Richard Middleton Massey, MA, of Brasenose College (1678-1743; FSA 1718, FRS 1712), was at one time under-keeper of the Ashmolean Museum. After leaving the Museum he later went on to practice medicine.

Miscellaneous manuscripts collected by Massey, mainly historical (17th century) and literary (15th-17th century). Includes:

• (MS. Bodl. 175) Transcript of 24 Chester Mystery plays written in 1604. The last performance of the plays is believed to have been in 1575.
• (MSS. Bodl. 322-9) The original register of the proceedings of the Committee for Plundered Ministers. Seven volumes are arranged by county and cover July 1645 - Dec. 1646, Oct. 1647 - Apr. 1653. One volume (MS. Bodl. 324) is arranged chronologically and covers Oct. 1646 - Apr. 1647.

The manuscripts were given to the Library by Massey in 1710.

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures see http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/services/admissions/).

Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. V, nos. 27619-632.

Literature

Mysteries and miracle-plays, English | England | Chester

England and Wales | Parliament | Committee for the Relief of Plundered Ministers

Massey | Richard Middleton | 1678-1743 | Physician

Great Britain | History