Notes and Queries, Number 75, April 5, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc.

Notes and Queries offers a lively meeting place for 19th‑century scholars, antiquarians, and curious minds, each contribution a short, self‑contained investigation. In this issue a contributor uncovers a little‑known episode from the reign of Edward IV, when two bishops simultaneously bore the title of Lord Chancellor while the king prepared an expedition to France. The article weaves together royal letters, seal‑writs and the practicalities of governance, inviting listeners to imagine the administrative juggling act behind the throne.

The second feature turns to medieval poetry, wrestling with a baffling stanza attributed to Chaucer that pairs Venus with a mysterious figure named Valens. By tracing classical references and comparing corrupted manuscripts, the author proposes a fresh reading that reveals a double incarnation of Mercury hidden in the verse. Together these pieces showcase the blend of rigorous research and playful speculation that makes the journal a treasure trove for anyone who loves to follow a good scholarly puzzle.