Giles Moore 1617-1679

Giles MOORE 1617-1679

Biographical Note

Born at Hawstead, Suffolk, son of Giles Moore, gentleman. BA Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge 1637, MA 1640. Ordained priest 1641; his movements during the Civil War decade are unknown, but he may have served as a chaplain in the royalist army. Rector of Horsted Keynes, Sussex 1656-79, having previously spent some time as rector at Stanmer, Sussex.

Books

Moore kept a detailed journal throughout his time at Horsted Keynes, listing all his expenditure classified by topic; it includes several pages of book purchases, 1656-79, broken down year on year. Over 350 books are mentioned by title, along with numerous references to almanacs, maps, catechisms, blank books and other forms of stationery; most of his dealings were with London booksellers. These accounts show that he spent over £70 during this period on books and related materials. Many of the titles mentioned are theological or devotional (including many sermons), but historical, medical, classical and other subjects are also covered. The full extent of his library is not known but is likely to have been more than the books specifically identifiable from the accounts, as he may have been given books or acquired them in other ways. His journal is transcribed in full in the modern edition by Bird listed below.

Moore bequeathed his library, “complete and entire excepting only St Ambrose his works in two folios” (whose destination is not specified) to John Citizen, rector of Streat, the husband of his niece Susan. Citizen was required, in recognition of this, to pay £30 towards Moore’s funeral expenses. His will was largely concerned with monetary bequests to his relatives and friends, disbursing over £800 in monetary legacies.

Characteristic markings

None of Moore’s books have been identified.

Sources

• Bird, R., The journal of Giles Moore (Sussex Record Society v.68), 1971.
• Mandelbrote, Giles and Manley, K. A., The Cambridge history of libraries vol. 2, Cambridge, 2006, 182.
• Venn, J. and J. A., Alumni Cantabrigienses, Cambridge, 1922.