writ 1768 -Published 1789 TP861
The Merrie Tricks of Laymyngetowne
14. Writ 1768 -Published 1782 TP862
16.1: [Mass Book Inscription] - Published 1789
16.2: Tower Gate - Published 1803
16.3: Hardinge - Published 1789
16. Writ 1768 TP875
Rowley's Collection for Canynge:
The Gate of Sayncte Marye
Auntyant Monuments
Three Ancient Monuments
Waterre Gate
17. Writ 1768 -Published 1789 TP880
Bristol Castle
18. Writ 1768 -Published 1789 TP882
Seyncte Maries Chyrche of the Porte
Epitaph on Robert Canynge'
19. Writ 1768 -Published 1777, 1789. TP885
Four Letters on Warwyke'
20. Writ 1768 -Published 1789 TP887
Nine Deeds and Proclamations
21. Writ 1768 -Published 1803 TP888
Abstracts from Letters
22. Writ 1768 -Published 1782 TP895
Three Rowley Letters
23. Writ 1768 -Published 1803 TP895
The Rolle of Seyncte Bartlemeweis Priorie
24. Written 1768 -Published 1789 TP903
Fragment of a Sermon
25. Written 1768 -Published 1777, 1971 TP908
Knightes Templaries Chyrche
26. Written 1768 -Published 1789, 1971 TP909
Chronical 1340-1374
27. Written 1768 -Published 1803 TP911
The Chyrche Oratorie of the Calendaryes
28. Written 1768 -Published 1789 TP912
Three Tombs
29. Written 1768 -Published 1971 TP912
Note to Map of Bristol
30. Written 1768 -Published 1922 TP913
Extracts from Speght's Chaucer
31. Written 1768 -Published 1803, 1971 TP913
To Miss C___,
On Hearing Her Play on the Harpsichord
32. Written 1768 Published 1813. TP914
To Mr Powell
33. Written 1768 -Published 1813 TP915
Nine Poems to Hoyland, & Clarke:
Seven to Eleanor Hoyland
Two to Sally Clarke
34. Written 1768 -Published 1784 TP916
Letter from John Baker, 5 January 1769
35. Written 1769 -Published 1947 TP917
On the Death of Mr. Tandey
36. Written 1769 - Published 1803 TP917
On Mr. Broderip's Excellent Performance
37. Written 1769 - Published 1769 TP919
On Mr. Alcock of Bristol
38. Written 1769 - Published 1769 TP919
To Ralph Bigland
39. Writ 1769 - Published 1787 TP920
Saxon Tincture
40. Writ 1769 - Published 1769 TP921
From John Baker, 18th February 1769
41. Writ 1769 - Published 1769 TP922
Lyfe of W: Canynge
The Worlde
42. Writ 1769 - Published 1789, 1803 TP935
Elle's Coffin
43. Writ 1769 - Published 1803 TP938
Rowley's Heraldic Account of
Bristol Artists & Writers
On Fitz Hardynge;
On Richard 1;
On Happinenesse;
On Johne a Dalbenie
The Storie of Wyllyam Canynge
44. Writ 1769 - Published 1777. TP938
Churches of Bristol
45. Writ 1769 - Published 1789, 1803, 1971. TP944
Fragmentes of Anticquitie
46. Writ 1769 - Published 1803 TP948
The Court Mantle
47. Writ 1769 - Published 1769 TP949
Ethelgar. A Saxon Poem
48. Writ 1769 - Published 1769 TP949
To John Baker, 6th March 1769
49. Writ1769 - Published 1769 TP950
To the Beauteous Miss Hoyland
50. Writ1769 - Published 1784 TP951
Painter's Bill to Canynge
51. Writ 1769 - Published 1803 TP958
Heraudyn. A Fragmente
52. Writ 1769 - Published 1803 TP959
A Chronycalle of Brystowe
53. Writ 1769 - Published 1803 TP959
Elegy 1
54. Writ 1769 - Published 1769 TP961
Works of Doubtful Authenticity
Two in Phase Two
The Particulars of a Happy Government
55. Writ 1768 - Published 1768. TP1141
Extract of a Letter from a Young Gentleman at Plymouth [Definitely in Chatterton's hand]
56. Writ 1769 - Published 1971. TP1142
C55
Phase Three
13 Month Period at Lambert's
6 April 1769 - 23 April 1770:
From Walpole's Letter of Rejection
To Chatterton's Last Day in Bristol.
A Total of 23 Works to Consider
During this Period.
68+ are Authentic;
Eight are of Doubtful Authenticity;
Six are Lost;
Five are Wrongly Attributed?
Click a Title to View an Ms.
Authentic Works
68+ in Phase Three
Kenrick
2. Writ 1769 - Published 1769
Saxon Achievements
3. Writ 1769 - Published 1769
Cerdick
4. Writ 1769 -Published 1769
Englysh Metamorphosis
5. Writ 1769 -Published 1777
The Tournament. An Interlude
6. Writ 1769 - Published l777
The Gouler's Requiem
7. Writ 1769 - Published 1777
Elinoure and Juga
8. Writ 1769 -Published 1769
The Acconte of W. Canynges Feast
9. Writ1769 -Published 1777
Goddwyn. A Tragedie
10. Writ 1769 -Published 1777
Eclogue the First
11. Writ 1769 - 1777
Eclogue the Second
12. Writ 1769 - Published 1777
Eclogue the Third
13. Writ 1769 - Published 1777
Account of the Family of the De Berghams
14. Writ 1769 -Published 1803
To Mr. Stephens, 20 July 1769
15. Writ 1769 -Published 1803
To Mr. Holland
16. Writ 1769 -Published 1769
To Horace Walpole, 24th July 1769
17. Writ 1769 - Published 1803 in Works of Walpole iv.
'Walpole! I thought not I should ever see'
17a. Writ 1769 -Published 1837
Clifton
18. Writ 1769 -Published 1792
Godred Crovan
19. Writ 1769-Published 1769
Elegy on Mr. Wm. Smith
20. Writ 1769-Published 1803
Elegy on the Demise of a Great Genius
21. Writ 1769-Published 1971
Amphitryon. A Burletta
22. Writ 1769-Published 1782
Hobbinol and Thyrsis
23. Writ 1769-Published 1910 / 1934 TLS
Journal 6th
24. Writ 1769-Published 1803
From Horace Walpole
24a. Writ 4th or 12th August 1769 - Pub 1798
'Intrest thou universal God of Men'
25. Writ 1769-Published 1803
Elegy, Written at Stanton Drew
26. Writ 1769-Published 1803
Conversation
27. Writ 1769-Published 1803
Elegy to the Memory of
Mr. Thomas Phillips, of Fairford
28. Writ 1769-Published 1769
Elegy - 29 Octr.
29. Writ 1769-Published 1924
'Hervenis harping on the hackneyd Text'
30. Writ 1769-Published 1803
Epistle to Clayfield
31. Writ 1769-Published 1803
The Constabiliad
32. Writ 1769-Published 1971
Heroic Fragment
33. Writ 1769-Published 1910 / 1930 / 1971
Elegy 2
34. Writ 1769-Published 1769
The Hirlas 1
35. Writ 1769-Published 1769
Happiness. A Poem
36. Writ 1769-Published 1769 / 1780 / 1803
The Complaint
37. Written 1769-Published 1769
Antiquity of Christmas Games
38. Writ 1769-Published 1769
The Defence
41. Writ 1769-Published 1784
To Miss Lydia C---n
42. Writ 1769-Published 1803
A New Song
43. Writ1769-Published 1784
The Articles of the Belief of me Thomas Chatterton
44. Writ 1769-Published 1842
The Advice
45. Writ 1769-Published 1769
The Hirlas 2
46. Writ 1770 - Published 1769 Supp.
Astrea Brokage Letter
47. Writ 1770 - Published 1770
Heccar and Gaira. An African Eclogue
48. Writ 1770 -Published 1770
The Consuliad
49. Writ 1770 - Published 1770
Anecdote of Chaucer
50. Writ 1769-Published 1770
The Unfortunate Fathers
51. Writ 1770-Published 1770
Sentiment
52. Writ 1770 - Published 1770
The Methodist
53. Writ 1770 - Published 1770
'If wishing for the mystic Joys of Love'
54. Writ 1770 - Published 1922
February. An Elegy
55. Writ 1770 - Published 1770
Decimus. To the Duke of G----n
56. Writ 1770 - Published 1770
57. Writ 1770 - Published 1803
Resignation. A Poem
58. Writ 1770 - Published 1770
From Isaac Fell, 13 March 1770
59. Writ 1770 - Published 1940
To William Barrett, Feb or March 1770
60. Writ 1770 - Published 1789
March. An Elegy
61. Writ 1770 - Published 1930
Fables for the Court
62. Writ 1770 - Published 1803
From Esther Saunders
62a. Writ 3rd April 1770 - Pub. 1921
The Hag
63. Writ 1770 - Published 1770
Decimus. To the Princes of Gotham
65. Writ 1770 - Published 1770
To Miss Hoyland 5
66. Writ 1770 - Published 1792
To Miss Hoyland 6
67. Writ 1770 - Published 1792
Hor. Lib. 1, OD. 19
68. Writ 1770 - Published 1803
Hor. Lib. 1, OD. 5
69. Writ 1770 - Published 1803
Kew Gardens
70. Writ 1770 - Published 1784 / 1784 etc
Works of Doubtful Authenticity
Eight for debate - Phase 3
A Card
71. FFBJ 30 Sept 1769 TP1141
On the Death of my Friend Mr Holland
72. FFBJ 16 Dec 1769 TP1143
A Hunter of Oddities, letter 1
73. T&CM Jan 1770 TP1143
A Hunter of Oddities, letter 2
74. T&CM Feb 1770 TP1144
A Hunter of Oddities, letter 3
75. T&CM March 1770 TP1145
The Bacchanalian
76. Oxford Magazine April 1770 TP1145
A Hunter of Oddities, letter 4
77. T&CM April 1770 TP1146
A Hunter of Oddities, letter 5
78. T&CM May 1770 TP1147
Works Wrongly Attributed
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