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Manuscripts in the Parker Library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
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  • Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 286: Gospels of St Augustine

Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 286: Gospels of St Augustine

Description

Alternative title
Evangelia Cantuariensia
Type of resource
mixed material
Extent
ff. 2 + 265 + 6
Date created
[ca. 500 A.D.-599 A.D.]
Language
Latin, English, Old (ca. 450-1100)
Material
Vellum
Layout
double columns of 25 lines to a page
Height (mm)
245
Width (mm)
190
Collation
a(2), gap, iii(2) iv(8)-xii(8) xiii(10) (wants 1 or 4) xiv(8)-xviii(8) (+ 8*) xix(8) (wants 1, 8) xx(8)-xxviii(8) xxix(4) (wants 4) xxx(8)-xxxvi(8) xxxvii(4), b(2) c(2) d(2).
Writing
In fine uncials on lines ruled with the dry point
Foliation
ff. a-c + i*-iii* + 1* + 1-265 + i-v + d-g
Provenance
Written in Italy. From St Augustine's, Canterbury (see charters at end). Ancient Libraries, pp. lxvii, lxviii. It is probably mentioned by Thomas of Elmham.

Abstract/Contents

Summary
CCCC MS 286 is the famous manuscript known as the St Augustine Gospels. This is a late sixth-century gospelbook which has for centuries been held to have been sent by Pope Gregory the Great to Augustine of Canterbury (d. 604) during his mission to England. Certainly the manuscript was in Canterbury by the end of the seventh century, and various additions were made there, including some tenth-century Anglo-Saxon charters written between the gospels of Matthew and Mark. CCCC MS 286 is the earliest surviving Gospel Book with figure illumination: although most of it has been lost, with only a picture of Luke as a scribe under an arcade, and a page of gospel images in a grid. Unfortunately, only these two of the probably eight full-page pictures which the book contained have survived. These images seem to have been highly influential on later English art; a number of Anglo-Saxon and Romanesque manuscripts seem to owe a debt to its imagery, as does a famous scene in the Bayeux Tapestry. In the later Middle Ages this manuscript was probably kept on the altar at St Augustine's, Canterbury, where Thomas of Elmham describes a number of manuscripts associated with Augustine being kept. Parker may have been unaware of its association with the Gregorian mission. In recent years it has continued to play a role outside the library: since the Second World War it has been used in the enthronement of archbishops of Canterbury, and in 1982 it was put in the place of honour between Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Robert Runcie during the first papal visit to England since the Reformation.
Contents
Gospel of Matthew -- Prologue and Capitula to Mark -- Gospels of Mark, Luke and John -- Grant of renders from land at Brabourne, Kent by Ealhburg to St Augustine's Abbey, c. A.D. 850 -- Agreement between Wulfric, abbot of St Augustine's, Canterbury, and Ealdred, son of Lyfing, about land at Clife, Kent, c. A.D. 990 x 1005 -- Agreement about land at Wicham -- Agreement between Osbern de Ripla and St Augustine's Abbey -- List of relics -- Agreement about a hill near Sakenhethe -- Agreement about seven acres in Betleshangre -- Agreement about the messuage of Colombine the cleric -- Agreement about the messuage of Benedict son of Radulph -- Agreement about ten and a half acres at Estbotleshangre -- Confirmation of the previous agreement about ten and a half acres at Estbotleshangre -- Agreement about the garden of William son of John of Fenglesham

Bibliographic information

M.R. James Date
vi
Downloadable James Catalogue Record
https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:ny628kc1913/MS_286.pdf
Superseded Interim Catalogue Record
https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:gz989vf7295/286.pdf
Contains
  • Gospel of Matthew. 1r-74r
    Author
    Matthew
    Note
    Evangelia quatuor Latine secundum versionem D. Hieronimi, haud tamen absque majoris momenti lectionibus ab editione vulgata discrepantibus. De hoc autem codice notandum est eum ab aliis antiquissimis codicibus, quos in Anglia scriptos esse constat, cum quoad membranorum faciem tum quoad atramenti colorem tum denique quoad literarum ductum maxime differre. Quae quidem cum aliis infra dicendis rationibus faciunt ut credam hunc codicem unum esse eorum quos ad Augustinum Anglorum apostolum et primum Dorobernensem archiepiscopum mille et centum abhinc annis misit Gregorius magnus papa Romanus. De libris ab eo in Angliam missis consulat eruditus lector Iohannem Diaconum in vita Gregorii magni cap. 37. et Beda historiam ecclesiasticam lib. i. cap. 29<br />f. 1r begins imperfectly in capitula of Matthew (xii)
    Incipit
    (1r) (Nine)uitarum signumpharisaeis traditmatrem et fratres spernit
    Note
    xxviii ends
    Explicit
    (2r) et doctrina eius de baptismo
    Rubric
    (2r) Explicuerunt
    Note
    (red)<br />Below this is written (xi?) Siferð7 tate
    Rubric
    (2r) Incipit ipse liber
    Note
    On f. 2v is only Mattheus hominem in large capitals<br />Text begins at top of f. 3r
    Incipit
    (3r) Liber generationis
    Note
    (in red)<br />This page bears some stains from a lost frontispiece<br />A conspicuous corrector, who writes in black uncials, appears on f. 14r, 15r etc.: he may be of cent. viii. A later corrector, English (ix?), writes haec on f. 14v, imperauit on 18r, muliere on f. 45v etc.<br />On f. 29r, col. 2, is seen a line written in the same script as the section-numbers. See also f. 39r, col. 1, and notably f. 58v, col. 2, bottom<br />Ends 74r, colophon in rustic capitals, lines alternately red and black
    Rubric
    (74r) Explicit Euangeliumsecundum MattheumIncipit Euangeliumsecundum marcumDeo gratias
  • Prologue and Capitula to Mark. 75r-77r
    Author
    Mark
    Note
    (75r) Two little heads of dogs (?)sketched at top of f. 75r<br />Prologue to Mark
    Incipit
    (75r) Marcus euangelista dei
    Explicit
    (75v) incrementum dat deus est
    Rubric
    (75v) Explicit prologus
    Note
    (75v) (rustic capitals, red)
    Rubric
    (75v) Incipiunt capitula
    Incipit
    (76r) i de iohanne baptista et uictu etc.
    Explicit
    (77r) xiii -et resurrectio eius
    Rubric
    (77r) Explicueruntcapitula.
  • Gospels of Mark, Luke and John. 77r-265v
    Author
    Mark
    Luke
    John
    Rubric
    (77r) Incipitipse liber
    Note
    (78r) Text, beginning in red<br />(78r) Between the columns is drawn a half-length figure of a being with lion's claws and ears, and human face, winged, holding a book (facsimile in Goodwin, l.c.). It is before this leaf that the leaf with the frontispiece seems to have stood: there are some colour-stains on 78r.<br />91r, col. 2, has been largely re-inked<br />Ends 124r. Colophon as before in red and black rustic capitals
    Rubric
    (124r) Explicit Euangelium secund(um)Marcum. Incipitsecundum Luca
    Note
    124v blank<br />On f. 125r the famous painting in twelve compartments. For reproductions see above. Another painting most probably preceded it<br />125v is blank<br />Prologue
    Incipit
    (126r) Lucas syrus antiocensis arte medicus
    Explicit
    (126v) prodisse
    Rubric
    (126v) Explicit prologusIncipiunt capitula
    Incipit
    (127r) i Zacharias angelo non credens
    Explicit
    (129r) xx -resurrectio eius et reliqua
    Rubric
    (129r) ExplicueruntBrebes. Incipitipse liber
    Note
    (129v) 129v has the second painting, of St Luke, surrounded by scenes from the Ministry. For reproductions see above<br />(130r) Headline in rustic
    Rubric
    (130r) Incipit Euangelium secundum Luca
    Note
    Text
    Incipit
    (130r) Quoniam quidem
    Note
    After 130v a leaf is gone. 130v ends Et incredibiles (1 17). 131r begins Et regni eius (1 33)<br />On f. 194v, col. 2 passio dni nri is written in the hand of the later corrector (English minuscule of cent. viii?)<br />Ends
    Rubric
    (205v) Explicit Euangelium secundum Luca.Incipit secundum IohanneInc. prologuseiusdem. Deogratias
    Note
    (205v) Here a leaf with the frontispiece to John is missing. There are slight stains on f. 206r<br />Headline
    Rubric
    (206r) Praefatio
    Incipit
    (206r) Iohannes euangelista
    Explicit
    (206v) doctrina seruetur. Amen
    Rubric
    (206v) Explicit prologusIncipiunt capitula
    Incipit
    (207r) i Pharisaeorum leuitae
    Explicit
    (207v) xiv -Et resurrectio eius
    Rubric
    (207v) Expliciunt capitula. incipit ipse liber
    Note
    At top of 207v in rustic capitals + More volans aquilae petit astra Iohannes<br />Text
    Incipit
    (208r) In principio eratuerbum
    Note
    On f. 256r is a spirited sketch of a man in a pointed cap gesticulating: probably meant for a Jew<br />Ends
    Rubric
    (265v) Explicit Euangeliumsecundum IohannemDeo gratiassemper. Amen
  • Grant of renders from land at Brabourne, Kent by Ealhburg to St Augustine's Abbey, c. A.D. 850. 74v-74v
    Nasmith
    Testamentum Ealhburgae in quo recitantur quae legavit monasterio S. Augustini. 74v-74v
    Author
    Ealhburg
    Note
    Quod quidem testamentum publicavit D. Georgius Hickesius in dissertatione sua epistolari<br />On f. 74v, in fine round black hand, the Will of Ealhburh
    Incipit
    (74v) In nomine domini ealhburh hafaþ geset myd hyre freonda
    Note
    (facsimile in Goodwin, Cambridge Antiquarian Society 1847, pl. 1)
    Explicit
    (74v) agife land 7 bec þam hiƿum to sanctæ agustine
    Note
    Wanley, p. 151<br />S 1198
  • Agreement between Wulfric, abbot of St Augustine's, Canterbury, and Ealdred, son of Lyfing, about land at Clife, Kent, c. A.D. 990 x 1005. 77v-77v
    Nasmith
    Conventio Saxonice scripta [Paulo ante initium evangelii secundum D. Marcum] quae facta fuit inter Wulfricum abbatem [qui floruit A.D. 949] et Ealredum Lifingi filium. 77v-77v
    Note
    On f. 77v, originally blank, in good black hand
    Incipit
    (77v) In nomine domini nostri Iesu Christi her sƿutelað on þisum geƿrite hu ƿulfric abb.
    Note
    (facsimile in Goodwin, l.c.)
    Explicit
    (77v) to hyra saƿle ðearfe á butan ende; amen
    Note
    Wanley, p. 157<br />S 1455
  • Agreement about land at Wicham. ir-ir
    Nasmith
    Redditio terrae de Wicham Deo et S. Augustino et domino Hugoni abbati per Robertum Fresla, in illa quadragesima in qua rex Henricus dedit filiam suam imperatori. ir-ir
    Incipit
    (ir) Item de terra WICHAM nominata, etc.
    Note
    This is in a hand very closely resembling that of the Missal MS 270
  • Agreement between Osbern de Ripla and St Augustine's Abbey. ir-ir
    Nasmith
    Conventio inter Osbernum de Ripla filiosque ejus et abbatem S. Augustini de annua pensione XVIs. VIIId. solvenda ex terra de Ripla. ir-ir
    Incipit
    (ir) Hec est actio que facta est in presentia hugonis abbatis secundi
    Explicit
    (ir) Anno ab incarnatione domini Millmo co xlvito xvmo kal. apr. apud Norburnam in Hallimoto
    Note
    In a good black pointed hand
  • List of relics. iv-iir
    Nasmith
    Reliquiae quae sunt in uno parvo nigro scrinio uno flore notato. iv-iir
    Incipit
    (iv) Héé sunt reliquie in uno paruo nigro scrinio flore uno signato. De ligno domini plures particule. De sepulchro domini. De Scapula Sancti Nicomedis martiris. De Capillis Sancte Cecilie uirginis et martiris, De Sancta Margareta. De Sancto Ianuario. De uestis Sancte Marie. De ossibus et uestis Sancti Clementis martiris. De uestis Sancte Cecilie. De Sancto Antonio episcopo. De Sancto Laurentio martire. De Sancto Johanne Baptista os unum. De Sancto Pancratio martire. Costa de Sancto Mathia Apostolo. De Sanctis Wandregesilo-Martino- Medardo atque Gildardo, Odulfo episcopo, Audoeno, Dens Sancti Vedasti, De Sanctis Wlgaro, Paulino, Affre, Geruasio, Ambrosio. De cruce Sancti Andree apostoli, De Sanctis Mildretha, Wilfrido, Eadgitha, Folquino, Walburga, Amato Episcopo, Petrocio, Bartholomeo Apostolo, Tecla. Digitus Sancti Gregorii. De Sancto Jacobo Apostolo fratre Sancti Johannis. De Sanctis Nicholao, Leonardo, Benedicto et alie plures reliquie sine scriptis. Et de Sancta Fide Virgine
    Note
    (iv) In a separate line: Hollord. Ketil. Ozor. Yun. Andreus. Asclathe<br />iir blank
  • Agreement about a hill near Sakenhethe. iiv-iiv
    Nasmith
    Concessio collis, qui est proximus Sakenhethe, Jacobo filio Gilrici per Robertum abbatem et conventum, ea conditione ut dictus Jacobus ibi faciet unam salinam et reddet annuatim ad curiam de Cistelet II ferdendellos salis et V solidos. iiv-iiv
    Note
    On f. iiv in charter hand of cent. xiii, of the time of Abbot Robert (de Bello) 1224-1252
  • Agreement about seven acres in Betleshangre. iiv-iiv
    Nasmith
    Concessio 7 acrarum in Betleshangre Willelmo filio Hugonis de Betleshangre per Robertum abbatem et conventum, reservata pensione XLII denariorum curiae de Norb. annuatim solvenda. iiv-iiv
    Note
    On f. iiv in charter hand of cent. xiii, of the time of Abbot Robert (de Bello) 1224-1252
  • Agreement about the messuage of Colombine the cleric. iiv-iiv
    Nasmith
    Concessio messuagii Columbino clerico per eundem abbatem et conventum, reservata pensione Xs. iiv-iiv
    Note
    On f. iiv in charter hand of cent. xiii, of the time of Abbot Robert (de Bello) 1224-1252
  • Agreement about the messuage of Benedict son of Radulph. iiv-iiv
    Nasmith
    Concessio messuagii Benedicto filio Radulphi per abbatem et conventum reservata pensione XIIIIs. annuatim. iiv-iiv
    Note
    On f. iiv in charter hand of cent. xiii, of the time of Abbot Robert (de Bello) 1224-1252
  • Agreement about ten and a half acres at Estbotleshangre. iiir-iiir
    Nasmith
    Concessio 10 acrarum terrae et dim. in villa de Estbotleshengre Hamoni filio Willelmi de Botleshanger per Robertum elemosinarium cum consensu abbatis et conventus. iiir-iiir
    Note
    On f. iiir in charter hand of cent. xiii, of the time of Abbot Robert (de Bello) 1224-1252
  • Confirmation of the previous agreement about ten and a half acres at Estbotleshangre. iiir-iiir
    Nasmith
    Confirmatio ejusdem donationis per abbatem et conventum. iiir-iiir
    Note
    On f. iiir in charter hand of cent. xiii, of the time of Abbot Robert (de Bello) 1224-1252
  • Agreement about the garden of William son of John of Fenglesham. iiir-viv
    Nasmith
    Concessio cujusdam horti Willelmo filio Iohannis de Fenglesham per dictum elemosinarium. iiir-viv
    Note
    On f. iiir in charter hand of cent. xiii, of the time of Abbot Robert (de Bello) 1224-1252<br />iiiv-viv blank: unimportant scribbles on f. ivv<br />(vr) On the paper flyleaf at end is this note: Codex tanta similitudine codicis Amiatini excellit ut omnino saeculi vi esse dicendus sit. M. mart. 9. a. 1865. Const. Tischendorf
TJames
136
Stanley
L. 15
Repository
UK, Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, Parker Library
Location
MS 286

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Images courtesy of The Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. For higher resolution images suitable for scholarly or commercial publication, either in print or in an electronic format, please contact the Parker Library directly at parker-library@corpus.cam.ac.uk
License:
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).
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