e
of the Fellows in question died, others ceded their fellowships owing to
the combined action of the general law and the College statutes. Under
the latter Fellows were bound, when of proper standing, to proceed to
the B.D. degree, but the oath of allegiance was required of those who
took the degree, and so fellowships were forfeited. Thomas Baker, the
historian, who was one of the Nonjurors, had taken the B.D. degree
before 1688, so this cause did not operate in his case. But on the
accession of King George I., an abjuration oath was required, and the
meshes of the net being now smaller, the then Master, Dr. Jenkin, had no
other course but to eject Baker and others. The College did all it could
to soften the blow, and allowed Baker to reside in College until his
death in 1740. He worked unweariedly at his manuscript collections and
at the history of the College. The latter was first published in 1869,
under the editorship of Professor John E. B. Mayor; with the editor's
additions it forms a record of a College such as almost no other
foundation can show. Baker's learning and accuracy are undoubted; but it
may be permitted (even to a member of his College) to hint that Baker's
judgments are a little severe, and his views somewhat narrow.

One notable improvement in the College records dates from this century.
In early days no record was made of the names of those who joined the
College. The statutes of King Henry VIII. enjoined that a register
should be kept of all those admitted to scholarships and fellowships or
College offices. This was begun in 1545, and has been continued to the
present time. The entries of scholars and Fellows are in the autograph
of those admitted, and if they possessed no other interest, have that
of providing numerous examples of contemporary handwriting. But of those
not admitted on the foundation, or of those admitted prior to 1545,
there is no official College record.

Dr. Owen Gwyn and the seniors of his day passed a rule that "the
register of the College should have a book provided him wherein he
should from time to time write and register the names, parents, county,
school, age, and tutor of every one to be admitted to the College." This
was commenced in January 1629-30, and has been continued, with varying
care and exactness, ever since. It seems probable that the initiative in
this matter was due to Gwyn, as few Masters have so carefully preserved
their official correspondence.

Jus