The letters of William Wake (1657 – 1737) cover his time as Bishop of Lincoln (1705 – 1716) and the first twenty years (1716 – 1726) of his time as Archbishop of Canterbury. This official correspondence includes three volumes on Ireland and much material on foreign churches, particularly the Gallican church. The affairs of the French church formed one of the chief interests of Wake’s life, but there are also letters relating to the church in America, the East and West Indies, and all parts of Europe.
The letters and papers cover every aspect of church and secular affairs of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century period, since Wake was extremely influential in both the religious and political climate of the time. Correspondence is not exclusively concerned with religious matters: medals, coins and rare books were among Wakes many interests, and his correspondents often wrote to him on these subjects. In addition, there is a wealth of information on English affairs of the period, political, economic and social.
A substantial index is incorporated with the microfilm and is an outstanding aid for students of the material. This generally non-researched primary resource will be an invaluable addition to any serious library of the religious, political and general history of this important period.
The papers included in this set are as follows:
Lincoln Papers (1705 – 1715)
Canterbury Papers (1716 – 1726)
“Consecration Of English Bishops” Papers (N.D.)
Dublin, Ireland Papers (1715 – 1725)
University, Charitable & Religious Societies’ Papers (1715 – 1726)
Miscellaneous Papers & Letters (1683 – 1718)
Miscellaneous Papers & Letters (1715 – 1726)
State Of Religion In East & West Indies, Minorca & Gibraltar Papers (1718 – 1725)
Epistolae Lat. & C. Cum Respon Papers (1716 – 1726)
Charities, Hospitals Etc. French Refugees, Proselytes, Poor English Clergies Etc. Papers (1709 – 1724)