Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

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

Cambridge, Jesus College, MS Q.D.4

Liturgical and medical texts

Contents

Introduction: Cambridge, Jesus College, MS Q.D.4 (hereafter MS Q.D.4) is a composite manuscript, with all parts probably together by the later 15th century. The first two Parts of MS Q.D.4 probably date from the second half of the 14th century or the first half of the 15th century, the third Part dates from the late 12th or early 13th century, and the last Part contains just three surviving but badly damaged leaves (and a text stub) that probably date from the early 15th century. MS Q.D.4 has a medieval binding of tawed skin stained red over medieval wooden boards; the original strap-and-pin fastening is gone, but the groove for the strap is still visible in the fore-edge of the left cover and a hole for the pin plate is still visible on the right cover and the medieval head and tail bands are still partially visible, complete with original blue and and yellow decorative thread. The volume has a complex codicological structure. The volume is comprised of four major Parts from four originally distinct medieval manuscript sources, but Parts 1 and 3 can also be further divided into codicological units where there is clear separation of scribal stints, or variations in mise-en-page, but where there are also shared elements such as shared rubricators or artists or layouts that indicate that the units were probably made in the same place and where the later units were always intended to be bound with the earlier ones. For example, in Part 3 (ff. 188-211; 212-243; 244-259; 260-267), there is a clear demarcation of codicological units between folios 243v and 244r: although the scribes change at the page division and the mise-en-page is not identical across the opening, the scribe of f. 244r continued the text seamlessly from f. 243v, and the same artist added decorative initials across both units using a distinctive ball ornament (see e.g., the initial 'R' on ff. 243v and 248r for a particularly close match). The contents of the volume primarily relate to Christian theology, with a particular emphasis on sin, absolution and the act of Confession. Richard Rolle's works are well-represented here in Part 1, as are short quotations from a number of early Christian writers. The majority of the texts in MS Q.D.4 are in Latin, but words are often glossed in Middle English and some texts are copied primarily (or entirely) in Middle English. In Part 2, folios 172v-183r contain a selection of medical recipes, charms, dietary advice, and prognostic information in Middle English and Latin, written out by a scribe who also copied some of the sermons and other religious material in that Part. Regrettably, not much is known about the provenance of the volume before its arrival at Jesus College in 1664. Work by Rüdiger Spahl demonstrates that London, British Library, Harley MS 5235, ff. 1r-11v must have served as the direct exemplar for the copy of the Emendatio uitae by Richard Rolle on ff. 74r-99v in this manuscript. According to Spahl, the two manuscripts contain fourteen shared textual omissions not found in any other copies of the text, and corrections made by the Harley scribe to the text of the Emendatio uitae after the main copying stint had been completed are also found in MS Q.D.4. Spahl supplies other evidence for the archetype-child relationship between these two manuscripts and positions both within his 'zeta' subgroup, but unfortunately, as little is known about the origin or provenance of MS Harley 5235, neither manuscript can be used to determine further details about the history of the other. The only substantial mark of ownership in MS Q.D.4 prior to the Jesus College shelfmarks is that of an untraced 'John Thrope' on f. 269v, but it was clearly well-used by its medieval and later owners judging by the frequent annotations and the addition of numbered tabs to allow readers to quickly find their desired position within the volume. Dr Sarah Gilbert| Project Cataloguer| Curious Cures in Cambridge Libraries References:
R. Spahl, De Emendatione Vitae: Eine Kritische Ausgabe Des Lateinischen Textes von Richard Rolle Mit Einer Übersetzung Ins Deutsche Und Untersuchungen Zu Den Lateinischen Und Englischen Handschriften, Studien Zur Wirkung Der Klassischen Antike, 6 (V&R UniPress, 2009)

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: All leaves, except for pastedowns, are parchment.
Extent: Codex: 2 + 144 | 44 | 81 | 4 leaves. 165 × 115-120 mm.
Foliation:

19th-century foliation added before 1895.

Folios 1-2 + 3-50, [50a], 51-73 ; 74-145 | 146-160, [160a], 161-187, [187a] | 188-211 ; 212-221 [221a]-243; 244-259 ; 260-267 | [267a] 268-270

Foliated in pencil in Hindu-Arabic numerals in the upper outer corner of each recto. One leaf after f. 50 was accidentally omitted by the foliator. Elsewhere, three folio designations were accidentally duplicated by the foliator. In order to produce a functional TEI-XML record, the omitted leaf is designated here as f. [50a], and the second of each duplicated leaf is designated here as ff. [160a], [187a] and [221a]. These temporary designations by the Curious Cures project are enclosed in [square brackets] throughout this record. M. R. James commented on the foliation error at f. 187 (and f. [187a]) and so the present pencil foliation must have been added to the volume prior to the publication of his Catalogue of the Jesus College manuscripts in 1895.

Collation

A composite manuscript with a complex structure. This collation distinguishes between composite parts (divided by a vertical bar: | ) and contemporary codicological units within these (divided by a semi-colon ; ).

  • Two parchment flyleaves (ff. 1-2) +
  • Quires 1-188 (ff. 3-50, [50a], 51-73 ; 74-145) |
  • Quire 1910 (ff. 146-155)
  • Quire 20-238 (ff. 156-160, [160a], 161-186)
  • Quire 244-2 (ff. 187, [187a]: 3rd and 4th leaves excised, probably blank) |
  • Quires 25-288 (ff. 188-211 ; 212-219)
  • Quire 2910-1 (ff. 220-221, [221a], 222-227v: 1st leaf cancelled)
  • Quires 30-348 (ff. 228-243 ; 244-259 ; 260-267) |
  • Quire 354 (ff. [267a]-270: two nested bifolia, 1st leaf (f. [267a] just a text-stub, and second leaf partially cut away)

Two parchment flyleaves + 1-188 1910 20-238 244-2 (3rd and 4th leaves excised, probably blank) | 25-288 2910-1 (1st leaf cancelled) 30-348 | 35 4 (1st leaf just a text-stub, second leaf partially cut away)

No leaf signatures common to the entire volume.

No quire signatures common to the entire volume.

No catchwords common to the entire volume.

Additions

On f. 1v, a possible former ownership inscription, the first part very faint: 'Istum librum e tra...(?) t...(?) Joh. Walsh. Constat magistro Thome Audley et Roberto Swann Fortitudo et honor'. The note appears to continue under the bookplate on f. 1v.

On f. 2v, a couplet on stain removal in Latin: 'Uinum lacte laues(?) oleum liquore fabarum | Incaustum uino cetera mundat aqua' (Wash wine with milk and oil with the soaking-water of beans| Ink with wine, everything else with clean water).

On f. 2v-3r, an early modern list of the contents of the volume as follows (numbering by the scribe):
  • 1. Elucidarium Anonymi
  • 2. Anselmi sermo . Ad interioris hominis custodiam &
  • 3. Uita B. Mariae Secundum S. Hieronymum
  • 4. Riche Hampole tractatus notabilis de aedificatione spirituali &
  • 5. Tractatus de Decalogo et decem plagis Agypti
  • 6. Summa confessionis Roberti de de
  • 7. Ligni crucis historia ab Adamo e deducta
  • 8. Petitiones et orationes Domini(?) et octo ...(?) Euangelicae &
  • 9. Sententiae e patribus collecta
  • 10. A treatise of ye soul of man
  • 11. A treatise of medicins by Aleyn ye leche
  • 12. Expositio quatuor partium anni &
  • 13. Sermones de Sanctis

List of expenses noticed by M. R. James, now very faint in brown crayon on f. 269v:

  • ad goldyngton
  • ad lytlyngton
  • pro cor⟨i⟩o
  • ad unum par calig
  • goldyngton
  • iiijd di pro tribus
  • paribus sotularium

M. R. James, A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of Jesus College, Cambridge (London: Clay, 1895), no. 46

Binding

Medieval binding, probably 15th-century. Fully bound in tawed skin stained a deep red-purple over wooden boards. Traces of a strap-and-pin fastening present as a hole for a strap in the centre of the fore-edge of the left board, and a puncture mark for a now-lost pin-plate in the cover material over the centre of the right board. Three raised bands on spine. Head and tail bands visible and sewn with blue and yellow yarn, but very dirty and torn.

Paper pastedowns pasted over the turn ins, both blank.

Small paper label pasted around the fore edge of the right board, bearing the number '22', part of a former shelfmark. Some other Jesus College manuscripts, e.g., Cambridge, Jesus College, MS Q.B.10 had an additional label around the fore edge of the left board which contained another part of this former shelfmark scheme.

Stored in a dark green box with custom padding and a brown leather label with the shelfmark 'Q.D.4' stamped in gold on one of the outer faces.

Accompanying Material

Small parchment and paper tabs numbered in ink in Hindu-Arabic numerals along the fore edge of the volume; some tabs have clearly been lost, but the tab-sequence, which probably ran originally from 1-13 mirrors the division of the contents in a list on ff. 2v-3r, e.g., item 13 in that list, the 'Sermones de sanctis etc' matches tab 13.

History

Provenance and Acquisition

Owned by a John Thrope , whose name is present in a note written over a list of expenses on f. 269v, 'Memorandum quod iste liber constat domino Johanni Thrope pro quo habet in plegio librum de gestu romanorum domini A lax'.

According to an inscription on f. 1r, 'Liber Colleg Jesu 1664', MS Q.D.4 has been a part of the Jesus College library collection since 1664. Jesus College MS Q.D.4 preserves several former Jesus College shelfmarks including 'M.Z.18' on f. 1r, 'H.18' in blue ink on f. 1r, and Q.Δ.4 (later updated to Q.D.4) on ff. 1r and 2v.

M. R. James, A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of Jesus College, Cambridge (London: Clay, 1895), no. 46
R. Hanna, ‘The Thomas Mans, Their Books, and Jesus College Librarianship’, The Library, 21.1 (2020), pp. 46–73, doi.org/10.1093/library/21.1.46

Part 1: Miscellaneous Texts including works by Richard Rolle [Cambridge, Jesus College, MS Q.D.4, ff. 1-2 + 3-73 ; 74-145]

Contents

Language(s): Latin and Middle English

1. 2r
Table of contents
Language(s): Latin and Middle English

Transcription below based on an earlier interpolated transcription by M. R. James, note that the hand changes at 'Nichil a deo uenale ...': 'In hoc libello in nouo pergameno continentur quinque libri Elucidarii . sermones et capitulo[sic] qui sequntur . In primis post librum Elucidarij . Sermo sancti Anselmi Cantuariensis archiepiscopi Ad interioris hominis custodiam in quo sunt diuerse questiones . Prologus beati Ieronimi presbiteri de natiuitate beate Marie virginis et de uita eiusdem uirginis dei genitricis Marie . De incarnacione domini nostri Ihesu Christi Augustinus . Inter cetera et ad uidi portam in domo domini clausam . Iesse pater est . De originali peccato . De signis que uenerunt ante natiuitatem domini nostri Ihesu Christi et in tempore natiuitatis eius . Ne tardas conuerti ad dominum . Contempnere mundum etc . Si uis perfectus esse . Ut homo ad honorem dei . Cum diabolus uiderit . Non dedignentur filii regis . Si in tribulacione uel temptacione fueris . Est autem meditacio bona de passione christi . Si cupis ad amorem dei peruenire . Per hos nouem gradus pretaxatos . Dulce lumen et delectabile . Contemplacio uel uita contemplatiua . Oleum effusum nomen tuum . Cum infeliciter florem . Adolescentule dilexerunt te nimis . Decalogus est sermo breuis decem dei mandata continens . Item racionem decalogi . Quicunque uult confiteri . Sequitur de septem peccatis mortalibus exposicio secundum ordinem . Nota quod duplex est uita . Post peccatum Ade eodem expulso de paradiso . Mirabiliter oriri cepit sancta arbor . Septem sunt peticiones in oracione dominica . Nichil a deo uenale quod non fiat mortale . Paulus de penis inferni . Quod sola contricio non sufficit ad delendum peccatum sine confessione . Terribile erit cum dominus dicet surgite mortui . Diabolus ludit cum peccatore . Nota quod ubi aliquis tenet pomum . Si percipis coruum nidificare . Tria genera hominum designantur per ouem . De uii uiciis . Nemo uestimenta preciosa . Si uis corrigere delinquentem . Abbathia de spiritu sancto . De dieta et tonitruo duodecim mensium . Ypocrase de medisinis . De exposicione iiiior partium anni . Adam de octo partibus fuit factus . Tria sunt que uendicant hominem . De xiicim causis que omni homini timende sunt . Qui abscondit scelera sua . Que auferunt uenialia peccata . De significacione ecclesie . De significacione altaris . De diuite et lazaro'

M. R. James, A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of Jesus College, Cambridge (London: Clay, 1895), no. 46
2. 3r-58r
Elucidarius I Honorius of Autun
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 3r Incipit liber Elucidarius
Incipit: 3r ⟨S⟩epius rogatus a condisciplis questiunculas enodare
Explicit: 58r decore suo et uideas bona Ierusalem omnibus diebus uite tue . Amen
Final rubric: 58r Explicit liber elucidarius

Note in the upper margin of f. 3r, 'Que puer incipiet . hec deus expediet'.

In some manuscripts, and in the PL edition, the Elucidarius is divided into three Books or Parts, the text here seems to correspond to 'Book I'.

PL 172.1109-1134
2. 61v
Sermo ad interioris hominis Anselm of Canterbury
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 58r Incipit sermo a sancto anselmo cantuariensi archiepiscopo editus
Incipit: 58r ⟨A⟩d interioris hominis insinuandam
Explicit: 61v qui uiuit et regnat per omnia saecula saeculorum amen
3. 61v-67r
De natiuitate sanctae Mariae pseudo-Jerome
Language(s): Latin

Attributed to Jerome in the manuscript.

Stegmüller, Bibl. 160,1
Lambert 350 (prologue, ep. supp. 50), 671
PL 30.297–305
3.1. 61v-62r
Prologue to De natiuitate sanctae Mariae pseudo-Jerome
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 61v Incipit prologus beati Jeronimi presbiteri de natiuitate beate Marie uirginis cromacio et eliodoro
Incipit: 62r ⟨P⟩etitis a me ut uobis rescribam
Explicit: 62r aut ibi scripta sunt aut consequenter scribi potuerunt
Final rubric: 62r Explicit prologus
BHL 5344
3.2. 62v-67r
De natiuitate sanctae Mariae pseudo-Jerome
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 62v Incipit uita sancte dei genitricis et uirginis Mare secundum S. Jeronimum sexto septembris
Incipit: 62v Igitur beata et gloriosa semper uirgo maria
Explicit: 67r uiuit et regnat deus in unitate spiritu sancte per omnia secula seculorum amen
4. 67r-68r
Note on two miracles
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 67r Additio de duobus miraculis
Incipit: 67r ⟨P⟩ost natiuitatem gloriosi domini nostri Ihesu Christi mansit beata uirgo
Explicit: 68r uiuit et regnat deus per omnia secula seculorum amen
L. DiTommaso, 'Pseudepigrapha Notes II: 3. The Contribution of the Manuscript Catalogues of M.R. James', Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 18.2 (2008), pp. 83–160, esp. p. 97 doi.org/10.1177/0951820708098808
5. 68rv
A note on how Joseph was unable to look at Mary
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 68r Nota quod Joseph non cognoscebat Mariam
Incipit: 68r ⟨D⟩icitur quod ioseph mariam facie ad faciem
Explicit: 68v Et ideo non cognoscebat facie ad faciem quam desponsauerat . donec uterus euacuaretur
L. DiTommaso, 'Pseudepigrapha Notes II: 3. The Contribution of the Manuscript Catalogues of M.R. James', Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 18.2 (2008), pp. 83–160, esp. p. 97 doi.org/10.1177/0951820708098808
6. 68v
On the age of Mary
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 68v De etate marie
Incipit: 68v ⟨S⟩ancta maria secundam quosdam x.iii annorum erat
Explicit: 68v et tunc assumpta est
7. 68v
Notes on the Assumption of Mary
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 68v De assumptione
7.1. 68v
Note on the Assumption of Mary
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 68v ⟨U⟩er⟨i⟩tas habet quod beata Maria assumpta est prius in anima
Explicit: 68v et unde quemdam tractatum composuit . set[sic] non auctenticus est a romana ecclesia
7.2. 68v
Note on the Assumption of Mary
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 68v ⟨A⟩uctor mirabilium deus tria quedam mira⟨bilia⟩ operatus est in Maria
Explicit: 68v ut scala Jacob mediante terena[sic] celestibus mirentur
7.3. 68v
Note on the Assumption of Mary
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 68v ⟨Tr⟩ia nobis contulit Mariae fecunditas
Explicit: 68v notam iniquitatis humanae
8. 69r
⟨De secreto gloriose incarnationis domini nostri Jhesu Christi⟩
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 69r De secreto gloriose incarnationis domini nostri Jhesu Christi Augustinus dicit
Incipit: 69r Inter cetera et ad locum lege cum timore caute et secrete . Veni ad me et dicam tibi
Explicit: 69r cum timore caute et secrete est exponendum

Also in Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS Lat. 3182 and Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Laud Misc. 436, f. 182r .

Attributed to Augustine of Hippo in this manuscript.

9. 69rv
Excerpt from Sermon CXCV: De annunciatione dominica iii ?pseudo- Augustine of Hippo
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 69r Augustinus dicit de porta clausa quam in uisione diuina Ezechiel uidit propheta uidet dicens
Incipit: 69r Uidi portam in domo Domini clausam . et dixit ad me angelus
Explicit: 69v celi se esse dicebat

The text diverges from the Patrologia Latina edition of the text on f. 69v, ln. 7 ('Iesse pater est') and that line may mark the beginning of a separate text with a missing rubric.

PL 39.2107-2108
10. 69v-71v
Elucidarius Book II.11-13 Honorius of Autun
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 69v De originali peccato
Incipit: 69v Discipulus: Quid est originale peccatum
Explicit: 71v sicut et adulteri aliqua infirmitate sensu priuatur

This text takes the form of a dialogue between a student 'discipulus' and a teacher 'magister'.

PL 172.1142-1144
11. 71v-72v
⟨Homily on the birth of Jesus Christ⟩
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 71v De signis qui uenerunt ante natiuitatem domini nostri Ihesu Christi et in tempore natiuitatis eius
Incipit: 72r In augusti cesaris tempore multa signa et prodigia facta sunt
Explicit: 72v et animalia testificarentur aduentum eiusdem domino nostro iesu christo cui est honor laus et gloria per immortalia secula seculorum . amen

This is a redaction of one of the homilies from the early-medieval Homiliary of Saint-Père de Chartres collection. A longer version with a prologue can be found in Cambridge, Pembroke College, MS 25, ff. 10v-11v , where it is 'Sermon 5' in that manuscript.

Edited (not from this MS) by Thomas Hall at http://www.dotporterdigital.org/pembroke/HTML/5.html (viewed October 2023)
12. 72v
Quatrain from the Altercacio Ganimedis et Helene
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription:| ‘Cum plasmator hominis hominem formaret | Studuit ut feminam uiro plus ornaret | Ut ad nexum femine uirum inuitaret | Et ne plus quam feminam uirum uir amaret’ | This is an excerpt from the medieval poem Altercacio Ganimedis et Helene.

http://www.mirabileweb.it/title/altercatio-ganimedis-et-helene-title/171898
13. 72v
Quatrain
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription:| ‘Si pro peccato ; uetus Adam non cecidisset | Uirgo pro nato ; non exaltata fuisset | Ergo pro miseris ; interpellare teneris | Que mater Christi ; propter peccata fuisti | ’ This poem is untraced, although the first two lines are lines 3339ab in the medieval morality play The Castle of Perseverance, and a slightly longer version of the poem appears in the 15th century manuscript Cambridge, St John's College, MS E.26, f. 209v.

M. R. James, Descriptive Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the Library of St John's College, Cambridge (Cambridge, 1913), MS E.26, no. 129
14. 72v
Three lines on good wine
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription: ‘Si bona uina petas . F . quinque require pro istas| Fulgida formosa fragrancia frigida frisca | Bulla boni uini . medio stat margine praui’

?WIC 17635
14. 72v
Three lines on long measures
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription: ‘Quinque pedes passum faciunt passus quoque centum | Viginti quinque stadium dant seu miliare | Octo faciunt stadia duplicatum dant tibi leuca’

WIC 16033a
15. 73r
Hec sex sunt observanda ab omni cristiano in extremis
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 73r Hec sex sunt observanda ab omni cristiano in extremis
Incipit: 73r Solucio debiti . sub qua intelligitur restitucionem alieni
Explicit: 73r et celerius creator restituit
16. 73r
Text on weights and measures
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 73r Per discretionem tocius regni Anglie Ita fuit mensura domini regis composita uidelicet quod denarius anglicanus qui vocatur sterlingus rotundus et sine tonsura ponderabit xxxta duo grana frumenti in medio spice
Explicit: 73r et octo galoni frumenti faciunt buscellum londonie et hoc est octaua(?) partem quartorii londoniarum

A slightly different version in Cambridge, University Library, MS Kk.6.6, ff. 56r-58v .

SR 1:200
17. 74r-95v
Extracts from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin

Note that separate chapters from this work are copied in this manuscript as separate texts.

Two titles added to f. 74r in the upper and outer margins by later hands:

  • Liber Ri. de Hampole de aedificatione spirituali
  • De emendatione peccatoris

Edited (not from this MS) in Emendatio vitae. Orationes ad honorem nominis Ihesu, ed. by N. J. Watson, Toronto Medieval Latin Texts 21 (1995), pp. 33–68
17.1. 74r-76r
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 74r Ne tardas conuerti ad dominum
Explicit: 76r Contemptus mundi a se non recedat de quo nunc est agendum
17.2. 76r-77r
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 76r Contempnere mundum est cuncta temporalia
Explicit: 77r cum mu⟨n⟩do . si christum amaueris regnabis cum illo
17.3. 77r-78v
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 77r ⟨S⟩i uis perfectus esse uade et uende omnia
Explicit: 78v de qua consequenter sequntur
17.4. 78v-81v
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 78v ⟨U⟩t homo ad honorem dei . comodum sui et ad utilitatem pro christi
Explicit: 81v temptacione uel tribulacione eris . ad quam denudandam sermo conuertatur
17.5. 81v-82r
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 81v ⟨C⟩um diabolus uiderit unum hominem ex mille
Explicit: 82r sit resistendo paciencia nos docebit de qua iam loquimur
17.6. 82r-83v
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 82r ⟨N⟩on dignentur filii regis ad irrationabilium animalium pabula deuolui
Explicit: 83v Omnes maliciam extinguens tribulantes te inferiores cernes et christo tota mente ad herebis
17.7. 84r-84v
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 84r ⟨S⟩i in tribulacione uel temptacione ponitus fueris
Explicit: 84v Si mensuram et modum non excedat
17.8. 87r
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 86v ⟨S⟩i cupis ad amorem dei peruenire et succendi desiderio celestium gaudiorum
Explicit: 87r et contra eius laudem non loquimur
17.9. 87r-88r
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 87r ⟨P⟩er hos nouem gradus pretaxatos ad puritatem mentis uenitur
Explicit: 88r de illis specialius(?) ad utilitatem uestram dicendum est
17.10. 88r-92r
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 88r ⟨D⟩ulce lumen est delectabile quod es conditor meus incircumscriptus
Explicit: 92r Illabere mihi et in tua dulcedine te mecum et in eis cum commeda sine fine ; Amen
17.11. 95v
Extract from the Emendatio uitae Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 92r Contemplatio uel uita contemplatiua habet tres partes
Explicit: 95v Cui sit honor et gloria et gratiarum accio[sic] in secula seculorum amen
18. 95v-100v
Extract from the Super Canticum [Latin] Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 95v Oleum effusum nomen tuum ideo adolescentulae dilexerunt te nimis . Nomen ihesu uenit in mundum et statim adoratur[sic] oleum effusum
Explicit: 100v et usque hodie non recedit a me . ergo sit nomen domini benedictum in secula seculorum . Amen

Title for this item in the outer margin of f. 95v in a later hand: ‘Nominus Jesu Encomium’.

The extract in MS Q.D.4 begins at section 4, line 111 of this text. Edited and translated in Hanna, Editing, pp. 119-139, and see also n. 130.

Edited (partly from this MS) and discussed in R. Hanna, Editing Medieval Texts: An Introduction, Using Exemplary Materials Derived from Richard Rolle, 'Super Canticum' 4, Exeter Medieval Texts and Studies (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2015)
19. 100v-103v
Incendium amoris [Latin] (Chapter 15) Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 100v ⟨C⟩um infeliciter florerem et iuuentus uigilantis adolescencie iam adusenisset affuit et gracia conditoris
Explicit: 103v non solum a penis liberi erunt . sed cum angelis eternaliter gaudebunt

Title for this item in the outer margin of f. 100v in a later hand: ‘De incendio Amoris’.

This is Chapter 15 of the 'longer' version of this text.

See R. Hanna, Editing Medieval Texts: An Introduction, Using Exemplary Materials Derived from Richard Rolle, 'Super Canticum' 4, Exeter Medieval Texts and Studies (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2015), n. 130
20. 103v-107v
Extract from the Super Canticum [Latin] Richard Rolle
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 103v ⟨A⟩dolescentule dilexerunt te nimis . Et quia tale est nomen tuum tam dulce . tam suaue . tam confortabile quod fractum redintegrat
Explicit: 107v Igitur O bene ihesu propicius esto nobis miseris . quia adolescentule dilexerunt te nimis
Final rubric: 107v Explicit questio notabilis de spirituali edificacione componitur de Ricardi Heremita de Hampole qui obiit Anno domini Mo CCCo XLo IXo

Title for this item in the outer margin of f. 103v in a later hand: ‘In verba Salomoanis Adolescentule S. Cant.’.

This is Section 5 of this text. See Hanna, Editing, n. 130.

Edited (partly from this MS) and discussed in R. Hanna, Editing Medieval Texts: An Introduction, Using Exemplary Materials Derived from Richard Rolle, 'Super Canticum' 4, Exeter Medieval Texts and Studies (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2015)
21. 113v
Sermon 83 Robert Grosseteste
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 108r ⟨D⟩ecalogus est sermo breuis decem dei mandata continens
Explicit: 113v quod uerum non esset nisi nomen decalogi ea que ad guenis(?) uota se astringat obseruanda et alia legitima obligatione assumpta, comprehendent

Title for this item in the upper margin of f. 108r in a later hand: ‘Tractatus de Decalogo et 10 plagis Agypti’.

Sermon 83 according to the numbering by S. Harrison Thomson; this MS is not recorded in Harrison Thomson as a witness to Sermon 83.

Also in London, British Library, Harley MS 979, ff. fols 37v-39r .

R. Hanna in Editing Medieval Texts pp. 176-177 n. 130, suggests that this text extends from ff. 108r-116v, but collated against the MS Harley 979 version of the sermon edited in J. McEvoy 'The Edition of a Sermon on the Decalogue', the sermon in Jesus College MS Q.D.4 ends on f. 113v, ln. 3.

See S. Harrison Thomson, The Writings of Robert Grosseteste (Cambridge, 1940), p. 181
See R. Hanna, Editing Medieval Texts: An Introduction, Using Exemplary Materials Derived from Richard Rolle, 'Super Canticum' 4, Exeter Medieval Texts and Studies (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2015), esp. pp. 176-177, n. 130
Edited (not from this MS) in J. McEvoy, 'The Edition of a Sermon on the Decalogue Attributed to Robert Grosseteste' Recherches de théologie et philosophie médiévales 68.2 (2001), pp. 228-244
22. 113v-114v
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 113v Diabolus eicit peccatorem de uno peccato in aliud
Explicit: 114v Quia elemosina liberat a peccato ; et non permittit animam ire(?) in tenebris

Not identified in M. R. James Catalogue or R. Hanna, Editing Medieval Texts pp. 176-177 n. 130.

23. 114v-116v
⟨Excerpt from 'De peccatis et irregularitatibus §10' of the Summa confessorum ⟩ Thomas de Chobham
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 114v ⟨I⟩tem racionem decalogi solent assignari hic decem plage Egypti quas utile est sacerdotibus scire in multis casibus confessiorum
Explicit: 116v Tales occidunt primogenita sua id est fidem . spem . caritatem . quibus deberent generari ut essent filii dei spirituales . Hunc plagam sanat decimum mandatum . Non concupistes rem proximi tui

Not identified in M. R. James Catalogue or R. Hanna, Editing Medieval Texts pp. 176-177 n. 130.

Edited (not from this MS) in F. Broomfield, Thomae de Chobham Summa Confessorum, Analecta Medievalia Namurcensia 25 (1968), esp. pp. 33-37
24. 116v-125r
Qui vult vere confiteri Robert de Sorbonne
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 116v Quicunque uult confiteri ad salutem anime sue . debet dolere de omnibus peccatis que fecit
Explicit: 125r ab aliis peccatis mortalibus
Final rubric: 125r Explicit summa confessionis Magistri Roberti de ;

Title for this item in the outer margin of f. 116v in a later hand: ‘Summa confessionis’.

Note that the version of the text in this manuscript does not closely conform to the edition printed by F. N. M. Diekstra.

Not identified in M. R. James Catalogue or R. Hanna, Editing Medieval Texts pp. 176-177 n. 130.

Edited (not from this MS) in F. N. M. Diekstra, 'Robert de Sorbon's "Qui vult vere confiteri" (ca. 1260-74) and its French versions', Recherches de théologie ancienne et médiévale 60 (Janvier-Décembre 1993), pp. 215-272
25. 126v
Unidentified text on confession
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 125v Contra superbiam iniungenda sunt opera humilitatis
Explicit: 126v dolor peccatorum
26. 126v
Distich on confession
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription: | ‘Unde uersus | Sepe reum moneat confessor ne recidivet | Quod si labatur confestim confiteatur’

27. 126v
⟨Verse on diet⟩
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription: | ‘ Si tibi deficiat medicus ; medicus tibi fiant | Hec tibi mens leta labor immoderata dieta | Post carnes caseum post pisces comede nuces | Illea uena uenus uentus . puluis faba fumis | Ista nocent oculis sed uigilaris magis’

28. 127r
Verse on herbs
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription: | Ffeniculus ueruena rosa celidonia ruta | Ex istis fit aqua que lumina reddit acuta | Set melior adea dicitur eufrasia | Limpha cirens unor speculum clarificant(?) oculum|

29. 127r
⟨Unidentified text⟩
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 127r Nota quod duplex est uita
Explicit: 127r in contemplatiua uita sumus
30. 127r-128r
Verses on serving at the altar
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 127r Cur caro letatur ; quia uermibus esca paratur | Et quod res fragilis et durans tempore paruo
Explicit: 128r Pes cedrus stipesque cipressus olivaque summum | Palmaque transuersum fuit in Christi quoque lignum

This may be several verse extracts rather than a single poetic item

31. 128r-134r
De oleo misericordiae quod Deus Adae promisit
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 128r ⟨P⟩ost peccatum Ade eodem expulso de paradiso propter peccatum dum clamaret misericordiam domini indutus perizomate
Explicit: 134r factus obediens patri usque ad mortem . Cui laus est et imperium per omnia secula seculorum A.M.E.N.

Title added in the outer margin of f. 127r in a later hand: ‘Incipit Historia de Ligno Crucis ab Adamo deducta ’

Stegmüller, Repertorium I:74.9
L. DiTommaso, 'Pseudepigrapha Notes II: 3. The Contribution of the Manuscript Catalogues of M.R. James', Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 18.2 (2008), pp. 83–160, esp. p. 97 doi.org/10.1177/0951820708098808
32. 134r-136r
A story about the death of Judas
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 134v ⟨M⟩irabiliter oriri cepit sancta arbor de tribus uirgulis composita
Explicit: 136r Qui patrem proprium submersit dominum suum fefellit . laqueo se suspendit . et sic patet eius origo . et eius ffinis

Title added in the outer margin of f. 134v in a later hand: ‘Continuatio ejusdem Historia et de Juda Proclitore’.

Discussed in P. F. Baum, 'The Mediæval Legend of Judas Iscariot', PMLA, 31.3 (1916), pp. 481–632, esp. pp. 514-515
Transcribed in M. R. James, A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of Jesus College, Cambridge (London: Clay, 1895), pp. 75-76
L. DiTommaso, 'Pseudepigrapha Notes II: 3. The Contribution of the Manuscript Catalogues of M.R. James', Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 18.2 (2008), pp. 83–160, esp. p. 97 doi.org/10.1177/0951820708098808
33. 136r-137v
Excerpts from 'De peccatis et irregularitatibus §10-11' of the Summa confessorum Thomas de Chobham
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 136r Septem sunt petitciones in oracione dominica in primo ordine dona spiritus sancti in Ysaia . In secundo ordine octo beatitudines in Euangelio . Et premia eorum in tercio et quarto ordine . Ordo naturalis liberari a malo
Incipit: 136v ⟨E⟩loquia domini eloquia casta . Octo sunt beatitudines
Explicit: 137v Unde sequitur pax que in presenti uel in patria erit

Title added in the outer margin of f. 136r in a later hand: ‘Septem Petitiones Oratione Dominica(?) et octo Beatitudines etc’.

Key themes in the Lord's Prayer and the Beatitudes set out in (unruled) tabular form in the upper half of f. 136v.

Edited (not from this MS) in F. Broomfield, Thomae de Chobham Summa Confessorum, Analecta Medievalia Namurcensia 25 (1968), esp. pp. 37-39
R. Hanna, Editing Medieval Texts: An Introduction, Using Exemplary Materials Derived from Richard Rolle, 'Super Canticum' 4, Exeter Medieval Texts and Studies (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2015)
34. 137v
Excerpt from 'De peccatis et irregularitatibus §2' of the Summa confessorum Thomas de Chobham
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 137v Nichil adeo ueniale quod non fiat mortale dum placet
Explicit: 137v Ex eo enim quod displicet . facit homo se alio[sic] modo excusabilem et abilem[sic] ad recipiendum ueniam
Edited (not from this MS) in F. Broomfield, Thomae de Chobham Summa Confessorum, Analecta Medievalia Namurcensia 25 (1968), esp. p. 20
35. 138r
Excerpt from 'Quid sit penitentia §3' of the Summa confessorum Thomas de Chobham
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 138r Bene ieiuniat qui ffatigat corpus suum in seruicio dei . Sicut super illum locum Omni petenti te tribue
Explicit: 138r cum non indigeat ; uel cum laborare possit ; magna eleemosyna est
Edited (not from this MS) in F. Broomfield, Thomae de Chobham Summa Confessorum, Analecta Medievalia Namurcensia 25 (1968), esp. p. 10
36. 138r
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 138r Si uis aliqem reprehendere uide si in aliquo tempore consimilis ei fuisti
Explicit: 138r compacientem debes eum corupere[sic]
37. 138r
Maxim
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription: ‘ | Unde uersus | Peccantem dampnare caue ; quia labimur omnes | Aut sumus . aut fuimus ; aut possumus esse quod hic est’.

38. 138r
Excerpt from the Visio sancti Pauli
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 138r ⟨P⟩aulus apostolus interrogauit angelum domini quot essent pene in inferno . Cui ait angelus Centum quadraginta quatuor milia
Explicit: 138r non possent dinumerare penas infernorum
This manuscript is C3 in L. Jiroušková, Die Visio Pauli: Wege und Wandlungen einer orientalischen Apokryphe im lateinischen Mittelalter; unter Einschluss der alttschechischen und deutschsprachigen Textzeugen, Mittellateinische Studien und Texte, 34 (Brill, 2006), see esp. pp. 33, 49-50
L. DiTommaso, 'Pseudepigrapha Notes II: 3. The Contribution of the Manuscript Catalogues of M.R. James', Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 18.2 (2008), pp. 83–160, esp. p. 97 doi.org/10.1177/0951820708098808
39. 138r-138v
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 138r Tria sunt genera cognoscendi propriam uxorem
Explicit: 138v pulchritudinis et formacionis
40. 138v
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 138v Sepcies effudit ihesu christi sanguinem in tria pro redempcione humana
Incipit: 138v Primo in circumcisione . 2o in oratione . 3o in flagellatione
Explicit: 138v Dolor de futuro malo
41. 138v
Branching diagram on confession: 'Confessio debet esse'
Language(s): Latin
42. 138v-139r
Text on confession
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 138v Psalmista de confessione peccato xxxvio
Incipit: 138v Reuela domino uiam tuam et spera in eo et ipse faciet
Explicit: 138v-139r Cessat enim uindicta diuina ; si conuersio uel precurrant humana
43. 139r
Anagram on the name of Christ in Middle English and Latin
Language(s): Latin and Middle English
Rubric: 139r C R I S T H
Incipit: 139r Chante . Rewthe . Innocente . Sufferans . trewthe . Humilite
Explicit: 139r Cantas . Miseracio . Innocencia . Paciencia . Ueritas . Humilitas
44. 139r
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 139r Sex sunt predicanda precipue . populo uidelit
Incipit: 139r Uitas . euuangelii . humilitas christi
Explicit: 139r Supplicium dampnatorum . Premium beatorum
45. 139r-139v
Extract from a Life of Saint Giles
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 139r Quod sola cordis contricio non sufficit ad delendum peccatum comissum ...(?) confessione oris si copiam sacerdotum ...(?) patet . per hoc quod narrat parisiensis uidelit
Incipit: 139r Quem Rex Ffrancie Karolus cum famam sancti Egidii audisset ; misit ei legatos mandans et flagitans ut se visitare dignaretur
Explicit: 139v Regis dimittere ; nisi sub condicione . ut illud confiteretur
46. 139v
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin with a word glossed in Middle English
Incipit: 139v ⟨T⟩erribile erit cunm dominus dicet surgite mortui
Explicit: 139v Discedite a me maledicti in ignem eternum qui preparatus est diabolo et angelis eius

- The word 'pietas' in Latin in this text is glossed with the Middle English 'rewthe'.

47. 139v-140v
Collection of quotations from early Christian writers
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 139v-140r Sanctus Johannes crisostomus ait
Incipit: 140r maximum omnium dolor est separari ab ipso domino
Explicit: 140v peccato de quo ei resistebat . amen

- Quotations attributed to early Christian writers including John Chrysostom and Origen

48. 140v-141r
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 140v Diabolus ludit cum peccatore capto in mortale peccato
Explicit: 141r et modo reddo quod tunc rapui
49. 141r
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 141r Nota quod ubi aliquis tenet pomum in manu
Explicit: 141r qui uidet me uidet et patrum etc
50. 141r-141v
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 141r Si percipis coruum nidificare super arborem
Explicit: 141v sua nesciet errare
51. 141v
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 141v Tria genera hominum designantur per ouem
Explicit: 141v per bona uita et per bona opera
52. 141v
Notes on the seven vices
Language(s): Latin with a few words glossed in Middle English
Rubric: 141v stark cold pale heuy not welle gr⟨oss⟩tobehold stynkyng | Superbia . Inuidia . Ira . Accidia . Auaricia . Gula . Luxuria
Incipit: 141v Contra hec septem uicia
Explicit: 141v pacificantur

Glossed list of the vices by the scribe who wrote the rest of this Part. Text below the list on f. 141v by another contemporary scribe.

Title added in margin by scribe who completed the text: ‘de uii uiciis’.

53. 142r-145v
Sententiae quaedam e patribus collectae
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 142r Sententiae quaedam e patribus collectae
Incipit: 142r Nemo accedat ad corpus christi
Explicit: 145v Claudit amicicias . extrema dies morientis

Rubric added in the upper margin of f. 142r in a later hand.

M. R. James breaks this item up at f. 144v, which he notes contains an extract from Jerome; the texts on ff. 142r-145v are largely comprised of branching diagrams on Christian themes and extracts from early Christian writers whose names (e.g., 'Ysidorus', 'Gregorius' 'Ieronimus' 'Augustinus' etc.,) are recorded in the outer margins.

Physical Description

Secundo Folio: 4r: Quare spiritus sanctus
Form: codex
Support: Parchment.
Extent: Codex: 2 endleaves + 188 leaves.

Collation

  • Two parchment flyleaves (ff. 1-2 +
  • Quires 1-188 (ff. 3-50, [50a], 51-73 ; 74-145)

No leaf signatures particular to this Part.

No quire signatures particular to this Part.

Catchword present in the lower margin of f. 34v that provides the first capitulum heading on the next leaf, rather than the first word. Occasional 'traditional' catchwords throughout this Part, e.g., f. 81v.

Condition

In good condition, although the fragility of the binding means that text close to the gutter can be difficult to read.

Layout

125 × 85 mm. Ruled in ink, frame and lines. Ruled in single-column format, typically 24 lines to the page and written below top line.

Hand(s)

Written in an Anglicana minuscule with some Secretary features.

Decoration

Flourished initials executed with a rather blunt pen in red and black at some of the major and minor divisions of the text, see e.g., f. 74r.

Titles to works and minor divisions of the texts written in red.

Initials at the start of new 'sentences' often touched with red.

Additions

Notes in a late 16th or early 17th century hand on f. 73v describing the contents of the following leaves.

History

Origin: 15th century. ; England.

Provenance

The text of the Emendatio uitae by Richard Rolle in this manuscript, ff. 74r-99v is, according to Rüdiger Spahl, a direct copy of the same text in London, British Library, MS Harley 5235, ff. 1r-11v , a 14th century copy of the text. According to Spahl, MS Harley 5235 must have served as the direct exemplar for MS Jesus Q.D.4 as the two manuscripts contain fourteen shared textual omissions not found in any other copies of the text, and corrections made by the Harley scribe to the text of the Emendatio uitae after the main copying stint had been completed are also found in MS Q.D.4. Spahl supplies other evidence for the archetype-child relationship between these two manuscripts and positions both within his 'zeta' subgroup.

London, British Library, MS Harley 5235 is a composite manuscript, and the Part with the Emendatio uitae was apparently copied in the late-14th or early-15th century. Harley MS 5235 does not have a complete provenance, and its earliest known owner is a 'Thomas Baylle' who seems to have owned the manuscript in the 16th century, which is too late to provide any information about the origins of Jesus College MS Q.D.4.

R. Spahl, De Emendatione Vitae: Eine Kritische Ausgabe Des Lateinischen Textes von Richard Rolle Mit Einer Übersetzung Ins Deutsche Und Untersuchungen Zu Den Lateinischen Und Englischen Handschriften, Studien Zur Wirkung Der Klassischen Antike, 6 (V&R UniPress, 2009)

Part 2: Religious and medical texts [Cambridge, Jesus College, MS Q.D.4, ff. 146r-[187a] verso]

Contents

Language(s): Middle English and Latin

1. 146r-154v
Abbey of the Holy Ghost
Language(s): Middle English
Incipit: 146r My dere breþeren and sistren . for j se wel þat many wolde be in religioun and mow not wel bodylyche . for many diuerse skyles þat letten hem þerefor here j þenk to make a book of religioun ; of manis soule . þe wyche may skyllefully be cleped þe abbaye of þe holy gost . so þat alle þo ilk þat mow not be in þe bodylyche religioun ; mow be in þe gostelyche
Explicit: 154v and also itelde ȝou wat maner riuer yt is þat þis holy abbey is set upon

Title added in ink in the outer margin of f. 146r in a later hand: ‘A Treatise on ye Soul of Man’.

See entry in IMEP XXII for a brief bibliography and a survey of the survival of this text in other manuscripts.

IMEP XXII, p. 44
EETS o.s. 26 (1867, rev. 1914) (not edited from this MS)
IPMEP 39
2. 154v-172r
Charter of the Abbey of the Holy Ghost
Language(s): Middle English
Incipit: 154v Nou I sey ȝou þat in þis holy abbey schuld be duellyng one and þritty ladyes . amonges þe wyche as yt is told before . charite is abbesse . wisdom prioresse . mekenesse supprioresse . discrecioun tresoresse . orisoun and jubilacioun two chanteresse . deuocioun celeresse . penaunce kateresse . pyte pytaunser mercy awmner . drede portere . curteysye ostelere . resoun puruyer
Explicit: 172r þat we mow come to þat ioye and to þat blisse ; þat ihesu crist haþ bouȝt us to with his precious blod to whom be ioie and blisse wiþouten ende . amen

See entry in IMEP XXII for a brief bibliography and a survey of the survival of this text in other manuscripts.

The 'charter text' begins on f. 155r: ‘sciant presentes et futuri quod ego etc’.

IMEP XXII, pp. 44-45
IPMEP 590
3. 172r
Maxim on faith
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 172r ffides in tribus consistit
4. 172v-173v
Advice for diet and bloodletting
Language(s): Middle English
Incipit: 172v Aleyn þe gode leche seiþ þat in þe mone of ianiuere wyte wynes is gode to drinke fastyng erly and blod latyng forbere
Explicit: 173v and ho so þis lif he ...(?) ledyth he may be seker of al his hele and iij dayes þer ben of perile . þe xv .day. and þe xvj .day. and þe xvij. day. si tontrus sonauerit annone uel abundancie et pacem inter gentes significant

Title added in the outer margin of f. 172v in ink in a later hand: ‘Aleyn ye Leche of Medicins’.

This text survives in several other manuscripts where it is often attributed to Galen; L. Mooney who prepared the IMEP volume (XI, p. 30) for Trinity College Cambridge, noted a version of this text in Cambridge, Trinity College, MS R.7.23, ff. 256-257 , which also begins 'Aleyn þe god lech' and surmised that a 'G' had been lost from the incipit (i.e., it should have been '(G)alyen þe god lech'), and it is very likely that the same error occurs in this manuscript.

This copy corresponds with the (A) version of Lynne Mooney's typology of this text, described in 'Diet and Bloodletting: A monthly regimen' (esp. pp. 247-248).

A. M. Lucas in IMEP XXII notes that this is a 'short tratise attributed to Galen, translated from De phlebotomia, on monthly diet with instructions on perolous days for bloodletting, usually called Dieta Ypocratis.

See IMEP XXII, p. 130 for a discussion of this text and further references
IMEP XI, p. 30
L. R. Mooney, ‘Diet and Bloodletting: A Monthly Regimen’, in Practical and Popular Science of Medieval England, ed. by L. M. Matheson (East Lansing, MI: Colleagues Press, 1994), pp. 245–62. Mooney does not list this manuscript among her survey of the surviving copies of this text.
Wells Rev. 10:3849
5. 173v-175v
Medical text attributed to Hippocrates
Language(s): Middle English
Rubric: 173v Ipocras made þeise medicines for þe eueles in þe hed and for þe hed worke etcetera
Incipit: 173v Tak poliole and put in eysel and stampe hem to gedere and take þe ieuse and put it in þin noseþriles
Explicit: 175v and put þat ilke del in a poket and bynde it abouȝt þe hed . of þe sek . and þe penaunce schal swage

Medieval annotations in red in the outer margin describing the medical problem treated by each recipe, e.g., 'for hed werk' (for head pain) on f. 173v.

A. M. Lucas in IMEP XXII notes that this should be compared with Cambridge, Jesus College, MS Q.D.1, ff. 126v-128r (IMEP XXII, p. 39) and see also Lucas' notes for that text in Jesus MS Q.D.1.

IMEP XXII, pp. 39, 45-46
6. 175v-183r
Medical recipes
Language(s): Middle English and Latin

They address the following:

  • f. 176r: for loss of voice, for deafness, for quartan fever, for internal ailments, for easing one's breathing ('Forto make gode ondynge'), for an arrow or thorn in the flesh, for the stone, two for wounds,
  • f. 176v: for a woman in labour, for stillbirth, for a lack of breast milk, for causing a good mood ('To be merie and glad euere more'), for removing a tooth without great pain, for an adder or snake entering a man, for snakebite
  • f. 177r: two for snakebite, for wind, for cough, for breaking the stone
  • f. 177v: for constipation, for removing blood from an eye, for reducing swelling caused by stone in the testicles, for reducing aches and pain, to staunch bleeding
  • f. 178r: for hoarseness/loss of voice
  • f. 178v: for restoring appetite, an antiemetic
  • f. 179r: for jaundice, for breaking a swelling/boil, for the stomach, for removing evil from the heart, for gout, for aching wounds, for scab, for ache in the back or bones
  • f. 179v: for dropsy
  • f. 180r: for the stone, for the stomach, for the head and stomach, for rheum, for a sore in the mouth, for opening an aposteme, for killing all worms generated in the body, for palsy (continuing on f. 180v)
  • f. 180v: for sheep-louse, for swelling of the liver or spleen ('helf cake'), for dropsy, for boil/carbuncle ('uncome or feloun or ableyne or arankel'), two for strangury, for blood in the urine, two for the stone, for strangury (bottom margin)
  • f. 181r: for gout, for vomiting/an antiemetic, for apostemes, for cold feet, four for the stone
  • f. 181v: for quinsy, four for the breast, for healing a fresh wound
  • f. 182r: for wounds, for speaking in one's sleep, for toothache, for reducing swelling
  • f. 182v: for breaking a boil/swelling, a drink for boil/swelling, three for swollen breasts, for fester, two for sore and red eyes, three for bleary eyes
  • f. 183r: for headache

Partially printed in IMEP XXII, pp. 46-48, 130-31
6.1. 175v-176r
Four charms for toothache
Language(s): Middle English and Latin
Rubric: 175v Pro dolor denciii[sic]
Incipit: 175v For þe toþe ache a charme sey þese wordis with god devocioun pax pater pax filius
Explicit: 176r and þe pater noster also often and blessand þe teth

Rubric in outer margin.

IMEP XXII, pp. 130-131
6.3. 176r-179v
Medical charms
Language(s): Middle English and Latin

For a woman in labour (ff. 176r-176v), for epilepsy ('For þe fallyng euel': ff. 177v-178r), to staunch bleeding (f. 178v), for epilepsy (f. 179r) and for a wound (f. 179v). These charms contain extracts of prayers in Latin.

Partially printed in IMEP XXII, pp. 130-131
6.5. 179v
Note on bloodletting
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 179v Nota quod isti dies obseruandi sunt in minutione
Explicit: 179v non uisu per des no febres paciens
7. 183r-184r
De expositione iiiior parcium anni
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 183r De expositione iiiior parcium anni per argumentum prophecie Iosep et filiorum suorum
Incipit: 183r Si Natiuitas domini in die dominica euenerit . hyemps bona erit sed uentosa . uer uentosum . estas bona et sicca et uindemia plena . Oues et boues multiplicabuntur
Explicit: 184r Infirmus diu languebit et uix suadet
L. DiTommaso, 'Pseudepigrapha Notes II: 3. The Contribution of the Manuscript Catalogues of M.R. James', Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 18.2 (2008), pp. 83–160, esp. p. 97 doi.org/10.1177/0951820708098808
8. 184r-184v
Adam de octo partibus fuit factus
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 184r Adam de octo partibus fuit factus
Incipit: 184r Prima pars . de limo terre
Explicit: 184v-187v Lux sine tenebris
L. DiTommaso, 'Pseudepigrapha Notes II: 3. The Contribution of the Manuscript Catalogues of M.R. James', Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, 18.2 (2008), pp. 83–160, esp. p. 97 doi.org/10.1177/0951820708098808
9. 184v
Tria sunt que uendicant hominem in fine mortis
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 184v Tria sunt que uendicant hominem in fine mortis
Incipit: 184v Vermes . qui dicunt
Explicit: 184v Da nobis animam
10. 184v-185r
De xii causis que omni homini timende sunt
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 184v Ut fullo pannum ; sic diuersae(?) calcat ; egenum ..(?)diamus nec de xii .causis. que omni homini timende sunt . quorum .ui. pertinent ad corpus et ui ad animam
Incipit: 184v Prima est quod omnis
Explicit: 185r Qui uiuit et regnat ||
11. 185r-185v
Qui abscondit scelera sua
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 185r Salomon in prouerbiis
Incipit: 185r Qui abscondit scelera sua confessori suo non diriget
Explicit: 185v in qua omnia irradiantur
12. 185v
Que auferunt uenialia peccata
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 185v Que auferunt uenialia peccata ostendit . hi dicens
Incipit: 185v Omnium communis confessio
Explicit: 185v uenialia peccata
13. 185v-186r
De significacione ecclesie
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 185v De significacione ecclesie
Incipit: 185v Ecclesia est congregacio fideluum
Explicit: 186r reuocantes ad confessionem . sonum emittunt
14. 186r-186v
De significacione altaris
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 186r De significacione altaris
Incipit: 186r ⟨A⟩stare
Explicit: 186v uir aduris uerbis
15. 186v-187r
De diuite et lazaro
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 186v De diuite et lazaro
Incipit: 186v In hoc diuite tria reprehenduntur scilicet inanis gloria
Explicit: 187r perpetua consolemur . amen
16. 187r-187v
Sacerdos debet esse uir sanctus
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 187r Sacerdos debet esse uir sanctus
Explicit: 187v quod iste est
17. 187v-[187a] recto
Miscellaneous texts including indulgences

These texts begin with a reference to Pope Jphn XXII : ‘Dominus papa Johannes xxijus ’.

18. [187a] verso
Verse copied twice
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription: ‘Dat Clemens hyemem | dat Petrus ver cathedratus| Estuat Urbanus | autumnat Bartholomeus’.

In a later (?perhaps 16th century) hand.

Physical Description

Secundo Folio: 147r: sericorde on yat
Form: codex
Support: Parchment (HFFH)
Extent: Codex: 44 leaves.

Collation

  • Quire 1910 (ff. 146-155)
  • Quire 20-238 (ff. 156-160, [160a], 161-186)
  • Quire 244-2 (ff. 187, [187a]: 3rd and 4th leaves excised, probably blank)

No leaf signatures particular to this Part.

No quire signatures particular to this Part.

Catchwords present in the lower margin of the last verso of most quires, some enclosed in a simple frame, e.g., f. 162v.

Condition

In generally good conditon although some leaves are a little rubbed and stained.

Layout

125 × 125 mm. Ruled in leadpoint, frame and lines. Ruled in single column format, typically 28 lines to the page and written below top line.

Hand(s)

Written in Anglicana by at least three scribes.

Decoration

Plain initials in red, typically in the 'Lombardic capitals' style at the major and some minor divisions of the texts.

Rubrics and marginal-titles often in red.

Topmost line of text on most pages written with taller flourished ascenders.

History

Origin: Probably second half of the 14th century, or the first half of the 15th century. ; England. Date and place of production based on palaeographic and lingustic grounds.

Part 3: Sermons [Cambridge, Jesus College, MS Q.D.4, ff. 188-211 ; 212-243 ; 244-259 ; 260-267]

Contents

Language(s): Latin

1. 217v
Sermones de sanctis Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin

Also in London, British Library, MS Harley 3073, ff. 3v-58r , Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, MS Strozzi 38, The Hague, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, MS 71.J.63 and Vatican City, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, MS Vat. Lat. 5055 .

See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, pp. 47-82
1.1. 188r
Prologue to the Sermones de sanctis Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 188r Dilectissimis fratribus suis dilectissimus eorum frater
Explicit: 188r In breui est ut redeam ad uos . quaesiturus licentiam et utinam inuenturus

'Sermones de sanctis, &c' written in the upper margin of f. 188r in blank ink in an early modern hand.

The Prologue is also preserved in The Hague, Koninklijke Bibliotheek, MS 71.J.63, ff. 80r-81v and Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, MS Strozzi 38, f. 381rv.

Edited in J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, pp. 61-62
1.2. 188r-192v
Sermo in natiuitate S. Ioannis Baptistae, De decem priuilegiis eius Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 188r De Sancto Iohannem baptista . De Sancto Iohannem baptista
Incipit: 188r Hodie dilectissimi dies illuxit insignis . tanto ceteris diebus
Explicit: 192v de laude iohannis . ad gloriam redemptoris . qui est deus . benedictus in secula . AMEN
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 52
1.3. 192v-196r
Sermo in natali apostolorum petri et pauli . isti sunt duae oliuae Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 192v Hodierna dies dilectissimi clara est et solempnis
Explicit: 196r iesus christo dominus noster qui est deus benedictus in seculam amen
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 52
1.4. 196r-199v
Sermo in festo sancta mariae magdalenae de tribus unguentis Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 196r Hodie misericordia et ueritas obuiauerunt sibi
Explicit: 199v et placatum nobis reddat Iudicem nostrum amicum suum qui est benedictus in secula amen
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 52
1.5. 199v-201v
Sermo in festo S. Petri ad uincula . Super uerbis illis Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 199v De sancto petro
Incipit: 199v Adolescentule dilexerunt te nimis . Petrus apostolus apostolorum princeps
Explicit: 201v Petri intercessione peruenire ualeamus qui est benedictus in secula
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 52
1.6. 205r
Sermo in assumptione Beate Mariae Super Quae est ista etc Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 201v De sancta maria
Incipit: 201v Hic totum decurrat ingenium et aureus sermo tota reluceat maiestate
Explicit: 205r et sacratiore tegmine conuelata gratiosius lucent cum pouterint reuelari ||
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
1.7. 205r-207v
Sermo in natiuitate Beatae Mariae . De eo quod scrptum est fecit rex salomon thronum Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 205r De gaudiis properamus ad gaudia
Explicit: 207v audi nos . nam te filius nihil negans honorat . qui est benedictus in secula

This sermon is treated as part of the 'Sermo in assumptione Beate Mariae' by M. R. James.

See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
1.8. 207v-209v
Sermo in exaltatione Sancta Crucis . Super en colligo duo ligna Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 207v De uirga Iesse deueniumus ad uirgam crucis
Explicit: 209v Grandis profecto labor sed praemium incomparabile ||

M. R. James catalogued this text from ff. 207v-211v, but the text diverges from the standard Sermo in exaltatione Sancta Crucis at f. 209v.

See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
1.9. 209v-211v
Sermo in coena domini
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 209v Sedisti ad mensam diuitis . In uerbis istis loquitur spiritus consili uoce suaui
Explicit: 211v celebrare licet paucis hominibus, quibus in hoc creditum est ministerium ||

This sermon is not identified by M. R. James. The style is similar to works by Bernard and Nicholas of Clarivaux, but its authorship is uncertain.

This text ends abruptly at the end of a quire.

1.10. 212r-214r
Sermo in dedicatione ecclesiae de sacramentis eius Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 212r In dedicatione
Incipit: 212r Post crucem . post angelos . post virginem . quid est maius in terris
Explicit: 214r ad honorem illius . qui est benedictus in secula
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
1.11. 214r-215v
Sermo in festo S. Victoris de septem ramis et seoten fructibus ligni uitae Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 214r Hic est ille magnus prouidentie oculus
Explicit: 215v quia fructus iste filius MARIE . qui est benedictus

This version of the sermon begins with an alternative opening paragraph only found in some manuscripts, see Leclercq, p. 53, n. 3.

See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
1.12. 215v-217v
Sermo in festo omnium sanctorum de septem beatitudinibus Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 215v Hodie dies serenior arrisit nobis
Explicit: 217v perducant nos ad sponsum ecclesiae qui est benedictus in secula
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
1.13. 217v-220r
Sermo in festo Sancti Martini de eo quod scriptum est . uidete et uigilate et orate Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 217v Nobilis ille confessor sacerdotum
Explicit: 220r sed quia patienter audistis me de illius patientia disputantem qui est deus benedictus in secula
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
1.14. 220r-[221a] recto
Sermo in Festo Sancti Andrea De confessione Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 220r Et quietum studium et attentum silentium et tanta tanti uiri festiuitas
Explicit: [221a] recto Det nobis corde credere ad iusticiam ore confiteri ad salutem et in se credere sponsus ecclesiae filius MARIE . qui est deus benedictus in secula
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
1.15. 222v
Sermo in festo Beati Nicholai de quinque regionibus Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: [221a] recto Nicholaus iste meus immo uester . electus ab utero
Explicit: 222v Supplicemus igitur confessori ut redemptori nostro amico suo pro nobis hodie supplicare dignetur . qui est deus benedictus in secula
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
1.16. 222v-225r
Sermo in aduentu domini de Beata Maria de eo quod dictum est fluuium egrediebatur de loco uoluptatis Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 222v Exultate fratres in domino . quia de domina illa sermo succedit
Explicit: 225r Ducat enim nos mater ad filium . filia ad patrem . sponsa ad sponsum . qui est deus benedictus in secula AMEN
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 54
1.17. 225r-227v
Sermo in uigilia natiuitatis de septem fluminibus Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 225r Tandem de mari ad portum . de promisso ad praemium
Explicit: 227v et omnes in commune lumen ad reuelationem gentium innocentibus brachiis amplectamur . qui est deus benedictus in secula
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 54
2. 227v
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 227v Quinque sunt sensus corporis quibus multo
Explicit: 227v aeternae beatitudinis
Discussed in J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, pp. 64-65
3. 227v
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 227v Offendiculum dicuntur peccata
Explicit: 227v tribulant et affligunt
Discussed in J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, pp. 64-65
4. 227v
Unidentified text
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 227v Haec sunt consideranda in omnibus
Explicit: 227v exitus teribilis
Discussed in J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, pp. 64-65
5. 227v
Extract from a letter of Ivo of Chartres Ivo of Chartres
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 227v O quam pulchra generatio cum claritate . Gloriosum nomen uirginitatis
Explicit: 227v in oculis conditoris
Discussed in J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, pp. 64-65
Edited and translated into French in G. Giordanengo (ed.), Lettres d'Yves de Chartres, éd. électronique TELMA (IRHT), yves-de-chartres-10 http://telma-chartes.irht.cnrs.fr/en/yves-de-chartres/notice/20947
6. 228r-229r
Unidentified sermon for Saint Benedict
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 228r Venite ad me omnes qui laboratis et honerati estis et ego reficiam vos . In his uerbis dominicis pensanda
Explicit: 229r coronari et regnare mereamur . AMEN

Also in Douai, Bibliothèque municipale, MS 371, ff. 8v-9v , but the Douai MS ends differently.

Discussed in J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, pp. 64-65
7. 229r-230r
Unidentified sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 229r Induite uos armatura dei . ut possitis stare adversus insidias diaboli . Militia est fratres mihi uita hominis super terram . Quamdiu hic uiuimus
Explicit: 230r uel dulci saltem odoratu presentatur

Also in Oxford, St John's College, MS 134, ff. 66v-69r , where it is attributed to Galfredus de Sancto Theodorico ; in Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS. Bodley 449 , where it is attributed to Bartholomew of Exeter ; and in Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS lat. 18172, where it is attributed to Alanus ab Insulis , but the version here seems to have a different explicit.

8. 230r-231v
Sermo de Sancta Maria
Language(s): Latin
Rubric: 230r De sancta maria
Incipit: 230r Uidi speciosam sicut columbam . Mirabile uisio . Gloriosa dictio . Dulce praeconium
Explicit: 231v .p.7.s.s.h.7.g.in.s.s.amen

Explicit is a quotation from Biblical texts given only as initials.

9. 231v-233v
Sermo in fest. angelorum de sex alis eorum Nicholas of Clairvaux
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 231v Circa rerum cardinem uersamur et magnificentiam operum domini
Explicit: 233v et uidebimus illum in decore suo qui est benedictus IN SECULA
See J. Leclercq, Recueil d’etudes Sur Saint Bernard et Ses Ecrits, Storia e Letteratura: Raccolta Di Studi e Testi 92 (Rome, 1962), vol. I, p. 53
PL 144.794
10. 234v
Unidentified sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 234r Narrat diuina hystoria quod Tobyas filium suum tobiam . misit in longinqua
Explicit: 234v gratiam diuinam in omnibus ; sequamur prestante domino .n.i.xo.q.iii
11. 234v-235v
Unidentified sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 234v De samsone quomodo deceptus sit
Explicit: 235v Cotidie morior ad uestram gloriam . et nobis dicit . Mortis.m.ii
12. 235v
Unidentified sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 235v De leuita qui cadauer uxoris sue
Explicit: 235v Cotidie morior ad uestram gloriam . et nobis dicit . Mortis.m.ii
13. 235v-236r
Sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 235v Orauit Ysaac dominum pro uxore
Explicit: 236r puncto pariter assistit
14. 236r-236v
Sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 236r Fugit Iacob laban cum paruulum et uxoribus
Explicit: 236v ipse fugiet a uobis . sicut scripsit est . Resis⟨te⟩ di⟨aboli⟩ et f⟨ugiet⟩ a u⟨obis⟩
15. 236v
Sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 236v Intelligite dilectissimi quemadmodum sit uetus et nouum
Explicit: 236v a tyrannide in regnum transtulit semp⟨er⟩iternum
16. 236v-237r
Sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 236v Dum co’ p uel .d.p.(?) Pentecostes grece quinquagesima dicitur latine
Explicit: 237r spiritus sancti consequemur . Quod no.p.d.
17. 237r
Sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 237r Faciamus tria tabernacula
Explicit: 237r quod pertinet ad benignitat’
18. 237r-238r
Sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 237r Fac tibi iias tubas argenteas(?) ductiles
Explicit: 238r Memoria eorum non delebitur et nomen eius(?) requiretur a generati in generationem
19. 238r
Sermon
Language(s): Latin
Incipit: 238r Secundum sacre scripture sensum . aliud est praecingi
Explicit: 238r totius peruenire ualeamus . Presentate d⟨omino⟩ n⟨ostro⟩
20. 238v-267v
Sermons
Language(s): Latin

Collection of short sermons written by several scribes who sometimes switch over mid-text, e.g., ff. 253v-254r.

Folio 259v blank.

21. 267v
Poem in Latin with Middle English glosses
Language(s): Latin with Middle English glosses

Short verse, possibly from the Gesta romanorum, in a late medieval hand on f. 267v: ‘ Spexus[sic] ovem geminam per spinam traxit equinam | Lesus surgit . equs pondum(?) utrumque pecus | Ad molendinum pondus portabat ouinum(?) | Dispergendo focum se cremat atque locum’. | The poem is very similar to one found in the Gesta romanorum ch. 163 (Oesterley, 1872 edition), and appears by itself in a few other medieval manuscripts (see WIC 11754). The version of the poem in Cambridge, Jesus College, MS Q.D.4 lacks the final line ‘Custodes aberant . singula dampna ferant’. It should perhaps be noted that an inscription on f. 269v states that this volume (Q.D.4) was part of a trade by a John Thrope in exchange for a copy of the Gesta romanorum.

H. Oesterley, Gesta romanorum (1872)

Physical Description

Secundo Folio: 189r: iohannes in templo et non solum in templo
Form: codex
Support: Parchment.
Extent: Codex: 81 leaves.

Collation

  • Quires 25-288 (ff. 188-211 ; 212-219)
  • Quire 2910-1 (ff. 220-221, [221a], 222-227v: 1st leaf cancelled)
  • Quires 30-348 (ff. 228-243 ; 244-259 ; 260-267)

No leaf signatures particular to this Part.

Medieval quire signatures 'vi' - 'ix' in the lower margins of the last versos of Quires 30-34. There are 5 preceding quires to Quire 30 in this Part, and so it is likely that medieval signatures 'i'-'v' have been trimmed away.

Catchwords present in the lower margin of the last verso of some quires in this Part, e.g., f. 219v.

Condition

In fair condition. The binding on this volume is quite fragile due to age and so some of the text close to the inner margins is difficult to read. Some leaves are very dirty and rubbed and so some of the text is now rather difficult to read. Some marginal annotations lost to trimming.

Layout

140 × 90 mm. Folios 188r-259v and 262r-267v ruled in single column format, frame and lines, pricking visible in some outer margins. Ruled in ink and crayon, typically 34 lines to the page and written above top line.

130 × 100 mm. Folios 260r-261v ruled in double-column format, frame and lines, pricking visible in outer and inner margins. Ruled in leadpoint, typically 33 lines to the page and written above top line.

Hand(s)

Written in protogothic minuscule by at least 5 scribes, Scribe 1 writing ff. 188r-211v, Scribe 2 writing ff. 212r-243v, Scribe 3 writing ff. 244r-252r, Scribe 4 writing ff. 259r, Scribe 5 writing ff. 260r-261v, and Scribe 4 returning from ff. 261v-267v.

Decoration

Flourished initials in two main styles - the first are large 'arabesque' initials in red or green, e.g., f. 192v ('h'), f. 212r ('P') 260r ('S'), and the second are smaller, and in red and black, e.g., f. 235v ('D' and 'O'). Each style of initial is found accompanying the work of two or more of the scribes who copied this Part.

Rubricated titles to some sermons ff. 188r-212r only.

Additions

Marginal annotations throughout, typically small glosses to the text in ink, crayon and drypoint in contemporary and later medieval hands.

Erased notes in red-brown crayon in the lower half of f. 259r.

The words 'de quatuor que inpediunt[sic] confessionem' in ink in a late 12th or early 13th century hand in the upper margin of f. 238v.

The words 'mulier amicta sole' in ink in a late 12th or early 13th century hand the upper margin of f. 260r.

History

Origin: Probably the last quarter of the 12th century or the first quarter of the 13th century. ; Probably England, or perhaps France.

Date and place of production based on palaeographical features.

Part 4: A fragment of a Northamptonshire will and miscellaneous texts [Cambridge, Jesus College, MS Q.D.4, ff. [267a]-270 ]

Contents

Language(s): Latin

1. 268r
Aphorisms
Language(s): Latin

Full transcription: ‘Da tua dum tua sunt . post mortem tunc tua non sunt| Dum uius[sic] uiuunt . moriorum moriuntur amici | Mors facit immemores . quos vita tenebat amicos | Post mortis morsum uertit dilectio dorsum | Preterit ista dies nescitur origo secundi | An labor an requies sic transit gloria mundi ’

2. 268v
Notes on the national characteristics of the Spanish, French, Germans, Scottish, and English
Language(s): Latin
3. 268v
Religious notes
Language(s): Latin
4. 269v
Miscellaneous notes
Language(s): Latin

Texts include what appears to be an exchange of books between a John Thrope and another person, where this book was given in exchange for a copy of the Gesta romanorum, and a list of expenses.

5. 270v and f. [267a] recto
Fragment of a Northamptonshire will
Language(s): Latin

Note that this leaf is upside down relative to the rest of the volume.

See James, A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of Jesus College, Cambridge, no. 46, p. 74 for a transcription of what he could read of the will

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Parchment.
Extent: Codex: 4 leaves.

Collation

Two nested bifolia, both very crumpled, the first leaf (f. [267a] substantially cut so that just a stub is visible, and the second leaf mutilated. | Quire 36 4 (two nested bifolia, 1st leaf a text-stub, and second leaf partially cut away; ff. [267a] recto-270)

No leaf signatures particular to this Part.

No quire signatures particular to this Part.

No catchwords particular to this Part.

Condition

In fair condition. All leaves in this part are wrinkled and some text is difficult to read due to the folds. The outer bifolium (ff. [267a]-270) in this Part is a will, and it has been mounted in the volume upside down and then half of the bifolium was cut away with a significant loss of text. The lower half of f. 268 has also been cut away.

Layout

All leaves in this part are unruled and text is informally arranged on the leaves.

Hand(s)

All leaves in this part written in various informal styles of 15th century cursiva by several scribes.

Decoration

No decoration particular to this Part.

History

Origin: Probably 15th century. ; England.

Place and date of production based on textual and palaeographical features.

Provenance

The will on f. 270v mentions Northampton twice, so it is likely that the will originates from someone with a connection to that region.

Additional Information

Record Sources

This catalogue entry draws on the description provided by Angela M. Lucas, Manuscripts in Christ's Church, Emmanuel, Jesus, Selwyn and Sidney Sussex Colleges, Peterhouse and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, The Index of Middle English Prose, Handlist 22 (Cambridge: Brewer, 2016) and M. R. James, A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of Jesus College, Cambridge (London: Clay, 1895), no. 46.

Availability

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

Bibliography

    A descriptive catalogue of manuscripts in the library of Jesus College, Cambridge, James, M. R. (London, Clay, 1895) The Mediæval Legend of Judas Iscariot PMLA, Baum, Paull Franklin (31, 3, 481-632, 1916, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/pmla/article/abs/mediaeval-legend-of-judas-iscariot/ACC502D2B1C70D4DC2A112F5F9D949B8) Writings Ascribed to Richard Rolle Hermit of Hampole and Materials for his Biography Modern Language Association of America Monograph Series, Allen, Hope Emily (London: Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1927) Recueil d'etudes sur Saint Bernard et ses ecrits Storia e letteratura: Raccolta di studi e testi, Leclercq, Jean (Rome, 1, 1962) Die Visio Pauli: Wege und Wandlungen einer orientalischen Apokryphe im lateinischen Mittelalter ; unter Einschluss der alttschechischen und deutschsprachigen Textzeugen Mittellateinische Studien und Texte, Jiroušková, Lenka (Leiden, Brill, 2006) Pseudepigrapha Notes II: 3. The Contribution of the Manuscript Catalogues of M.R. James Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha, DiTommaso, Lorenzo (18, 2, 83-160, 2008, http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0951820708098808) De emendatione vitae: Eine kritische Ausgabe des lateinischen Textes von Richard Rolle Mit einer Übersetzung ins Deutsche und Untersuchungen zu den lateinischen und englischen Handschriften Studien zur Wirkung der klassischen Antike, Spahl, Rüdiger (V&R UniPress, 2009) Editing medieval texts: an introduction, using exemplary materials derived from Richard Rolle, 'Super Canticum' 4 Exeter medieval texts and studies, Hanna, Ralph (Liverpool, Liverpool University Press, 2015) Manuscripts in Christ's, Emmanuel, Jesus, Selwyn and Sidney Sussex Colleges, Peterhouse and Trinity Hall, Cambridge Index of Middle English prose, Lucas, Angela M. (Cambridge, D.S. Brewer, 2016) The Thomas Mans, their Books, and Jesus College Librarianship The Library, Hanna, Ralph (21, 1, 46-73, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1093/library/21.1.46)

Funding of Cataloguing

Wellcome

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Cambridge Digital Library

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