Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, 196

Number of Hands: Probably 1

Summary: As Ker 1957 notes this manuscript is copied in a script of 'Exeter type' (p. 76). Ker also states that 'pp. 1-110 may be in the same hand as the rest', but show influence from an earlier script. Ker is almost certainly right, for while the hands in Exeter manuscripts during Leofric's pontificate are extremely difficult to distinguish, these pages show a hand that demonstrates consistent characteristics throughout the stints, suggesting that this volume is the work of the same scribe. Even though there are notable distinctions in some of the more self-conscious letter combinations (as mentioned by Ker), other letter-forms seem consistently written, particularly complex graphs, such as f and g. See below for specifics.

Methods of Alteration: Although Ker 1957 states there are no corrections or alterations (p. 75), correction does occur, generally interlinearly (e.g., p. 48).

Hand:

• Scope: Major
• Script: English Vernacular Minuscule I
• Ker reference: Ker 47, Gneuss 62
• Description: pp. 1-122, with significant differences in some letter forms from pp. 1-110, in comparison with pp. 111-22. At these points, the textual units are distinct, and Ker 1957 (p. 76) suggests that this manuscript was once part of a larger volume with CCCC 191 (The Bilingual Rule of Chrodegang) and CCCC 201 (pp. 179-272, the Capitula of Theodulf and a homily). If this is the case, as seems very likely given what we know about Bishop Leofric and his books (for which, see Treharne 2003 and Corradini 2008), then the Martyrology and the Vindicta Salvatoris need not have been contiguous or copied at the same point. This might go some way towards explaining the immediately visible differences in specific letter-forms. The general aspect of this hand is round and upright, with generous interlinear space, as is typical of Exeter manuscripts, and high, split ascenders.
• Summary of the characteristics of the hand:
  • a is single-compartment and generally round, though at pp. 1-110 it tends to be squarish when it follows e.
  • æ has a high e component at pp. 1-110.
  • d is very round and has a very short upstroke with a slight curve upward at the end.
  • f is a potentially significant graph in this scribe's hand, since it is relatively consistent. It has a medial stroke that tends to be longer than the headstroke, and curves upwards at the end; the descender curves to the left at the end. On occasion, the headstroke of f curves down onto the medial stroke.
  • g is another significant graph: its downstroke tends to begin from the middle of the headstroke, with a smoothly curving tail that is closed.
  • i tends to be used for WS y at pp. 111-22, but also occurs sporadically in the Martyrology.
  • s occurs in both high and low forms, with both descenders curving to the left. Notably, the head of high s often curves round and closes, a feature that is seen in manuscripts from other centres at this time, particularly Worcester and Canterbury.
  • ð is often tagged to the left. Note the angle of the upstroke, which remains consistent throughout the manuscript. The crossbar usually pierces the upstroke.
  • Majuscule A is either square capital or half-uncial (the latter especially at pp. 111-22).
  • ascenders are split at the top.
  • descenders turn to the left. Accents are hairline, at 45º, with a blob at the top. The abbreviation mark is flat.
  • Punctuation is by punctus placed on the line. Hyphens are notable: they are flat on the line at both the line-end and the following beginning of the line. Runovers (e.g., p. 99) are indicated with a bracket that consists of one downward stroke and a 90º horizontal stroke. Methods of Alteration Although Ker 1957 states there are no corrections or alterations (p. 75), correction does occur, generally interlinearly (e.g. p. 48).