Henry Anstey (c.1828–c.1914) served as a teacher, curate and chaplain, before becoming a tutor and then vice-principal of St Mary Hall, Oxford. On behalf of the Rolls Series, he prepared in 1868 this two-volume collection of the university's oldest documents in Latin, dating from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries. Offering fascinating insight into academic life in medieval Oxford, this does not constitute a history of the university, but it remains an important resource for researchers, comprising registers, letters, university statutes and details of expenses entailed by the 'usual festivities' after examinations. Volume 2 includes a continuation of the chancellors' and proctors' books featured in Volume 1, and a catalogue of books given to the university by Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. It concludes with thirteen appendices of related documents, ranging from an ancient bursar's roll to a letter from King Henry III to the Sheriff of Oxford.
