  We present high resolution spectroscopy of a sample of 24 solar-type stars in
the young (15-40 Myr), open cluster, NGC 2547. We use our spectra to confirm
cluster membership in 23 of these stars, determine projected equatorial
velocities and chromospheric activity, and to search for the presence of
accretion discs. We have found examples of both fast (vsini>50kms) and slow
(vsini<10kms) rotators, but find no evidence for active accretion in any of the
sample. The distribution of projected rotation velocities is indistinguishable
from the slightly older IC 2391 and IC 2602 clusters, implying similar initial
angular momentum distributions and circumstellar disc lifetimes. The presence
of very slow rotators indicates that either long (10-40 Myr) disc lifetimes or
internal differential rotation are needed, or that NGC 2547 (and IC 2391/2602)
were born with more slowly rotating stars than are presently seen in even
younger clusters and associations. The solar-type stars in NGC 2547 follow a
similar rotation-activity relationship to that seen in older clusters. X-ray
activity increases until a saturation level is reached for vsini>15-20kms. We
are unable to explain why this saturation level, of log (L_x/L_bol)~-3.3, is a
factor of two lower than in other clusters, but rule out anomalously slow
rotation rates or uncertainties in X-ray flux calculations.
