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  • Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 053: The Peterborough Psalter and Bestiary

Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 053: The Peterborough Psalter and Bestiary

Description

Alternative title
Psalterium. Chronicon Petroburgense. Bestiarium
Type of resource
mixed material
Extent
ff. 210 + 2
Date created
[ca. 1300-1399]
Language
Latin, French, Middle (ca. 1400-1600)
Material
Vellum
Layout
two volumes
Height (mm)
347
Width (mm)
231
Collation
a(2) 1(6)-3(6) | 4(12)-17(12) 18(2) || 19(12) 20(12) (wants 11, 12).
Writing
exquisitely written and ornamented
Foliation
ff. a-d + i-ii + 1-2 + 4 + 3 + 5-210 + e
Provenance
From Peterborough. On the flyleaf (ir) in a large hand slightly later than that of the book: Psalterium fratris Hugonis de Stiuecle; prioris. The last word may be a later addition.
Research
Other noteworthy Peterborough Psalters are at Brussels, Bib. Roy. 9963 (s/b 9961-2), Fitzwilliam Museum, no. 12, Society of Antiquaries (Psalter of Rob. de Lindsey), St John's College, Glossed Psalter of Robert de Lindsey.

Abstract/Contents

Summary
CCCC MS 53 contains three separate sections, a psalter, a chronicle of England and Peterborough Abbey, and finally a bestiary. It is called the Peterborough Psalter and Bestiary because the Psalter was adapted for the use of of that abbey, at which time the chronicle was added. The Bestiary, which has been cut down to match the page size of the Psalter, was probably added to the book at some later date. The dating of the Bestiary to c. 1300-10 is earlier by a decade or so than that of the Psalter which is considered to be of c. 1310-20. Both are elaborately illuminated but by quite different artists. The Psalter was originally intended for a patron in the diocese of Norwich as evidenced by the original calendar to which Peterborough entries were added. The original patron, perhaps Oliver de Wisset, was evidently connected with John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey (d. 1304), whose obit is added in the original hand of the calendar. Perhaps during the production of the book the patronage was taken over by Peterborough Abbey because the calendar was adapted to their use and their Litany and Office of the Dead were added to the text, as was a chronicle of the abbey. It was owned by the prior, Hugh de Stukeley, whose name is at the beginning of the book. The Psalter is lavishly illustrated with twenty full page pictures of the Life of Christ, saints, prophets and apostles preceding the Psalter text, some fully painted with gold grounds and others in coloured drawing. The Psalter itself has historiated initials at the liturgical divisions, and many decorative ornamental initials and borders. The artist of the fully painted pictures belongs to a group of artists called the Queen Mary Psalter group after their main work, the Psalter, London, BL MS Royal 2. B. VII. The Bestiary, by a different artist, who also worked on a psalter, Oxford, Jesus College MS D.40, has 101 framed illustrations set in its text.
Contents
Psalter and Office of the Dead -- Livere de Reis de Britannie -- Chronicle of Peterborough -- Bestiary -- Poem on the Vanity of the World (Cur mundus militat)

Bibliographic information

M.R. James Date
xiv
Downloadable James Catalogue Record
https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:yh895ry1014/MS_53.pdf
Superseded Interim Catalogue Record
https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:xq547td1355/53.pdf
Contains
  • Psalter and Office of the Dead. 1r-180r
    Note
    (1r) Kalendar in red and black<br />Decoration. The Kalendar has two medallions with gold grounds (in lower margin except in January) illustrating the occupation and sign of each month<br />(1r) January. Three-faced, at table, drinking with left face eating with right: boar's head on table<br />(1r) Aquarius. Woman in blue seated full-face with two bottles<br />(1v) February. Sits with face to L. by fire and hooks a piece of meat out of a pot. Piscis<br />(2r) March. In hat prunes vine (tree): facing L. Aries<br />(2v) April. Rides to L. hawk on hand. Taurus<br />(3r) May. A girl with full face on grass holding flowers in each hand<br />(3r) Gemini. Nude, linked by arm round each other's back: a blank shield in front of them<br />(3v) June. In broad hat, mowing. Leo<br />(4r) July. In broad hat, reaping. Cancer<br />(4v) August. Threshes. Virgo holds palm<br />(5r) September. Two figures, one with stick, and hotte on back: one treads grapes<br />(5r) Libra. Held by a woman<br />(5v) October. Sows from a wooden barrel-like vessel. Scorpio<br />(6r) November. Beats oak, for a pig. Sagittarius. Centaur, hind-feet lion-like, shoots backward<br />(6v) December. Strikes pig with back of axe. Capricorn half-goat, half cornu copiae.<br />In the Kalendar<br />(1r) January 4. Eadwardi reg. C. 19. Wlstani Ep. C.<br />(1v) February 3. Werburge V. added early 28. Oswaldi archiep.<br />(2r) March 1. Dauid 6. Translacio kyneburge kyneswythe ac Tybbe. duplex in red 18. Eadwardi 20. Cuthberti<br />(2v) April 3. Ricardi Ep. C. in red 19. Aelphegi<br />(3r) May 19. Dunstani in red 25. Aldelmi, in red 26. Augustini, in red<br />(3v) June 3. Obitus Rogeri de Essesse in red 23. Etheldrede<br />(4r) July 7. Translatio S. Thome M. in red erased and rewritten in cent. xvi<br />(4v) August 5. Oswald added in red late<br />(5r) September 4. Cuthberti 15. Festiuitas reliquiarum Sarum 16. Edithe 24. Dedicacio ecclesie S. Trinitatis Norwici in red 27. In red in margin, original: Obitus d. Iohannis Comitis Warrenn' ao gratie Mo CCCo IIIJo 28. Dedicacio ecclesie Burgi in red<br />(5v) October 4. Francisci C. et doctoris in red 5. or 6. Added in margin in charter hand: Obitus Hugonis de Stiuecle quondam Prioris Burg 21. 11,000 Virgins erased<br />(6r) November16. and 20. Both Edmunds in red<br />(6v) December 3. Obitus dyonisie de Styrop 10. Obitus lecie matris domini oliueri de Wysete 15. Obitus d. Willelmi de Warenn' 29. Thomas erased and rewritten in red<br />(7r) Twelve leaves with pictures<br />The full-page pictures preceding the Psalter are thus arranged<br />a. A prophet and apostle under architectural canopy sometimes supported by central shaft, sometimes not; within frame. The apostle has a clause of the creed on a scroll; the prophet a corresponding prophecy. Names in red below the frame. Colours flat, pale green, blue, pink, brown etc. No grounds. Fine drawing<br />b, c. Gold grounds with incised pattern. Frame in colour. Architecture in spandrels, red silk guards. Fine drawing and colour: faces often have a dab of pink on the cheeks. The subjects are Life of Christ etc.<br />d. Prophet and apostle, as in a.<br />(7r) 1. Jeremias. Pointed cap. Patrem uocabitis me dicit dominus. Petrus. Credo etc. - terre<br />(7v) 2. Annunciation under trefoiled arch. Both figures stand: a lily pot between them. The Virgin has a book. Scroll. AUE GR<br />(8r) 3. Nativity under cinqfoiled arch. The usual scheme, with Joseph seated on R.<br />(8v) 4. Andreas. Et in I. C. dom. nostrum. Dauid in cap. Filius meus es tu hodie genui te<br />(9r) 5. Ysaias. Ecce uirgo concipiet et pariet filium. Jacobus. Qui conceptus - virgine<br />(9v) 6. Resurrection under trefoiled arch. Three knights in mail. The one on L. has a yellow shield with six chevrons sable. An angel kneels on the end of the tomb facing R.<br />(10r) 7. Ascension in plain frame, without arch. There is no hill. The Virgin has a book. The figures below number seven in all<br />(10v) 8. Daniel. Post ebdomadas lxii occiditur christus. Johannes (bearded). Passum - sepultum<br />(11r) 9. Oseas. O mors ero mors tua morsus tuus ero o inferne. Thomas. Descendit - mortuis<br />(11v) 10. Coronation of the Virgin. Plain frame. In the upper corners are two angels with censers and incense-boats<br />(12r) 11. Betrayal under cinqfoil. Judas has a ring round his head not rilled in with colour as are most. Malchus, full face, is screaming. Peter's sword is cutting off the top of his head: much blood is on his face<br />(12v) 12. Amos. Qui edificat in celum ascensionem suam. Jacobus maior (minor). Ascendit - omnipotentis<br />(13r) 13. Johel. In ualle Iosaphath iudicabit omnes gentes. Philippus. Inde - mortuos<br />(13v) 14. The Scourging. Cinqfoil arch. Christ bound to the pillar, full face. The ordinary scheme, with two executioners<br />(14r) 15. Bearing the Cross. Trefoil arch. Christ, covered with wounds. He walks to R. One executioner with his hand on His back draws Him on. The Virgin follows supporting the Cross. John behind, weeping<br />(14v) 16. Aggeus. Spiritus meus erit in medio uestri (this and the prophecy of Sophonias, which are both unusual, occur in a Bible of cent. xiii belonging to Mr Pierpont Morgan). Bartholomeus. Credo - sanctum<br />(15r) 17. Mattheus. Sanctam eccl. - communionem. Sophonias. Hec est civitas gloriosa que dicit extra me non est<br />(15v) 18. Crucifixion with the Virgin and S. John. Cinqfoil arch. Christ's side is wounded: three nails are used: no crown of thorns<br />(16r) 19. Two trefoil arches: no shaft. L. The Virgin and Child. She holds a flower, He a fruit. R. Christopher leaning on an oar, in the midst of the stream. Christ with an orb on His shoulder. Fish in the water<br />(16v) 20. Malachias. Cum odio habueris dimitte. Symon. Remissionem peccatorum<br />(17r) 21. Zacharias. Suscitabo filios uestros. Thadeus (beardless). Carnis resurrectionem<br />(17v) 22. Christ seated full face, in lozenge; L. hand on orb. The Evangelical emblems in the angles, with names<br />(18r) 23. Trefoil arch. L. Jacobus maior. Green wallet with escallop slung round him. Staff and book. R. John Baptist, hairy robe: he points to medallion of Agnus Dei in his L. hand<br />(18v) 24. Abdias. Et erit regnum domini. Amen. Mathias. Vitam - amen<br />(19r) Psalter in double columns of 17 lines. In a very large, tall, upright hand<br />Then follows the Psalter<br />(19r) Beatus uir. At bottom: L. David with sling-stones in his garment. Three sheep in front. R. Goliath mailed: shield with face on it: banneret and spear: red surcoat: stone in forehead<br />(19r) R. margin. Jesse tree on gold ground. Jesse sleeping at bottom: then a. David with harp. b. Solomon with scroll. c. A bad king in surprised attitude. d. Virgin and child. e. Christ with orb blessing<br />(19r) Initial. David playing the harp. A chaffinch above in the border<br />(38v) Dominus illuminatio. David kneels face R. at altar, finger to his eye. Head of Christ above<br />(52r) Dixi. Similar. He points to his protruded tongue<br />(64r) Dixit. David throned on L. A bald fool in mantle only, eating a cake and holding a club<br />(76v) Saluum. Christ above: Jonah (?) below in water, perhaps emerging from the mouth of the large fish<br />(92v) Exultate. David plays on five bells. Note the very fine white ornament on the blue ground outside the letter. This is conspicuous in other places<br />(106v) Cantate. Clerks, one in cope, two in albs. Book on desk on R.<br />(122v) Dixit dominus. The Father and Son seated full face. Cruciform nimbi. The Father on R. with hand on globe, the Son blessing. The Dove between them<br />(136r) Ad dominum (CXIX. CXX). Like Dominus illuminatio, but here David is bareheaded and beardless: in blue<br />(153r) Confitebor (Cantica). Christ throned full-face<br />(153r) Cantica and Litany<br />In the Litany<br />Apostles: Petre II<br />Martyrs: Osuualde (2nd). Florentine. Albane, Edmunde, Elphege, Thoma erased<br />Confessors: Atheluuolde (5th) ... Cuthberte, Guthlace, Uuilfride, Suithune, Dunstane, Iohannes, Aidane, Botulphe, Egidi, Leonarde, Iuliane, Uulstane, Hugo II, Edmunde<br />Virgins: Kyneburga, Kynesuuitha, Tibba ... Etheldritha, Sexburga, Werburga<br />Suffrage for the Pope erased<br />Collects
    Incipit
    (169r) Deus cui proprium est misereri<br />(169v) Omnipotens sempiterne deus. qui facis mirabilia<br />(169v) Pretende domine<br />(169v) Ure igni<br />(169v) Acciones nostras<br />(170r) Adesto domine<br />(170r) A domo tua quesumus domine repellantur<br />(170r) Deus a quo sancta desideria<br />(170r) Ecclesie tue quesumus<br />(170v) Animabus quesumus<br />(170v) Deus qui es sanctorum
    Note
    (171r) Commendacio animarum
    Incipit
    (174r) Placebo
    Note
    (174r) (Office of the Dead). A bier with blue pall and four candles
  • Livere de Reis de Britannie. 180v-184v
    Note
    In a hand of cent. xiv early: double columns of 32 lines<br />(180v) Chronicle of England in French to Edward I's death
    Incipit
    (180v) Deuant la natiuite nostre seignur mil et cc. anz uint brutus le fiz siluius en engletere
    Note
    (184r) The first hand ends (on Edward I)
    Explicit
    (184r) Cil regna .xxxiiij. anz et x. meis si morust e git a weymoster
    Note
    (184r) A hand of about 1400 continues
    Incipit
    (184r) Apres cesti Roi eduuard vint sire eduuard soun fiiz
    Note
    (184v) Ending with the coronation of Henry IV
    Explicit
    (184v) lan de grace mil. ccc. nouaunttime et neofyme
  • Chronicle of Peterborough. 185r-188v
    James
    Chronicle of Peterborough Abbey. 185r-188v
    Note
    In the first hand of item 2
    Incipit
    (185r) Anno ab incarnacione domini Dco quinquagesimo ab aduentu S. Augustini ivo fundata fuit ecclesia de medeshamstede que nunc Burg uocatur
    Note
    (186v) The first hand goes down to abbot Will. de Wodeford
    Explicit
    (186v) per iiij annos ecclesiam bene rexit et mortuus est
    Note
    (186v) The second hand of item no. 2 continues
    Incipit
    (186v) Godefridus de croiland
    Note
    (187r) And ends with Will. Genge (1396-1408)
    Explicit
    (187v) soluend' dicto abbati infra duos annos prox' post annum creacionis eiusdem
    Note
    Referred to by Tanner etc., but seemingly not printed<br />f. 188r-188v is blank
  • Bestiary. 189r-209v
    James
    A Bestiary. 189r-209v
    Incipit
    (189r) Bestiarum uocabulum proprie conuenit leonibus pardis cxi 217<br />(189r) Phisici dicunt leones tres principales naturas habere
    Note
    The ornamentation of the Bestiary is very fine indeed<br />(189r) (the first leaf) has partial border (oak and ivy-leaf). On R. a splendid grotesque with bow and arrow. Initial with seated Lion among ivy-leaves: most beautifully painted. Miniature: five intersecting circles in a square: grounds gold, patterned red and patterned blue. The medallions show: a. Hunters on L. Lion on R. obliterates his tracks with his tail. b. He roars at his whelp to raise it. c. He looks at or is attacked by a serpent (scorpion ?). d. He sniffs at a dead nude man (but will not attack him). e. He eats a monkey, which cures him of sickness. There is also an initial with human bust. These occur frequently<br />The pictures which follow are of various dimensions: frames in gold or colour with projecting leaves: grounds gold or patterned, blue or red divided into two, or quarterly. The subjects are<br />(189v) Tiger deceived by mirrors. Huntsman rides off with cub. Pard<br />(190r) Panther attracting beasts by his breath except the dragon which disappears into the ground<br />(190v) Antelope, horns caught in tree. Huntsman. Unicorn, head in maid's lap, pierced by hunter. Lynx. Gryphon on dead ox<br />(191r) Elephant with castle<br />(191v) Beavers pursued bite off their glands. Ibex stands on its horns. Hyena devours shrouded corpse<br />(192r) Bonnacon with curved horns, hunter on L. Monkeys carrying their young, hunters on L. Human-headed hairy-legged satyr. Deer eating serpent, swimming a river<br />(192v) White goats<br />(193r) Caprea, red. Monoceros. Two bears, licking a cub<br />(193v) Leucro(co)tta grinning. Crocodile devouring man. Manticora, humanheaded. Parandrus, antlered and clawed. Fox feigning death to attract birds<br />(194r) Eale, huge horns. Wolf biting his paw: sheepfold on R., dog barking<br />(194v) Group of dogs (L. part smeared). King (Garamantes) on L.: dogs attack his armed enemies<br />(195r) Dead man watched by dog which keeps off birds: on R. dog attacks his murderer<br />(195v) Adam robed, seated on L. by tree, naming beasts (lion, horse, ox, etc.) on R. Sheep. Ram<br />(196r) Lamb. Goat. Boar. Bullock. Ox. Camel: two men load it<br />(196v) Dromedary. Ass. Wild ass mutilates its young. Two horses<br />(197v) Cat. Mice. Weasel<br />(198r) Mole. Hedgehogs with apples. Ants: corn on L.<br />(198v) A row of doves (?). Eagle on nest looking at the sun: R. plunging into the sea<br />(199r) Vulture: a man's foot in its beak. Cranes: one holds stone in claw, others bow to it<br />(199v) Parrot. Chaladrius (two) on sick man's bed. Storks: (a) on water, (b) eating snake<br />(200r) Swans. Ibis: gives snake's eggs to its young. Ostriches arranging eggs in the sand. Fulica<br />(200v) Halcyon, green. Phoenix : (a) in nest fired by sunbeam, (b) dead, a dragon flying away from it<br />(201r) Goatsucker in tree: man slings at it. Ercinea avis. Hoopoes: brightly coloured. Pelicans with young. Owl (unlike): sun above<br />(201v) Ship on L. Mermaid on R. holding two fish. Partridges. Pie<br />(202r) Hawks. Nightingale on eggs. Sun and moon on R. Bats. Crow. Cornix in tree: man sits in chair on R. (auguring from its cry)<br />(202v) Doves. Dove covering its nest with squillae to keep off wolf which runs off on L.<br />(203r) Swallow. Quail. Peacock. Hoopoe<br />(203v) Cock and hen. Ducks. Bees: two straw hives on L.<br />(204v) Large dragon lies on its back open mouthed under tree: doves fly about. Three snakes. Blue and red dragon<br />(205r) Basilisk (cock with snake's tail) attacked by weasel, birds fly about it: serpents flee on R. Two fourlegged vipers eat each other<br />(205v) Asp (winged) stopping his ear: man (charmer) on R.<br />(206r) Scitalis. Amphisbaena. Hydrus entering mouth of crocodile. Boas sucking a cow. Jaculus attacking sheep<br />(206v) Syren, white snake, bites man's leg. Seps. Dipsae attack a man. Lacertus. Salamander in apple tree in C, licks the fruit: on R., a man who tastes it falls dead. On R. Salamander in fire. Saura emerges from hole in the wall (changing its skin) and looks at sun. Two stelliones<br />(207r) Four blue snakes, variously engaged, viz. changing skin: drinking at stream: attacking a clothed man on R.: fleeing from a nude man on R.<br />(207v) Two fish<br />There are no more illustrations, nor are spaces left for them<br />(210r) The last section is on Rane
    Incipit
    (210r) Rane a garulitate eo quod circa genitales strepunt paludes
    Note
    ending
    Explicit
    (210r) pelidorum. popillorum. solearum. lacertorum. ut luligo et huic similia
  • Poem on the Vanity of the World (Cur mundus militat). 210r-210v
    Note
    The poem
    Incipit
    (210r) Cur mundus militat sub uana gloriaCuius prosperitas est transitoria...Superna cogita cor sit in ethereFelix qui poterit mundum contempnere
    Note
    (Wright, Poems of W. Mapes, p. 147)<br />(210v) blank
TJames
51, 52 and 382
Stanley
E. 12
Repository
UK, Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, Parker Library
Location
MS 053

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License:
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