Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

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

Cambridge, University Library, MS Ii.1.33

Homilies and saints' lives, in Old English

Contents

Introduction: Cambridge, University Library, MS Ii.1.33 (hereafter CUL MS Ii.1.33) is a remarkable manuscript, in that it offers unique evidence for the transitional period between Old English and Middle English. Compiled in the second half of the twelfth century, it stands out for being one of the latest extant collections containing Old English texts, demonstrating the linguistic, cultural and historical transformations of its time. Furthermore, its significance lies not only in its contents, but also in its complex history of compilation, usage and subsequent scholarly engagement. The manuscript primarily consists of texts by Ælfric of Eynsham (c. 955-c. 1010), a monk and abbot known for his large amount of Old English religious prose, such as his two sets of Catholic Homilies and his Lives of Saints. It also includes some penitential material towards the end: three anonymous texts and an Old English translation of Alcuin's De uirtutibus et uitiis, chapters 1-13. In the manuscript, some Ælfrician pieces are presented only as passion narratives, suggesting that the book might have originally been intended as a Passional. The manuscript underwent several stages of development, with contributions from at least two but possibly up to four scribes, based on both palaeographical and linguistic considerations. The current order of texts does not reflect their order of copying; rather, the manuscript was built around a core, and the first four texts that appear may in fact have been written last. Some of the texts that were copied earliest focus on the apostles, while some later ones, copied by a different scribe, address saints in a Church-year order. Subsequent additions transformed the manuscript's character, turning it from an 'Apostolic Passional' to a 'Saintly Reader', and ultimately to a miscellaneous collection of religious texts. CUL MS Ii.1.33 is an invaluable resource for understanding the linguistic transition from Old English to Middle English. Although the primary language of the manuscript is Old English, it incorporates some Middle English features, particularly in later additions and alterations. These linguistic changes are particularly evident in orthography and vocabulary, and offer insights into how these scribes engaged with older texts while adapting them to their contemporary linguistic context. Notably, one scribe contributed a marginal Middle English passage adapted from a Latin source, alongside two marginal passages in Old French, highlighting the multilingual environment of the period (see ff. 70v and 120r). The manuscript also shows evidence of deliberate preservation and emendation. Scribes updated texts linguistically to reflect contemporary usage while sometimes reverting to older forms, indicating a complex relationship with the linguistic heritage of Old English. This blend of conservation and adaptation underscores the manuscript's role as a bridge between Old English and Middle English. The origins and medieval provenance of CUL MS Ii.1.33 have been widely debated. The manuscript is thought to have been compiled in a south-eastern scriptorium, potentially at Canterbury or Rochester. Another possible origin is Ely, given the manuscript's later association with St Æthelthryth, Ely's patron saint. There may also be a link to Barnwell Priory, on the outskirts of Cambridge. Although direct evidence to link the manuscript to these locations is limited, the manuscript's emphasis on specific saints and its inclusion of particular texts align with these ecclesiastical centres. Such associations further situate the manuscript within broader ecclesiastical and cultural networks in medieval England - and the possibility that it was a commissioned work or a gift between monasteries reflects the interconnectedness of these institutions. However, the absence of conclusive proof leaves room for further study and speculation, as much for the manuscript's origins as its intended purposes, which also remain uncertain. Unlike other homiletic collections designed explicitly for preaching, this manuscript seems to be more associated with private or communal reading. The lack of expository content typical of sermons supports this hypothesis. As new sections were added, the manuscript's character evolved, adapting to changing needs. For example, its emphasis on saints and the Church-year order suggests a devotional or educational function. Certainly, though, CUL MS Ii.1.33 provides critical evidence of the continued copying and use of Old English texts long after the Norman Conquest. While the production of new vernacular texts declined in the twelfth century, manuscripts like this one demonstrate an enduring demand for Old English religious works. This interest may have stemmed from a desire to preserve Anglo-Saxon heritage or from the practical use of these texts in devotional and educational settings. The manuscript's multilingual character, with Latin and Old French alongside both Old English and Middle English, highlights the complex linguistic environment of post-Conquest England. Although an inscription on f. 29r indicates a period of neglect (a common fate for Old English texts after the Norman Conquest), evidence of renewed interest in the manuscript's contents is extensive: glosses, additions, running titles and marginal annotations, in Middle English and Latin, were made during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, possibly for instructional purposes, and point to ongoing engagement with the manuscript over many decades. Such interest persists to this day. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries and the dispersal of their libraries, the manuscript came into the hands of Matthew Parker (1504-1575), archbishop of Canterbury, and was one of twenty-five manuscripts he donated to Cambridge University Library in 1574. George Hickes listed it alongside its texts in 1689, while Humfrey Wanley's companion volume to Hickes' later Thesaurus in 1705 provided more detailed information, including incipits and/or explicits. In 1957, Neil Ker offered the most comprehensive description of the manuscript up to that time in his catalogue of manuscripts containing Old English. Subsequent scholarship, including the work of Elaine Treharne (1998), Oliver M. Traxel (2004), John Frankis (2007) and Orietta Da Rold (2010), has continued to refine our understanding of the manuscript's content and significance. Standard editions of Ælfrician texts, such as those by Peter Clemoes, Malcolm R. Godden, and Walter W. Skeat, have drawn extensively from CUL MS Ii.1.33. The manuscript's four non-Ælfrician texts have also attracted editorial attention, particularly Anna Maria Luiselli Fadda's edition of two anonymous Old English homilies (1977) and Susan G. Youngs' dissertation on the final text appearing in the manuscript: the poem Instructions for Christians (1995). That the manuscript has continued to attract scholarly attention over a period of more than eight and a half centuries attests to its enduring significance both as a cultural artefact and a subject of academic enquiry. As one of the last manuscripts to be made that contains text in Old English, and partially glossed in the vernacular language that evolved thereafter, it provides a bridge between the language and culture of pre- and post-Conquest England, offering a distinctive perspective on the preservation and transformation of this country's linguistic and literary heritage. Prof. Dr. Oliver M. Traxel|Professor of English Language and Linguistics|University of Stavanger

Language(s): Old English, with some passages in Latin

1. iii recto-iv verso
Description of the manuscript and its contents
Language(s): English
John Mitchell Kemble

Added in the 19th century. See Additions.

2. 1r
Table of contents
Language(s): Latin, with rubric partially in English
Rubric: 1r: Homiliarum saxonicarum . The Contentis of this Boke

Added by a 16th-century hand. See Additions.

3. 2r-4r
Preface to Genesis Ælfric
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 2r: Ælfric munuc gret æþelƿeard ealdorman eadmodlice
Explicit: 4r: gif he nele his ƿóh gerihtan

'Parkerian' rubric added by a 16th-century hand to f. 2r: 'Genesis in Englishe'. 'Matthaeus Cantuar: dedit. 1574' and 'Continet paginas . 450 .' added by another 16th-century hand as part of the donation of the manuscript to Cambridge University Library (see Provenance and Acquisition).

Crawford (1922), pp. 76-80
Wilcox (1994), pp. 116-19
Marsden (2008), pp. lxxiv-lxxxiv, 3-7
ASMMF (2013), art. 1
4. 4r-24v
Translation of Genesis 1-24:26 Ælfric
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 4r: Incipit liber Genesis
Incipit: 4v: In angýnne gescéop god heofonan ⁊ eorþan
Explicit: 24v: ⁊ gildene biagas god heriende
Crawford (1922), pp. 81-149 (using this MS, incl. alternative translations of Genesis 4, 5, 10, 11, 23 and 24
Ker (1957), art. 1
Marsden (2008), pp. 8-53
ASMMF (2013), art. 2
5.
Catholic Homilies, Second Series, XIII, Fifth Sunday in Lent Ælfric
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 24v: Þeos tid fram þisum ⁊ƿeardum dǽge oðða halgan eastertide is gecƿeden cristes þroƿungtid
Explicit: 28v: Sy him lof ⁊ ƿuldor his ormǽtum eadmodnesse on ealra ƿorulda ƿoruld . amen

5th Sunday in Lent.

Ker (1957), art. 2
Godden (1979), no. 13; pp. 127-36
ASMMF (2013), art. 3
6. 25r
John 8:49-56
Incipit: 25r: Ego demonium
Explicit: 25r: uidit et gauisus

Written in the margin. Text partly lost due to trimming.

Da Rold (2009)
ASMMF (2013), note to art. 3
7. 29r-34v
Catholic Homilies, First Series, II, Christmas Day Ælfric
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 29r: viii . kalendas ianuarii . Nativitas Domini Nostri Ihesu Christi
Incipit: 29r: Ƿe ƿillað to trymmincge oeƿres geleafan eoƿ gereccan þæs hælendes acennednysse be þære godspellican endeburdnysse
Explicit: 34v: þe he for ure lufe gefremode us to alysednesse . ⁊ to ecere blisse. Þam si ƿuldor ⁊ lof mid þam ælmihtigan fæder on ánnysse þæs halgan gastes on ealra ƿorulda ƿoruld . amen
Ker (1957), art. 3
Clemoes (1997), pp. 190-97
ASMMF (2013), art. 4
8. 34v-36v
Lives of Saints, XX, St Æthelthryth Ælfric
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 34v: De Sancta Æþeldryþe Uirgine
Incipit: 34v: Ƿe ƿillað nu aƿriten þeah ðe hit ƿundorlic sy be ðǽre halgan æþeldryðe þam englisean mædene
Explicit: 36v: Manega bysna synð on bocum be sƿilcum, hu oft ƿeras and ƿif ƿundorlice drohtnodon . ⁊ on clænnysse ƿunodon to ƿuldre þam hælende. þe ða clænnysse astealde crist ure drihten. þam is á ƿurðmynt . ⁊ ƿuldor on ecnysse . amen
Ker (1957), art. 4
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 1, pp. 432-40
ASMMF (2013), art. 5
9. 37r-52v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, Second Series, XI, St Benedict
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 37r: XII. kalendas aprilis. Sancti Benedicti Abbatis
Incipit: 37r: Benedictus se halga abbud on ðisum and ƿardan dæge geƿat of ðisum deadlican life to ðam ecan þe he ær deoplice mid hali gre drohtnunge geearnode
Explicit: 52v: his halga lichama ƿearð þa bebyrged to his sƿusterlice scolastican . sƿa sƿa he sylf bebead binnan iohannes cyrican þæs halgan fulluhteres on||

Text ends imperfectly.

Godden (1979), pp. 92-109
Ker (1957), art. 5
ASMMF (2013), art. 6
10. 53r-57v
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, X, Chair of St Peter
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 53r: VIII. kalendas Marcii. Cathedra Sancti Petri apostoli
Incipit: 53r: Ƿe cƿeþað on gerim cræfte cathedra sancti petri seofan nihton ær ðam monðe þe ƿe martius hatað
Explicit: 57v: He ge ƿat ða to heofonum . to hælende criste . þam is ƿuldor ⁊ ƿurð mynt on ealra ƿorulunda ƿorold. Amen
Ker (1957), art. 6
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 1, pp. 218-39
ASMMF (2013), art. 7
11. 57v-60v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, XXVII, St Paul
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 57v: Conuersio Sancti Pauli
Incipit: 57v: Godes gelaðung ƿurðað þysne dæg þam mæran Paule to ƿyrðmynte
Explicit: 60v: ac se bið gesælig. þe his mynegungum mid gecneordnysse gehyrsumað
Clemoes (1997), pp. 400-404
Ker (1957), art. 7
ASMMF (2013), art. 8
12. 60v
Alcuin, De psalmorum usu liber (extract, in translation)
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 60v: 60v Gif ðu ƿille for þinra synna bereoƿsunge gedon. and andetnesse þinra scylda. þonne scealt þu sƿa mycel sƿa ðu meaht mid inreƿeardan heortan. na mid efestlican ƿordan. ac mid geþencendan mode þas . VII. dauiðes psalmis. to dædbote gelomlice singan : and þu findæst sƿiðe hrædlice godes mildheortnesse ymban ðe. and þin mod bið mid gastlicere blisse on lihted .

Full transcription.

Directions for reciting the Penitential Psalms.

Six lines of text inserted by one of the text scribes in a blank space at the end of Quire 8 (see Ker, but cf. Traxel). This is a translation of the section Primus usus psalmorum of Alcuin's De psalmorum usu liber.

PL 101:465
Ker (1957), art. 8a
Traxel (2004), p. 27 n. 48
ASMMF (2013), art. 9a
13. 60v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, XXXVII, St Clement
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 60v: Men þa leofestan eoƿer geleafa bið þe trumra gif ge gehyrað be godes halgum hu hi þæt heofenlice rice ge earnodon. and be magon þe cuðlicor to heo me clypian gif heora lifes drohtnunga eoƿ þurh lareoƿa bodiunge cuðe beoð

Full transcription.

Only the first four lines of the homily are copied, as given here. Ker (1957) describes this and the following item as an introduction to the homily on SS Peter and Paul which begins on f. 61r.

Clemoes (1997), p. 496
Ker (1957), art. 8b
ASMMF (2013), art. 9b
14. 60v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, XXVI, SS Peter and Paul
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 60v: Ƿe ƿyllað eoƿ gereccan þara apostola drohtnun ge. and geendunge petrus and paulus mid sceortre race. for þan þe heora þroƿung ys gehƿær on ængliscum gereor de fallice geendebyrd . þus cƿeþende .

Full transcription.

Only four lines of the homily are copied, as given here.

Ker (1957), art. 9b
Clemoes (1997), p. 391
ASMMF (2013), art. 9c
15. 61r-65v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, XXVI, SS Peter and Paul
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 61r: De passione apostolorum Petri et Pauli
Incipit: 61r: After drihtnes upstige ƿæs petrus bodigen de geleafan þam leodscipum þe synd gecƿedene . Galatia . Cappadocia . biþinia . asia . Italia
Explicit: 65v: Cuð is geond ealle þeodscipas þæt fela ƿundra gelumpon æt ðæra apostola byrgenum þurh ðæs hælendes tiðe. þam sy ƿuldor ⁊ lof a on ecnysse

Passio only and without the introductory lines (see Ker, art. 8b / ASMMF, art. 9b.

Ker (1957), art. 9
Clemoes (1997), pp. 391-99
ASMMF (2013), art. 10
16. 65v-71r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, XXXVIII, St Andrew
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 65v: II. kalendas decembris passio sancti Andree apostoli .
Incipit: 65v: Se apostol andreas æfter cristes þroƿunge ferde to ðam lande þe is gehaten achaiga ⁊ þær bodade drihtnes geleafan
Explicit: 70v-71r: Vton nu biddan þone ælmihtigan ƿealdend þæt his eadiga apostol ure þingera beo . sƿa sƿa he ƿunode his gelaðunge bydel . sy þam metodan drihtne ƿyrðmynt ⁊ lof á on eccnesse. Amen

Passio only.

Ker (1957), art. 10
Clemoes (1997), pp. 513-19
ASMMF (2013), art. 11
16.1. 70v
Verse
Language(s): Old French
Incipit: 70v: cest aiunt en Achaia . dunt plusur unt oi parler . dedenz la cite de patras que uous auez oi numer
Traxel (2004), p. 77
17. 71r-79r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, IV, St John
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 71r: VI. kalendas Ianuarii. Assumptio Sancti iohannis apostoli.
Incipit: 71r: Iohannes se godspellere cristes dyrling ƿearð on þysum dæge to heofonan rices myrh þe þurh godes neosunge genumen
Explicit: 78v-79r: Þær beoð fela tacna æteoƿde. ⁊ untru me gehælde. ⁊ fram eallum frecednyssum alysede þurh þæs apostoles þingunge . þæs him getiþað drihten crist þam is ƿuldor and ƿyrðmynt . mid fæder ⁊ halgan gaste a butan ende. Amen
Ker (1957), art. 11
Clemoes (1997), pp. 206-16
ASMMF (2013), art. 12
18. 79r-80v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, Second Series, XVIIa, St Philip
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 79r: Kalendas mai. Apostolorum Philippi et Iacobi .
Incipit: 79r: Philippus se godes apostol þe ƿe on þysum dage ƿurðiað
Explicit: 80v: micele ƿel dæda and ƿundra gelome . geleaffullum mannum se þe leofað . a . Amen
Ker (1957), art. 12
Godden (1979), pp. 167-71
ASMMF (2013), art. 12a
19. 80v-82r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, Second Series, XVIIb, St James the Less
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 80v: De sancto Iacobo apostolo
Incipit: 80v: Ƿe ƿurþiað eac on þissere ⁊ƿerdan freolstide . Oþerne apostol . iacob þone rihtƿisan
Explicit: 82r: Vton nu ge broðru biddan geornlice þas halgan apostolas . þe ƿe todæg ƿurðiað. þæt hi us þingian to urum scyppende se þe ana rixað on ecnesse god . Amen
Ker (1957), art. 13
Godden (1979), pp. 171-73
ASMMF (2013), art. 12b
20. 82r-91r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, XXXI, St Bartholomew
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 82r: VIII Kalendas Septembris Passio sancti Bartholomei apostoli
Incipit: 82r: Ƿyrd ƿriteras secgað þæt þry leodscipas synd gehate ne India ; seo forme India lið to þære silhearƿenarice
Explicit: 90v-91r: Hwæt ƿylle ƿe endemenn þyssere ƿerolde . gif ƿe for urum synnum gebrocode beoð . buton herian urne drihten ⁊eadmodlice biddan . þæt he us þurh þa hƿilƿendlican sƿingle to þam ecan gefean gelæde . sy him ƿuldor ⁊ lof on ealra ƿorulda ƿorold

Introductory line written below rubric and above first line of text. Formerly written in margin, now erased.

Ker (1957), art. 14
Clemoes (1997), pp. 439-50
ASMMF (2013), art. 13
21. 91r-95r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, Second Series, XXVII, St James the Great
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 91r: VIII kalendas augusti passio sancti iacobi apostoli
Incipit: 91r: On þysum dæge ƿe ƿurþiað on urum lofsangum ⁊ on freolse þone mæran apostol iacobum
Explicit: 95r: ⁊ hi sigefæste samod ferdon to criste . þam is ƿuldor ⁊ ƿyrðmynt on ealra ƿorulda ƿoruld . Amen
Ker (1957), art. 15
Godden (1979), pp. 241-7
ASMMF (2013), art. 14
22. 95r-98r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, Second Series, XXXII, St Matthew
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 95r: XI. kalendas octobris passio sancti mathei apostoli et ewangeliste
Incipit: 95r: Se apostol Matheus ⁊ godspellere becom þurh godes sande æfter drihtnes upstige to heofonum to ethiopian þæt is þæra silhearpena rice
Explicit: 98r: þær beoð gefremode fela ƿundra gelome þurh geearnunge þæs eadigan apostoles . þurh godes mihte mannum to frofre . Sy þæs gode lof a on ecnesse . Amen

Passio only.

Ker (1957), art. 16
Godden (1979), pp. 275-9
ASMMF (2013), art. 15
23. 98r-103v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, Second Series, XXXIII, SS Simon and Jude
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 98r V. kalendas nouembris passio apostolorum Simonis et Iudis
Incipit: 98r Men þa leofostan ƿe ƿyllað eoƿ secgan þæra apostola þro ƿunge . þe ƿe nu todæg ƿurðiað . Simones and Iudan
Explicit: 103v Vton nu biddan þas eadigan apostolas simon ⁊ iudan . þæt hi us abiddan godes miltsunge. se þe leofað ⁊ rixað on ealra ƿorolda ƿorold. Amen
Ker (1957), art. 17
Godden (1979), pp. 280-87
ASMMF (2013), art. 16
24. 103v-110r
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XXXVI, St Thomas
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 103v: Kalendas ianuarii passio sancti Thome apostoli
Incipit: 103v: Æfter þæs hælendes þroƿunge . ⁊ æriste of deaðe . ⁊ up stige to heofonum . þa ða his apostolas to ferdon geond þysne middan eard . Þa becom thomas to cesaream byrig
Explicit: 110r: ⁊ se godes apostol ƿearð syþþan geferod to syrian lande mid micelre arƿurðnysse þam ælmihtigan to lofe . Se ðe on ecnesse rixað riclice mihtig . Amen
Ker (1957), art. 18
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 2, pp. 400-25
ASMMF (2013), art. 17
25. 110r-114r
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XV, St Mark
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 110r: VII Kalendas mai passio sancti marci ewangeliste
Incipit: 110r: Marcus se godspellere be godes dihte gefer to egipta lande . ⁊ þær lærde þæt folc
Explicit: 114r: Ƿe ge endiað þus þas gesetnysse her .
Ker (1957), art. 19
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 1, pp. 320-37
ASMMF (2013), art. 18
26. 114r-120v
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XVI, Memory of Saints
Language(s): Old English and Latin
Rubric: 114r: Incipit sermo de memoria sanctorum
Incipit: 114r: Ego sum alfha et . o . initium et finis dicit dominus qui est . et qui erat . et qui uenturus est omnipotens. Þæt is on englisc
Explicit: 120v: ⁊ habban us on ende þone ecan ƿurþmynt a mid gode sylfum . gif ƿe sƿincað nu her . þær to us gefultumige se ðe leofað and rixað a buton ende . Amen .
Ker (1957), art. 20
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 1, pp. 336-63
ASMMF (2013), art. 19
26.1. 120r
Verse
Language(s): Old French
Incipit: 120r: Li uilain dit en repruuier
Explicit: 120r: Que oil ne ueit a cuer ne duelt
Traxel (2004), p. 105
27. 120v-124v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, III, St Stephen
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 120v: VII. kalendas ianuarii passio sancti Stephani prothomartyris
Incipit: 120v: Ƿe rædað on þære boc þe is gehaten actus apostolorum þæt þa apostolas gehadodon seofon diaconas on þære gelaðunge
Explicit: 124v: nu todæg hi underfengon stephanum blissiende on heora geferædene mid þam he ƿuldrað and blissað. á on ecnesse . Amen
Clemoes (1997), pp. 198-205
Ker (1957), art. 21
ASMMF (2013), art. 20
28. 124v-128v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, V, Nativity of the Innocents
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 124v: V. kalendas ianuarii Natale innocentium
Incipit: 124v: Nu todǽg godes gelaþung geond ealne ymbhƿyrft mærsað þæra eadigra cildra freolstide
Explicit: 128v: Se þe leofað ⁊ rixað a butan ende. Amen
Ker (1957), art. 22
Clemoes (1997), pp. 217-23
ASMMF (2013), art. 21
29. 128v-132v
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XXXVII, St Vincent
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 128v: XI kalendas februarii. passio sancti uincentii martiris
Incipit: 128v: On ispánian lánde þære sƿéoniscan léode . ƿæs se halga martir þe hatte uíncentius to menn geboren
Explicit: 132v: ⁊ mid mycelre lufe hi man ƿyrðaþ gehƿær sƿa sƿa us secgað béc for his soðan geleafan þam hælende to lofe þe leofað á on ecnesse amen .
Ker (1957), art. 23
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 2, pp. 426-43
Irvine (1993), pp. 99-115
ASMMF (2013), art. 22
30. 132v-139r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, XXIX, St Laurence
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 132v: IIII idus augusti passio beati Laurentii martiris
Incipit: 132v: On Decies dæge þæs ƿælhreoƿan caseres ƿæs se halga bisceop Sixtus on romana byrig drohtniende
Explicit: 139r: for þæs naman he þroƿaðe mid cenum mode menigfealde tintregu . mid þam he orsorlice on ecnesse ƿuldrað . amen
Ker (1957), art. 24
Clemoes (1997), pp. 418-28
ASMMF (2013), art. 23
31. 139v-144r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, Second Series, IX, St Gregory the Great
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 139v: IIII . Idus . martii . Sancti Gregorii pape urbis romane inclitus
Incipit: 139v: Gregorius se halga papa englisere ðeode apostol onƿisum ⁊ƿerdan dæge after menigfealdum gedeorfum . ⁊ halgum gecnyrdnyssum
Explicit: 144r: and syððan on ðysum dæge geƿát to þam ecan setle heofenan rices on þam he leofað mid gode ælmihtigum á on ecnesse . Amen .
Ker (1957), art. 25
Godden (1979), pp. 72-80
ASMMF (2013), art. 24
32. 144r-147r
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XIV, St George
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 144r: VIII Kalendas maii. passio Sancti Georgii martiris
Incipit: 144r-144v: Gedƿolmenn aƿriton gedƿyld on heora bocum be þam halgan ƿere þe is gehaten Georius
Explicit: 147r: And se halga geórius siðode to criste . mid þam he á ƿunað on ƿuldre . Amen .
Ker (1957), art. 26
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 1, pp. 306-19
ASMMF (2013), art. 25
33. 147r-149v
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XIX, St Alban
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 147r: X Kalendas iulii . passio Sancti Albani martiris
Incipit: 147r: Sum hæþen casere ƿæs gehaten dioclicianus se ƿæs to casere gecoren
Explicit: 149v: Sy ƿuldor ⁊ lof þam ƿelƿillenðan scyppende . seðe ure fæderas feon dum ætbræd . ⁊ to fulluhte gebigde þurh his bydelas . amen
Ker (1957), art. 27
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 1, pp. 414-25
ASMMF (2013), art. 26a
34. 149v-151r
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, Ahitophel and Absalom
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 149v: Is nu éac to ƿitenne þæt man ƿítnað for oft þá arleasan sceaðan and þa sƿicolan þeofas
Explicit: 151r: on þam is éce ƿuldor on ealra ƿorolda ƿorold amen .
Ker (1957), art. 28
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 1, pp. 424-25
ASMMF (2013), art. 26b
35. 151r-155v
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XXXII, St Edmund
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 151r: XII Kalendas Decembri . Passio Sancti eadmundi Regis et Martiris
Incipit: 151r: Eadmund ðe eadiga eastengla Kyning ƿæs . snoter ⁊ ƿurðfull . ⁊ ƿurðode symle mid æðe lum þeaƿum ðonne
Explicit: 155v: Þæs him sy ƿuldor á mid his heofonlice fæder ⁊ þam halgan gaste . Amen
Ker (1957), art. 29
Skeat (repr. 1966), II, 314-35, ll. 13-276.
ASMMF (2013), art. 27
36. 155v-161r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, Second Series, XXX, Homily on Job
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 155v: Vir erat in terra hus : nomine Iob. Et erat uir ille simplex et rectus ac timens deum et recedens a malo . bi þam eadige iobe
Incipit: 156r: Mine gebroðra ƿe rædað nu æt godes þenungum be þam eadigan ƿere iob
Explicit: 161r: Sy ƿuldor and ƿyrðmynt þam ƿel ƿillendan scyppende ealra his ƿundra and his ƿel dæda. Se ðe ána is god á on écnusse amen
Ker (1957), art. 30
Godden (1979), pp. 260-67.
ASMMF (2013), art. 28
37. 161r-166r
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XXVI, St Oswald
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 161r: Noni augusti. Passio sancti osƿaldi regis et martiris
Incipit: 161r: Æfter þam þe Agustinus to englalande be com . ƿæs sum kyning Osƿald gehaten . on norðhumbra lande
Explicit: 166r: Sy þæs ƿuldor þam ælmihtigan gode a to ƿorolde ƿorld
Ker (1957), art. 31
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 2, pp. 124-42
ASMMF (2013), art. 29
38. 166r-172r
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XXIX, St Denis
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 166r: VII. idus octobris . passio Sancti dionisii sociorumque eius
Incipit: 166r: Paulus þeoda lareoƿ þaða he geond land ferde . bodigende geleafan . sƿa sƿa him bebead þe hælend
Explicit: 172r: to lofe þam ælmihtigum þe leofað á on écnesse Amen .
Ker (1957), art. 32
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 2, pp. 168-91.
ASMMF (2013), art. 30
39. 172r-175r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, XXXVII, St Clement
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 172r: VIII Kalendas decembris. passio Sancti clementis Martiris
Incipit: 172r: Men þa leofostan eoƿer geleafa byð þe trumra gif ge gehyrað be godes halgum hu hi þæt hefonlice rice geearnodon
Explicit: 175r: se ðe his halgan mid tacnum ⁊ ƿundrum geƿurðad . ⁊ sƿa heora geearnunga gesƿuteliað . Sy him ƿuldor ⁊ ƿurðmynt a to ƿorolde . Amen .
Ker (1957), art. 33
Clemoes (1997), pp. 497-502
ASMMF (2013), art. 31
40. 175v-184v
Ælfric, Homilies, De falsis diis
Language(s): Old English and Latin
Rubric: 175v: De falsis diis
Incipit: 175v: O fratres dilectissimi diuina scriptura cultum unius ueri dei
Incipit: 175v: Eale ge gebroðra þa leofostan þæt godcunde gewrit us tæhte þonne bigeng anes soðes godes
Explicit: 184v: Eft þa ða ðe tima com on theodosies dagum þæs æðelan caseres þe ealle het tobrecan þa||

Text ends imperfectly.

Ker (1957), art. 34
Pope (1967), pp. 676-706
ASMMF (2013), art. 32
41. 185r-193v
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XXV, Maccabees
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 185r: here samod mid sƿyðlicre bylde . ⁊ þær ƿurdon ofsla gene eahta hund ƿera
Explicit: 193v: Sy ƿuldor ⁊ lof . þam ƿel ƿillendan gode . á on ecnyss ƿe cƿeðað . Amen .

Text begins imperfectly.

Ker (1957), art. 35
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 2, pp. 86-120
ASMMF (2013), art. 33a
42. 193v-194v
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, Beadsmen, Labourers, and Soldiers
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 193v: Is sƿa þeah to ƿitenne þæt on þyssere ƿorolde synd þreo endebyrdnyssa . on annysse gesette þæt synd Laboratores . Oratores . Bellatores
Explicit: 194v: ⁊ hí mid gode nu lybbað . forðan ðe hí furðon noldon ænne fugol acƿellan
Ker (1957), art. 36
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 2, pp. 120-24
ASMMF (2013), art. 33b
43. 194v-197v
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XXIV, SS Abdon and Sennes
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 194v: II Kalendas Augusti passio sanctorum Abdon et Sennem
Incipit: 194v: On Decies dagum þæs deoflican kaseres . ƿæron tƿegen cyningas on crist gelyfede . Abdon and Sennes
Explicit: 197v: þam hælende to lofe þe lyfað á on ecnysse
Ker (1957), art. 37
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 2, pp. 54-67
ASMMF (2013), art. 34
44. 197v-203r
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XVII, De auguriis
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 197v: Epistola pauli
Incipit: 197v: Paulus ðe apostol ealra þeoda lareoƿ . manode þa cristenan þe he sylf ær to geleafan gebigde on anum pistole
Explicit: 203r: sy him ƿuldor and lof a to ƿorulde. amen
Ker (1957), art. 38
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 1, pp. 364-83
ASMMF (2013), art. 35
45. 203r-206v
Ælfric, Lives of Saints, XXVII, Exaltation of the Cross
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 203r: Exaltatio sancte crucis
Incipit: 203r: Ƿe ƿurðiað mid lofsangum for ures geleafan trymminge tƿegen dagas on geare drihtne to ƿurðimynte for ðære halgan rode syðan heo afunden ƿæs
Explicit: 206v: Sy ƿuldor ⁊ lof ðam ƿellendan gode þe ðe æfre rixað on ecnysse amen ;
Ker (1957), art. 39
Skeat (repr. 1966), vol. 2, pp. 144-59
ASMMF (2012), art. 36
46. 207r-211r
Address of the Soul to the Body
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 207r: Mage ƿe gyt her gehyran . m[en þa leofostan] . eoƿre saƿle þearfe gif ge me hlystan ƿyllað
Explicit: 211r: þam sy ár ⁊ ƿurðmunt ⁊ miht ⁊ ƿuldor ⁊ anƿeald æfre butan ælcum ende. Amen
Willard (1935), pp. 963-65
Ker (1957), art. 40
Murfin (1971), pp. 26-42
Luiselli Fadda (1977), pp. 144-57
ASMMF (2013), art. 37
47. 211r-219v
Alcuin, De virtutibus et vitiis, Chapters 1-13 in Old English translation
Language(s): Old English
Rubric: 211r: De Scientia
Incipit: 211r: Ærest ealra þinga gehƿilcum men is to secenne
Explicit: 219v: and þæt ƿe moton mid him ƿunian þær he lifað and rixað on ealra ƿorulde ƿoruld a butan ende Amen
Assmann (1889), pp. 371-86
Warner (1917), pp. 91-102
Ker (1957), art. 41
Traxel (2004), pp. 122-26
ASMMF (2013), art. 38
48. 219v-222r
About Penitence
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 219v: Ne beode ƿe nanum mannum nane niƿe bebodu
Explicit: 222r: Sy him lof ⁊ ƿuldor á on ecnesse . Amen .
Ker (1957), art. 42
Fowler (1965), pp. 29-30
Luiselli Fadda (1977), pp. 176-85
ASMMF (2013), art. 39
49. 222v-224v
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, Second Series, XXI, Vision of Drihthelm
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 222v: Her ƿas drihthelm sum æþele þegen on norðhumbra lande on æfnunge of þissum life gelead . ⁊ his lic leag ealle þa niht inne besett
Explicit: 224v: þa hine mon geaxode hu he mihte þonne myclan cyle . sƿa for beƿan. he andƿyrde and cƿoth . Sciðran and ƿyrsan hice geseah . Sƿa he hit ma code on his life . ⁊ manega oðre he gerihtleahte mid ƿorde ge mid bysnonge to rihtan geleafan. Gerihtlæce us drihten hælend crist þurh þinran myclan mildheortnesse sƿa sƿa þin ƿilla sy amen .
Ker (1957), art. 43
Godden (1979), pp. 199-203
Swan (1993), pp. 141-43
Hill (1997), p. 417
ASMMF (2013), art. 40
50. 224v-225r
Ælfric, Catholic Homilies, First Series, XXXXII, Decollation of St John (extracts)
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 224v: Se ƿisa Salomon cƿæð . þæt sélre ƿære to wuníenne mid león ⁊ mid draca þonne mid yfelum wife . ⁊ oferspǽcum
Incipit: 225r: Se ƿisa eft cƿæð . þæt nan ƿilde deor ne on feower fotum . ne on creopendum . nis to ƿiðmetenne yfelum wífe

Full transcriptions. Two misogynous sayings: in lower margin of f. 224v and upper margin of f. 225r.

Ker (1957), art. 44
Clemoes (1997), p. 456
ASMMF (2013), after art. 41
51. 224v-227v
Instructions for Christians
Language(s): Old English
Incipit: 224v Syle ece gode æhta þinra . þone teoðan dæl . he getyþað þe
Explicit: 227v ac he geƿent heora mod onsa rignysse forþanðe hi þæt yfel on ƿeorulda gesecen þæt hi mid þæs yfelan under gytenysse magon beon on geanƿende to drihtne gehƿorfene
Ker (1957), art. 44
Rosier (1964), pp. 11-18
Swan (1993), pp. 157-59, 316-17 (incl. transcription of ff. 224v-225r)
Young (1995)
ASMMF (2013), art. 41

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Parchment (HFFH).
Extent: Codex: v + + 1 + 226 + iii leaves. There are two blank endleaf guards, foliated 'i bis' and 'vi bis'. They have not been counted as leaves in this statement of extent. 220 × 160 mm.
Foliation:

20th-century foliation

i-ii, ii bis, iii-iv + 1 + 2-227 + v, v bis, vi

Folio numbers written in pencil in the upper right-hand corner of the recto side of each leaf by an unidentified hand of the 20th century (probably first half). The endleaves were numbered by Jayne Ringrose (c. 2013, presumably in preparation for the manuscript's digitisation).

Foliation:

16th-century pagination

1-450 (for ff. 2-227)

Page numbers written in Parkerian red/orange crayon in the upper right-hand corner of the recto side of each leaf only (see Provenance for further details).

Collation

The manuscript comprises 28 quires, typically of eight leaves; in some, two singletons are used in place of a bifolium (see Quires 10, 12 and 21). The two inserted leaves in Quire 20 are, by contrast, conjoined: a folded bifolium that has been stab sewn behind ff. 151|157. Two parchment stubs are found after Quire 1. The first of these connects with f. 1, a leaf probably added in the 16th century to accommodate a table of contents (rather than an originally blank leaf that was used for this purpose). The second connects only with a stub preceding f. 1: since it bears no evidence of having contained text or having been prepared for ruling, the likelihood is that this is the remnant of a single leaf that had previously formed the pastedown or a blank endleaf at the beginning of the manuscript.

The manuscript comprises perhaps five codicological units. Quire signatures on Quires 8-13 ('i'-'vi') and 15 ('viii') indicate that these formed the core of the manuscript (with Quire 16), to which further quires were then added, both before and after. These divisions are indicated below by semi-colons. Owing to the way in which the manuscript developed, these do not always coincide with textual divisions. For instance, the first two leaves of Quire 16 provided the space for the completion of Ælfric's sermon on the remembrance of saints; a new hand takes over at this point, filling the remainder of the quire with his homilies, which then continue on subsequent quires. The quire numbers do not continue, but are supplanted by catchwords. Similarly, the quires inserted at the beginning of the manuscript contain Ælfric's preface to and part-translation of Genesis, which ends on f. 24v, the penultimate leaf of Quire 3. Another hand continued with homilies to the end of that quire, with three leaves (Quire 4) being added to provide the necessary space to accommodate it. The rest of f. 28v was left blank, perhaps because the text on Quires 5 and Quires 6-7 (each themselves a codicological unit) had already been copied. However, the current order of quires is not necessarily the original arrangement: a note by a 13th-century hand on f. 29r suggests that Quire 5 might once have been placed at the beginning of the volume.

  • Quire 18+1 (ff. 1-9: 1st leaf added, f. 1)
  • Quires 2-38 (ff. 10-25) ;
  • Quire 44-1 (ff. 26-28: 1st leaf cancelled, before f. 26) ;
  • Quire 58 (ff. 29-36) ;
  • Quires 6-78 (ff. 37-52) ;
  • Quires 8-98 (ff. 53-68)
  • Quire 1010 (ff. 69-78: 3rd and 8th leaves, ff. 71 and 76, and 5th and 6th leaves, ff. 73 and 74, all singletons)
  • Quire 118 (ff. 79-86)
  • Quire 128 (ff. 87-94: 4th and 5th leaves, ff. 90 and 91, are singletons
  • Quires 13-168 (ff. 95-126) ;
  • Quires 17-198 (ff. 127-150)
  • Quire 208+2 (ff. 151-160: 8th-9th leaves, ff. 158-159, an inserted bifolium stab-sewn behind the 2nd-7th leaves, ff. 152|157)
  • Quire 218 (ff. 161-168: 3rd and 6th leaves, ff. 163 and 166, are singletons)
  • Quires 22-258 (ff. 169-200)
  • Quire 268+1 (ff. 201-209: 4th leaf, f. 204, inserted)
  • Quire 278 (ff. 210-217)
  • Quire 2810 (ff. 218-227)

Quire signatures in the 'core' part of the manuscript, Quires 8-13 ('i'-'vi') and 15 ('viii'), indicating that these were produced first and the remaining quires inserted around them. Written in ink in the centre of the bottom margin on the verso of the last leaf of the quire.

Catchwords on Quires 18-19, 21, 25-27 (those on Quires 20, 22-24 probably cropped). Written in ink in the bottom margin on the verso of the last leaf of the quire.

Condition

The leaves have been trimmed. Spine leather severely cracked, with losses at the foot; joints beginning to split, with boards loosening at the head and foot.

Layout

For further detailed description of pricking, ruling, bounding lines, written space and other features of layout, see Bremmer and Dekker (2013) and Da Rold (2010) (see Source).

175-180 × 110-115 mm. Folios 2r-25v: ruled in leadpoint, frame and line, single columns, 24 lines to the page, written above top line.

180 × 110-125 mm. Folios 26r-28v: ruled in leadpoint, frame and line, single columns, 26-28 lines to the page, written above top line.

155-175 × 110 mm. Folios 29r-36v: ruled in leadpoint, frame and line, single columns, 24-25 lines to the page, written above top line.

165-175 × 110-115 mm. Folios 37r-52v: ruled in leadpoint, frame and line, single columns, 21-22 lines to the page, written above top line.

170-175 × 105-115 mm. Folios 53r-120v: ruled in leadpoint, frame and line, single columns, 22-24 lines to the page, written above top line.

160-170 × 105-120 mm. Folios 120v-227v: ruled in leadpoint, frame and line, single columns, 24-26 lines to the page, written above top line.

Hand(s)

As Bremmer and Dekker note, 'There are various reconstructions of the arrangements of scribal hands, which are related to the history of the compilation of the manuscript, and throughout the manuscript there are interlinear corrections in what appear to be contemporaneous hands.' Their description (ASMMF, 2013) provides a summary of and references to the key publications (see Source).

Two (but possibly three or even four) hands, all writing English vernacular minuscule: Hand 1 copied ff. 2r-36v and 120v-227v, in stages - and was also responsible for copying Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 367, Part 1 (see Treharne (1998); Hand 2 (Ker) copied ff. 37r-120v (Ker (1957), p. 27). Some scholars have identified other hands in the manuscript (e.g. Schipper (1983, p. 286), who divides Ker's Hand 2 into two stints, 'Scribe B' copying ff. 53r-120v, and 'Scribe C' filling in ff. 37r-52v), but this has been rejected by Da Rold (2010) (see for further discussion), who pointed instead to correlation between Ker's identifications and the patterns of ruling and signatures/catchwords found in these stints.

Decoration

Two- to four-line initials in red, occasionally with additional foliate decoration or internal ornamental voids. Initials are somewhat more elaborate in the 'core' section of the manuscript - note in particular the zoomorphic additions to the initial on f. 61r - but the leaf / vine extensions continue into subsequent quires, indicating that they were completed in one stint, and / or by the same hand, or efforts were made to ensure a consistency of presentation. Some initials executed in green on ff. 214r-227v.

Running titles in plummet in the top margins (now almost invisible). Attributed to Glossator B by Traxel (2004, p. 149).

Additions

Marginal insertions and corrections in Latin and English by the text scribe (Ker's Hand 1) on ff. 25r, 31r, 36r, 70v, 77v, 82r, 82v, 95v, 120r, 120v-122v, 123r, 124v, 211r-213v, 219r, 224v and 225r. Notes in French in the bottom margins of ff. 70v and 120r (see Traxel (2004)). These annotations are listed (and in many cases have been transcribed) by Da Rold (2010).

Annotation in Latin, partly trimmed, datable to the 13th/14th century in the top margin of f. 29r: ‘[Hoc uolumen] continet multam copiam sermonum in anglico. | non appreciatum propter ydioma incognitum’.

Annotations in English and Latin by 14th-century hands on ff. 37r-42v.

'Parkerian' table of contents (f. 1r), written by a 16th-century hand (see Provenance). Different 16th-century hands added the rubrics (upper margin) and 'homiliae . 51 .' (lower margin), and further additions were made by 17th-century hands, including references to 'Serm. Cath'), as well as 19th-century additions in pencil by John Mitchell Kemble (see below).

Marginal and interlinear annotations and underlinings by 16th-century and later hands throughout, mainly in Latin but also including Hebrew (f. 114v) and Greek (f. 167v).

Marginal annotations and underlining in pencil and ink (ff. 24v, 52v, ?98r-99r, ?114r-117r, 120v, 139v, 155v, 161v-168v, 175v-179v, ?208r, 208v-210r, 211v, 217v, 218v, 223v), by the hand of Abraham Wheelocke (c. 1593-1653) , University Librarian 1629-53 (see Schipper (1983), Lucas (2006), ASMMF (2013)).

Description of the manuscript and table of contents by John Mitchell Kemble (1807-1857) (ff. iii recto-iv verso).

'Notes by J.M. Kemble' (f. i recto): annotation by Charles Sayle (1864-1924).

Numerical content markers ('§1', '§2', etc), written in pencil by a 19th-century hand, corresponding with item numbers given in the Catalogue (1855).

Marginal annotations in pencil by Henry Bradshaw (1831-1886), University Librarian 1867-1886, providing a cross-reference to another manuscript and note of missing leaves (f. 52v)

Collation formula written on the rear pastedown by H.L. Pink.

Binding

Brown full leather covering over pasteboards, 17th-century. Border and corner fleurons blind-tooled on the cover. Pastedowns (now lifted) recycled from a copy of Pablo de Santa Maria, Bishop of Burgos, Dialogus Pauli et Sauli contra Judæos, sive Scrutinium scripturarum (see ff. ii bis and v bis). Former classmarks on ii bis verso indicate that this leaf had previously been bound upside down, relative to the text it contains. Repaired by J.P. Gray and son, Cambridge, July 1958: stamp on front pastedown, with date supplied by H.L. Pink. Spine label ('Tracts M.S.'), gold-tooled on red leather, retained on front pastedown. Title and classmark tooled in gold on the spine ('Aelfric's Homilies' and 'Ii.1.33'), presumably added when repaired.

History

Origin: Second half of 12th century. ; England.

Several possible places of origin have been proposed. Treharne (1998, pp. 240-44) suggests a South-Eastern origin, probably Christ Church, Canterbury or Rochester. Schipper (1983, pp. 291-92), building on Godden (1967, p. 23), argues that part of the manuscript was copied at the cathedral priory at Ely, on the basis of the presence of text on St Æthelthryth from the Vita sanctorum on ff. 34v-36v, which could have constituted the central starting point for the process of copying. Traxel (2004, p. 207) suggests a possible compilation originally from St Augustine's, Canterbury and then Ely. Mary Richards' review (2007) of Traxel re-proposes a possible Rochester provenance. Frankis (2007) proposes a connection with the priory of Barnwell, a house of Augustinian canons near Cambridge, which was dedicated to St Giles.

Provenance and Acquisition

Matthew Parker (1504-1575) , archbishop of Canterbury: partial pagination in characteristic red/orange crayon. It is unknown from where Parker acquired the manuscript. Bremmer and Dekker (2013) suggest the possibility that her may have found it in Ely during his time as canon there 1541-1554, or during his visitation in 1563 (see Schipper (1983)).

Presented to the University Library in 1574 by Matthew Parker (1504-1575) , archbishop of Canterbury. No. 10 in the list of 25 'Libri Scripti in pergameno' published to commemorate Parker's gift (see Early catalogues of manuscripts, up to c. 1600). As Ker noted (1957, p. 27), the manuscript was listed among those bequeathed by Parker to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, but was never there (cf. M.R. James, A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the library of Corpus Christi College Cambridge (Cambridge: University Press, 1912), vol. 1, p. xxxvii, under S(17), against which is added 'deest J[ohn] P[arker]' and 'wanting at ye first, Jo. Parker').

Additional Information

Record Sources

This catalogue entry draws on the following descriptions of the manuscript (given here in chronological order):
  • an unpublished description of the manuscript composed between 1926 and 1930 by M.R. James , now held in the University Archives (UA ULIB 7/3/74)
  • N.R. Ker, Manuscripts containing Anglo-Saxon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1957)
  • Orietta da Rold, Cambridge, University Library, MS Ii.1.33, The Production and Use of English Manuscripts, 1060-1220 (University of Leicester, 2010), with suggestions by Elaine Treharne, Mary Swan and Oliver Traxel, edited by Takako Kato and Hollie Morgan
  • Cambridge, University Library, MS Ii.1.33, in Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts in Microfiche Facsimile (1994-), vol. 21: Rolf H. Bremmer, Jr. and Kees Dekker, Saints' Lives and Homilies (Tempe: Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, 2013)

Availability

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card. For information on eligibility and admissions procedures, see Joining the Library). For further enquiries, and to confirm the availability of the manuscript, please contact the Special Collections Reading Room.

Bibliography

    Editions

    Ancient laws and institutes of England: comprising laws enacted under the Anglo-Saxon kings from Aethelbirht to Cnut, with an English translation of the Saxon; the laws called Edward the Confessor's; the laws of William the Conqueror, and those ascribed to Henry the First; also, Monumenta ecclesiastica Anglicana, from the seventh to the tenth century; and the ancient Latin version of the Anglo-Saxon laws; with a ... glossary etc, ([London], [s.n.], 1840) Übersetzung von Alcuin's <hi rend="italics">De Virtutibus et Vitiis Liber ad Widonem Comitem</hi> Anglia - Zeitschrift für englische Philologie, Assmann, B. (1889, 11, 371-391, 1889) The Old English Version of The Heptateuch, Aelfric's Treatise on the Old and New Testament and his Preface to Genesis Early English Text Society / Original series, (London, Oxford University Press, 1922) The Address of the Soul to the Body PMLA, Willard, Rudolph (50, 4, 957-983, 1935, http://www.jstor.org/stable/458102) Instructions for Christians Anglia - Zeitschrift für englische Philologie, Rosier, James L. (1964, 82, 4-22, 1964) A Late Old English Handbook for the Use of a Confessor Anglia - Zeitschrift für englische Philologie, Fowler, Roger (83, 1-34, 1965, http://www.digizeitschriften.de/dms/img/?PID=PPN338212566_0083%7Clog7) Addenda to 'Instructions for Christians' Anglia: Zeitschrift fur Englische Philologie, Rosier, James L. (84, 74, 1966) Aelfric's Lives of saints: being a set of sermons on Saints' Days formerly observed by the English Church Early English Text Society. Original series, (London, 1, Oxford University Press for The Early English Text Society, 1966) Homilies of Aelfric: a supplementary collection Early English Text Society. Original series, (London, 1, Oxford University Press for the Early English Text Society, 1967) Die monastischen Cantica im Mittelalter und ihre altenglischen Interlinearversionen. Studien und Textausgabe Münchener Universitäts-Schriften, Korhammer, Michael (Munich, Fink, 1976) Nuove omelie anglosassoni della rinascenza benedettina, Luiselli Fadda, Anna Maria (Firenze, F. Le Monnier, 1977) Aelfric's Catholic Homilies: The Second Series. Text Early English Text Society. Supplementary series, (London, Oxford University Press for The Early English Text Society, 1979) Old English Homilies from MS Bodley 343 Early English Text Society / Original series, Irvine, Susan (Oxford, Oxford University Press for The Early English Text Society, 1993) A new edition of Instructions for Christians, C. U. L. Ms Ii. 1. 33, Young, S. G. (1995, PhD) Two Latin excerpts (<hi rend="italics">Sacramentarium Gregorianum</hi> and Isidore, <hi rend="italics">Sententiae</hi>) with Old English translation Notes and Queries, Torkar, Roland (n.s. 43, 4, 389-394, 1996) Aelfric's Catholic homilies: the first series. Text Early English Text Society. Supplementary series, (Oxford, Published for the Early English Text Society by the Oxford University Press, 1997) Language change, writing and textual interference in post-conquest Old English manuscripts: the evidence of Cambridge, University Library, Ii.1.33 Münchner Universitätsschriften. Texte und Untersuchungen zur englischen Philologie, Traxel, Oliver M. (Frankfurt am Main, P. Lang, 2004)

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    A catalogue of the manuscripts preserved in the library of the University of Cambridge, (Cambridge, 3: Gg-Kk, Cambridge University Press, 1858) A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, James, Montague Rhodes (Cambridge, University Press, 1912) Durham Cathedral manuscripts to the end of the twelfth century, Mynors, R.A.B. (Oxford, Printed for the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral at the University Press, 1939) Catalogue of manuscripts containing Anglo-Saxon, Ker, N.R. (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1957) Homilies of Aelfric: a supplementary collection Early English Text Society. Original series, (London, 1, Oxford University Press for the Early English Text Society, 1967) The corpus of vernacular homilies and prose saints' lives before Ælfric Anglo-Saxon England, Scragg, D. G. (8, 223-277, 1979) Aelfric's Catholic Homilies: The Second Series. Text Early English Text Society. Supplementary series, (London, Oxford University Press for The Early English Text Society, 1979) The corpus of vernacular homilies and prose saints' lives before Ælfric Anglo-Saxon England, Scragg, D. G. (8, 223-277, 1979) A composite Old English homiliary from Ely: Cambr Univ Libr MS Ii.1.33 Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, Schipper, W. (8, 285-298, 1983, https://www.jstor.org/stable/41154616) Manuscripts from Anglo-Saxon England: an exhibition in the University Library Cambridge to mark the conference of the International Society of Anglo-Saxonists, August 1985, (Cambridge, Cambridge University Library, 1985) Old English Homilies from MS Bodley 343 Early English Text Society / Original series, Irvine, Susan (Oxford, Oxford University Press for The Early English Text Society, 1993) Catalogue of sources for a linguistic atlas of early medieval English, Laing, Margaret (Cambridge, D.S. Brewer, 1993) Aelfric's Catholic homilies: the first series. Text Early English Text Society. Supplementary series, (Oxford, Published for the Early English Text Society by the Oxford University Press, 1997) Ælfric's 'Catholic Homilies' in the twelfth century Rewriting Old English in the twelfth century Cambridge studies in Anglo-Saxon England, Swan, Mary (Cambridge, 62-82, Cambridge University Press, 2000) The production and script of manuscripts containing English religious texts in the first half of the twelfth century Rewriting Old English in the twelfth century Cambridge studies in Anglo-Saxon England, Treharne, Elaine M. (Cambridge, 11-40, Cambridge University Press, 2000) Languages and Cultures in Contact: Vernacular Lives of St. Giles and Anglo-Norman Annotations in an Anglo-Saxon Manuscript Leeds Studies in English, Frankis, John (38, 101-133, 2007) Review: Language change, writing and textual interference in post-conquest Old English manuscripts: The evidence of Cambridge University Library, Ii. 1. 33, by Oliver M. Traxel Journal of English and Germanic Philology, Richards, Mary P. (106, 1, 134-136, 2007) Cambridge, University Library, Ii. 1. 33 - The Production and Use of English Manuscripts: 1060 to 1220 The Production and Use of English Manuscripts: 1060-1220, Da Rold, Orietta (2010, http://www.le.ac.uk/english/em1060to1220/mss/EM.CUL.Ii.1.33.htm) Linguistic contiguities: English manuscripts 1060-1220 Conceptualizing Multilingualism in England, c. 800 - c. 1250 Studies in the Early Middle Ages, Da Rold, OriettaSwan, Mary (Turnhout, 255-270, Brepols, 2011) Writing the book: Cambridge, University Library, MS Ii.1.33 New Medieval Literatures, Treharne, Elaine M. (13, 299-308, 2011) Making the book: Cambridge, University Library, MS Ii.1.33 New Medieval Literatures, Da Rold, Orietta (13, 273-288, 2011) Anglo-Saxon manuscripts in microfiche facsimile Medieval & Renaissance Texts & Studies (Series), Bremmer, Rolf H.Dekker, Kees (Temple, Ariz., 21: Saints' lives and homilies, Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, 2013)

Bibliography

    Secondary literature

    The Address of the Soul to the Body PMLA, Willard, Rudolph (50, 4, 957-983, 1935, http://www.jstor.org/stable/458102) A Theme in <hi rend="italics">The Wanderer</hi> Medium Aevum, Fowler, Roger (36, 1967, http://search.proquest.com/docview/1293317367/flash/1424CDA46FE4675C5F1/4?accountid=9851) Layamon's antiquarian sentiments Medium Aevum, Stanley, E.G. (38, 23-37, 1969, http://search.proquest.com//docview/54433095) Textkritische Anmerkungen zum ae. Gedicht Instructions for Christians Anglia: Zeitschrift fur Englische Philologie, Torkar, Roland (89, 164-177, 1971, http://www.digizeitschriften.de/dms/resolveppn/?PID=PPN338212566_0089|log27) Religiöse Dichtung im englischen Hochmittelalter: Untersuchung u. Edition d. Handschrift B. 14. 39 d. Trinity College in Cambridge Münchener Universitätsschriften. Philosophische Fakultät. Texte und Untersuchungen zur englischen Philologie, Reichl, Karl (München, Fink, 1973) Orthography and dialect in Cambridge University Library MS. Ii.1.33 Studies in Medieval English Language and Literature: The Japan Society for Medieval English Studies, Schipper, William (1, 53-65, 1986) Consider the source: medieval texts and medieval manuscripts Medieval Perspectives, Robinson, Fred C. (2, 1, 7-16, 1987) The tremulous hand of Worcester: a study of Old English in the thirteenth century, Franzen, Christine (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1991) Teaching and learning Latin in thirteenth-century England, Hunt, Tony (Cambridge, 1, D.S. Brewer, 1991) Old English 'æret' - "too much" or "too soon"? Words, Texts and Manuscripts: Studies in Anglo-Saxon Culture Presented to Helmut Gneuss on the Occasion of his Sixty-Fifth Birthday, Frank, Roberta (Cambridge, 293-303, D.S. Brewer, 1992) Cotton Tiberius A.iii, Arts. 26 and 27 Words, Texts and Manuscripts: Studies in Anglo-Saxon Culture Presented to Helmut Gneuss on the Occasion of his Sixty-Fifth Birthday, Szarmach, Paul E. (Cambridge, 29-42, D.S. Brewer, 1992) Ælfric as Source: The Exploitation of Ælfric's Catholic Homilies from the Late Tenth to Twelfth Centuries, Swan, Mary (1993, PhD) The Preservation and Transmission of Ælfric's Saints' Lives: Reader-Reception and Reader-Response in the Early Middle Ages The Preservation and Transmission of Anglo-Saxon Culture: Selected Papers from the 1991 Meeting of the International Society of Anglo-Saxonists, Hill, Joyce (Kalamazoo, MI, 405-30, Medieval Institute Publications, Western Michigan University, 1997) The Date and Origins of Three Twelfth-Century Old English Manuscripts Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts and Their Heritage, Treharne, Elaine M. (Aldershot, 227-53, Ashgate, 1998) The Cambridge history of medieval English literature, Wallace, David (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1999) The compilation and use of manuscripts containing Old English in the twelfth century Rewriting Old English in the Twelfth Century Cambridge Studies in Anglo-Saxon England, Irvine, Susan (Cambridge, 41-61, Cambridge University Press, 2000) Old English prose saints' lives in the twelfth century: the evidence of the extant manuscripts Rewriting Old English in the Twelfth Century Cambridge Studies in Anglo-Saxon England, Proud, Joana (Cambridge, 117-131, Cambridge University Press, 2000) Old English prose saints' lives in the twelfth century: the 'Life of Martin' in Bodley 343 Rewriting Old English in the twelfth century Cambridge studies in Anglo-Saxon England, Rosser, Susan (Cambridge, 132-142, Cambridge University Press, 2000) Introduction Rewriting Old English in the twelfth century Cambridge studies in Anglo-Saxon England, Swan, MaryTreharne, Elaine M. (Cambridge, 1-10, Cambridge University Press, 2000) A Propos d’un Agraphon: Réflexions sur la Transmission de L’homilétique Latine Antique, Avec Édition du Sermon “Sermo Sacerdotis Dei” Classical Philology, Dolbeau, François (98, 2, 160-174, 2003, http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/381370) Language change, writing and textual interference in post-conquest Old English manuscripts: the evidence of Cambridge, University Library, Ii.1.33 Münchner Universitätsschriften. Texte und Untersuchungen zur englischen Philologie, Traxel, Oliver M. (Frankfurt am Main, P. Lang, 2004) Ælfric's 'Lives of Saints' and Cotton Julius E.vii: adaptation, appropriation and the disappearing book Imagining the book Medieval texts and cultures of Northern Europe, (Turnhout, 99-109, Brepols, 2005) Abraham Wheelock and the Presentation of Anglo-Saxon: From Manuscript to Print Beatus vir: studies in early English and Norse manuscripts: in memory of Phillip Pulsiano Medieval and Renaissance texts and studies, Lucas, P.J. (Tempe, 383-439, ACMRS (Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies), 2006) The audience of Ælfric's <hi rend="italics">Lives of saints</hi> and the face of Cotton Caligula A. xiv, fols. 93-130 Beatus vir: studies in early English and Norse manuscripts: in memory of Phillip Pulsiano Medieval and Renaissance texts and studies, Wilcox, Jonathan (Tempe, 229-263, ACMRS (Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies), 2006) Mobile libraries: Old English manuscript production in Worcester and the west midlands, 1090-1215 Essays in manuscript geography: vernacular manuscripts of the English West Midlands from the Conquest to the sixteenth century Medieval texts and cultures of Northern Europe, Swan, Mary (Turnhout, 29-42, Brepols, 2007) Lieux et présence de l'anglo-français insulaire dans l'écriture religieuse anglaise (fin XII - fin XIV siècles) Actes de la Journée d'études anglo-normandes, Academie des inscriptions et belles-lettres, Pouzet, Jean-Pascal (Paris, 39-80, 2009)

Digital Images

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