Britain.- Speed (John) The History of Great Britaine under the Conquests of ye Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans, first edition, engraved title, with woodcut illustrations, scattered spotting and staining, 18th century calf binding attributed to Kalthaeber, book plate for Edward Conder Westmoreland., folio, John Sudbury & Georg. Humble, 1611. Provenance (by repute) collection of Sir Richard Hoare (1758-1838) an interesting and possibly significant example, the end papers with two sides of manuscript notes relating to items in the text and written in a contemporary secretary hand or hands . The subject matter of the notes (photocopy included) include points from religious history, Tudor and other Royal history and "Facts Strange but True" and are typical of the topics discussed by the Elizabethan Society of Antiquaries during its life up to 1608. The Society was made up of historians, senior members of the civil service and judiciary and others including notables such as; Sir Robert Cotton, Sir Henry Spelman, Sir John Davies and Mr. Hackwell (the Queen's solicitor) and an attempt was made to revive the Society in 1614 without success. It is possible that the manuscript notes were written by one or more members of the Society and further research is required in an effort to identify the hand or hands of contributors.