A MAN OF LEARNING AND STRONG OPINIONS
John Cosin and his library
A man of learning and strong opinions
COSIN'S WORLD
As correspondence from the last years of Cosin's life indicates, he was not an easy person to get along with and even in his younger years, he was quick to make enemies of anyone who disagreed with him. Nevertheless, the books he owned in this period suggest that he was curious about different religious perspectives, even if he then vigorously opposed them.
A successful early career ended in 1640, when he was accused by Parliament of 'popery' (a word used to describe Catholic rituals) Although he was not found guilty at the time, a few years later he was removed from his religious and secular posts because of his continued support for Charles I.
Click on the interactive to find out more about key players during Cosin's lifetime.
A man of learning and strong opinions
SCHOLAR
John Cosin was interested in books and libraries early on in his career. While a student, he became secretary and librarian to John Overall, Bishop of Lichfield. As Canon of Durham Cathedral from 1624 to 1644, he was involved in the management of the Cathedral Library.
As member of the Durham House group around Richard Neile Bishop of Durham, an associate of Archbishop William Laud, Cosin encouraged the publication of works by fellow members in support of Laud's High Anglicanism. He also defended them against attacks by more puritan churchmen who opposed William Laud and his reforms of the Anglican Church.
Cosin’s passion for music and liturgical splendour was frequently criticised. When Parliament started to increase its dominance in the early 1640s, his High Church leanings brought him into serious trouble. However, before that time he was held in high regard by his fellow Laudians and his translation of the hymn Veni creator spiritus was used at the coronation of Charles I in 1625.
Looking after books
In 1627 and 1628, Cosin managed the finances of Durham Cathedral. As Treasurer, he drew up an Act for the Dean and Chapter for the reform and restoration of the Chapter Library and for the creation of a donations register. In 1639, he donated books to the library as well.
Bibliotheca ecclesiae cathedralis Dunelm a Decano et Capitulo eiusdem ecclesiae instaurata. Durham Cathedral Library MS A.iv.32, f. 1. Reproduced by kind permission of the Chapter of Durham Cathedral.
A prayer book for ladies at court
Cosin wrote this book of religious exercises for the benefit of Henrietta Maria’s English ladies-in-waiting. Printed in a small format that made it easy to carry, the book sold in large numbers when it was first published but later provoked an attack by puritans. When Cosin was accused of heresy, copies of his book were ordered to be burnt.
John Cosin, A collection of priuate deuotions: in the practise of the ancient church, called the houres of prayer. As they were much after this maner published by authoritie of Q. Eliz. 1560. Taken out of the Holy Scriptures, the ancient fathers, and the diuine seruice of our owne Church. London: Printed by R. Young, 1627. DUL SB 1877
Cosin's earliest library
We have little information about John Cosin's library from when he was a young man, but the books surviving from this period show an interest early interested in theology, religious practice, and classical literature. Cosin bought many second-hand books, a growing market in the 17th century. Many of these books have Peterhouse shelfmarks, which means that they were left by Cosin in Cambridge when he fled England in around 1644. They were returned to him in 1660.
Gilt armorial stamp on a book previously owned by Charles Blount, Earl of Devonshire (1563-1606). DUL Cosin B.1.21
Gilt armorial stamp on a book previously owned by Charles Blount, Earl of Devonshire (1563-1606). DUL Cosin B.1.21
Printer's device on the title page of a commentary on the Epistles. DUL Cosin B.1.21
Printer's device on the title page of a commentary on the Epistles. DUL Cosin B.1.21
Peterhouse Library shelfmark in DUL Cosin B.1.21. The book was formerly owned by one Antonius Coquier Delphinatis.
Peterhouse Library shelfmark in DUL Cosin B.1.21. The book was formerly owned by one Antonius Coquier Delphinatis.
Title page of DUL Cosin H.2.23A, printed by Jodocus Badius Ascensius.
Title page of DUL Cosin H.2.23A, printed by Jodocus Badius Ascensius.
Printer's device of Jodocus Badius Ascensius in DUL Cosin H.3.23A
Printer's device of Jodocus Badius Ascensius in DUL Cosin H.3.23A
Printer's device on the title page of Benedict Aretius' commentary on the Gospels. DUL Cosin B.1.9/1
Printer's device on the title page of Benedict Aretius' commentary on the Gospels. DUL Cosin B.1.9/1
Blind-tooled arabesque centre piece on the front cover of DUL Cosin B.1.9/1
Blind-tooled arabesque centre piece on the front cover of DUL Cosin B.1.9/1
Title page to the commentaries on the New Testament by Erasmus of Rotterdam. DUL Cosin B.1.22
Title page to the commentaries on the New Testament by Erasmus of Rotterdam. DUL Cosin B.1.22
Woodcut initial in the commentaries on the New Testament by Erasmus of Rotterdam. DUL Cosin B.1.22
Woodcut initial in the commentaries on the New Testament by Erasmus of Rotterdam. DUL Cosin B.1.22
Stationer's accounts for binding imported books in Cambridge and London, 1608-9 used as binder's waste in the commentaries on the New Testament by Erasmus. DUL Cosin B.1.22. Now stored separately as DUL Add. MS. 1950/E/8
Stationer's accounts for binding imported books in Cambridge and London, 1608-9 used as binder's waste in the commentaries on the New Testament by Erasmus. DUL Cosin B.1.22. Now stored separately as DUL Add. MS. 1950/E/8
Greek Orthodox liturgical work with a spritely cherub printer's device on the title page and printed in black and red. DUL Cosin D.5.21
Greek Orthodox liturgical work with a spritely cherub printer's device on the title page and printed in black and red. DUL Cosin D.5.21
"Chinese box" style binding. DUL Cosin H.4.10
"Chinese box" style binding. DUL Cosin H.4.10
Page opening showing the title page and the price of binding the book on the back of the front endpapers. DUL Cosin H.4.10
Page opening showing the title page and the price of binding the book on the back of the front endpapers. DUL Cosin H.4.10
Flat rather than rounded spine of the "Chinese box" style bound book. DUL Cosin H.4.10
Flat rather than rounded spine of the "Chinese box" style bound book. DUL Cosin H.4.10
Head of the illustrated title page to an edition of the lives of the popes, showing a previous ownership inscription and a price. DUL Cosin Y.3.1/1
Head of the illustrated title page to an edition of the lives of the popes, showing a previous ownership inscription and a price. DUL Cosin Y.3.1/1
Page from the lives of the popes, one of the few books in Cosin's Library that is annotated. DUL Cosin Y.3.1/1
Page from the lives of the popes, one of the few books in Cosin's Library that is annotated. DUL Cosin Y.3.1/1
A man of learning and strong opinions
FIREBRAND
The 1600s were not a great time for religious tolerance in England. More people were reading the Bible for themselves than ever before. Religious groups emerged that interpreted Christianity in different ways, some arguing against having an established church hierarchy, others inclining towards Roman Catholicism.
After a Synod held at Dort in the Netherlands in 1618 to settle a dispute between strict Calvinists and moderate Arminians about the nature of God’s grace, the Anglican Church started to split along similar lines.
The Anglican bishops were worried: The accession of Charles I in 1625 only made matters worse. The King was married to the Roman Catholic Henrietta Maria, which raised suspicions about the King’s own religious views. Moreover, Archbishop William Laud and the group around Bishop Richard Neile of Durham were followers of high Anglicanism – a form of worship that according to some Puritans verged on “popery”.
Plays and play-houses everywhere!
According to William Prynne, theatres were dens of iniquity and stage plays the devil’s work. He launched a scathing attack on theatrical productions and lamented the popularity of published plays by playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Ben Johnson, incidentally insulting Queen Henrietta Maria who regularly staged theatricals at court.
Liturgy as theatre
On 27 July 1628 Peter Smart, a prebendary of Durham Cathedral with Puritan leanings, accused Cosin and others of introducing Roman Catholic elements into the liturgy. The communion table had become an altar and the sacrament had turned into 'theatricall stage play'. Despite being removed from his post, Smart continued his attacks.
But they are not burned that made the books
The Arminian faction was not averse to launching its own attacks and the burning of perceived heretical books was not uncommon. One such event was discussed by Richard Montague, a bitter opponent of royal licensor Daniel Featley, a suspected Puritan, in his correspondence with Cosin.
And were not the Dr’s [i.e. Featley’s] braynes made of the papp [pulp] of an apple that would allowe such stuff to the presse? It is well the books made a fire, though not all, I doubt. But they are not burned that made the books.
But was Cousened himselfe
After being officially reprimanded by the king for allowing the publication of two Puritan works, Featley felt the need to tell his side of the story. The publisher has added a note to the reader at the end of the pamphlet describing Cosin's role in suppressing the works.
However, Cosin's intervention backfired spectacularly: one of the banned works was judged safe to publish and sold very well as a result of the attempt at censorship. Cosin was 'cozened' (or deceived) himself.
William Prynne, Histrio-mastix. The Player’s scourge, or, actors tragaedie divided into two parts. London: Printed by E.A. and W.I. for Michael Sparke, 1633. DUL Routh 12.E.4
William Prynne, Histrio-mastix. The Player’s scourge, or, actors tragaedie divided into two parts. London: Printed by E.A. and W.I. for Michael Sparke, 1633. DUL Routh 12.E.4
Peter Smart, A sermon preached in the cathedrall church of Durham. Iuly 7 [sic] 1628. [London]: Imprinted 1628. DUL SB 1587
Peter Smart, A sermon preached in the cathedrall church of Durham. Iuly 7 [sic] 1628. [London]: Imprinted 1628. DUL SB 1587
Peter Smart claiming that Cosin and others are following Catholic practices in the liturgy.
Peter Smart claiming that Cosin and others are following Catholic practices in the liturgy.
Daniel Featley, Cygnea cantio: or, Learned decisions, and most prudent and pious directions for students in divinity; delivered by our late soveraigne of happie memorie, King Iames, at White Hall a few weekes before his death. London: printed [by M. Flesher] for Roubert Mylbourne …, 1629. DUL Routh 63T.3/15
Daniel Featley, Cygnea cantio: or, Learned decisions, and most prudent and pious directions for students in divinity; delivered by our late soveraigne of happie memorie, King Iames, at White Hall a few weekes before his death. London: printed [by M. Flesher] for Roubert Mylbourne …, 1629. DUL Routh 63T.3/15
Built with Shorthand