Cambridge, Trinity College, B. 14. 52
B. 14. 52
General Information
A composite manuscript containing thirty-four homilies and the Poema Morale. James 1900 dates the two main scribes to s. xiii (p. 459), but Ker 1957 suggests that the Trinity Homilies 'may have been written before 1200' (p. xix) and Treharne 2004 dates the sermons to the end of the twelfth century and the Poema Morale to the second half of the twelfth century (p. 281). Five of the items in the manuscript, including the Poema Morale, also occur in Lambeth Palace Library 487.
Digital Surrogate
http://trin-sites-pub.trin.cam.ac.uk/james/viewpage.php?index=200
- Item: fols i verso-ii verso
Title: Index
Date: 1593
Note: Thematic index in hand of 'Abraham Wheelocke [or Wheloc] 1593' at fols iv-iiv. Entries include baptism, baptismal vestments, the Creed, etc. This index refers to the pagination of the manuscript (rather than foliation), and Wheelocke's notes are scattered throughout the manuscript, where he glosses and annotates the texts, using his annotations for the specific page and line numbers of his index. Fol. 90v is another word list that fills the page. Fol. 91r is the continuation of Wheelocke’s index, beginning with K (no entries) and L etc. Runs over this fols onto 91v, 92r, 92v, 93r. This hand was confirmed by Timothy Graham in a personal communication to Elaine Treharne. [ET]
- Item: fol. 1ra/1-21
Title: Litany of the Virgin
Date: s. xiii
Note: In a thirteenth-century hand, but with the versal initials omitted. The last two litanies are in blacker ink, and possibly a different hand. [ET]
- Item: fol. 1rb/1-23 and fol. 1ra/23-31
Title: Table of contents of homilies
Date: s. xvi
Note: Corresponding to the one of the sets of foliation in the manuscript -- the one that has almost entirely been trimmed away. [ET]
- Item: fol. 1v/1-2
Title: Inscription
Addition: 'Rithmus anglic us cum omilis anglicis in hoc volumine | continentur'.
Date: datable to the sixteenth century
- Item: fol. 1v/4-11
Title: Dating formula and six lines of Latin verse
Note: Dating formula (23 September 1583) and six lines of Latin verse signed by W[illiam] P[atten]: LECTORI, | Abdita quæ tenebrans monumenta recondidit' [ET]
Bibliography:
James 1900, 460
Item: fol. 1v/13-24
Note: Truncated 16c English letter praising unnamed author of verses: 'Manye will Bragge of there knowledge'. [ET]
Bibliography:
- Hill 1966, 195
- Item: fols 2r/1-9v/21
Title (A.54.EM): Poema Morale
Incipit: (fol. 2r/1) Ich am nu elder þan ich was a wintre ˥ a lore
Explicit: (fol. 9v/21) þat we moten þider cumen þane we henne wende. Amen
Text Language: English
Note: Quire 1, as noted below, is different from subsequent quires, both in terms of layout and in terms of its codicology more generally. The page measures 136mm x 113mm; the writing grid is 125mm x 80mm. Versals are offset into margin. Use of Caroline g and insular g, the latter for a palatal glide. Quire 1 was folded on the vertical down the middle. The fold is from the last folio forwards; in other words, the outermost leaf when folded would be the closing folio. It thus formed a distinct textual unit. It is important to note that the scribe of Poema Morale erased words at the end of the verse line, transferring them to the beginning of the next. This suggests the he is copying something that looks like prose (as in the Lambeth Homilies, Lambeth Palace, Lambeth 487), but is here transcribing it as verse. [ET]
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 220-32, no. 35
Hall 1920, 31-53
- Item: fols 10r/1-11r/17
Title (B.3.2.53.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: First Sunday in Advent
Title (manuscript): De Aduentu.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 10r/1) Ecce uenit rex occurramusobuiam saluatori nostro
Explicit: (fol. 11r/17) Swo cume he to us. for his muchele mildhertnesse. Qui uiuet et Regnat
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 3-7, no.1
- Item: fols 11r/17-12r/11
Title (B.3.2.54.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Second Sunday in Advent
Title (manuscript): Dominica iia. In aduentu.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 11r/17) HOra est iam nos de sompno surgere et cetera
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 12r/11) Qui uiuit et Regnat
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 7-9, no.2
- Item: fols 12r/11-14r/8
Title (B.3.2.55.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Third Sunday in Advent
Title (manuscript): Dominica iiia.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 12r/11) Nox precessit dies autemappropinquabit
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 14r/8) Qui uiuit ˥ Regnat
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 9-15, no.3
- Item: fols 14r/9-17v/17
Title (B.3.4.58.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'The Creed'
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 14r/9) Tria sunt hominumsaluti necessaria...
Explicit: (fol. 17v/17) sowle ˥ licam abuten ende
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 15-23, no.4
- Item: fols 17v/18-20v/9
Title (B.3.4.59.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'The Lord's Prayer'
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 17v/18) Pater noster et cetera
Explicit: (fol. 20v/9) Ac les us louerd of his egginge ˥ of all iuele. amen. swo hit wurðe
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 24-31, no.5
- Item: fols 20v/9-24v/7
Title (B.3.2.56.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: In Die Natalis Domini
Title (manuscript): In die natalis domini
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 20v/9) Natus est nobis hodie saluator qui est Christus in ciuitate davið
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 4v/7) Quod qui promisit dignetur reddere nobis. Amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 31-41 no.6
- Item: fols 24v/8-26r/17
Title (B.3.2.57.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Epiphany
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 24v/8) REGES tharsis ˥ insule munera offerent.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 26r/17) Qui uiuit et regnat eeus peromnia secula seculorum. amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 41-5 no.7
- Item: fols 26r/18-28r/3
Title (B.3.2.58.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Purification of Saint Mary
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 26r/18) Optulerunt pro eo domino par turturum aut duos pullos columbarum et cetera
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 28r/3) Regnat per omnia seculaseculorum
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 47-51 no.8
- Item: fols 28r/4-30r/9
Title (B.3.2.59.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Septuagesima
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 28r/4) QVomodo cantabimus canticum domini in terra aliena
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 30r/9) Quod ipse nobisprestaredignetur qui uiuit
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 50-5 no.9
- Item: fols 30r/10-31r/4
Title (B.3.4.60.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'On Confession'
Incipit: (fol. 30r/10) Vnderstondeð get an þing þat ich giu wile arnie fore.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 31r/4) Quod ipse prestare digneturqui uiuit
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Note: This homily is not fully differentiated from the preceding item
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 55-9 no.10
- Item: fols 31r/5-34r/15
Title (B.3.2.60.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Beginning of Lent
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 31r/5) Conuertimini ad me in toto corde uestro et cetera.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 35r/15) Qui uiuit et Regegnat peromnia secula seculorum.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 58-67 no.11
- Item: fols 34r/16-37v/20
Title (B.3.2.61.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: First Sunday in Lent
Title (manuscript): Dominica I In xla
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 34r/16) PReocupemus faciem domini. et in psalmis iubilemus ei.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 37v/20) Qui uiuit et Regnat deus peromnia
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Note: Ends imperfectly at the bottom of quire
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 67-75 no.12
- Item: fols 38r/1-39v/15
Title (B.3.2.62.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Second Sunday in Lent
Title (manuscript): Dominica II In quadragesima
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 38r/1) Ecce nunc tempus acceptabile
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 39v/15) Quod ipse prestare digneturuiuit et regnat.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 76-81 no.13
- Item: fols 39v/15-42v/17
Title (B.3.2.63.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Mid-Lent Sunday
Title (manuscript): In media exla.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 39v/15) CVm immundus spirirusexierit ab homine ambulat per loca arida qerens requiem et non inueniens dicit.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 42v/17) Qui uiuit et Regnat.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 81-9 no.14
- Item: fols 42v/17-44v
Title (B.3.2.64.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Palm Sunday
Title (manuscript): Dominica palmarum.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 44v/10) Turbe que precedebant dominum et que sequebantur clamabant dicentes. osanna filio dauid
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 44v/10) Quod nobis prestet qui secula per omnia regnat
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 89-93 no.15
- Item: fols 44v/10-46v/23
Title (B.3.2.65.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Easter Day
Title (manuscript): In die pasche.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 44v/10) Hec est dies quam fecit dominus exultemus et letemur in ea.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 46v/23) Quod nobis prestet qui hodie surrexit et uiuit cum deo patre in unitate spirituc sancti
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 93-101 no.16
- Item: fols 47r/1-48r/17
Title (B.3.2.66.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: First Sunday after Easter
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 47r/1) Stetit iesus in medi discipulorum suorum ˥ dixit eis. pax uobis.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 48r/17) Qui uiuit et Regnat peromnia secula seculorum. amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 101-105 no.17
- Item: fols 48r/18-49v/12
Title (B.3.2.67.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Fourth Sunday after Easter
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 48r/18) Omne datum optimum et omne donum perfectum desursum est
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 49v/12) Qui uiuit et Regnat peromnia...
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 105-9 no.18
- Item: fols 49v/12-52r/8
Title (B.3.2.68.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Ascension Day
Title (manuscript): In ascensione. domini
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 49v/12) Eleuatus est sol in celum et cetera
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 52r/8) Qui cum patre et siritu sanctouiuit et Regnat per omnia secula seculorum. Amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 109-115 no.19
- Item: fols 52r/8-53r/24
Title (B.3.2.69.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Temporale: Whit-Sunday
Title (manuscript): In die pentecoste
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 52r/8) Apparuerunt apostolisdispertite lingue tamquam ignis seditque supra singulos eorum spirituc sanctus
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 53r/24) Qui uiuit et regnat inuniuersa secula seculorum deus.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 116-121 no.20
- Item: fols 53/1-54v/17
Title (B.3.4.61.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'Psalm LIII.1.'
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 53v/1) Dominus de celo prospexitsuper filios hominum ut uideat si est intelligens autrequirens deum.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 54v/17) Qui uiuit et regnat deus peromnia secula seculorum. Amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 121-25 no.21
- Item: fols 54v/17-57r/7
Title (B.3.3.36.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Sanctorale: Saint John the Baptist
Title (manuscript): De sancto Iohanne baptista
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 54v/17) Ego uox calamantis in deserto parate uiam domini rectas facite semitas eius.
Explicit: (fol. 57r/7) for to þat he com to ðe ende þat is eche lif. ad quam nos ducat. qui uiuit.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 125-31 no.22
- Item: fols 57r/r-60r/9
Title (B.3.3.37.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Sanctorale: Saint John the Baptist
Title (manuscript): De sancto Iohanne baptista
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 57r/7) Inter natos mulierum nonsurrexit maior iohanne baptista.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 60r/9) Qui uiuit Regnat per omniasecula seculorum.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 131-41 no.23
- Item: fols 60r/9-61v/9
Title (B.3.3.38.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Sanctorale: Mary Magdalene
Title (manuscript): De sancta maria magdalena
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 60r/9) Mulier que erat in ciuitate nomine maria iam penitens uenit ad domum symonis ubi erat iesus.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 61v/9) Qui uiuit et Regnat peromnia secula seculorum. Amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 141-45 no.24
- Item: fols 61v/9-64r/10
Title (B.3.3.39.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Sanctorale: Saint James the Greater
Title (manuscript): De sancto Iacobo.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 61v/9) Evntes ibant ˥ flebant mittentes semina sua.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 64r/10) Quodnobis prestet. qui secula per omnia Regnat. amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 145-53 no.25
- Item: fols 64r/10-66r/23
Title (B.3.3.40.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Sanctorale: Saint Lawrence
Title (manuscript): De sancto laurentio.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 64r/10) QVi parce seminat parce ˥ metet.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 66r/23) Quod nobis prestet qui secula per omnia Regnat. Amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 153-9 no.26
- Item: fols 66v/1-66r/23
Title (B.3.3.41.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Sanctorale: Assumption of the Virgin
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 66v/1) MARia uirgo assumpta est ad ethereum thalamumm ˥ cetera.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 66r/23) Quod ipse prestare digneturqui uiuit ˥ Regnat per omnia secula seculorum. amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 159-67 no.27
- Item: fols 69r/9-71v/6
Title (B.3.4.62.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'The Dead'
Title (manuscript): De defunctis.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 69r/9) Libera me domine de morte eterna in die illa tremenda
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 71v/6) Qui uiuit ˥ Regnat p omniasecula seculorum. amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 167-73 no.28
- Item: fols 71v/6-75v/11
Title (B.3.3.42.EM): Anonymous Homilies, Homilies for Specified Occasions, Sanctorale: Saint Andrew
Title (manuscript): De sancto andrea.
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 71v/6) AMbulans iesus iuxta mare galilee
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 75v/11) Ad quam nos ducat. qui uite premia donat.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 173-85 no.29
- Item: fols 75v/12-78r/13
Title (B.3.4.63.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'Be Strong in War'
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 75v/12) Esto fortes in bello ˥ pugnate cum antiquo serpente.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 78r/13) Quod nobis prestet qui secula per omnia regnat.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 185-93 no.30
- Item: fols 78r/14-81r/17
Title (B.3.4.64.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'Be Wary and Watchful in Prayers'
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 78r/14) Estote prudentes ˥ uigilate in oracionibus.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 81r/17) Qui uiuit ˥ regnat per omniasecula seculorum. amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 193-201 no.31
- Item: fols 81r/18-83r/23
Title (B.3.4.65.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'On Mark VIII:34'
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 81r/18) QVi uult uenire post me abneget semet ipsum ˥ tollat crucemsuam.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 83r/23) Quod nobis prested qui uiuit ˥ Regnat per omnia secula seculorum. amen.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 202-9 no.32
- Item: fols 83v/1-86r/16
Title (B.3.4.66.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'Psalm cxix.110'
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 83v/1) Posuerunt peccatores laqueummihi ˥ de mandatis tuis non erraui.
Explicit: (fol. 86r/16) swo do he ure alre þe liueð ˥ rixleð. Amen
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 209-217 no.33
- Item: fols 86v/1-86v/12
Title: Twelve lines of Latin lemmata and interpretamenta(p.154/4) Poema Morale In a thirteenth-century hand, though '...Sulphurea id est baline | balanstie id est flores malogranatorum
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 86v/1) ... Suphurea id est baline balinstie id est flores malogranatorum. hermodactilus id est titelusa. portinus id est sudinele [illegibile]. Rodostoma id est aqua rosata (Poema Morale In a thirteenth-century hand, though the opening is illegible.)
Text Language: Latin
Date: fifteenth century
Note: Rest of fol. 86v and all fo fol. 87r blank. [ET]
Bibliography:
James (1900), 461
- Item: fols 87v/1-88r/12
Title (B.3.4.67.EM): Anonymous Homilies [for unspecified occasions, published]: Morris 1873 'Isaiah XI.1'
Incipit (Latin): (fol. 87v/1) Egredietur uirga de radice iesse. ˥ cetera.
Explicit (Latin): (fol. 88r/12) Si plus scirem plus dicerem.
Text Language: English with Latin citations
Note: fol. 88r/13-23 blank but for two 15th-century names and a modern Trinity College Cambridge Library stamp. [ET]
Bibliography:
Morris 1873, 217-9 no.34
- Item: fols 88v/1-15 and 90v/1-26
Title: Glossary notes
Date: 16th-century .
Note: Rest of fol. 88v and all of fol. 89r blank. [ET]
Item: fols 89v-90r
Note: The whole of the opening of fols 89-90 has sloping, red pencil thirteenth(?)-century writing. It is overwritten by a later pair of lines in pen on fol. 89v, and by the word ‘Rectus’ on fol. 90r at about line three. Visible words occur at the penultimate line of fol. 89v, ‘miserere mei’. . [ET]
Object Description
Form: Codex
Extent:
139 mm x 104 mm (dimensions of all - size of leaves)
c. 122-28 mm x 80 mm (dimensions of Quire 1 - size of written space)
c. 114 mm x 86-91 mm (dimensions of Quires 2-11 - size of written space)
Foliation and/or Pagination: Three foliations are recorded on Quires 2-11.
- A sixteenth-century foliation in black ink begins at 1 on fol. 10r, at the start of the homilies. Most of it is lost due to cropping, but it appears to have run throughout the manuscript. The foliation corresponds to the sixteenth-century table of contents (fol. 1rb/1-23, 1ra/23-31).
- A seventeenth-century pagination is written in a browner ink on the rectos, starting with the homilies on fol. 10r, and is generally not lost due to cropping. This is the pagination used by Morris 1873 and Ker 1932.
- A prominent pencilled foliation begins on the first parchment leaf and is written on the upper right rectos, usually below the other numbers.
- In the description of Hill 1966 and in the microfiche facsimile of Wilcox 2000, the foliation is described as written on the first ten folios, with '3' omitted, '5' twice and '5*-8' for 6-9, but '10' on fol. 10 at the start of Quire 2, then every tenth folio after that.
- The pencilled foliation now runs throughout the manuscript: i-ii, 1-2, [3], 4-5, 5, 6-8, 10-91, 91A-93. It corresponds to the descriptions in James 1900, Wilcox 2000 (p. 16) and this description.
Collation:
- Quires: 18+1 (fols 1-9, 1 added with stub visible after fol. 9), 2-108 (fols 10-81), 118 (fols 82-87, wants 2, blank, between fols 86-7), 124 (fols 88-91).
- Signatures: There is a medieval quire signature '.vi' at the foot of fol. 57v. Quire signatures are pencilled at the start of quires at the bottom right of the opening recto, except for Quire 3.
Condition:
Leaves are heavily cropped with some loss to the text.
Note:
There are 24-28 lines per page in Quire 1, 21 lines per page on fols 10r-45r and 23 lines per page on fols 45v-86r, ruled in pencil. The change in lineation occurs half way through Quire 6, half way through an item and a stint of the second scribe. Parchment is arranged HFHF for Quire 1 and FHFH for Quires 2-11.
Quire 1 is a self-contained unit, with different layout, lineation, format, written area and decoration to the rest of the manuscript (see above). Its text has suffered more cropping than the other texts, suggesting it was once wider than the rest of the book. It is not included in the sixteenth-century foliation or seventeenth-century pagination and was not included in the 1sixteenth-century contents, and the second quire opens with a sixteenth-century title, all of which suggests that the quire was not part of the manuscript until after the seventeenth century (Wilcox 2000, p. 17). However, the opening folio must have been at the front of the manuscript in the sixteenth century, when the table of contents was written, and probably in the fifteenth century when the inscription 'Rithmus anglicus cum omiliis anglicis in hoc volumine | continentur' was added. Ivy 1958 suggests that the Poema Morale originally occupied a quire of eight that was later placed inside a bifolium. This view is supported by the varying wormholes on fol. 1 and fols 2-3, which do not correspond.
Hand Description
Number of hands: Possibly three or four from the period 1060 to 1220
Summary:
The majority of the manuscript is written by two main scribes who write in a similar hand, often changing stints at the start of a page or half-way through the first line, and never starting at the beginning of a new item (Wilcox 2000, p. 17). The two scribes have distinctively different forms for the abbreviation & and the letter ð (Ker 1932). According to Ker 1932, the scribes' contributions are as follows:
Hand 1: fols 2r/1- 21v/21, 23r/1-21, 36r/15-21, 38v/6-21, 66v/13-68v/11, 70r/1- 71r/23, 73v/1-76r/23, 78r/1-23, 79r/1-23, 80v/1- 81r/1, 85r/1-23
Hand 2: fols 22r/1-22v/21, 23v/1-36r/15, 36v/1-38v/6, 39r/1- 66v/13, 68v/11- 69v/23, 71v/1- 73v/1, 76v/1- 77v/23, 78v/1-23, 79v/1- 80r/23, 81r/1- 85r/1, 85v/1- 86r/16
Wilcox 2000 argues that Ker's identification of the scribe of Quire 1 (fols 2-9) is doubtful, as the different mis-en-page and size of script make comparison difficult. He suggests that Quire 1 may have been written by a different scribe (p. 18). Treharne 2004 notes that 'a third scribe' writes fols 87v-88r (p. 281), although Wilcox 2000 argues that two scribes were responsible for this item, one writing fol. 87v/1-14 and the other writing fols 87v/14-88r/12. Later hands are found elsewhere in the manuscript, and there are abundant pencil annotations in a thirteenth-century hand throughout the manuscript.
- Hand: homilies
- Scope: major
- Script: English Vernacular Minuscule
- Ker reference: Ker p. xix
- Description: Hand 1, which copies the Poema Morale and the first folios of the Homilies, is relatively compressed and angular, and although the manuscript itself is small, since the bodies of the graphs are so compressed there is still space on the page, and the prevailing impetus of the mise-en-page seems to be the need for legibility.
- Summary of the characteristics of the hand:
- Insular, rounded d and upright d are used.
- g is Caroline for the stop, and insular five-shaped g for the spirant.
- h is notable. It is formed with at least three strokes: a relatively split ascender, a sharp and thin angle upwards and then a thicker downstroke curling round back under.
- The use of þ distinguishes the text from Latin.
- The use of ð distinguishes the text from Latin.
- The use of ƿ distinguishes the text from Latin.
- minims are not very regular; they have angular shoulders and small feet to the right.
- ascenders are relatively short; they are split or wedged at the top.
- descenders are relatively short, but end with an emphatic curve to the left.
- Punctuation: Punctuation in the form of a punctus elevatus and a punctus, the latter being placed on the line or just above.
- Abbreviations:
- The abbreviation mark for 'that' extends from the right of the þ.
- The ˥ has, in Quire 1, quite a flat head and an angled stroke down which finished with a flick to the right below the line. By the end of the quire the head is more curved, slightly tilted, and matches those that follow from fol. 10 onwards.
- Ligatures: st ligatures are used; the d+e ligature is used where the e is attached to the top of upstroke of d, rather than the full-blown biting seen in the thirteenth century. However, biting p is also used occasionally. or ligatures are common.
- Correcting technique: Overwriting erasure; subpunction; insertion of correction with an insertion mark and interlinear addition. Corrections probably in a different hand in a darker ink at fols 78r/9, 80r/16, 83r/17 and 20. (Ker 1957, p. 406; Treharne 2000, pp. 25-26).
- Hand: homilies
- Scope: major
- Script: English Vernacular Minuscule
- Ker reference: Ker p. xix
- Description: Hand 2, which copies folios (as outlined above) from fol. 22r. This is a much more upright and regular hand, but it is very narrow and angular. The most notable characteristic distinguishing this hand is the crossed and squiggly ˥.
- Summary of the characteristics of the hand:
- g is exclusively Caroline, with a rounded tail which flicks sharply down to the right in a hairstroke at the end.
- There is a rare, diplomatic form of n at fols 66r and 77r formed with a downstroke and a 3-shaped second limb.
- ð is formed with one stroke of the pen.
- ascenders are relatively short; they are split or wedged at the top.
- descenders are relatively long, and sweep to the left. At the last line of fols 24v-25r and 31r, the scribe uses very elaborate descenders, which extend to the foot of the page.
- Punctuation: Punctuation in the form of a punctus elevatus, punctus interrogativus and punctus, the latter being placed on the line or just above. Longish, thin hyphens appear at line-ends.
- Abbreviations: This scribe uses far more abbreviations than Scribe 1. These abbreviations are those typically used by scholastic scribes, who use the initial letters of individual biblical quotations rather than write out the entire reference.
- Ligatures: st ligatures are used; biting p used occasionally; or ligatures are common.
Hand: homilies
This scribe uses far more abbreviations than Scribe 1. These abbreviations are those typically used by scholastic scribes, who use the initial letters of individual biblical quotations, rather than write out the entire reference.
- Scope: major
- Script: English Vernacular Minuscule
- Ker reference: Ker p. xix
- Description: Hand 3, which copies fols 87v to 88r. The script of this scribe is usually described as thirteenth-century, though it might equally well be late twelfth-century. The ˥ has a wavy head and a descender below the line that curves emphatically to the left. This is probably the most distinctive feature.
- Summary of the characteristics of the hand:
- a is Caroline, and slightly enlarged when in initial position.
- d is round-backed and usually quite short, but occasionally it has an exaggeratedly long ascender, especially at line beginnings.
- g is exclusively Caroline, with a rounded tail, which is sometimes closed.
- The right limb of h descends under the line and curves to the left.
- The second limb of n occasionally curves under the line.
- The upstroke of t consistently transects the crossbar (unlike Scribes 1 and 2).
- ð is used only once, and þ is used otherwise.
- ascenders often have a slight tag to the left and are a little leftward leaning.
- descenders curve to the left.
- Punctuation: Punctuation in the form of a punctus elevatus, punctus interrogativus and punctus, the latter being placed on the line or just above. Longish, thin hyphens appear at line-ends.
- Ligatures: Suprascript s is used in final position.
Rubrics and some capital letters that introduce Latin in the text are written in red. The first letter of a homily is enlarged and written in red or sometimes green (fols 10r/1, 12r/12, 20v/10, 28r/4, 31r/5, 38r/1, 53v/1, 57r/8). At fol. 30r/10, the new item is not fully differentiated from the one which precedes it, and it begins with an enlarged black initial instead of a coloured one. The Poema Morale has an enlarged red opening initial and a capital letter, positioned in the margin, beginning each line. 'AMEN' is written at the end of the poem in display capitals and touched in red (Wilcox 2000, p. 18).
According to the binder's note on the back flyleaf, the manuscript was rebound and repaired in October 1984 by the Cockerell Bindery. The current binding (146 mm x 115 mm) retains the original dark brown leather binding over pulp boards, the embossed coat of arms of Archbishop Whitgiftin gold on the front and back and the fittings for two brass clasps on the front and back. The title 'Homiliæ AngliCæ--MS.' is gold-tooled on the spine, with 'B' '14' and '52' in black ink on white stickers at top, middle and bottom of the spine. There are wormholes on the rear boards, none of which have penetrated. The pages have gilded edges.
On the final flyleaf is the note from the binder: 'DC6820 Condition when received: binding rebacked dark brown calf, over pulp boards, a very heavy impression of arms in gold on both boards, most of the gold missing, two clasps clasping on the back board, crossover missing, red lettering piece. Book sewn on four white thongs, thongs broken, sewing broken, gatherings free, vellum leaves in good condition though very heavily cropped, coloured edges. Book taken down, damaged leaves guarded and repaired, resewn on four cords to the old marking up. The old boards repaired and laced on. The spine covered with brown calf.' (Wilcox 2000, p. 16).
Fol. 1v contains the fifteenth-century inscription 'Rithmus anglicus cum omiliis anglicis in hoc volumine | continentur'. This inscription is picked up by a heading 'Rithmus Anglicus' in a probably sixteenth-century hand on fol. iiv.
Fol. 88r contains two names in a fifteenth-century hand identified by Hill 1966 as 'Ser Thomas Stone (or Stow)' and 'Ser John Newson' (p. 200), although Laing and McIntosh 1995 read the second name as 'John Newbore' (p. 43).
Fol. 1r contains a sixteenth-century table of contents, keyed to the early foliation.
Fol. 1v contains an astrological dating and six lines of Latin hexameters and pentameters, signed 'WP' or 'WL'. Hill 1966 identifies this as the work of William Patten (fol. 1528-1590) written out by his son, Thomas (b. 1561). Hill identifies the dating formula as 23rd September 1583, the date of Archbishop John Whitgift's enthronement at Canterbury. At the foot of the page is 11 lines of a letter written in English recommending the writer of the above verses to 'yor grace' for his knowledge of the antiquities and his knowledge of Armenian. Hill 1966 suggests that the scholar is William Patten, a sixteenth-century Humanist scholar, and that the letter may have been from Henry Carey, Lord Chamberlain Hunsdon (1524?-1596) to Archbishop Whitgift or possibly Archbishop Parker (p. 195).
There are interlinear and marginal glosses in six different hands (Hill 1966, pp. 193-4) and extensive pencilled underlining and annotations, particularly pencilled cross-references to variations on the phrase 'was teames atold' (Wilcox 2000, p. 15).
The flyleaves include an extensive doctrinal index to Quires 2-11 in the hand of Abraham Whelock, Cambridge University's first lecturer in Anglo-Saxon (1593-1653). The same hand wrote an inscription on fol. iv: 'Hic codex MS. fidem protestantium in permultis | multum ornat. Legi & | perlegi. A. W.'
Fol. ir contains three shelf-marks of Trinity College Library: 'R. 15. 17' (deleted), a number scribbled over and 'B. 14. 52'. On fol. 1v is the modern Trinity College Cambridge Library stamp.
Additional Information
Manuscript described by Elaine Treharne with the assistance of Simon Patterson, Natalie Jones, Hollie Morgan and George Younge (2010; 2013).
Digital surrogate: http://trin-sites-pub.trin.cam.ac.uk/james/viewpage.php?index=200 (accessed 18 July 2018)
Wilcox, Jonathan, Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts in Microfiche Facsimile, Medieval & Renaissance Texts & Studies (Tempe, AZ: Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, 2000), vol. 8: Wulfstan Texts and Other Homiletic Materials
History
Origin The dialect suggests a south-eastern origin, perhaps London (Hill 1977, p. 107) or south Cambridgeshire (Laing and McIntosh 1995, p. 33) Provenance Unknown. Acquisition The manuscript was given to Trinity College by Archbishop Whitgift (d. 1604).
Southeast England
Hall, Joseph, Selections from Early Middle English, 1130-1250, 2 vols (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1920)
Hill, Betty, 'Trinity College Cambridge MS. B. 14. 52, and William Patten', Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, 4, no. 3 (1966), 192-200
---, 'The Twelfth-Century Conduct of Life, Formerly the Poema Morale or A Moral Ode', Leeds Studies in English, 9 (1977), 97-144
Ivy, G. S., 'The Bibliography of the Manuscript Book', in The English Library Before 1700: Studies in its History, ed. by Francis Wormald and C. E. Wright (London: Athlone Press, 1958), pp. 32-65
James, M. R., The Western Manuscripts in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge: A Descriptive Catalogue (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1900), vol. 1: Containing an Account of the Manuscripts Standing in Class B
Ker, N. R., Catalogue of Manuscripts Containing Anglo-Saxon(Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1957; repr. 1990), p. xix
---, 'The Scribes of the Trinity Homilies', Medium Ævum, 1 (1932), 138-40
Laing, Margaret, 'Anchor Texts and Literary Manuscripts in Early Middle English', in Regionalism in Late Medieval Manuscripts and Texts: Essays Celebrating the Publication of 'A Linguistic Atlas of Late Mediaeval English', ed. by F. Riddy (Cambridge, 1991), pp. 27- 52
Laing, Margaret, and Angus McIntosh, 'Cambridge, Trinity College, MS 335: Its Texts and Their Transmission', in New Science out of Old Books: Studies in Manuscripts and Early Printed Books in Honour of A. I. Doyle, ed. by Richard Beadle and A. J. Piper (Aldershot: Scolar Press, 1995), pp. 14-52
Morris, Richard, ed., Old English Homilies of the Twelfth Century, EETS, OS 53 (London: N. Trübner, 1873)
Treharne, Elaine, 'The Life and Times of Old English Homilies for the First Sunday in Lent', in The Power of Words: Anglo-Saxon studies Presented to Donald G. Scragg on his Seventieth Birthday, ed. by Hugh Magennis and J. Wilcox (Morgantown: West Virginia University Press, 2006), pp. 205-42
---, ed., Old and Middle English c. 890- c.1400: An Anthology, 2nd edn (Oxford: Blackwell, 2004)
Wilcox, Jonathan, Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts in Microfiche Facsimile, Medieval & Renaissance Texts & Studies (Tempe, AZ: Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, 2000), vol. 8: Wulfstan Texts and Other Homiletic Materials
Elaine Treharne