Sources

Letter of John Merick, Bishop of Sodor, on the Antiquities of the Isle of Man

Source
22 October 1577

A 1577 letter from John Merick, Bishop of Sodor and Mann, to an unknown correspondent discussing the antiquities, history, language, constitutional governance, and contemporary condition of the Isle of Man. Addresses Manx etymology, linguistic parallels to Greek and Welsh, the island's legal system (Deemsters and Keys), ecclesiastical and civil administration, and corrects misconceptions propagated by Ralph Holinshed. The letter provides valuable contemporary testimony on Manx governance structures and the island's relationship to the Earl of Derby.

Financial Data

Language

  • English and Latin (bilingual)