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Manuscripts in the Parker Library at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
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  • Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 048: Bible

Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 048: Bible

Description

Alternative title
Biblia
Type of resource
mixed material
Extent
ff. 276 + 3
Date created
[ca. 1175 - 1199]
Language
Latin
Material
Vellum
Layout
in double, triple and quadruple columns of 63 lines
Height (mm)
324
Width (mm)
212
Collation
I(8)-VI(8) VII(10)-XXVIII(10) (+1) XXIX(10) (wants 8-10), a(2) (+1).
Writing
in very beautiful small hands
Foliation
ff. a-b + 1-276 + i-iv + c-d
Provenance
The presence of the tract of Senatus Bravonius in this Bible has always suggested the probability that it is a Worcester book. I would point out that there is a very great similarity in size, arrangement of writing and contents, between this and a Bible at Eton College (no. 26 in my catalogue). This latter book is written in triple columns of 62 lines. Its contents are arranged in much the same way, viz.: Genesis - 2 Chron. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Baruch, Lamentation (Hebrew alphabet precedes in red, blue and green). Ezekiel - Malachi. Job. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, 1 Esdr. Proverbs - Ecclesisastes, Oratio Salomonis. Tobit, Judith, 1, 2 Maccabees Psalter (triple, with much prefatory matter). Table of Epistles and Gospels. Eusebian Canons. Evv., Acts, Catholic Epistles, Apocalypse Pauline Epistles (verses of Damasus, and preface of Pelagius). Laodicean follows Hebrew The Eton book was given to St Albans by Prior Mathias. This is recorded at the top of f. 1r and at the end of Proverbs. There was room for a like record at the top of f. 1r of the Corpus Bible, which has been removed. There is no direct proof that the Eton Bible was written at St Albans, but my belief is that it was a sister book to the Corpus Bible and that both belonged to St Albans. The Corpus book is far more finely decorated. A third book closely connected with these two is a 2nd volume of a Bible at Trinity College, Dublin (A. 2. 2: no. 51 in Abbott's Catalogue). This has the prologue of Senatus; the same prologues to the Pauline Epistles: the writing and ornament also agree (note specially the mottled marble shafts in the framework of the Gospel Canons). It belonged in the xvth century to Westdereham in Norfolk.
Additions
In the cover (f. av) are pasted two slips, one of vellum with a carefully written extract from Leland on Senatus Bravonius, the other of paper with notes of some various readings (xvi).
A slip has been cut from the top of f. 1r and replaced by blank vellum.
On the flyleaves at the end (ir-ivv). A piece of parchment pasted on (iir), with a list of the contents of this Bible (xv). Verses and note on the Tribes (iiir). Classified list of the books (ivr) (xvi early). Note to the effect that there are 258 leaves in the book from Gen. i (ivr).
Decoration. The initials in this book are exceedingly beautiful. I give a list of those which contain subjects or are otherwise remarkable (included within contents below).

Abstract/Contents

Summary
This Bible from St Albans, CCCC MS 48, dating to c. 1170, is part of a group of manuscripts produced at the abbey during the abbacies of Abbot Simon (1167-83) and Abbot Warin (1183-95). Related in text and decoration are two other St Albans Bibles of this period, Eton College MS 26 and Dublin, Trinity College MS 51 (A.2.2). The main artist of the Corpus Bible also worked for the Abbey of St Bertin and may be French in origin; he seems to have been a travelling illuminator. The book has thirteen historiated initials some of them on separate pieces of vellum stuck onto the page. The version of the Vulgate in this Bible has been classified by Glunz as 'Lanfranc's Scholastic Text'. The book is much smaller than most twelfth-century Bibles, but is considerably larger than the small 'pocket' versions which become popular in the middle years of the thirteenth century. An unusual feature of the page format is a three (and occasionally four) column text.
Contents
Bible

Bibliographic information

M.R. James Date
xii late
Downloadable James Catalogue Record
https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:qk007bj7006/MS_48.pdf
Superseded Interim Catalogue Record
https://stacks.stanford.edu/file/druid:tv538vg2458/48.pdf
Contains
  • Bible. 1r-276v
    Note
    (1r) In double columns
    (1r) Prologue Jerome ad Paulinum
    (1r) Prol. Initial in gold very delicately outlined in black
    (2v) In triple columns
    (2v) Capitula of Genesis - Judges, 1 Regum - 2 Paralipomenom, Rest., Tobit, Judith, 1, 2 Maccabees
    (7r) Pref. b. Ieronimi presb. ad Desiderium
    (7r) Prol. to Pentateuch, Jerome as black monk nimbed, writing, with knife and pen. In the tail of the letter a tonsured bust. Gold ground.
    (7v) Genesis begins
    Stichometric notes are given in most cases
    (7v) Genesis. Magnificent initial, the height of the page. The general scheme is ladderlike, with small white beasts: gold ground, edged with green. At top, quatrefoil: gold ground. Christ half-length with scroll across, blessing
    (7v) Six medallions, red frames: a. Angels. 3 heads seen on L., 3 on R., one half-length full-face in C. b. Band of clouds above and blue lined water below. Globe in C. marked HILE (ὕλη). c. Red ground, clouds, earth with trees, water. d. Sun and moon with faces, red stars in blue sky, earth with trees, water. e. Bird in clouds, birds (swans, storks, etc.) on earth: whales in water. f. Beasts on L. Christ in C. creates Eve (on R.)
    (7v) Quatrefoil, gold ground. Christ half-length with scroll hands to Moses, nimbed, below, the Tables delicately mottled in various hues to represent marble.
    The subsequent initials as far as Job are decorative and are of the most exquisite delicacy and brightness. Perhaps that to Zechariah may be singled out as particularly marvellous for the fineness of its white pattern on deep blue. The initials are uniformly edged with green
    (47r) Jos. Prol.
    Incipit
    (47r) Tandem finito
    Note
    (52r) Jud. Arg. (ex epistola beati Ieronimi ad Paulinum). Short extract
    (57r) Similarly for Ruth
    (58r) 1 Reg. Prol.
    Incipit
    (58r) Viginti duas
    Note
    (84r) 1 Par. Proll.
    Incipit
    (84r) Si septuaginta
    (84r) Eusebius Ieron. Domnioni
    Note
    (84v) Argumentum ex epistola ad Paulinum
    (97r) 2 Par. is followed by the Prophets
    (119r) Baruch follows Jeremiah and precedes Lamentations
    (121r) Lamentations is headed by a fine table of the Hebrew alphabet. The Hebrew letters are well written in gold, and their names, in red and green capitals, are twice given in the columns on R. with two sets of interpretations. At top are turrets with shields hanging to them. Linen guards to initials survive in the case of some of the minor prophets (ff. 138r, 141v, 142r)
    (148r) After Malachi follow
    (149r) Job
    (149r) Job. Job's wife on L. Job on R. Scrolls inscribed in red: Benedic deo et morere. Quasi una de stultis mulieribus locuta es. Red ground
    (154v) Prov., Eccl., Cant, (with the speakers indicated in the margin on f. 160v)
    (160v) Cant. A crowned female seated, one hand to her face. A curious cleft is managed in the initial so that the text (Osculetur) is directly connected with her other hand. Esther. Of singularly fine execution
    (161r) Ezra, Nehemiah
    (166v) (Followed by extract. Hic post incensam a chaldeis iudeam)
    (166v) Hester
    (167r) Esther. Of singularly fine execution
    (169v) Sap. (prol. Liber sapientieTres libros salamonis)
    (173r) Ecclus. Oratio Salomonis
    (173r) Ecclus. A crowned white-bearded man, half-length, facing R. A cleft in the initial (as above)
    (182v) Tobit
    (184r) Judith
    (184r) Judith. Birds with necks intertwined on a fine red ground
    (187r) 1, 2 Maccabees
    (199r) Epistola Eusebii de canonibus euangeliorum
    Incipit
    (199r) Eusebius Carpiano
    Rubric
    (199r) Incipit tractatus magistri Senati Wigorniensis bibliothecharii de concordia et dispositione canonum euangeliorum
    Incipit
    (199r) Dilecto amico suo et socio magistro Æluredo suus senatus wig(orniensis) ecclesie films salutem et si quid in obsequio potest. Inter preciosa maiorum munera
    Note
    Ending
    Explicit
    (200r) et omnia in quibus conuenientia cum aliis repperiri potest
    Note
    The opening of this, with the interesting reference to the Bible presented to Worcester by king Offa, was printed by Martene and Durand, Thes. Nov. I 484, from a manuscript then at Conches (in Normandy)
    Rubric
    (200r) Incipit epistola sancti ieronimi ad damasum
    Note
    (200v) The Canons under arches
    (200v) The Canons under coloured arches with coloured shafts. A delicately mottled marble shaft (see on Gen.) is very striking
    (201v) Distinctiones Canonum (beginnings of the sections)
    (203v) Capitula of the four Gospels
    (204v) In quadruple columns
    (204v) Prol. Plures fuisse
    (204v) The Arguments (Matheus ex iudea etc.) in parallel columns
    (205v) The Text of the Four Gospels in parallel columns
    (205v) The initials to the Gospels (all on one page) contain the Evangelistic emblems and make a noble appearance
    The breadth of the column varies with the length of the text, Mark being naturally the narrowest
    (233v) In triple columns
    (233v) Capitula to Acts, Cath. Epp., Apoc., Pauline Epp.
    Followed by text of
    (236r) Acts, Cath. Epp., Apocalypse
    Cath. Epp. have prologues
    (242v) JacobusPetrusIohannesludas
    Incipit
    (242v) Non ita est ordo
    Note
    Jac.
    Incipit
    (243r) Jacobum qui appellatur
    (243r) Jacobus apostolus sanctum instruit clerum
    Note
    (243r) James and 1 Peter (f. 244r) contain half-length figures of the writers
    1 Pet.
    Incipit
    (243v) Simon petrus filius Iohannis
    (243v) Discipulos saluatoris inuicti
    Note
    2 Pet.
    Incipit
    (244v) Symon petrus per fidem
    Note
    1 Joh.
    Incipit
    (245r) Johannes apostolus et euangelista quem Ihesus amauit
    (245r) Racionem uerbi
    Note
    2 Joh.
    Incipit
    (246r) Usque adeo ad sanctam
    Note
    3 Joh.
    Incipit
    (246r) Gaium pietatis
    Note
    Jud.
    Incipit
    (246r) Judas frater iacobi
    (246r) Judas apostolus fratres
    Note
    (246v) Apoc. Half-length figure of Christ with the sword (silver) across His mouth: holding book
    After Apoc.
    Rubric
    (249v) Incipit prefatio pelagii de corpore epistolarum beati pauli apostoli
    Incipit
    (249v) Primum queritur quare post euangelia
    Note
    Alia prefatio Ieronimi
    Incipit
    (250r) Omnis textus uel numerus
    Note
    Argumentum in Rom.
    Incipit
    (250r) Romani sunt qui
    (250v) Romani sunt in partes
    Note
    (250v) Rom. Half-length of Paul with scroll
    The usual arguments to the other Epistles
    (263v) Philem. A large blue nude man with red face and beard hangs from the initial
    (263v) Heb. is followed by
    Rubric
    (266r) Incipit Epistola ad Laodicenses que non habetur in canone
    Note
    A smaller rubric says
    Rubric
    (266r) hec epistola non est emendata
    Note
    After the text
    Rubric
    (266r) Ex epistola ad Colosenses
    Incipit
    (266r) Cum lecta fuerit etc.
    Rubric
    (266r) Beatus Gregorius in ultimo moralium
    Incipit
    (266r) Paulus apostolus quamuis epistolas quindecim etc.
    Note
    (266r) In the 2nd column another text of the Epistle, neatly written in cent. xvi
    (266r) In the 3rd column a copy of the Wycliffite version of the epistle written at the same time
    (267r) In quadruple columns
    (267r) Interpretationes nominum
    Incipit
    (267r) Abel ciuitas uel filius adam qui interpretatur luctus etc.
    Note
    Ends (Zorobabel)
    Explicit
    (276r) Uel magister babylonis uel confusionis
    Note
    The work maintains its excellence to the end
TJames
46
Stanley
E. 3
Repository
UK, Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, Parker Library
Location
MS 048

Access conditions

Use and reproduction:
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-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License
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