Around 1608 Bishop Thomas Barlow was born to Richard Barlow of Long-gill in Westmoreland.
Around 1624, aged sixteen, Bishop Thomas Barlow [aged 16] entered Queen's College, Oxford University, as a servitor, rising to be a tabarder (scholar). He took his BA degree in 1630 and his MA in 1633, when he was elected a fellow of his college.
John Evelyn's Diary. 11th July 1654. Was the Latin sermon, which I could not be at, though invited, being taken up at All Souls, where we had music, voices, and the orbos, performed by some ingenious scholars. After dinner, I visited that miracle of a youth, Mr. Christopher Wren [aged 30], nephew to the Bishop of Ely. Then Mr. Barlow [aged 46] (since Bishop of Lincoln), bibliothecarius of the Bodleian Library, my most learned friend. He showed us the rarities of that most famous place, manuscripts, medals, and other curiosities. Among the MSS. an old English Bible, wherein the Eunuch mentioned to be baptized by Philip, is called the Gelding: "and Philip and the Gelding went down into the water", etc. The original Acts of the Council of Basil 900 years since, with the bulla, or leaden affix, which has a silken cord passing through every parchment; a MS. of Venerable Bede of 800 years antiquity; the old Ritual secundum usum Sarum exceeding voluminous; then, among the nicer curiosities, the "Proverbs of Solomon", written in French by a lady, every chapter of a several character, or hand, the most exquisite imaginable; an hieroglyphical table, or carta, folded up like a map, I suppose it painted on asses' hide, extremely rare; but, what is most illustrious, there were no less than 1,000 MSS. in nineteen languages, especially Oriental, furnishing that new part of the library built by Archbishop Laud, from a design of Sir Kenelm Digby [aged 51] and the Earl of Pembroke [aged 33]. In the closet of the tower, they show some Indian weapons, urns, lamps, etc., but the rarest is the whole Alcoran, written on one large sheet of calico, made up in a priest's vesture, or cope, after the Turkish and Arabic character, so exquisitely written, as no printed letter comes near it; also, a roll of magical charms, divers talismans, and some medals.
John Evelyn's Diary. 17th October 1667. Came Dr. Barlow [aged 59], Provost of Queen's College and Protobibliothecus of the Bodleian library, to take order about the transportation of the marbles.
John Evelyn's Diary. 25th October 1667. There were delivered to me two letters from the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford, with the Decree of the Convocation, attested by the Public Notary, ordering four Doctors of Divinity and Law to acknowledge the obligation the University had to me for procuring the Marmora Arundeliana, which was solemnly done by Dr. Barlow [aged 59], Dr. Jenkins, Judge of the Admiralty, Dr. Lloyd [aged 40], and Obadiah Walker [aged 51], of University College, who having made a large compliment from the University, delivered me the decree fairly written;.
John Evelyn's Diary. 25th October 1667. These four doctors, having made me this compliment, desired me to carry and introduce them to Mr. Howard [aged 39], at Arundel House [Map]; which I did, Dr. Barlow [aged 59] (Provost of Queen's) after a short speech, delivering a larger letter of the University's thanks, which was written in Latin, expressing the great sense they had of the honor done them. After this compliment handsomely performed and as nobly received, Mr. Howard accompanied the doctors to their coach. That evening I supped with them.
John Evelyn's Diary. 10th July 1669. Thus was the Theater dedicated by the scholastic exercises in all the Faculties with great solemnity; and the night, as the former, entertaining the new Doctor's friends in feasting and music. I was invited by Dr. Barlow [aged 61], the worthy and learned Professor of Queen's College.
Before 27th June 1675 Bishop Thomas Barlow [aged 67] was elected Bishop of Lincoln.
On 27th June 1675 Bishop Thomas Barlow [aged 67] was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln by Bishop George Morley [aged 77] at the Chapel at the Palace of the Bishop of Ely, Holborn rather than Lambeth Palace [Map] since Gilbert Sheldon [aged 77], the Archbishop of Canterbury, was opposed to his election.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 8th October 1691 Bishop Thomas Barlow [aged 83] died. He was buried in the Chancel of St Mary's Church, Buckden [Map].