Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

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

Cambridge, Trinity Hall, MS 18

Johannis de Burgo Pupilla oculi

Contents

Introduction: This manuscript of the Pupilla Oculi by John Borough John de Burgo (fl. 1370–1398) is a pastoral handbook intended for parish priests. It summarises the church’s penitential and sacramental laws so that they could be understood and applied in practice. The text is derived from the Oculus sacerdotis by William of Paull or de Pagula (fl. early fourteenth century). De Burgo divided his work into ten parts. These are: I) The sacraments in general; II) Baptism; III) Confirmation; IV) The Eucharist; V) Penitence and sentences of excommunication; VI) Extreme unction; VII) Holy orders; VIII) Marriage; IX) Tithes, sanctuary, wills, clerical residence, and similar matters; and X) Practical theology, including the Ten Commandments, the seven deadly sins, and works of mercy. Trinity Hall’s copy ends during part 8. Pupilla Oculi was likely written between 1380 and 1385, when for part of that time John de Burgo was Chancellor of the University of Cambridge. Some forty manuscript copies survive. Cambridge was an important centre for the production and dissemination of Pupilla Oculi throughout the 15th century.
Pupilla Oculi
Language(s): Latin
Johannes de Burgo
Incipit: 1r Humane nature iam senescente mundo de cursu temptoris [sic] continue vergens

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Parchment (HFFH)
Dimensions (leaf): 260 × 178 mm.
Dimensions (written): 200 × 134 mm.
Foliation:

Modern pencil foliation at the top right hand corner

Collation

1 flyleaf, 18-158 (wants 8)

Condition

Layout

Double columns of 41 written lines 192 × 136 mm. Ruled in plummet

Decoration

One illuminated floriated initial with gold, red and blue (f.2v), which forms three sides of a page border.

Paragraphs marked by blue initials with red penwork flourishing.

Alternating 1-line red and blue initials throughout.

Rubrication found throughout the text.

Additions

The flyleaf (recto) some constitutions and another note in a small hand. Added drawings of a man’s head in margins throughout

Binding

Late 20th century native dyed red Nigerian goatskin, over pasteboards by Cambridge Colleges Conservation Consortium. Preserved 19th century previous binding, of brown calfskin over pasteboards.

History

Origin: First half of the 15th century ; England, possibly Cambridge

Additional Information

Record Sources

Description draws on M.R. James(1907). A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the library of Trinity Hall.

Bibliography

    Goering, J., ‘Burgh, John ( fl. 1370–1398)’ in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, online edition , http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/2912 accessed 12 Januaary 2022.
    Helmholz, Richard. (2016). John de Burgh (fl 1370–1398). Ecclesiastical Law Journal, 18(1), 67-72. doi:10.1017/S0956618X1500085X
    Hughes, Jonathan. (1991). ‘The Administration of Confession in the Diocese of York in the Fourteenth Century’, in D. Smith (ed.), Studies in Clergy and Ministry in Medieval England (York), 87-163.
    James, M. R. (1907). A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the library of Trinity Hall. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, p. 36.
    Kelly, Henry Ansgar. (2008). ‘Penitential Theology and Law at the Turn of the Fifteenth Century’, in Abigail Firey (ed.), A New History of Penance, Leiden, Brill, 2008, 239-317.

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