Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 161: Lives of Saints

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Title:
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 161: Lives of Saints
Alternate Title:
Vitae Sanctorum
Language:
Latin
Extent:
ff. 152 + 1
Dimensions:
300 Height (mm) and 203 Width (mm)
Approximate Date:
[ca. 1175 - 1225]
Provenance:
On the flyleaf in red chalk is the name Twyne, which points to a Canterbury origin for the MS. John Twyne, mayor and schoolmaster of the city, got together a good many MSS., especially from St Augustine's. On the same leaf is the Parkerian note given in Nasmith.
Table of contents:
  • Life and Miracles of St Martialis
  • Miracles of St Nicholas
  • Sermon in praise of St Dunstan
  • Vita Sancti Aldhelmi (abridged)
  • Life and Miracles of St Erkenwald
  • Life and Miracles of St Swithun
  • Life and Translation of St Neot
  • Life of John of Beverley
  • Vita Sancti Botulphi
  • Miracles of St Ithamar
  • Vita Sancti Davidis
  • Vita Sancti Odonis
  • Vita Sancti Maioli
  • Vita Sancti Odilonis
  • Vita Sancti Hugonis
  • Vita Sancti Edwardi regis et confessoris
  • Vita Sancti Edwardi confessoris
Description:
CCCC MS 161 is a collection of Saints' Lives which has been dated to c.1200. The provenance of the manuscript has been the subject of some debate; the Cluniac monastery at Faversham, Kent has been identified as the possible place of origin, and it seems that the manuscript was later at Canterbury. The majority of the Lives in the collection are of English or British saints, including Aldhelm, David, Dunstan, Ithamar, Neot, and Swithun, but four Cluniac saints are also included, which supports the connection with Faversham. Faversham is in the diocese of Rochester whose cathedral contained the relics of the rarely mentioned Ithamar. According to Lapidge, many of the vitae are somewhat abbreviated. The frontispiece depicts a bishop, and it has been suggested that this may be St Dunstan.
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