chapel on London Bridge, by Ayloffe, was published with a drawing by George Vertue in 1777. In 1772 Ayloffe published a work for which he is still known to history students: Calendars of the Ancient Charters, and of the Welsh and Scottish Rolls, Now Remaining in the Tower of London... to Which are Added Memoranda Concerning the Affairs of Ireland [and an] Account of the State of The Public Records [etc.]. London, 1774. This, with an introduction attributed mainly to Thomas Astle, traces the history and neglect of the Public Records. In a long introduction, Ayloffe pressed for scholarly research among the state papers. The book was begun by the Rev. Philip Morant, who had been employed at the State Paper Office, and was published anonymously, but a reissue in 1774 had Ayloffe's name on the title-page. Ayloffe also revised for the press new editions of John Leland's Collectanea (1771) and of the Liber Niger Scaccarii (1771), and added valuable appendices of original illustrative documents. He saw through the press John Thorpe's Registrum Roffense, which was published in 1769 by the compiler's son. Ayloffe's Collections relative to Saxon and English Laws and Antiquities remain in manuscript at the British Library (Add MS 9051). The whereabouts of his other manuscript collections have not been traced, numerous as they clearly were and stated by contemporaries to have been invaluable in relation to the abbey and city of Westminster. His library was sold by Leigh and Sotheby soon after his death. Notes References Attribution sources: [Annual Register for 1781; Gent. Mag. for 1781; Nichols's Literary Anecdotes and Illustrations of Literature; Burke's Extinct Peerage, p. 30; Morant's History of Essex; Brit. Mus. Cat.] 1708 births 1781 deaths English antiquarians Baronets in the Baronetage of England Fellows of the Royal Society Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London People educated at Westminster School, London People from Sussex