Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

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

Cambridge, King's College, MS 10

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 11882

Contents

Introduction: This manuscript contains texts in Greek and Latin, Homilies and grammatical texts; it is formed by three parts, all produced in the 15th century. Part I (ff. 1:1-1:20) contains two homilies attributed to Epiphanius, bishop of Salamis (Constantia) in Cyprus (ca. 310-403 CE), but considered spurious, about the burial of Christ and Palm-Sunday. In part II (ff. 2:1-2:15) there is the first book of the Greek grammar by Theodore Gaza (or Gazes), a 15th-century Byzantine scholar from Thessalonike (ca. 1415-1475/6). He settled in Italy, where he worked as a teacher (he was lecturer in Greek at the University of Ferrara), becoming one of the leading figures in Greek studies in Renaissance Italy. His Greek grammar ( Eisagogé), became very popular among humanists all over Europe. Only the first book of this work is present in the manuscript. The text, in King's MS 10, was copied by a well-known scribe of the 15th century, Ioannes Rhosos. Born in Crete, he was active in Italy as a professional scribe, working in various cities, as Rome, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Grottaferrata, for important personalities, such as Palla Strozzi, Francesco Gonzaga and Lorenzo il Magnifico (see RGK I, 178). Ioannes Rhosos copied Gaza's grammar several times; in Cambridge a complete copy of this work in his hand is preserved in MS University Library, Ii.4.16. The last part of the manuscript (III, ff. 2:16-2:112) contains a handbook, defined Encheiridion by its author, containing grammatical, rhetorical observations, and various texts, such as occasional poems, written in Latin, with some parts in Greek, by a certain Domitius (or Dominicus) Almartius (de Almarza). The script and the watermark allow to date also this part of the manuscript in the 15th century, probably in the first half. Dr Erika Elia

Physical Description

Form: codex
Extent: Codex: i + 129 + 1 + i leaves. 280 × 205 mm.
Foliation: Two endleaves, one at the beginning, one at the end of the manuscript, are unnumbered: ff. [i] and [ii]. There are two modern pencil foliations, in Arabic numerals, in the upper margin, right, recto (here labeled respectively as 1 and 2): 1 to 20 ( ff. 1:1r-1:20r), and 1 to 112 (109 and 110 are not present because two leaves are missing: ff. 2:1r-2:112r). The leaves are numbered as follows: [i] + 1:1-1:20 + 2:1-2:108, 2:111-2:112 + [ii]

Collation

f. [i] | 112, 28 | 38, 48-1 | 514, 610, 714, 810, 914, 1010, 1114, 1210-2, f. 112 | f. [ii] ,

Condition

The manuscript is in good condition. F. 1:1r is heavily stained. Big portions of ff. 2:106 and 2:111 have been lost. Two leaves have been lost (ff. 109-110), without affecting the texts.

Additions

On the left pastedown there are modern pencil annotations: the shelfmark ‘ MS. 10’ and ‘ 26.A.3’, as well as an annotation concerning the donation of the manuscript to the College by John Pearson (see History), preceded by the signature, ‘ 10’, in a brown ink.

Binding

Western modern binding, full parchment cover over couched-laminate boards. Black tooling on spine with title in the upper part, ‘ Epiphanii Sermones Graece’, and in the lower ‘ Ms. Saec. XV’. On the lower part of the spine is pasted a label with shelfmark ‘10’. 280 × 210 × 37 mm.

There is a hole through the left board near the foredge. The manuscript was rebound, as stated in a note written in pencil on the right pastedown, ‘ Rebound V.A. Brown Hildeborough April 19(?)48’.

Accompanying Material

Two later endleaves are present, one at the beginning and one at the end of the manuscript, f. [i] and f. [ii]; they are both blank. They are made of western paper, folded in-folio. On f. [ii] an unidentified watermark is visible: a circle containing letters (?) I C ( 35 × 35 mm. ).

In the manuscript, between the left pastedown and f. [i], are kept a paper leaf containing a bibliographical reference about a text present in the manuscript, and an envelope containing 4 modern pieces of paper with descriptions of parts of the manuscript and bibliographical references.

History

Provenance and Acquisition

The manuscript was owned by the theologian John Pearson (1613-1686) , Master of Jesus (1660-1662) and Trinity College (1662-1673), bishop of Chester.

John Pearson donated the codex to King's College, as stated in a note written on the left pastedown : ‘ Dedit Reverendus Ioannes Pearson S. Theologiae Professor, Collegii SS. Trinitatis Magister, hujus Collegii nuper socius.’ A similar note is written also in another manuscript donated by Pearson to the College, MS Cambridge, King's College, 7, where it is accompanied by the mention of the year 1665 (see James 1895, p. 13). It can be therefore assumed that also MS King's 10 was donated around the same year and, in any case, in the years 1662-1673, since in the note Pearson is cited as Master of Trinity College. On the left pastedown is pasted the King's College bookplate.

Part 1 [Cambridge, King's College, MS 10, ff. 1:1-1:20]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

1. ff. 1:2r-1:13v
Homilia in divini corporis sepulturam

The text is attributed to Epiphanius (ca. 310-403) but is considered spurious

Rubric: f. 1:2r Τοῦ ἐν ἁγίοις πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἐπιφανίου ἐπισκόπου Κύπρου· λόγος εἰς τὴν θεόσομον[sic] ταφὴν τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ· καὶ εἰς τὸν Ἰωσὴφ τὸν ἀπὸ Ἀριμαθείας· καὶ εἰς τὴν ἐν ἅδῃ[sic] Χριστοῦ τοῦ κατάβασιν μετὰ τὸ σωτήριον πάθος γεναμένην
Incipit: f. 1:2r Τί τοῦτο σήμερον σιγὴ πολλὴ ἐν τῆ[sic] γῇ
Explicit: f. 1:13v νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν.

TLG 2021.013; CPG 3768; ΒΗG 0808e; PG 43, 440-464

2. ff. 1:14r-1:18v
Homilia in festo palmarum

The text is attributed to Epiphanius (ca. 310-403) but is considered spurious

Rubric: f. 1:14r Τοῦ ἐν ἁγίοις πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἐπιφανείου[sic] ἐπισκόπου Κύπρου, λόγος εἰς τὰ Βαΐα. Κύριε εὐλόγησον
Incipit: f. 1:14r Χαῖρε σφόδρα θύγατερ Σιὼν, τέρπου καὶ ἀγάλλου
Explicit: f. 1:18v Αὐτῶ[sic] ἡ δόξα σὺν τῶ[sic] πατρὶ, καὶ τῶ[sic] πνεύματι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας ἀμήν.

The text differs from the edition. It coincides with the printed text until f. 1:17r a ll. 19-20, ἀτενίζων βοάτω· ἴδε ὁ ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ (PG 43, 433 l. 52); what follows is the fragment of this homily published in PG 43, 501-505 (TLG 2021.017)

TLG 2021.012; CPG 3767; PG 43, 428-437

ff. 1:19r and 1:20r are blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Western paper, folded in folio. Watermarks: ff. 1:1-1:4, 1:6-1:7, 1:9-1:12 Bell ( ca. 65 × 32 mm. ), in the centre of the leaf, comparable to Harlfinger Cloche 13, 16 , which are dated in 1412 and 1446. ff. 1:5/1:8, 1:14-1:19 Three mountains in a circle surmounted by a hooked cross ( 70 × 36 mm. ), in the centre of the leaf, no exact parallels found in the main repertoires, but see Briquet Monts 11851-11897 , which are dated in 1376-1476. ff. 1:13/1:20 Three mountains in a double circle surmounted by an upright ( 80 × 40 mm. ), in the centre of the leaf, comparable to Wasserzeichen Informatonssystem Dreiberg im Kreisring DE6255-PO-154188 , which is however surmounted by a cross, and is dated to 1418, and to Briquet, Monts 11898 , which is dated in 1417-1427, and to Harlfinger, Monts 93a and 93b , which are dated in 1431.

Collation

Part I is formed by two quires, a senion and a quaternion

  • Quire 112 ff. 1:1-1:12
  • Quire 28 ff. 1:13-1:20

Layout

Two columns of 27 lines. 140 × 205 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 1:2r-1:18v Hand A: the texts in part I have been written in a script belonging to the traditional-conservative strand of Greek scripts, which exhibit characteristics of the τῶν Ὁδηγῶν (ton Hodegon) style. The script is datable in the 15th c.

The text is written in brown ink; titles and initials in red.

Decoration

On f. 1:2r there is a rectangular headpiece in red ink, with clovers at the corners, filled by a geometrical motif of interlaced rhombuses.

On f. 1:14r there is a frieze in red ink with a chain motif.

Initials in ekthesis are decorated with a branch motif, see ff. 1:2r, 1:14r).

Additions

On f. 1:1r there are scattered notes and pen trials in Latin and in Greek. The shelfmark ‘ 10’ is present as well.

On f. 1:19v the beginning of the Nicene Creed is written three times in Greek by an anonymuous annotator.

On f. 1:20v there is a long annotation (10 lines) in modern Greek written in Latin alphabet; the hand seems the same who wrote annotations in Latin on f. 1:1r. On this text, with a transcription and translitteration in Greek, see Κακουλίδη 1959. It is a dialogue between two persons, a master and an exorcist.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript, judging by script and watermarks, was copied in the 15th century, probably in the first half, or around the middle of the century.

Part 2 [Cambridge, King's College, MS 10, ff. 2:1-2:15]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

3. ff. 2:1r-2:15r
Gazes, Theodoros, Introduction to Grammar, book I Grammaticae Introductio, I
Rubric: f. 2:1r Θεοδώρου Γραμματικῆς Εἰσαγωγῆς. Τῶν εἰς τέσσαρα τὸ αον
Incipit: f. 2:1r Τῶν τεσσάρων καὶ εἴκοσι γραμμάτων
Explicit: f. 2:15r ὁ δὲ σύνθετος, οἷον ἐπειδή.
Final rubric: f. 2:15r Τέλος τοῦ πρώτου βιβλίου

Ed. Theodori grammatices libri IIII. De mensibus liber eiusdem. Georgii Lecapeni de constructione verborum. Emmanuelis Moschopuli de constructione nominum et verborum. Eiusdem de accentibus, Venice 1525, ff. 1-144

f. 2:15v is blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Western paper, folded in quarto. Watermarks: ff. 2:1-2:8 Traces of watermark, difficult to decipher in the gutter. ff. 2:9-2:15 Bird (duck?) ( 50 × ca. 40 mm. ), in the centre of the leaf and in the gutter , comparable to Harlfinger Oiseau 6 and 7 , which are dated in 1479 and 1475, and which were found in manuscripts copied by Ioannes Rhosos.

Collation

Part II consists of two quaternions.

  • Quire 38 ff. 2:1-2:8( αον )
  • Quire 48-1 ff. 2:9-2:15(βον. The 8th leaf is missing)

There are original quire signatures in Greek numerals, by the scribe, on the first folio of each quire, recto, lower centre, and the last folio of each quire, verso, lower centre: αον (ff. 2:1r and 2:8v) and βον (f. 2:9r).

Layout

A single column of 30 lines. 185 × 115 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 2:1r-2:15r Hand B: the text in part II was copied by Ioannes Rhosos (active 1450-1498) (Ἰωάννης Ῥῶσος, RGK I, 178. On him see also RGK II, 237; RGK III, 298).

The text is written in a light brown ink; titles and initials in red.

Decoration

The beginning of the text is preceded by a rectangular headpiece in red ink, with plaited ornament ( f. 2:1r).

On f. 2:1r there is a large initial in red ink with a plaited, branch decoration. Minor initials in red ink, often with simple vegetal ornament, are present throughout the text (see e.g. ff. 2:2r, 2:3r); they have sometimes infill in translucent yellow wash (see e.g. f. 2:7v).

Shorter lines are frequently completed with simple line-fillers in red ink, see ff. 2:3r, 2:6r. On f. 2:3r there is a frieze in a rope motif, in red ink.

In the margins are present small patterns of scrolling ornament in red ink, see e.g. f. 2:3r.

History

Origin: The text of this part of the manuscript was copied by Ioannes Rhosos, who was active in Italy; in the second half of the 15th century.

Part 3 [Cambridge, King's College, MS 10, ff. 2:16-2:112]

Contents

Language(s): Latin and Greek

4. ff. 2:16r-2:102v
Encheiridion by Domitius Almartius

In the upper margin of f. 2:16r are written two titles:

  • Apochriφα Domitiana
  • Domitius Almartius Sorias ad praeceptorem, athletas (?) et sodales Encheiridion

Incipit: f. 2:16r Dominicus de Almarza gymnastico suo Soriati Iohanni de Nyena et eique sodalibus ac athletis salutem
Explicit: f. 2:102v venustum in facie

The text is a sort of grammatical, rhetorical handbook in Latin, with some parts in Greek, and a collection of various poetical texts, in 8 books, the first part is a dedication letter from Domitius (or Dominicus) Almartius to the praeceptor Iohannes Sorias (?) de Nyena

The scribe wrote in the margins annotations in Latin and in Greek

ff. 2:103r-2:112r are blank

4.1. ff. 2:33v-2:42r
Book 3
Rubric: f. 2:33v Libellus tertius de adverbiis et aliis particulis
4.2. ff. 2:42r-2:56v
Book 4
Rubric: f. 2:42r Liber quartus ex diversis
4.3. ff. 2:56v-2:75r
Book 5
Rubric: f. 2:56v Sequitur quintus libellus Enchiridiorum longe praeter diplomata ad disapertum Almartium fratrem
4.4. ff. 2:75r-2:83r
Book 6
Rubric: f. 2:75r Liber sextus ex Apocriphis ad sodales Soriates
4.5. ff. 2:83v-2:90r
Book 7
Rubric: f. 2:83v Liber septimus ad Morosum fratrem et tyrones Soriates de scansione et syllabarum quantitate et nonnullis sylvis et epigrammatis epithome
4.6. ff. 2:90r-2:102v
Book 8
Rubric: f. 2:90r Liber octavus de silvis
5. ff. 2:103r-2:112v
Blank leaves

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Western paper, folded in folio. Watermarks: ff. 2:16-2:112 Flower containing a six-point star, with stem ( 55 × 35 mm. ), in the centre of the leaf, similar to Briquet, Fleur 6693, which is dated in 1484-1489 (Italy).

Collation

Part III consists of septernions and quinions, alternating.

  • Quire 514 ff. 2:16-2:29
  • Quire 610 ff. 2:30-2:39
  • Quire 714 ff. 2:40-2:53
  • Quire 810 ff. 2:54-2:63
  • Quire 914 ff. 2:64-2:77
  • Quire 1010 ff. 2:78-2:87
  • Quire 1114 ff. 2:88-2:101
  • Quire 1210-2 ff. 2:102-2:111( ff. 109-110 are missing, stubs remain, no loss of text)
  • One endleaf, f. 112

Modern indications: a small cross has been traced in pencil in the lower margin, right, of the first leaf verso of the second part of each quire.

Layout

A single column of 37-40 lines. 215-225 × 105 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 2:16r-2:102v Hand C: the Greek text has been written in an informal minuscule script by the same scribe who wrote the test in Latin. The script is upright, letters are divided, the ductus is not very rapid and fluent.

The text has been written in a brown ink.

Decoration

Thick initials in ekthesis in brown ink, see e.g. f. 2:72r.

Additions

On the lower edge of f. 2:106v there is a note in Italian written upside down, ‘ M⟨esse⟩r Francesco salutovi tamen (?) sapiate, come hanno roto la casa vostra’.

On the lower edge of f. 2:111r there is a note in Latin, written upside down, where the name ‘ Mr. Gotherne’ can be read ( James 1898, p. 20).

On f. 2:112v there are some Greek memoranda, citing the dates of 18 February and 9 April 1632, with a list of names and quantities: probably accounts.

History

Origin: The watermark of the paper suggests, for this part of the manuscript, a date in the second half of the 15th c.

Additional Information

Record Sources

Description (2020) draws partly on M.R. James, A descriptive catalogue of the Manuscripts other than Oriental in the Library of King's College, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1895, pp. 14-20.

Availability

Visitors to King's 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: King's College Library.

Bibliography

    A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts other than Oriental in the library of King's College, Cambridge, , (Cambridge, University Press, 1895) Ένα ξόρκι για τους ποντικούς από τον 15ο αιώνα Ελληνικά, Κακουλίδη, Ελένης Δ. (16, 119-125, 1959) Repertorium der griechischen Kopisten, 800-1600. I. Grossbritannien Veröffentlichungen der Kommission für Byzantinistik, Gamillscheg, ErnstHarlfinger, Dieter (Wien, Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1981)

Funding of Cataloguing

The Polonsky Foundation

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Cambridge Digital Library

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