Prior to 1781 the Registers contained a record of more or less everything in College, including Governing Body decisions.
In 1781, on being appointed Master, Dr Peckard decided that better record keeping was needed and began the Order Book to record decisions. Until 1971 it was used for Governing Body 'Orders', that is instructions for immediate action.
In 1911 a separate Minute Book was established for discussions etc. probably at the suggestion of A. C. Benson.
From 1911 the entries in the Order Book (the instructions to College Officers and staff for immediate implementation) were written in the book as the meeting proceeded, by the Junior Fellow, the Bursar usually whispering in his ear what to record. This was then read over at the end of the meeting for checking, all Fellows present signing finally in order of seniority. After the meeting the next most Junior Fellow then wrote the Minutes in the Minute Book, taking his time and consulting the Master as necessary.
The last hand written entry in the Order Book was written by Dr Ronald Hyam [B/443, 18 Oct 1962].
The last hand written entry in the Minute Book was written by David Roberts (the actual next most junior, Peter Grubb, was absent).
From then on records were typed in the College Office, for pasting into the two books. On 1 Nov 1962, the formal decision was made that in future the Bursar would keep the Minutes. Typed Orders continued to be pasted in the Order Book until 1971. Since then the Order Book has been used to record the most formal business such as the admittance of Fellows, Honorary Fellows, Masters, and Scholars. Signatures were usually required.
