Introduction:
Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22 (hereafter MS O.2.22) is a small alchemical
manuscript of 46 leaves
written mostly by a single scribe in England in the 16th century. It contains a mix
of alchemical treatises, and short
alchemical notes and recipes written in Latin and Middle English in the allegorical
prose typical of the late-medieval
and early-modern texts in the genre.
Despite its small format, MS O.2.22 is a rather difficult book to navigate as the
leaves have been
misbound and the original order of the texts is now significantly disrupted. However,
it is fortunate that the
manuscript contains partial sequences of folio numbers and leaf signatures, which,
in combination with close reading
of the texts, allow for the original order of the leaves to be reconstructed. The
original order of the leaves is as
follows: ff. 1-8, 15-16, 9-10, 43-46, 11-14, 17-26, 31-34, 27-30, 35-42.
This has been reconstructed through two methods, beyond simply reading the text in
the volume. First, the
original order of the leaves can be partly determined through the use of the incomplete
foliation sequence in
early-modern ink in the upper outer corner of approximately half of the rectos in
the volume, see e.g., the present f.
9r which has the ink designation '11'. Second, details about the original order
of the leaves can be further developed through examination of the the leaf signatures
in ink in the lower outer
corners of the rectos on the present ff. 19-34 which run 'A-H', 'N-Q', 'I-M', which
indicate that the present ff. 27-30, which have the designations 'N-Q', are
misplaced and originally followed the present f. 34r, which has the leaf signature
'M'. Although the contents of the book are still a little haphazard due to its nature
as an alchemical notebook,
reconstruction of the original order of the leaves makes the texts significantly more
coherent and allows readers to
see the original themes and textual and linguistic trends as they occured to the original
scribe of the manuscript.
It is not clear when the disruption to the original arrangement occurred, but it was
possibly when the
volume received its present binding (the typical
'Gale donation' binding), which probably occured in the early 18th century. Indeed,
it is possible that prior to the
addition of the present binding, the text-leaves may have been unbound, or protected
by an informal wrapper, since
both the original first recto (f. 1r) and the original final verso (now f. 42v) are significantly more grimy, stained and torn than the intervening leaves.
Dr Sarah Gilbert| Project Cataloguer|Curious Cures in Cambridge Libraries
Language(s): Latin and Middle English
1. 1r
Late 16th- or early 17th-century list of the contents of the volume.
Language(s): Latin
In the inner margin of f. 1r: 'for making of me...(?) Elixir
lapidum 18| Aurum potabile 222
| Mathaeus Butler 502'
Note that the opening entries in this list are lost due to rubbing, staining, and
tearing of the leaf.
The final entry 'Mathaeus Butler' may be in another hand.
A Matthew Butler signed another alchemical compilation of similar date (
Cambridge, Trinity College MS O.4.39, f.
101r
, 'Matheus Butler est meus posessor'), but the hand is different, so further work
is
needed to test the connection between the two books.
2. 1r-5v
Epistola ad regem Neapolitanum
pseudo-Arnold of Villanova
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
1r Scias O tu Rex quod sapientes ⟨posu⟩erunt in opere multas res
Explicit:
5v videlicet paulatine augmentando ipsum ignem donec dictus lapis albus fiat : et
vltimo rubens
Final rubric:
5v Explicit epistola
Rubric on f. 1r illegible due to damage to the leaf.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
eTK 1387
3. 6r-7r
Novum lumen - Chapter 1
pseudo-Arnold of Villanova
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
6r Hic incipit tractatus in quo nominat lapidem philosophorum
Incipit:
6r Intellige ergo dictum philosophi . Quod actus actinorum in patientis sunt
dispositione per quod intelligitur elixir fieri non posse nisi ex materia ad hanc
perfectam dispositionem
habente
Explicit:
7r Hoc autem animal herbel crocos vel croceum lapidem vegetabilem Nutritum in
montibus errantes plurimi non cognoscunt : venditur autem palam minimo precio etc
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
eTK 1029
4. 7v-8v
Perfectum magisterium (first part - continues on ff. 15r-16v, and ff. 9r-10r)
pseudo-Arnaldus of Villanova
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
7v Incipit perfectum magisterium et gaudium magistri arnaldi de volla noua :
transmissum per eum ad inclytum Regem Arragonum quod quidem est flos florum : thesauRus
omnium inconparabilis
margarita in quo reperitur ueri copositio et perfectio elixir : tam ad album quamlibet
ad rubeum componendum .
videlicet ad solem et lunam sub compendio declaratum
Incipit:
7v Scias charissime quod in omni re que sub celo est creata sunt quatuor elementa non
per visum : sed per uirtutem
The leaves are now bound out of order; to restore the text, the leaves should be read
ff. 7v-8v, ff. 15r-16v, and then f. 9r-10r.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
eTK 1385
5. 9r-10r
Perfectum magisterium (final part - began on ff. 7v-8v, continued on on ff. 15r-16v)
pseudo-Arnaldus of Villanova
Language(s): Latin
Explicit:
10r Dico tibi charissime quod oportet corpora primo ad primam materiam reducere ad
hoc vt fiat generatio seu multiplicatio in eisdem . Animaduerte ergo in his que tibi
describuntur ||
Final rubric:
10r et cetera vt patet vlterius in compendio quae dicitur fflos florum magistri
arnaldi de villa nova et cetera
The leaves are now bound out of order; to restore the text, the leaves should be read
ff. 7v-8v, ff. 15r-16v, and then f. 10r.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
eTK 1385
6. 10r
Recipe for cinnamon oil
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
10r Ponatur cinamomum in vase subterus(?) perforato et superius
obtuso
Explicit:
10r inferius descendere cogetur et iste vapor oleum dicitur
7. 10v
Alchemical text: Ad congelandum argentum vivum
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
10v Miseratur menstruum vegetabile
Explicit:
10v et ponatur tunc in eo Argentum Vivum congelandum
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 10v is now f. 43.
8. 10v
Alchemical notes
Language(s): Latin
Alchemical notes on f. 10v: 'Prima lapidis materia es aqua viscosa in
visceribus terre ... ex spermato et sic est in nostro magisterio'.
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 10v
is now f. 43.
9. 11r-12r
Alchemical recipe for multiplying gold
Language(s): enm
Rubric:
11r Nota bene
Incipit:
11r Recipe .j. parte of ffyne cement Sol . and .iij. parte of fyne lune melt þem
togyther and malgame all þat with .xij. partes of distillyd mercury and do it than
in to yowr vessell and nyppe it and
set it in your furnace and make fyre vppon it of easy heate .viij. dayes space . than
make fyre vnderneth it by þe
space of .xxiiij. howres to þe mercury be sublymed vppe
Explicit:
12r And yf ye lowse it into oyle with aqua vite made at ye wotte and and perfyttlye
circulate oftetymes drawne therfro to it stande lyke moltyn hony then it Rennyth vpon
.j.ml. and ye may multeplye it with mercurye infenyte et cetera
Rubric 'Nota bene' in inner margin of f. 11r by main scribe.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity Collegem MS O.2.22, no. [1]
10. 12rv
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
12r Aliud opus idem que nuncupatur Elixir lapidum et lapis philosophorum
Incipit:
12r Recipe .3. partes lune .j. parte solis .et. .12.
partes mercurij distillati subtilientur in vicem
Explicit:
12v sic operatur visus basilisci in homine vel fulmen triffidium in
fusiene(?) metallorum et tunc nuncupatur exlixir lapidum et lapis philosophorum
11. 12v-13r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
12v ffiat sulphur nature de sericono magistrali
Explicit:
13r et permutat naturale non mannum operacione
12. 13rv
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
13r Elixir verum Raymundina
Incipit:
13r Primo fiat menstruum resolutium de succo baccarum olivarum nigrarum
Explicit:
13v de quo mercurio essentiali fit olium vel lapis qui est elixir verum
Final rubric:
13v Ista via est Raymundina
13. 13v-14r
Alchemical recipes
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
13v Accurtaciones sunt(?) iste
Incipit:
13v Primo precipitantur .24. partes mercurij purissimi cum vna parte auri puri
Explicit:
14r secundum naturam fusmenti in fundo valet(?) fluxibile et cetera
Final rubric:
14r Ista ?(?) est elixir verum super argentum vivum , verum
philosophis . Sales et alumina abbeniant opus et cetera(?)
14. 14rv
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
14r Elixer verum ad album
Incipit:
14r Dissolue amalgama facte de saturno et mercurio ana et puluerizatum in
fortissima corrosina
Explicit:
14v Idem fac ad rubium appodo olium auri in loco olio
argenti et erit elixer ad rubium
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 14
is now f. 17.
15. 14v
Alchemical recipes for making gold
Language(s): Middle English
Incipit:
14v Wyth aqua vite stronge and stronge fyre distylle owte the quintessence of
vitrialle rubified which ascendyth whyght ioyne þat with þe oyle of serycon and fixe
hem vppon calxof lune and rubifys
it and calcyne it and then gyve it oyle of golde to it be perfitte citryne . than
melt vp the calx in to ffyne
gold
Title in outer margin of f. 14v by main scribe 'citrinacio Lune'.
Full transcription (also transcribed in IMEP 11).
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 14
is now f. 17.
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [2]
16. 15r-16v
Perfectum magisterium (middle part - began on ff. 7v-8v and finishes on ff. 9r-10r)
pseudo-Arnaldus of Villanova
Language(s): Latin
Text on ff. 15r-16v begins and ends:| 'est quod metalla non generantur ...
virtutem que separaret terram sulphuream com'.
The leaves are now bound out of order; to restore the text, the leaves should be read
ff. 7v-8v, ff. 15r-16v, and then f. 9r-10r.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
eTK 1385
17. 17r
Alchemical recipes for making gold
Language(s): Middle English
Incipit:
17r Item dissolue golde and when he is clerely dissoluyd drawe the corrosyve
therfro to it be drye . and vppon that calx flix the quinte essence of vitriall in
grett quantite than gyve it
ffluxibilyte with þe oyle of sericon and cast thys vppon lune . et cetera
Title in inner margin of f. 17r by main scribe 'Citrinacio Lune'.
Full transcription.
Not in IMEP
18. 17r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
17r Et Nota quod licet argentum vivum possit figi
Explicit:
17r Plumbum est in suo profundo aurum adreum(?) de quo fit minium
quod a magistris vocatur sericon
Note in the inner margin of f. 17r by the main scribe 'quid est
Sericon'.
19. 17rv
Alchemical recipe for Oil of Jupiter
George Ripley
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
17r Primo calcina iovam sicut scis solo igne in calcem
Explicit:
17v pro certo conuertit .10. partes veneris in lunam breuem ad omne opus
Note in the inner margin of f. 17r by the main scribe 'olium
Jovis'.
20. 17v
Alchemical recipe for Oil of Jupiter
George Ripley
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
17v Et scias duo
Incipit:
17v Primum quod Jupiter est corpus illud in quo est argentum vivum mundum
Explicit:
17v Operare cum stanno(?) dicit philosophus donec sis dives quia
est in eo opus facilis tractacionis et leuis sumptus
Final rubric:
17v deo gracias .ij.h.G.R. canocius
(?)
de bridyllis
'G.R.' in the rubric refers to the author, George Ripley.
21. 17v-18r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
17v Separetur mercurius a iove cum menstruo
Explicit:
18r nostro et fiat inde(?) olium quod fermenta(?)
et cetera ||
Title in the outer margin of f. 17v, 'bene separacio Iovis'
22. 18v
Aurum potabile
Language(s): Middle English
Rubric:
18v Aurum potabile
Incipit:
18v ffor to dissolue goolde[sic] or syluer and make it potabile |
Take ffyne golde or fune syluer .℥.j. than take iiij.or.v.dweyght of quyke syluer and
anoynt þi plates þer with þan sethein in wynnelyes well mengyd with sale and alym
tyll þei wyll powder . than powder
them small . After þat hete þat powder on a ffyre red hote . and qwenche it in distilyd
vyneger , than dystylle þat
vynegre be(?) a fyltre and kepe it and put þat powder þat levyth ageyn into þe fyre . and lett
it
stond .xii. owres hote so þat it melte not and quenche it in new vynegre and do as
yon(?) dydyst fyrst
and allway put þe dyuerse vynegre togethere . and so do on to þe type þat þe vynegre
hath dissolued all thy powder in
to vynegre . Than vapour away þat vynegre with a lente ffyre . and þen xalte(?) in the bottome of þe
vessell a whyght matere or a ȝelow than take þat matere and grynde on a marbyl stone
. And let it lye styll vpon þe
stone . and it wyll turne onto clene water than kepe it well
The description in IMEP gives the rubric as 'An Recipe potabile'.
This recipe is by a different scribe.
Full transcription.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. *[3]
23. 19rv
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
19r Nota quod ad faciendum verum vivum mercurim Vegetabilem sic facies
Incipit:
19r Recipe aqua vite rectificate quatuor domec pecia(?) simul cum
aqua comburitur
Explicit:
19v et illud quod remanet in fundo est terra que dicitur copus et est aqua amara et
grossa ...(?)
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
24. 19v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
19v Nota . calcina feces vini vel tartar usque ad albedinem
Explicit:
19v fac quatuor et habebsis sal aqua vite sine quo nichil fit vt scis
Extensive additional comment on this note by the main scribe in the outer margin of
f. 19v.
Title added above the recipe in a contemporary (?different) hand.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
25. 19v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
19v Credo quod sal commune recte preperatum dissolutum in aqua vite
Explicit:
19v et si acuaretur cum rebus calidis erit forcior et cetera(?)
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
26. 20r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
20r Nota quod post quam tartarum biberit tamen de aqua ardenti
Explicit:
20r ad extrahendum sal vegetabile et cetera(?)
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
27. 20r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
20r Nota quod 5a essentia aquae ardentis
Explicit:
20r et hoc est optimum signum hoc ego scio esse verum deo gracias
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
28. 20r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
20r Alibi reperij scriptum quod in distilla commune aqua ardentis ex vino
Explicit:
20r Et totum hoc faciendum est in balneo
Final rubric:
20r Et vide Ray . libro de mercurijs in principio et ceteta(?)
There is a reference to a 'magister Thomas' in the text 'Et memorandum quod magister
Thomas dixit michi quod
dicitur distillari in vitro cum longe collo', but more work is needed to try to establish
the identity of this
person.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
29. 20rv
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
20r Nota bene de tartaro
Incipit:
20r Sunt quidam qui dicunt si calcinaretur tartarum
Explicit:
20v duobus facere componitum verum vel matrimonium vel elixer
(?Another) scribe has added a title and a note in the inner margin of f. 20r
and notes to the outer margin of f. 20v.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
30. 20v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
20v Oleum lune fit cum lunaria
Explicit:
20v et ibi precipit ponere de sale tibi ueto(?) quod dicitur
celum(?) nostrum
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
31. 20v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
20v Sal tibi notam bis vel ter dissolutum
Explicit:
20v est celum nostrum vel lunaria quatuor(?) rectificata
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
32. 21r
Alchemical recipes
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
21r Sal tibi
Incipit:
21r Recipe liber .j.a aqua ad . ℥ .j. solis
Explicit:
21r Reciper liber .ß. aqua ad .℥ .j. lune
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
33. 21r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
21r Aqua animata menstrualis extracta a tartaro
Explicit:
21r fixatur in lunam albam licet in cinericio nondurat
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
34. 21r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
21r Ceracio menstrui quod congellat argentum viuum
Explicit:
21r et est secretum omnium secretorum
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
35. 21rv
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
21r Circuletur vinum rubeum fortissimum
Explicit:
21v Et argentum vivum sic congelatus statim fixatur vt noscis
Memorandum in red by the main scribe in the lower margin of f. 21r drawing
attention to similar information in the works of Raymond Lull ('Raydi') and in the
pseudo-Aristotelian Secreta secretorum ('Secretum omnium secretorum').
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
36. 21v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
21v Nota pulcra
Incipit:
21v Pro sola congelacionis argenti vivi non requiritur an(?)
menstruum
Explicit:
21v argentum vivum vsque induretur solo eius calore absque igne in lapidem et
cetera
Timmermann transcribes the rubric as 'Nota pulera'.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
37. 21v-22r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
21v Experimentum verum
Incipit:
21v Combure lunam cum sulphure vivo
Explicit:
22r et convertet id in purissimam(?) mundi argentum
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
38. 22rv
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
22r Nota bene
Incipit:
22r Dissoluo calcem Saturni in oleum cum menstruo
Explicit:
22v Rectificacio menstrui in circulatorio super calidissimas species durat .per. 12
. dies et cetera(?)
Final rubric:
22v Hic siste gradum si cupis lucrum
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
39. 22v
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Middle English with Latin title
Incipit:
22v Nota bene hic est quod queris | Recipe j pynte of ffyne aqua vite and
dyssolue therin .iij. vnces of sal tarter þan distylle it by ffylter and therin putrfye
calx of any body þat þe water
be on ynche above þe calx and putrefye it in horse donge and þe body shalbe turnyd
into crude mercury quod miraculum
est
Full transcription.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [4]
40. 23r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin with Middle English inciput
Rubric:
23r Elixir verum Verissima conclucio et via curiosissima
Incipit:
23r Make the strongest aqua vite þat ye canne . Qua facta Rectificetur super
calidissimas species
Explicit:
23r congelati confixacio ita quod medicina sit sufficienter fluxibilis erit elixer
verum et hoc est via curiosissima quod quamvis sit longa erit comoda et cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, Macronic Index [A48]
41. 23r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
23r Nota bene de menstruo coagulativo raymundi
Incipit:
23r ffac menstruum Raymundym acuatum cum vegetabilibus sicut scis tunc cola aqua ab
eis et pone in eo
Explicit:
23r et fermenta sicut(?) scis cum oleo solis aut lune et cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
42. 23v
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
23v Sunt ergo Indurativa ista .Mirtus.psilium
Explicit:
23v Affigo ista ergo in colo nostro et influet tantam induracionem quod vehementer
stupebis
Contains a plant name in English 'foxe gloues'.
The main scribe appears to have added an additional preparation in the outer margin
of f. 23v.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
43. 23v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
23v Dixit quidam quod mercure congelatur
Explicit:
23v et aceto distillato a vitriolo per alembicum et cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
44. 23v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
23v Memorandum quod Magister Rychardus Clyffe dixit quod si quo pacto possit habero
aurum mediante mercurij vegetabili dissolutum ipso non dubitaret componere medicinam
Explicit:
23v perfectam infra .ix. dies extunc proxime(?) sequentes et hoc
michi sepius dixit pro constanti et indubitanter
Further work is needed to discover the biographical details of 'Magister Rychardus
Clyffe'.
'Nota bene' in the outer margin of f. 23v in the hand of the main scribe.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
45. 24r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
24r Alia vice Integorratus a me quomodo hoc vellet facere dixit quod vellet fixare
Explicit:
24r in ipso auro dissoluto per reiteracionem distllacionis et reduxcionis super
ipsum
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
46. 24r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
24r Alia vice . dixit quod vellet misceri aurum dissolutum
Explicit:
24r et commisceri cum sola dissoluto
Final rubric:
24r video pro hoc Raymundum vi supra in epistola
accurtacionis
Several references to the works of Raymond Llull in this note.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
47. 24rv
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
24r Mercurius vulgi philosophicaliter sublimatus dissoluetur in aqua philosophorum
Explicit:
24v et si dissoluitur per se in aqua precede miscendo vt supra
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
48. 24v
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Middle English with title in Latin
Rubric:
24v Menstruum
Incipit:
24v Drawe an aqua vite of cru tarter and therwith inbibe .H. Sublymed as longe
as yt wyl ony drynke then dissolue in fimo . ffylter þat lycowre for it wyll dyssolue
all calces of bodyes and draweth
vppe ther sulphures crystallyne whyche is þe ffyrste matter of owre stone and þen devyde
þe thyn fro þe thycke fixe þem and ferment þem with cloere ferment of .⟨Sol⟩. or
.⟨lune⟩. made by puer aqua vite and fixe them togyther . hoc alibi . scilicet . in alio libro
antiqo et cetera
Full transcription.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [5]
49. 24v-25v
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Middle English with title and quotations in Latin
Rubric:
24v Quinta essencia bona
Incipit:
24v Drawe owt of the tarter of þe stronge rede wyne or fyne whyght wyne
Explicit:
25v þe conclusyon is put by mery sayeng þus of þe water þus ea interfice eam super
corus fixum quod est de corde saturni . hoc est super argentum et aurum et cetera
The recipe includes two quotations in Latin on f. 25v, from an authority
'mery' ('of whych mery sayth' and 'þe conclusyon is put by mery'), and a cross-reference
to Raymond Llull ('thys
conformyth Raymund seyng thus').
Additional recipe in the lower margin of f. 25v in a large and somewhat untidy
hand.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, Macronic Index [A49]
50. 26rv
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Middle English and Latin
Rubric:
26r Oleum .⟨solis⟩. faciendum Nota de aqua Secreta
Incipit:
26r Take wax and shape it in thynne fflawys and gryn hem wyth grete salte on a
stone
Explicit:
26v Et optimum est operari in isto opere cum favis crudis .i. cum totali substantia
mellis et cere et cetera
The recipe refers to the work of Raymund Llull ('hoc inveniebat Raymundus').
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 26
is now f. 31.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, Macronic Index [A50]
51. 26v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Full transcription:| Nota bene . alibi reperij scriptum | Contere coram minutam in
rasure et gracilitor
cum sale combusto et distilla ex eis aquam quod dissoluit aurum calcinatur vt didici
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 26
is now f. 31.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
52. 26v
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin with an ingredient in Middle English
Rubric:
26v Calcinacio solis per Cementacionem
Incipit:
26v Calcina solem vt scis inter duas tegulas(?) per .8. horas
caudentes
Explicit:
26v et fiant frangiles puluis earum liquascit super laminam qui per aquam ardentem
fiat oleum et cetera
The 'per cementacionem' in the rubric is in another hand.
An ingredient 'baye salte' written in Middle English.
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 26
is now f. 31.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, Macronic Index [A51]
53. 26v
Beginning of an alchemical recipe (continues on f. 31r)
Language(s): Middle English with Latin title
Rubric:
26v Calcinacio et Cementacio Solis
Incipit:
26v Take myghty stronge yest of ale and baye salte seperate grynde hem to gyther
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 26
is now f. 31..
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [6]
54. 27r-28r
End of an alchemical recipe for making aqua vite (began on f. 34v)
Language(s): Middle English
Explicit:
27v-28r and when it is so dyght þat it wele make white bras þat is hotte whan it is
caste þerinne þan kepe it to þi werke in a vessell of glasse wele stopped with waxe
as þu dede before in water of of
lyfe
The leaves are now bound out of order; to restore the text the leaves should be read
ff. 34v and then ff. 27r-28r
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [9]
55. 28r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
28r Preparacio lac virginis sive fimo
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
56. 28r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Contains a simple geometric diagram of a rectangle subdivided into quarters with the
word 'corpus' written in the
centre.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
57. 28rv
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
28r Qualiter quadrangulum vertitur in rotundum . Sc . ymaginatur . masculis habet
.4or elementa equaliter
Explicit:
28v et cum sale album redigatur sed prius ...(?) quam sal fiant
soluar siue fimo quod dicitur aque permanens
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
58. 28v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
28v Hec conclucio sequens est raymundina
Incipit:
28v Acc⟨ipe⟩ de lacte virginis bene sicci
Explicit:
28v et separa inde elementa et fac elixer
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
59. 28v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
28v Fac oleum de luna cum corrosina vel cum menstruo
Explicit:
28v et in cora cum eo specie et fixa
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
60. 29r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
29r Nota aqua mercuriata
Incipit:
29r Item dixit magister raymundius ex argento vivo . sublimato quinquies cum
vitriolo et sale petre bene mundo aqua puluerizatis et distillatis per alembicum
Explicit:
29r et dicit quod est secretum tocius alkimis(?) et lapidario et
cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
61. 29rv
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
29r Elixer de solo mercurio verum
Incipit:
29r Imbibe puluerem mercurij congelati in menstruo
Explicit:
29v et fixari vt sit firma medicina
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
62. 29v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Full transcription:| Aqua mercurij soluit incorat et ingressum dat et fixat calces
corporum et facit Elixer
verum de illis si noueris eam bene desiccari et cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
63. 29v
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
29v Ignis contra natura est oculus basilisci quod nota propter(?)
tractatum illum Raymundi qui incipit venerando .23.
Incipit:
29v Dissolue argentum vivum in forti corrosiam et traho corrosiam ab eo dissoluto
Explicit:
29v in medicinis propter ignem contra natruam qui est oculus basilisci et cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
64. 30r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
30r Ad faciendum Rubium nostrum
Incipit:
30r Dissolue mercurium in forti corrosiua
Explicit:
30r quo liniantur plate argenti et cetera vt scis
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
65. 30rv
To make owre Riche Rubye
Language(s): Middle English
Rubric:
30r To make owre Riche Rubye
Incipit:
30r Dissolue a grette quantyte of mercury in a grette quantyte of the stronger
corrosyf
Explicit:
30v and turnyth all imperfite bodyes into perfite golde whiche may be multiplied
with oyle of steele .et cetera. hic est via verra
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
Not in IMEP
66. 30v
Beginning of an alchemical recipe (continues on f. 35r)
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
30v Ad faciendum ⟨mercurium⟩ rubeum fixum Et fusible vt cora
Incipit:
30v Recipe salem
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 30
is now f. 35.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
67. 31r
End of an alchemical recipe (beginning on f. 26v)
Language(s): enm
Explicit:
31r and therwith cement the golde and betwyxe ij tyle stonys kepe it in reed hotte
ffyre vj howres and þe golde xal be hole and puluerizable
The leaves are now bound out of order; to restore the text, the leaves should be read
f. 26v and then f. 31r.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [6]
68. 31r
Alchemical recipe for making gold pulverizable
Language(s): Middle English
Incipit:
31r Alia Calcinacio et Cementacio Solis| The same yf it be cowched with
ffyne sal armonyake lymalled and brent .24. howeres in a potte of erthe wel glasyd
þan washe a wey the salte with
warme water et cetera
Title by another hand. Full transcription.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [7]
69. 31r
Alchemical recipe for making gold pulverizable
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
31r Calcinacio et Cementacio Solis
Incipit:
31r Aurum cementatum cum vitriolo cadet crustatim
Explicit:
31r Ille puluis et hec puluis
rer(?)edactus in oleum currones(?) facit mirabilia
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
70. 31r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
31r Nota maxima
Incipit:
31r Nota quod oleum solis aut lune per residenciam
Explicit:
31r et ex eis fieri magistrum(?) elixer et cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
71. 31v-32r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
31v Elixer de solo mercurio et dissolucio mercurij
Incipit:
31v Pone corpus quod pnderosius est in distillaterio et traho suum sudorem cum
paruo spiraculo
Explicit:
32r cuiuscumque imperfecti vt fiat luna purissima
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
72. 32r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
32r Est in mercurio quiquid quarunt sapientes
Explicit:
32r Corpus ab homo anima spritus tinctura trahuntur
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
73. 32r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
32r-33r Tunc et cum lacte virginis dissolute
Explicit:
32r et coniungibilis omnibus corrumpentibus et non recedit a commixte donec est et
cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
74. 32r-33r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
32r Nota bene
Incipit:
32r Est et aqua mercuriata Raymundiam sic facte de qua dicit mora philosiphissa .
ffac aquam triam sicut aqua currentem
Explicit:
33r Ista aqua est noster ignis purus et naturalis qua spiritus dissolutus
corruptionis(?) fixi congelatur in terram gloriosam
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
75. 33r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
33r Aqua mercurij crudi sic
Incipit:
33r Per se in distillando in vitro potente in olla incineribus
Explicit:
33r et ex eo solute fit totum magisterium
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
76. 33r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
33r Aqua mercurij crudi fit in distillando in vitro posito in olla
Explicit:
33r nimis calida non distillet
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
77. 33rv
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Middle English with title in Latin
Rubric:
33rv Aqua mercurij per circulacionem in balneo
Incipit:
33rv Sublyme mercury iij tymes and after þat make hym crue ageyne with vyneger
and warme water þen drye it suerly and make water of hym by circulacion in balneo
or easy fyre to all be water þe
whych dyssoluyth all bodyes et cetera
Full transcription.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [8]
78. 33v-34r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
33v Quomodo depuratur .mercure. et purgatur
Incipit:
33v Ingenium igitur ipsius terree substantie superflus remocionis est ipsum semel
vel bis sublimare a vitro et sale
Explicit:
34r Aqua vero sepcies[sic] distillata fina eam ad partem quam ipsam est
.mercurium.philosophorum, solutinus faciens matrimonium et aqua vite abluens lotionem
et cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
79. 34rv
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
34r Nota de recapitulacione primi regiminis
Incipit:
34r Modo dicam breuiter totum dissolucionis modum . Sublima ergo primo .Mercurius.
et deinde soluas ipsum
Explicit:
34v In ipso ergo tria sunt inquirenda puta subtile ingenium artificis . opera
mannum . et arbitrium . Quod quidem requirit divicias . sapienciam et libros
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 34
is now f. 27.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
80. 34v
Aqua vite
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
34v Aqua vite
Incipit:
34v Recipe mercure in magna quantitate .sublime(?). ij lb .
vel . iij . lb . et pone in cucurbita vitri isto modo facto et cum capite isto modo
facto et fac subtilus ignem lentum
et distilla aqua que dissoluit omne copus et omnes species
Full transcription.
Marginal drawing in the outer margin of f. 34v of alchemical flasks with one
labelled 'cucur', probably a reference to the instruction in the text to place a large
quantity of mercury in a
gourd-shaped glass flask 'cucurbita vitri'.
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 34
is now f. 27.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
81. 34v
Beginning of Alchemical recipe for making aqua vite (continues on ff. 27r-28r)
Language(s): Middle English
Rubric:
34v Here ffolowyth the Rightfull dyghtyng of oure blyssyd stone
Incipit:
34v Take of owre prevy stone þat is whyte and ffreshe as myche as þu will and þan
breke it into powder as small as þu may and grynde it in a glason panne
The leaves are now bound out of order; to restore the text, the leaves should be read
f. 34v and then ff. 27r-28r.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [9]
82. 35r
End of an alchemical recipe (beginning on f. 30v)
Language(s): Latin
Explicit:
35r Ubi non putrescit oritur cressit et multiplicabitur
The leaves are now bound out of order; to restore the text, the leaves should be read
f. 30v and then f. 35r.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
83. 35r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
35r Dixit alius quod sal arsenicus
Explicit:
35r
vt prescribere proxime ter(?)
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
84. 35rv
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Incipit:
35r Dixit alius pone de predicto mercurie fusibili rubeo resoluto
Explicit:
35v et apparebunt in eo multi colores et congelabitur in finem solem
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
85. 35v-39v
Alchemical recipe for 'Aquam permanentem'
Language(s): Middle English with Latin title
Rubric:
35v Aquam permamentem
Incipit:
35v Recipe mercury with hys ovyn weyght of Rocke alam and breke hem to geder tyll
þai be well incorporat
Explicit:
39v And yf he congele not þen is þi medecyn perfittely wrought for þe nature of þe
elixer is to melte with hote and congele with colde And loke þu Reherse þi werke tyll
he so do for þu ofter he is
dissoluyde and congelyde þe more is his vertue
Note that Timmerman splits this item into seven recipes.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [10]
86. 39v-40r
Alchemical note
Language(s): Middle English with Latin title
Rubric:
39v Dictum hermetis
Incipit:
39v Hermes sayth in þe book of flowris of folosofye . A body dissoluyd and water
abydyng congeylyth mercuri with an euerlastyng congellacion
Explicit:
40r ffor truly spiritus owyn for to be fixid with þe watere of bodijs dissoluyd and
so be þu sure from corrupcion et cetera
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [11]
87. 40rv
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
40r Nota optime de opere minerali
Incipit:
40r Cum volueris operari in opere minerali rectifica corrosiuam aquam factam de
vitriolo et sale
Explicit:
40v vt aqua distillet super ipsum et soluat et fiat vna aqua
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
88. 40v
Alchemical note
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
40v Nota separacio elementorum
Incipit:
40v Opus primo de terra facere aqua
Explicit:
40v et evacua debilem aquam cum lentissimo igno donec vna gutta voluerit bullire
super cultellum
Final rubric:
40v Ora pro Scriptor
Contains the line 'Sed sine auro nihil boni fit in arte'.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
89. 40v-41r
Alchemical Recipe
Language(s): Middle English
Incipit:
40v Thowghe mercury and qwyksyluer both be one kynde yet arn þei oþer and dyuerse
in spice and ye shall vnderstande þat þer ben .ij. maners of mercury and of quycksyluer
Explicit:
41r ffor þis is þe mercury of crafte þat þe phylosofors vsyd and þe same þat he was
before he was congelyd into metall ffor þei ben turnyd downe ayen as to her Centyr
D.W. Singer, Catalogue of Latin and Vernacular Alchemical Manuscripts in Great Britain and
Ireland: Dating from before the XVI Century, 3 vols (Brussels: Maurice Lamertin, 1928), no. 462
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [12]
90. 41v-42v
Alchemical text
Language(s): Middle English with Latin heading and quotation
Rubric:
41v 4or verba philosophorum
Incipit:
41v Therfor with goddys helpe let vs goo to þis practyk craft þat is shortly
conteyned in 4 . woordys . The ffirst is putrefaccon þe first word of þis werk is
reduccion of the body into watyr þat
is in to mercury þat philosopheris calle solucion which is fondement of all þe craft
and makyth þe body open
liqueffacion
Explicit:
42v but þat syluyr so cast vpon anoþer body xal turne yet into pure syluer and þe
same ys to vndyrstonde of gold . In these .4. wurdes all þe craft is conteynyd . Ergo
coniunge per spiritum quia
spiritus intrat et vbi vult spirat
Final rubric:
42v Explicit tractatus
Folio 42v is very dark and rubbed as it was probably once the outermost leaf
in the notebook, prior to the book's disorderly rebinding.
Mooney in IMEP 11 notes that this text is an '[a]pparent trans. of DWS 797vi, De quatuor
verbis, itself a version of Gemma salutaris ...'. Mooney also suggests that '[t]he
'Tractatus' of the colophon may be intended to include others of the principally English
texts preceding this one
in the MS'. Finally, Mooney notes that the explicit is 'closely related to Latin of
BL Sloane 212, ff.
25v-31'.
D.W. Singer, Catalogue of Latin and Vernacular Alchemical Manuscripts in Great Britain and
Ireland: Dating from before the XVI Century, 3 vols (Brussels: Maurice Lamertin, 1928), no. 797vi
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [13]
91. 43r-46r
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Middle English with Latin subheadings
Rubric:
43r The makyng of owre .2. menstrualles as seyth Raymund and callys it hys fyr Of
nature . separatyve coagulatyve deso⟨l⟩vyng to generacion of owr Basylykes the moost precyus secret
of owr phylosophy
Incipit:
43r Primum menstruale separativum | Recipe of the gumme of the therebinth tree
as mych as ye lyst and of new hony streynyd owt of the combys as myche and bett euerylk
with a pottell of luke warme
water In a erthyn pan wel glasyd with a smalle staffe tyll all be thyn as the water
then distille the water therfro
with an easy heate
Explicit:
46r and then holde the .ij. glasses with þe .ij. basylykes In hoott water tyll þey
be Relentyd and yet put to them thes .ij. oyles now made and kepe them In balneo .15.
dayes and then take out the
glase and that shall anon In colde congelle in to stony substaunce ans be of puluer
with the Basylykis nature made
afore and thus doo Infynytlye by þe helpe of god Anon
Mooney notes in IMEP 11 that the 'Raymund' mentioned in the rubric and throughout
the text is probably Raymund
Lull, but that the 'incipit does not correspond to any of his works in T[horndike]
and K[ibre].'
The main scribe has added marginal notes in Latin to this text.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. [14]
92. 46v
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Latin
Rubric:
46v Magister petrus(?) de armenia . de tartaro Nota oleum tartari
Incipit:
46v Recipe tartarum et calcina fortiter donec albi ficetur intus et extra
Explicit:
46v et erit fixum deinde pone super lapidem in loco humido vase
supponete(?) et sic habebis oleum tartari secretum
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 46
is now f. 11.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
93. 46v
Alchemical recipe
Language(s): Middle English
Perhaps in another hand as the ductus is somewhat different to the text in the rest
of the volume, but the shape
of the g and q in particular resemble the hand of the main scribe, and
so this text may just reflect a hasty return to the volume at a later date.
Full transcription: | Take argoylle and distille vpp firste the water by it selfe
þab þe oyle by itselfe and
take of þe erthe remaynyng and washe it and drye it in þe son with hys own first water
to it be whyȝte as snowe .
than dissolue it in stronge aqua vite to all be clere as Crystall . therwyth imbibe
the Ceruse of tynne vpon a
marble in the son ofttyme dryeng and imbibynge to it haue dronke vpp a good quantite
. than cast therof vpon
copper purged et cetera
The leaves are now bound out of order; the leaf that originally followed f. 46
is now f. 11.
A. Timmermann, 'Alchemy in Cambridge: An Annotated Catalogue of Alchemical Texts and
Illustrations in Cambridge
Repositories', Nuncius: Journal of the Material and Visual History of Science, 30.2 (2015),
pp. 345–511
IMEP 11: Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.2.22, no. *[15]
