Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

A catalogue of Western manuscripts and papyri at Cambridge University Library, the Fitzwilliam Museum and selected Cambridge colleges

Cambridge, Emmanuel College, MS 236

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 11851

Contents

Introduction: Emmanuel MS 236 is a collection of seven unrelated Greek fragments, except for the first item, which has come from an English cartulary in Latin dated around 1360. The sixth of these comes from two quires of a 11th or 12th-century manuscript of Symeon Metaphrastes. Four out of five bifolia have been rebound separately, and a single folio has been bound with a bifolio. As for the text and the signatures, the original quires were quaternions and composed as follows:
  • quire λεʹ ff. 41, 48, 43, 46, 47, [44], 49, [42]
  • quire λϛʹ ff. 39, 45 (the third to the seventh are missing), [40]
The last fragment (f. 50) has been bound in reverse. Dr Matteo Di Franco

Language(s): Greek

Physical Description

Form: codex
Extent: Fragments iii + iv + 50 + iii leaves.
Foliation: [a-c] + i-iv + 1-11, [15], 12, 14, 13, 17, 16, 18 | 19, [20] | 21-22 | 23, [24-28], 29-34 | 35, [36], 37-38 | 39, [40], 41, [42], 43, [44], 45-49 | 50 + v-viii + [d-f]. Modern foliation in pencil, in Arabic numerals, recto, upper right.

Collation

The fragments are bound by quires to raised supports: 16-1, 21+2+2, 38 | 42 | 52 | 6-76| 8-92| 102, 112, 122, 132+1, 142| 152-1

Condition

In fair condition.

Binding

Rebound with millboards covered with vellum. Each quire is bound to a raised support. The previous binding (18th century?), also of millboards covered with vellum, is kept alongside the fragments in a box.

295 × 235 × 35 mm.

History

Provenance and Acquisition

Provenance unknown.

The date of acquisition is unknown.

Part 1 [Cambridge, Emmanuel College, MS 236, ff. 1r-18v]

Contents

Language(s): Latin

1. ff. 1r-18v
Cartulary of the lands belonging to William Goscelyn of Snettisham in Norfolk
Rubric: f. 1r Carta Marie filie Iohannis filii Galfridi
Incipit: f. 1r Sciant et cetera quod ego Maria filia Iohannis filii Galfridi de Sharn
Explicit: f. 18v item apud Etonschorte .iii. acrae et dimidius apud Lorgelon. Waltero de Eton viii d. ad festum Sareti Michaelis

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Parchment of medium thickness and quality.
Extent: Fragment 18 leaves. 265-270 × 176-184 mm.

Collation

The fragment consists of three quires:

  • Quire 16-1 ff. 1-5
  • Quire 21+2+2 ff. 6-10 a single folio and two bifolia bound to a single support
  • Quire 38 ff. 11-18

Condition

There is mild water staining and there are some areas of dirt. Only a strip from f. 8 remains. f. 12 has lost the lower margin.

Layout

ff. 1r-18v A single column of 10 lines. 205 × 140 mm.

Hand(s)

Cursive secretary script.

History

Origin: The fragment was written in about 1360.

Part 2 [Cambridge, Emmanuel College, MS 236, ff. 19r-[20]v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

2. ff. 19r-[20]v
Fragment from an Octoechos
Rubric: f. 19r Ἕτερος κανὼν στραυροαναστάσιμος Δεῦτε λαοὶ …
Incipit: f. 19r Ἐπὶ σταυροῦ ἀναρτηθείς ἐκουσίως χριστέ
Explicit: f. [20]v ἐσιώπας δὲ χριστέ φέρων αὐτῶν τὴν … παθεῖν θέλων καὶ σῶσαι ἡμᾶς ὡς φιλάνθρωπος

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Parchment of medium thickness and low quality.
Extent: Fragment 2 leaves. 230 × 150 mm.

Collation

The fragment consists of one bifolium:

  • Quire 42 ff. 19-[20]

Condition

In fair condition.

Layout

ff. 19-[20] A single column of 23 lines. 160 × 150 mm.

Hand(s)

The fragment is written in a upright mixed minuscule, without marked variation in letter size and aesthetical efforts. The letters are mostly isolated, and ligatures are limited to those with epsilon.

Decoration

A section breaking in red ink on ff. [20]r and [20]v

Initials in red ink.

History

Origin: The characteristics of the script suggest that the fragment was produced not before the second half of 13th century.

Part 3 [Cambridge, Emmanuel College, MS 236, ff. 21r-22v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

4. ff. 21r-22v
Fragment of the Akathist Hymn, with lacuna, preceded by lectures from Genesis and Proverbs
Incipit: || f. 21r τὸν τόπον ὃν εἶπεν αὐτῶ ὁ θεός· καὶ ὠκοδόμησεν ἀβραὰμ θυσιαστήριον ἐπάνω τῶν ξύλων
Explicit: f. 22v The folio is illegible. The last legible line reads as follows: Ἡ περιστερά· ἡ τὸν ελεήμονα ἀποκυήσασα· χαίρε ἀειπάρθενε· ὁσίων πάντων χαίρε τὸ καῦχημα· τῶν ἀ[θλητῶν||

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Parchment of medium thickness and low quality.
Extent: Fragment 2 leaves. 265 × 175 mm.

Collation

The fragment consists of one bifolium:

  • Quire 52 ff. 21-22

Condition

In fair condition.

Layout

ff. 21r-22v A single column of 36 lines. 205 × 150 mm.

Hand(s)

The fragment is written in an upright mixed minuscule, without marked variation in letter size. The letters are mostly isolated.

Decoration

Decorated major initial on f. 21r

Initials in red ink.

History

Origin: The characteristics of the script suggest that the fragment was produced not before the second half of 13th century.

Part 4 [Cambridge, Emmanuel College, MS 236, ff. 23r-34v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

5. f. 23r
Fragment from a hagiography
Incipit: || f. 23r καὶ τῶ δήμω παντὶ τοῖς … ]λευταῖς κουφισμὸν
Explicit: f. 23r νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοῦς σύμπαντας αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμῆν
6. ff. 23r-31v
Miracles of saints Guria, Samona and Abib
Rubric: ff. 23r θαῦμα γενόμενων· ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων ὁμολογητῶν· Γουρία· Σαμωνᾶ· καὶ Ἀβίβου· κύριε εὐλόγησον
Incipit: f. 23r Νῦν καιρὸς. μετὰ τοῦ πνευματοφόρου προφήτου Δαυὶδ ψάλλοντας εἰπεῖν
Explicit: f. 31v δοξολογία ἐγένετο πρὸς τὸν σωτῆρα χριστὸν· τὸν μὴ παρωρὸντα τοὺς εἰς αὐτῶν ἐλπίζοντας. καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν δύναμιν καταφεύγοντας. τῶν ἁγίων μαρτύρων· ὦ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμῆν

BHG 739

TLG 5167.007

7. ff. 31v-34v
Gregory of Nazianzus, In Theophania (oratio XXXVIII) In Nativitatem
Rubric: f. 31v τοῦ ἐν ἁγίοις πατρὸς ἡμῶν· γρηγορίου τοῦ θεὁλόγου· ἐπισκόπου ναζιανζοῦ· λόγος εἰς τῆν χριστοῦ γέννησιν· κύριε εὐλόγησον
Incipit: f. 31v Χ(ριστὸ)ς γεννᾶται δοξάσαται· Χ(ριστὸ)ς ἐξ οὐρανῶν ἀπαντήσατε· Χ(ριστὸ)ς ἐπὶ γῆς ὑψῶθηται
Explicit: f. 34v ὁ διὰ τὴν λαμπρῶτητα ἐωσφόρος· σκότος διὰ τὴν ἔπαρσιν καὶ γενόμενος καὶ λεγόμενος. αἵ τε ὑπ’ αὐτὸν ἀποσ[τατικαὶ||

PG 36, 312-321

BHG 1921-1921b

CPG 3010.38

TLG 2022.046

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 23-34: Parchment, medium thickness, arranged flesh-to-flesh and hair-to-hair with hair outermost (HFFH).
Extent: Fragment 12 leaves. 280 × 180 mm.

Collation

The fragment consists of two quires:

  • Quires 6-76 ff. 23-34

Condition

In fair condition. Some lines have been obliterated.

Layout

ff. 23r-34v: written space 215 × 140 mm. 29 lines per page. Pricking does not survive. Ruled in hardpoint, type Leroy 20C1 .

Hand(s)

The fragment is written in an upright mixed minuscule, without marked variation in letter size. Ligatures are in use but abbreviations are rare. Breathings are curved and do not join to the accents.

Decoration

A wavy line separates the texts.

Major an minor initials are decorated with a flourishing on margin.

Additions

‘Greg. Nazianz.’ on f. 23r regardless the texts on the folio.

Lines numbering in pencil.

History

Origin: The characteristics of the script suggest that the part was produced in the 11th century.

Part 5 [Cambridge, Emmanuel College, MS 236, ff. 35r-38v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

8. ff. 35r-38v
John Chrysostom (attribuited to) , Ad populum Antiochenum homiliae 10-11 (defective)
Incipit: || f. 35r φέρε ἐπὶ τὴν γλυκεῖαν ὑμᾶς τῶν γραφῶν ἀγαγόντες πηγὴν
Explicit: f. [36]v πολλῶ μᾶλλον τὸν λέγοντα, καιρὸν ἐπιτήδειον ζητεῖν χρὴ||

The text runs as follows:

  • hom. 10: ff. 35r-35v, 37r-38r
  • hom. 11: ff. 38r-38v, [36]r-[36]v

PG 49, 117-120

CPG 4330.20

BHG 488i, k; BHGn 488kb

Aldama 229

TLG 2062.024

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 35-38: Parchment, medium thickness.
Extent: Fragment 4 leaves. 280 × 210 mm.

Collation

The fragment consists of two bifolia, the second was inserted into the first and they served as the innermost leaves of the original quires.

  • Quires 8-92 ff. 35-38

Condition

In fair condition. Some lines have been obliterated.

Layout

ff. 35r-38v: written space 215 × 160 mm. 29 lines per column. Pricking does not survive. Ruled in hardpoint, type Leroy 24C2 .

Hand(s)

The fragment is written in an upright mixed minuscule, in brown ink, and red ink for titles in Alexadrine majuscule. There is variation in letter size. Ligatures are in use but abbreviations are rare. Breathings are curved and do not join to the accents.

Decoration

A rectangular heapiece in red ink on f. 38r.

Major and minor initials are decorated in red ink.

History

Origin: The characteristics of the script suggest that this part was produced in the 12th century.

Part 6 [Cambridge, Emmanuel College, MS 236, ff. 39r-49v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

8. ff. 39r-49v
Symeon Metaphrastes
8.1. ff. 39r-39v
Vita sanctorum Cyri et Ioannis
Incipit: || f. 39r τοῦτ]ο οἰκείοις ἀντιδοξάσαι μέλεσι. Ταῦτα ἐδεῖτο μέν· ἤνυε δὲ πλέον οὐδέν
Explicit: f. 39v μετὰ βάλληι παραχρῆμα τῶ σχῆμα· τὸν βίον· τὸ ἐπιτήδευμα· καὶ κείρας ἐν χρῶ τὴν κε[φαλήν||

the text continues from ff. [42]r-[42]v and on ff. 45r-45v

PG 114, 1236 line 43 - 1240 line 16

BHG 471

TLG 3115.109

8.2. ff. [40]r-[40]v
Vita sanctorum Cyri et Ioannis
Incipit: || f. [40]r μέγιστος· ἐκ τῶν πρὸς ἑσπέραν κινεῖται πόλεμος
Explicit: f. [40]v ⟨(ἱε)⟩ροῖς ἱδρ⟨(ύμασί τε καὶ ἀναθήμασι)⟩ καὶ τέμενος||

PG 114, 1245 line 26 - 1249 line 3

BHG 471

TLG 3115.109

8.3. ff. 41r-41v
Hypomnema sancti Joannis Chrysostomi
Incipit: || f. 41r ἔχουσαν· τῶ οἰκουμενικῶ διδασκάλω καὶ πνευματικῶ πατρὶ Ἰωάννη
Explicit: f. 41v καὶ ἠρέμα τῆς θαλάσσης ἐπιφριττούσης· πανταχόθεν ἀ[θροισθέντα||

the text continues on ff. 48r-48v

ed. F. Halkin, Douze récits byzantins sur saint Jean Chrysostome, Subsidia hagiographica 60 (1977), p. 482 line 22 - 484 line 3 ab imo

BHG 877

TLG 3115.007

8.4. ff. [42]r-[42]v
Vita sanctorum Cyri et Ioannis
Incipit: || f. [42]r ἡδονὰς λαθραίαις καὶ νυκτεριναῖς ἐξόδοις· ἀλλὰ μηδὲν τοιοῦτον μᾶλλον ἐθέλων παθεῖν
Explicit: f. [42]v ἀλλ’ ὅπερ εἰς τιμὴν ἐκεῖνος ἐδείματο αὐτοῖς ἱερόν τοῦτο||

the text continues on ff. 39r-39v

PG 114, 1233 line 13 -1236 line 43

BHG 471

TLG 3115.109

8.5. ff. 43r-43v
Vita sancti Ephraem Syri
Incipit: || f. 43r πά]ση τῆ ζωῆ μου οὐδένα κατηρασάμην· καθόλου τὲ· οὐδενὶ τῶν πιστῶν διεμαχησάμην
Explicit: f. 43v ἑάλω ἡ ἑλεῖν βουληθεῖσα γυνὴ· τὴν ἀπαθῆ ψυχὴν καὶ ἀνάλωτον· οὐδὲ τοῦτο γνῶναι δυνηθεῖσα||

the text continues from f. 48v and on ff. 46r-46v

PG 114, 1253 line 27 -1257 line 28

BHG 584

TLG 3115.108

8.6. ff. [44]r-[44]v
Vita sancti Ephraem Syri
Incipit: || f. [44]r τῆ ἐκείνου γνώμη καὶ ταῖς ἡδοναῖς δουλεύειν ἐλέγετο
Explicit: f. [44]v καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας ἐπιβούλω τῆς ἡμετέρας· ἀλλ’ ἤ[δη||

the text continues from ff. 47r-47v and on ff. 49r-49v

PG 114, 1264 line 31 -1268 line 1

BHG 584

TLG 3115.108

8.7. ff. 45r-45v
Vita sanctorum Cyri et Ioannis
Incipit: || f. 45r κεφαλήν· τὰ μοναχῶν ἀμφιέννυται· καὶ πρὸς ἀγωγὴν ὑψηλοτέραν ἀνάγεται
Explicit: f. 45v τὰ χριστιανῶν αὐξάνειν σπουδάζετε περιϋβρίζειν δὲ τὰ καίσαρος μη[χανῇ||

the text continues from ff. 39r-39v

PG 114, 1240 line 16 - 1243 line 49

BHG 471

TLG 3115.109

8.8. ff. 46r-47v
Vita sancti Ephraem Syri
Incipit: || f. 46r ὅ φησι σολομῶν· ὅτι ὀφθαλμοὶ κυρίου τοῦ ὑψίστου· μυριὀπλασίως ἡλίου φωτεινώτεροι εἰσὶν
Explicit: f. 47v καὶ ταῦτα δυσὶ βιβλίοις συντάξας· γυναικὶ πιστεύει τινί ἢ||

the text continues from ff. 43r-43v and on ff. [44]r-[44]v

PG 114, 1257 line 28 - 1264 line 31

BHG 584

TLG 3115.108

8.9. ff. 48r-48v
Hypomnema sancti Joannis Chrysostomi
Incipit: || f. 48r ἀ]θροισθέντα πάλιν τὰ πλοῖα τὴν τὸ καλὸν ἐκεῖνω σῶμα· μετακομίζουσαν τριήρη προέπεμπον
Explicit: f. 48v ἐνηχοῦσα· καὶ τὰ εὐσεβῆ δόγματα καὶ διδάγματα· διὰπρυσίως ἅμα καὶ μουσικῶς ἄδουσα· ἐν χριστῶ ἰησοῦ τῶ κυρίω ἡμῶν· ὧ πρέπει πᾶσα δόξα τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις· νῦν καὶ||

the text continues from ff. 41r-41v

ed. F. Halkin, p. 484 line 3 ab imo - end

BHG 877

TLG 3115.007

8.10. f. 48v
Vita sancti Ephraem Syri
Rubric: f. 48v Βίος καὶ πολιτεία τοῦ ὁσίου πατρὸς ἡμῶν ἐφραίμ τοῦ σύρου· εὐλόγησον πάτερ
Incipit: f. 48v Ἐφραὶμ ὁ θαυμάσιος· ἔφυ μὲν ἐκ τῆς σύρων γῆς· ἑλόμενος δὲ τὴν ἀρετὴν ἐκ νηπίου
Explicit: f. 48v οὐ λόγος ἄφρων διὰ τῶν ἐμῶν προήλθεν χειλέων· ἐν πά[ση||

the text continues on ff. 43r-43v

PG 114, 1253 lines 1-27

BHG 584

TLG 3115.108

8.11. ff. 49r-49v
Vita sancti Ephraem Syri
Incipit: || f. 49r ἤ]δη μοι πρὸς τὸ τέλος ὁρ[ᾶ τὰ κατὰ τὸν ἐφραὶμ διηγήματα
Explicit: f. 49v πρὸς τὰς ἐκεῖθεν σκηνὰς διὰβαίνει· καὶ τὴν ἐκδεχομένην τοῦ κυρίου λαμρότητα· ἐν χριστῶ ἰησοῦ τῶ κυρίω ἡμῶν μεθοῦ κράτος τιμὴ καὶ προσκύνησις πρέπει εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν

the text continues from ff. [44]r-[44]v

PG 114, 1268 line 1 - end

BHG 584

TLG 3115.108

8.12. f. 49v
Vita sanctorum Cyri et Ioannis
Rubric: f. 49v Βίος καὶ μαρτύριον τῶν ἁγίων καὶ θαυματουρῶν ἀββᾶ Κύρου καὶ Ἰωάννου εὐλόγησον πάτερ
Incipit: f. 49v Κῦρος ὁ περὶφανὴς τῶν μαρτύρων ἀστήρ· πόλεως μὲν ἐτύγχανε περιφανεστάτης
Explicit: f. 49v ταῖς τῆς φύσεως ἀνῆκεν ὁρμαῖς· χαλινὰ πάντα χαλάσας οὐδὲ κλέπτειν εἵλετο· τὰς οὐ καλὰς||

the text continues on ff. [42]r-[42]v

PG 114, 1232-1233 line 13

BHG 471

TLG 3115.109

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 39-49: Parchment, medium thickness.
Extent: Fragment 11 leaves. 282 × 212 mm.

Collation

  • Quires 10-122 ff. 39-[44]
  • Quire 132+1 ff. 45-47
  • Quire 142 ff. 48-49

Signatures in Greek numerals in brown ink survives on ff. 41r and [42]v (λεʹ) and on ff. 39r and [40]v (λϛʹ).

Condition

In fair condition. Some lines are obliterated.

Layout

ff. 39r-49v: written space 240 × 170 mm. 35 lines per column. Pricked in outer margins. Ruled in hardpoint, type Leroy 24C2 .

Hand(s)

The fragment is written in an upright mixed minuscule, in black ink, with titles in red ink. The ductus is cursive, and there is a moderate variation in letter size. Ligatures are in use but abbreviations are rare. Breathings are curved and do not join to the accents.

Decoration

Rectangular headpieces in blue, green and yellow ink on ff. 48v and 49v.

Major initials in the same style as the headpieces.

History

Origin: The characteristics of the script suggest that this fragment was produced in the 11th or 12th century.

Part 7 [Cambridge, Emmanuel College, MS 236, ff. 50r-50v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

8. ff. 50v-50r
Isaiah 59:4-60:11
Incipit: || f. 50v ἀλη]θηνῆ· πεποίθασιν ἐπὶ ματαίοις καὶ λαλοῦσιν κενά
Explicit: f. 50r καὶ διὰ ἔλεον ἠγάπησά σε· καὶ ἀνοιχθήσονται αἱ πύλαι σ[ου||

TLG 0527.048

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: f. 50: Parchment, medium thickness.
Extent: Fragment 1 leaves. 290 × 214 mm.

Collation

Quire 151 f. 50

Condition

In fair condition.

Layout

ff. 50r-50v: written space 270 × 165 mm. 40 lines per column. Pricking does not survive. Ruled in hardpoint, type barely visible.

Hand(s)

The fragment is written in an upright minuscule, in brown ink, characterised by terminal thickening. There is moderate variation in letter size. Ligatures are in use but abbreviations are rare. Breathings are curved and do not join to the accents.

History

Origin: The characteristics of the script suggest that this part was produced in the 10th or 11th century.

Additional Information

Record Sources

Description (2021) draws on M.R. James, The Western manuscripts in the library of Emmanuel College: a descriptive catalogue, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1904, p. 134-136.

Availability

Visitors to Emmanuel College who wish to consult Special Collections material are required to apply to the Library in advance of their visit. For information on eligibility and admission procedures see: Emmanuel College: Special Collections.

Bibliography

    The Western manuscripts in the library of Emmanuel College: a descriptive catalogue, James, M.R. (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1904) Catalogus codicum hagiographicorum graecorum Germaniae, Belgii, Angliae, van de Vorst, CharlesDelehaye, Hippolyte (Brussels, Société des Bollandistes, 1913) Überlieferung und Bestand der hagiographischen und homiletischen Literatur der griechischen Kirche: von den Anfängen bis zum Ende des 16. Jahrhunderts Überlieferung und Bestand der hagiographischen und homiletischen Literatur der griechischen Kirche Texte und Untersuchungen zur Geschichte der altchristlichen Literatur, Ehrhard, Albert (Leipzig, 2, 1937) Codices Chrysostomici Graeci I Codices Britanniae et Hiberniae, Aubineau, Michel (Paris, CNRS éditions, 1968) Repertorium Nazianzenum. Orationes, textus Graecus. 2, Codices Americae, Angliae, Austriae Studien zur Geschichte und Kultur des Altertums. Reihe 2, Forschungen zu Gregor von Nazianz, Mossay, Justin (Paderborn, Schöningh, 1987) Verzeichnis der griechischen Handschriften des Alten Testaments Bible. Old Testament. Supplementum. Greek. Septuagint. 1931, Rahlfs, AlfredRahlfs, Alfred (Göttingen, Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2004)

Funding of Cataloguing

The Polonsky Foundation

Digital Images

Cambridge Digital Library

Abbreviations

View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.

Study at Cambridge

About the University

Research at Cambridge