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The contents of Henry Bellingham's Book are rich and varied. Contributions to the manuscript reflect the preoccupations of educated elites in the mid-seventeenth century: mostly debates in political philosophy and developments in science. Both of these concerns were inextricably linked to problem of pleasing God through the practice of right religion. Thus, religious references pepper the manuscript regardless of the subject. Henry Bellingham's Book also contains texts on history and adages for everyday life.

More information about the main topics covered in the commonplace book:

Read a short introduction to the English Civil War, which was the political context of this manuscript.
Read a short introduction to the scientific revolution, which was an important intellectual movement in Europe during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Other ways to navigate the Bellingham Commonplace Book:

Topics

Political philosophy and observations on tumult in governance

From a book intitled: The Anarchy of a Limited or Mixd Monarchy: Or a succinct examination of the fundamentals of monarchy, both in this and other kingdoms, as well about the right of power in kings as of the originall libertie of the people. By an Anonymous author. Printed 1648. CB003
A Fuller Answer to a treatise of Dor. Fernes: entituled The resolving of Conscience upon this question. Quaere whether upon this supposition, or case (the king will not defend, but is bent to subvert religion, lawes and liberties) subjects may with good Conscience make resistance: wherein is layd open, the originall frame and fundamentall Constitution of this government of England. Printed 1642. CB022
A true relation of the Forme and Government of the kirk of Scotland CB027
Duke of Lennox his speech before his Ma[jes]tie Charl[es] I Concerning warre with Scotland.1638 CB029
Quares expounded by sundry of the clergy of the Diocesse of London and parts adiacent touching the oath inioyed by the synod: 1640: Canon 6. wherein they unfeignedly desire satisfaction th[a]t soe they may the more willingly and chearfully take the sayd oath when Authority shall tender it to them, as by the Canon is appointed. CB031
Mr. Pym's speech after the charges against the Earle of Strafford. CB032
The Extract of the Deputie of Irelands charge of treason, words and rapines and strange misdemeanors. November 14. 1640. CB033
Of Liberty and Necessity: A short discourse clearing and decideing all Controversy Concerning Predestination, Election and Reprobation, Freewill, grace, and merits and such like points in answer to a Booke written by the B[isho]p of Derry on the same subiect. CB093
The Christian Moderator: or Persecution for Religion Condemned 1 By ye light of nature. 2 By the law of god. 3 By Evidence of our owne principles. Printed at London 1652. The 2d Edition revised and augmented. By Anonymous. CB102
Coniectura Caballistica: Or a Coniecturall Essay of interpreting the minde of Moses according to a 3 fold Cabbala vizth 1 Literal. 2 Philosophicall. 3 Mysticall or divinely moral. Upon the 3 first chapters of Gen[esis]. By Henry Moore fellow of Christ’s College in Cambr[idge] CB110
Of the Confusions and revolutions of governments: wherein is Examin’d; How far a man may lawfully conform to ye powers and Com~ands of those th[a]t wth various success hold kingdoms divided by civill or forraine warres: whether’t be 1. In paying taxes. 2. In personall service. 3. In taking opposite oaths. 4. In a mans giving up himself to a finall allegeance, in case the warr end... By Anth[ony] Ascham Gent. printed 1649. CB117
Mr Recorder Steele’s Speech to the Lo[rd] Protect[or] at his Entertainment at Grocers hall in London CB182

Natural philosophy and science

Weemse: Naturall Observations. How the Earth hangs upon Nothing.CB036
Whether Death be naturall to Man or Not? CB038
Weemse: Naturall questions. De Situ Elementorum or the Situation of the Elements. CB039
Weemse: Naturall Observations. Whether the Windes have any weight? CB042
Weemes: Naturall Observations. Whether the Water or the Fire be the more Excellent Element? CB043
Weemse: Naturall Observations. Of bodies perfectly composed: Of mettals. CB045
Weemse: Naturall Questions. In what part of the body the soule lodges. CB045
Weemse: Naturall Observations. Whether Sight or Hearing be the better sense? CB047
Weemse: Naturall Observations. Whether the Phantasie bring forth reall Effects or not? CB048
That the Earth is the basest of all the Elements. CB050
The world i’the moone: A discourse tending to prove th[a]t its probable their may be another habitable world i’the moone; & the possibility of a passage thither. Supposd by Io[hn] Wilkins: Printed 1640 in octavo. CB144/CB144A
A Discourse tending to prove; that its probable our Earth is one of the planets. By Jo[hn] Wilkins. Printed 1640. CB166

Historical studies

Weemse: Christian Synogogue. Of Languages. CB034
From a book intituled: An Introduction for reading all sorts of histories: by Mathias Prideaux fellow of Exeter Coll[ege] in OX[ford]. Beginning at that part of it w[hi]ch he calls The History of Successions. CB053
Concerning History of Professions: As allsoe Naturall, various and vaine Narrations. By the same Author. CB084
A Table of the Lines of Succession in the Brittish history. CB087
A Catalogue of the great Officers in England whose dignities are onely officiary, depending upon life and the k[ing]s gracious Election; w[i]thout any hereditary title or perfection; yet are they so Eminent th[a]t all Hereditary ^Honor^ under the degree of royalty, may w[i]thout disparagement give them place of precedence. CB090

Varia