John Colet and a Lost Manuscript of 1506

AbstractJohn Colet, the humanist, attempted clerical reform early in his tenure as Dean of St Paul's (1505–19), by reminding certain members of the cathedral personnel of the existing statutes and by seeking to impose some visitation injunctions upon them. A 1506 manuscript, containing details of these efforts, is now lost. This article examines the contents of the manuscript, which are known from a nineteenth‐century transcription, and investigates the minor clergy, whom it concerned. It also discusses the possible whereabouts of the original manuscript; Colet's possible motivation for writing the proposals; the reaction to Colet's ideas; and how his clerical colleagues perceived Colet. The article concludes that Colet's inappropriate approach to reform hindered his success.