This collection contains the early modern European documents (dating from the 16th to 18th centuries) owned by the Hesburgh Library which are not part of a discrete archival collection. That is to say, this is an artificial collection of early modern European documents, grouped not by provenance, but by origin (early modern European) and genre (diplomatics). As such, it is composed of a wide variety of diplomatic genres, including: papal bulls, lease and releases, leases, surrenders, admittances, diplomas, commissions, feoffments, petitions, letters, administrative announcements, decrees, assignments of lease, instrument of consecrations, deeds, bargain and sales, levies of fines, burgess tickets, assignments of mortgage, wills, mortgages by demise, recognizances of fees, strict settlements, mortgages by conveyance, and inventories. All documents within this collection are manuscript documents, written on either parchment or rag paper; although there are some which contain printed material, each item is a primarily handwritten production.

Lease and Release (lease only) of lands in Innaton, Ugborough (Devon) to William Strode by Walter Avent, for a term of six months in exchange for 20 shillings. Includes seal.

Lease and Release (lease only) of lands in Thrandeston (Suffolk) to John Nix by John Osborne. Includes seal, impressed duty stamp, and tax stamp.

A surrender of lands in Sowerfield and Braddolefield by William and Mary Stanford to John and Mary Calver. Includes impressed duty stamp and tax stamp.

Diploma conferring a Bachelor Degree from Aix University to Louis Hercule de Ricard, Marquis de Bregancon. Includes seal.

Lease of lands in "Stennington," Shropshire to Reignold [Reynold] Davies by William Spenser for the natural lives of Reignold's son, Edward Davies, Reignold Troyforde and Pheba Troyforde (son and daughter of Thomas Troyforde). One time payment of six pounds and yearly rent of two shillings.

Commission of Gaspard Joseph de L'estang de Parade by Pope PIus VI. Includes seal.

Feoffement of land and cottage in Dunston (Suffolk) to Edward Worledge by Margaret Stevens in exchange for £9, 11 shillings. Includes seal.

Admittance to tenancy to lands in Spalding (Lincolnshire) for John Welles by the steward of Spalding manor, Robert Watson.

French charter.

"Vieux papier des Agminus de St Julien d'alle, 1442." Bound copies of late s.xv and s.xvi documents

Receipt of payment, Avigon (France).

Judgement of Claude Silvestre, judge in the papal courts of Avignon (Palais de Papes d'Avignon). Includes seal.

Petition regarding a contract in Avignon.

Letter of King Louis XIV of France to the Cours de Comptes, Aix-en-Provence. Includes seal.

Administrative announcement by Carlo de Marini, Protonotary Apostolic of the Roman Curia, regarding the channels of appeals and complaints in Cavaillon, France. Includes seal.

Decree of Marco Abbate Delfine, Governor of the Avignon Papal Palace, reminding readers of the Pope's authority over Avignon. Includes seal.

Letter from Bernard, Bishop of Nimes, to Louis, archdeacon of Aix-en-Provence, concerning the administration of ecclesiastic offices. Includes seal.

Letter to Jacobus Nasuus, of the Pro Chancellor's office (Rome), from his father. Includes seal.

Extract of a decree of the Conseil d'Etat du Roy (Council of Louis XIII, though, at the time, under the regency of his mother Marie de' Medici), including articles.

Feoffment of lands in Thaxted (Essex), by John Humfrey of Samford Magna (Essex) to Robert Duyon of Thaxted (Essex). Includes seal.

Charter, Aix-en-Provence.

Lease of lands in Churcheswainestrowe [Wanstrow] (Somerset) to George, Alice, and Johanna Vincent by Edward and Agnes Baynton for the term of the lives of George and Alice (and the life of Johanna, their daughter, if Agnes Baynton still lives). One time payment of £5 and yearly rent of 5 shillings. Includes seal.

Feoffement of lands in Trinity Marsh (Westham), to Richard Luther by John Wood.

Assignment of Lease of lands in Chilton and Bridgwater (Somerset) to Ferdinand Anderdon by William Gale, for the term of 2 years, in exchange for £6. Includes seal.

Instrument to consecrate a church in Cavaillon, France.

Deed of Sale for lands in Toulon (France), given to Charles Riccard by Johannes and Jacques Fassil.

Deed of sale for land in Toulon (France), including a garden, to Charles Ricard

Lease of lands in Pilling (Lincolnshire) to Henry Tompson and heirs for the term of 99 years or the life of his longest living son by Edmund Werden, for an annual rent of 10 shillings.

Document of Pope Uban VIII.

Lease of lands in Chilton Common [Bridgwater] (Somerset), to George Bawden by John and Ann Palmer for a term of 99 years (for as long as any of Thomas Christopher Jr., Thomas Atkins, Jr., George Bawden, or Joseph Parsons live), for a one time payment of £61 and annual rent of 4 shillings. Includes seal.

Assignment of Lease to Thomas Gatrhell of lands in Broomfield (Somerset), formerly leased to John Symes by Hugh Kibby in 1638, which were conveyed unto Henry Gardner, Valentine Gardner, John Knight, as well as lands of Francis and Jane Headford, for the remainder of the original term of 99 years alotted to Symes in 1638, for the one time payment of £220. Includes seal.

Regarding articles of agreement (1690) between Thomas Gaudy and Francis Burgill of Whitehall and Francis Barry regarding the exchange of various sums of money and lands in Norfolk between 1690-1692. Includes seal.

Assignment of a lease of lands (7 acres in total) in Chilton and Bridgwater (Somerset) to William Gale by Elizabeth Hillard and Joane and William Parsons, for the term of the remaining lives of Elizabeth and Joane, in exchange for a watergrist mill and an agreement made between William Gale and William Parsons. Includes seal.

Lease and Release (lease only) of land and buildings to Henry Tompson by Margaret Row and Elizabeth Blennerhaysett, for the term of 1 year, in exchange for the sum of five shillings. Includes seal and impressed duty stamp.

Lease of royal lands in Paris (France).

Lease and Release (lease only) of lands and buildings to Francis Morse, Sr. by Henry Thompson, for the term of 1 year, in exchange for 5 shillings. Includes seal, impressed duty stamp, and tax stamp.

Lease and Release (lease only) of lands and buildings in Henbury (Cheshire), Marton (Cheshire), and Lower Withington (Cheshire) to James Lowndes by his father James Lowndes, and uncle, Thomas Lowndes, for the term of 1 year, in exchange for 5 shillings. Includes seal, impressed duty stamp, and tax stamp.

Lease and Release (lease only) of lands in Oakham (Rutland) to John Alexander by Timothy Helmsley, Katherine Muskett, and Mary Helmsley, for the term of 1 year, in exchange for the sum of five shillings. Includes seal, impressed duty stamp, and tax stamp.