| AdminHistory | The Swiss Confederation originated in the medieval period, the number of constituent cantons increasing over the centuries. They varied in size, character and language. The constitution of 1848 created a federal state from the loose alliance of autonomous cantons which had existed hitherto, although they retained much automony. |
| CustodialHistory | The manuscript belonged to Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872), baronet, an antiquary and bibliophile whose collection included c60,000 manuscripts of various kinds, some relating to the administration of Swiss towns. Various manuscripts were sold after Sir Thomas's death, some to the German government, and were dispersed to several libraries. Formerly Phillipps MSS (respectively 3414 and 3415) and Engel MS. |