Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 408: John Capgrave OESA, De illustribus Henricis

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Title:

Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 408: John Capgrave OESA, De illustribus Henricis

Alternate Title:

Joh. Capgrave de illustribus Henricis

Language:

Latin

Extent:

ff. 2 + 70

Dimensions:

213 Height (mm) and 150 Width (mm)

Approximate Date:

[ca. 1400 - 1499]

Provenance:

Very possibly from Bury. On f. ir is an old press-mark C. 4 which would suit the Bury Library, but is more roughly done than usual.

Table of contents:

De illustribus Henricis

Description:

CCCC MS 408 contains a copy of John Capgrave OESA(1393–1464), De illustribus Henricis, a historical collection established around the theme of illustrious men named Henry. It is thought that this manuscript represents Capgrave's autograph version, intended for copying by scribes at the Austin friars' convent at King's Lynn, and was almost certainly written in 1446-7, since it records Henry VI's visit to King's Lynn in 1446 but not the death of Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, in the following year. On the basis of the press mark, it has been stated that the manuscript was once at the Benedictine abbey at Bury St Edmunds, although this has been disputed. It has also been argued that this manuscript was once in the collection of the historian, John Bale (1495-1563).