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Manuscripts in the Parker Library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
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  • Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 415: The Norman Anonymous

Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 415: The Norman Anonymous

Description

Alternative title
Tractatus Eboracenses
Type of resource
mixed material
Extent
ff. 4 + 154 + 2
Date created
[ca. 1000 - 1199]
Language
Latin
Material
Vellum
Layout
28 and 27 lines to a page
Height (mm)
211
Width (mm)
135
Collation
a(4), 1(8) 2(8) 3(10) 4(8)-7(8) (7 canc.) 8(8) 9(8) (1, 2 canc.) 10(8)-13(8) 14(2) 15(8)-19(8) (wants 8) 20(10), b(2).
Writing
in several fine hands, some of which resemble the Christ Church (Canterbury) hand
Foliation
ff. i-vi + pp. 1-112 + 112a + 113a + 113-164 + 164a + 165a + 165-212 + 212a + 213a + 213-292 + 292a + 293a + 293-306 + ff. vii-viii
Research
This volume contains the famous series of tracts by the Yorker Anonymus: described by Hampe, Neues Archiv XXII 669. (He distinguishes 7 or 8 scribes.) The greater part of the text has been printed, as the references given below will show, in MGH. (Libelli de Lite) or H. Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, 1899.

Abstract/Contents

Summary
CCCC MS 415 contains the unique text of an author once universally known as 'The York Anonymous' but now thought to have been written by a Norman ecclesiastic, probably from Rouen, and hence its modern appellation as 'The Norman (or 'Rouen') Anonymous'. The manuscript, which was copied in the late eleventh or early twelfth century, consists of a number of tracts which have as their broad theme the relationship between the spiritual and temporal power. It has special significance because it was written shortly after the Investiture Controversy; this controversy was over the power of lay princes to invest and receive homage from abbots and bishops, which was forbidden by Pope Gregory VII in 1075. Although frequently discussed in the literature of the history of the relationship between the medieval church and state, the unique private nature of the text makes it highly unlikely that the complex ideas expressed in it ever gained a wide readership.
Contents
Summus pontifex -- Equalitas ecclesiarum et unitas ecclesie -- De peccatis et de penis eorum -- Episcopus a solo Deo iudicandus -- Abbas episcopo suo subditus est -- In necessitate licet leges pretermitti -- Iudex secundum Deum iudicet -- De mercenarii sententia -- De iusticia christiana -- Sacerdotis auctoritas -- De diversitate penarum -- De primatu ecclesie Hierosolimitane -- Electio et consecratio episcopi -- De malestate baptismi -- De nuptiale sacramento -- De ordine sacerdotis (I) -- De ordine sacerdotis (II) -- De consecratione sacerdotis -- De ordine et de oficiis Christi -- De duobus gladiis -- De bonitate Dei et nature -- De ordinatione filiorum sacerdotum -- De equalitate apostolorum -- De immolatione corporis Christi -- De consecratione pontificum et regum (I) -- De consecratione pontificum et regum (II) -- 'Laicus' nomen est ignominie -- De potestate ligandi atque solvendi -- De sacerdotum matrimonio -- De ordinatione filiorum sacerdotum -- De Fiscannensi ecclesia -- De Romano pontifice -- De primato Anglie -- De ecclesia Sathane in Roma -- De sanctorum communione

Bibliographic information

M.R. James Date
xi-xii
Downloadable James Catalogue Record
https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:mv910jy6573/MS_415.pdf
Superseded Interim Catalogue Record
https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:jv090ch6849/415.pdf
Contains
  • Summus pontifex. 1-2
    Note
    (1) [Late title]
    Rubric
    (1) [An summus Pontifex sit iuditio subiectus]
    Incipit
    (1) Decretum est in sacris canonibus
    Explicit
    (2) nullatenus debet iudicari de ordine
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche 436
  • Equalitas ecclesiarum et unitas ecclesie. 3-15
    Rubric
    (3) [De una ecclesia]
    Incipit
    (3) Auctoritate sanctorum patrum didicimus quod sancta ecclesia toto orbe diffusa una sit ecclesia una sponsi columba
    Note
    A section begins in capitals at p. 11
    Incipit
    (11) Ecclesia quippe Sathane non sacrificabat uni deo
    Explicit
    (15) cum quo unus est spiritus
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, 437
  • De peccatis et de penis eorum. 16-38
    Incipit
    (16) Cum de homine negat petrus in filium negauit hominis
    Explicit
    (38) sed utrum recte an perperam sapientium iudicio derelinquimus
    Note
    Not printed: see Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 179
  • Episcopus a solo Deo iudicandus. 39-49
    Rubric
    (39) [Quod Rothomagensis ecclesia non est subiecta Romanae]
    Incipit
    (39) Interrogetur romanus pontifex quibus de causis reprehendit et condempnat rothomagensem archiepiscopum
    Explicit
    (49) Ne meliorum uita deteriorum prelatorum corrumpatur exemplo
    Note
    MGH., Libelli de Lite III 656
  • Abbas episcopo suo subditus est. 50-53
    Note
    Change of hand
    Rubric
    (50) [De priuilegiis peculiaribus]
    Incipit
    (50) Precipit apostolus immo per apostolum Christus ut omnis anima sullimioribus potestatibus subdita sit
    Explicit
    (53) gratie igitur est ut una ecclesia huic pene subiaceat
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 449
  • In necessitate licet leges pretermitti. 53-55
    Rubric
    (53) [De temperandis legibus]
    Incipit
    (53) Oportet leges aliquando temperari propter misericordiam
    Explicit
    (55) ullo crimine reos teneri
    Note
    Not printed
  • Iudex secundum Deum iudicet. 55-56
    Incipit
    (55) Cum aliquis in iudicio de crimine reus conuincitur
    Explicit
    (56) per misericordiam
    Note
    Not printed
  • De mercenarii sententia. 56-57
    Incipit
    (56) Si mercennarius et qui non est pastor
    Explicit
    (57) nec tenenda est sententia
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 452
  • De iusticia christiana. 57-85
    Incipit
    (57) Omne iudicium aut in ecclesiasticis situm est negotiis aut in secularibus
    Note
    At p. 72 an initial, but no break in the text
    Explicit
    (85) si ergo hec propter eum facitis nobis illi pocius facitis quam nobis qui potens est retribuere uobis. Amen
    Note
    Not printed
  • Sacerdotis auctoritas. 85-86
    Incipit
    (85) Duo sunt quibus hic mundus principaliter regitur sacerdotalis auctoritas et regalis potestas
    Explicit
    (86) sed et hoc dicendum quia sancte ecclesie rex filius est non presul. discipulus non magister. subditus non
    Note
    [breaks off]
    Not printed
  • De diversitate penarum. 86-92
    Rubric
    (86) [De Canonibus et Decretis]
    Incipit
    (86) Si omnia precepta canonum paria essent idest equalis dignitatis
    Explicit
    (92) Hos per omnia imitari nos oportet
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 453
  • De primatu ecclesie Hierosolimitane. 93-99
    Rubric
    (93) [De ecclesia Romana et Hierosolimitana]
    Incipit
    (93) Videamus de romana et hierosolimitana ecclesia. que rectius alteri preferri debeat
    Explicit
    (99) quos plenos fuisse gratia diuina loquuntur testimonia
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 457
  • Electio et consecratio episcopi. 100-102
    Rubric
    (100) [De electione Pontificis]
    Incipit
    (100) Pontifex aut dei tantum electione debet constitui aut hominum tantum aut simul dei et hominum
    Explicit
    (102) Rectene id an perperam ipsi uiderint qui inuenerunt
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 462, nos. xiii a, xiii b
  • De malestate baptismi. 102-107
    Rubric
    (102) [De Baptismo et Eucharistia]
    Incipit
    (102) Si queritur quid melius sit atque prestantius baptismus an sacerdotium
    Explicit
    (107) quales ab eterno non sunt scripti uel electi uel predestinati
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 464
  • De nuptiale sacramento. 108-112
    Rubric
    (108) [De nuptiis]
    Incipit
    (108) Si christiana nubit iudeo uel ethnico
    Explicit
    (109) peccato idolatrie comparatur
    Note
    Not printed
    The lower part of p. 109 is cut off and replaced by new vellum: a fragment of text (for which see the Addenda) survives, pasted over, on p. 110: the whole of pp. 111, 112 are a newer leaf, and blank (p. 112 not blank, contains later rubric)
    (110) The fragment of text on p. 110, now pasted over with newer vellum, runs as follows
    (110) nec ea que in mundo sunt diligant. ut omnia sua etiam uxores propter deum relinquant. et cetera celestis doctrine mandata obseruant. si hec inquam implere satagunt uxoribus alligari non debent. quia qui uxoribus alligantur hec implere non ualent. et qui non implent irritum faciunt quantum in ipsis est christianitatis nomen. Si coniunctio consanguineorum abhominabilis esset apud deum et incestus reputa-
  • De ordine sacerdotis (I). 112-114
    Rubric
    (112) [De deposicione sacerdotis]
    Note
    The first two lines are a slip cut off from a previous page and pasted on the top of p. 113
    Incipit
    (112a) Sacerdotem ab ordine deponi nichil aliud esse puto quam eidem ordinem suum auferri
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 469
  • De ordine sacerdotis (II). 114-114
    Incipit
    (114) Diuina benedictio cuius iustus maior esse
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 470
  • De consecratione sacerdotis. 114-118
    Incipit
    (114) Si uerba quibus consecratur corpus
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 470
  • De ordine et de oficiis Christi. 118-119
    Incipit
    (118) Christus factus est sacerdos diaconus subdia(co)nus
    Note
    Unfinished
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 473
  • De duobus gladiis. 120-120
    Incipit
    (120) In passione domini duo fuisse gladii
    Explicit
    (120) in sanctorum commentariis queri debent
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 474
  • De bonitate Dei et nature. 121-127
    Incipit
    (121) Si deus omnia regit et moderatur et omnem rationalem creaturam regit et moderatur
    Explicit
    (127) Idem enim est adipisci summam bonitatem et summam essentiam et idem est adipisci bonum esse quod esse
    Note
    ? Not printed
  • De ordinatione filiorum sacerdotum. 128-139
    Incipit
    (128) Apologia pro filiis sacerdotum et concubinarum quos nunc quidam iudicant ad sacros ordines non debere admitti
    Explicit
    (139) sin autem correpctionem libenter excipimus
    Note
    Another copy at p. 247
    MGH. Libelli de Lite III 649
  • De equalitate apostolorum. 139-142
    Rubric
    (139) [De equalitate ministrorum]
    Incipit
    (139) Diuina institutione nullus inter apostolos maior fuit
    Explicit
    (142) ut inter uicarios eorum talis etiam regula seruaretur
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 475
  • De immolatione corporis Christi. 142-142
    Incipit
    (142) Agnus dei qui cotidie immolatur in altari aut tollit peccata mundi
    Explicit
    (142) Neque enim pro diabolo et membris eius offertur corpus Christi
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 477
  • De consecratione pontificum et regum (I). 143-204
    Note
    Change of script
    Rubric
    (143) [De consecratione Pontificum et regum]
    Incipit
    (143) Due in ueteri testamento persone pontificis scilicet et regis olei sancti unctione consecrate
    Note
    Between pp. 158 and 159 should be placed pp. 173-188 (quire 12)
    Incipit
    (164a) Nunc inseramus consecrationem sacerdotis et uideamus si adeo excellens est ut consecratio regis. Talis quippe est pontificis consecratio. Domine sancte pater
    Note
    The office follows
    On p. 169, after the inthronization collect (Domine Ihesu Christe tu preelegisti apostolos tuos ut doctrina sua nobis preessent etc.) follows what must be the king's oath
    Incipit
    (169) Hec tria populo Christiano et mihi subdito in Christi promitto nomineIn primis ut ecclesia et omnis populus christianus ueram pacem nostro arbitrio in omni tempore seruet, etc.
    Note
    The text continues with the coronation office. On p. 171 in the Consecratio regis (omnipotens sempiterne deus creator ac gubernator celi et terre) is the formula
    (171) super hunc famulum tuum N quem supplici deuotione in regnum anglorum siue saxonum pariter elegimus
    After p. 172 is the misplaced quire 12
    The office continues at p. 189 and ends p. 194 with the prayer
    Incipit
    (194) Benedic domine fortitudinem principis
    Explicit
    (194) quia ascensor celi auxiliator suus in sempiternum fiat
    Note
    (194) A series of paragraphs on the attributes of a king follows headed
    Rubric
    (194) De Nomine Regni
    Incipit
    (194) Isidorus ait. Regnum a regibus dictum est, etc.
    Note
    In the following paragraphs the authorities quoted are:Prouerbia Grecorum. These passages are printed by S. Hellmann, Sedullius Scottus, p. 129 (1906, in Traube's Quellen u. Untersuchungen I) together with a series of 74 quotations from Prouerbia Grecorum found in the Collectaneum of Sedulius Scottus in the Cues MS., and two other passages from them cited in the Carlsruhe MS. of the Irish Canons, and in a letter of the Anglo-Saxon Cathvulf to Charlemagne. They have evidently passed through Celtic hands: their origin is uncertain.
    Other authorities named are:Hieronimus. Patricius (the tract de xii abusiuis, quoted twice as his), Liber sapientie, Ambrose, Gregory
    (199) Item paulus pandit: quicunque adulari uoluerit aut pro necessitate aut pro adulatione benigne reuelat. Item paulus. Si hominibus placuissem seruus dei non essem
    (200) Sinodus romana
    (201) Orosius. Augustine
    Ends
    Incipit
    (204) De sermone regis aut ducis protegente inimicum
    Explicit
    (204) unde quidam ait. Utinam sermo regis dissoluisset me et liberaret me ut soluit ioseph. Et ut danielem liberauit de lacu leonum et ut mardocheum de angustia sua
    Note
    Parts of this are printed in MGH. Libelli de Lite III 662, where also are parts of the next tract
  • De consecratione pontificum et regum (II). 204-235
    Note
    (204) The text continues in a rougher hand
    Incipit
    (204) Sancta ecclesia sponsa Christi est qui est uerus rex et sacerdos
    Note
    pp. 205-208 are markedly large in script
    On p. 209 this script becomes small and neat again, but there seems to be no break in the sense
    This is a second copy, with some changes, of the tract no. 24.1. It ends just before the point where the former copy inserts the Coronation office. (See above on no. 24.1)
    This second copy ends p. 235
    Explicit
    (235) quoniam et ipse summus pontifex est in quantum rex est
    Note
    On the first copy p. 163* these words are followed by Nunc inseramus consecrationem sacerdotis
  • 'Laicus' nomen est ignominie. 235-236
    Note
    (235) No title
    Incipit
    (235) Laicus et christianus hec duo nomina aut equalia sunt in dignitate aut alterum altero est dignius
    Explicit
    (236) alterum ignominie id est laicus
  • De potestate ligandi atque solvendi. 237-238
    Incipit
    (237) Dominus noster Iesus Christus si petro soli contulit claues regni celorum
    Explicit
    (238) sed humano intuitu et preconio intruduntur
  • De sacerdotum matrimonio. 239-247
    Note
    Large script
    Rubric
    (239) [An liceat sacerdotibus inire matrimonia]
    Incipit
    (239) Scire uelim quis primus instituit ne sacerdotes christiani inire deberent matrimonia. Deus an homo
    Explicit
    (247) In quibus uero uerbum nuptiarum seminat ipsi facere nuptiarum fructum appetunt
    Note
    Printed by Bp Hall, Works I 756 (The honor of the married clergie) MGH. Libelli de Lite III 645
  • De ordinatione filiorum sacerdotum. 247-264
    Incipit
    (247) Apologia pro filiis sacerdotum et concubinarum
    Note
    A first sketch of no. 22 (p. 128): hand changes at p. 255
    Explicit
    (264) sin autem correctionem libenter accipiamus
  • De Fiscannensi ecclesia. 264-265
    Incipit
    (264) Sanctorum patrum autoritas-ordinauit ut rothomagensis ecclesia caput esset et mater fiscannensis ecclesie et ipsa membrum ipsius esset et filia
    Note
    (265) Nunc uero uice uersa in contrarium pro his bonis. fiscannensis mala retribuit rothomagensi
    Explicit
    (265) non est potestas nisi a deo
  • De Romano pontifice. 265-279
    Rubric
    (265) [De Romano Pontifice]
    Incipit
    (265) Romanus pontifex ideo apostolicus cognominatur quod apostolorum uice et officio fungi creditur
    Explicit
    (278) qui ergo inter has scisma facere conatur id efficit ut etiam sacerdotalis auctoritas subruatur
    Note
    (279) Ends
    MGH. Libelli de Lite III 679
  • De primato Anglie. 279-284
    Rubric
    (279) [De obediendo Romano Pontifice: more correctly, against the subjection of York to Canterbury]
    Incipit
    (279) Cum multe sint ecclesie in romana ciuitate aut omnibus equaliter debemus obedire aut quibusdam tantum
    Note
    The script of the following pages is larger and rougher
    Explicit
    (284) si ergo eboracensis archiepiscopus istis uult exibere obedientiam non debet nisi cogatur de is respondere archiepiscopo cantuariensi que potius iure debet ecclesie londoniensi
    Note
    MGH. Libelli de Lite III 686. Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 478
  • De ecclesia Sathane in Roma. 284-284
    Note
    A paragraph
    Incipit
    (284) Considerandum est de romana ecclesia unde sit dignior ex eo quod romana est an ex eo quod ecclesia
    Explicit
    (284) in caritate non in exactione. propter deum non propter seculi fastum. Amen
  • De sanctorum communione. 285-302
    Rubric
    (285) (De Charitate et Obedientia)
    Note
    In the hand of no. 1
    Incipit
    (285) Dignitas peculiaris et propria est et a patre collata filio dei et hominis quod est iudex uniuersorum
    Note
    Ends p. 302 (on suficit diei malitia sua)
    Explicit
    (302) catia (=κακία) enim que latinus uertit in malitiam apud grecos duo significat et malitiam et afflictionem. quod cacos grece dicunt et hic pro malitia magis transferri debuit
    Note
    Böhmer, Staat und Kirche, p. 481
TJames
230
Stanley
O. 27
Repository
UK, Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, Parker Library
Location
MS 415

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License:
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