12th-century manuscript of the 'Aeneid' of Virgil.

File

Identifier: Adv.MS.18.4.13

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

vi. 850-vii.512, xi.77-652, and xii.301-952 are lost. There are verse arguments to books ii-vi and ix-xii (Pseudo-Ovid in ‘Anthologia Latina’, 1).

Bound in are end-papers from a previous binding:

(i) at the front, folios iii-iv, two non-conjugate leaves (but sewn together), containing Alexander Neckam, `De nominibus utensilium` (‘A Library of National Antiquities, I: A Volume of Vocabularies’; cf. ‘The schools and the cloister’, page 126), pages 96-98.5 ‘sculptum’ and 116.5 ‘libera’ -119 with interlinear glosses and (on the first part only) marginal commentary; 14th century (pricking with a flat awl in the outer margins; ruling with a hard point; 1 column; 22-38 lines; 230 x 140 millimetres; ruled area 160 x 60 millimetres in folio iii, 180 x 90-110 millimetres in folio iv);

(ii) at the back, folios v-vi, two imperfect conjugate leaves, containing a commentary apparently on Canon Law; 15th century (pricking not preserved; ruling with a hard point; 1 column; 45 lines survive; now 230 x 145 millimetres).

Coloured initials to books I, xi (red and black), ii, iii (green, red, and gold), iv (red), and xii (red and gold); ink initials to books v, viii, and x; those of vi and xi have been omitted. There are a few marginal pen drawings. Interlinear and marginal glosses in various hands.

Dates

Creation: 12th century.

Extent

1 Volumes (ii (paper) + ii + 114 + ii + ii (paper) folios.)

Language of Materials

Latin

Additional Description

Arrangement

Collation: 1-6⁸, 7¹⁰, 8⁸, 9 lost, 10-14⁸, 15 lost, 16⁸, 17 lost. Signatures in roman numerals in the centre lower margin of the last verso of each gathering. Pricking with a triangular awl in the outer margins, from first recto to last verso of each gathering. Ruling with a hard point. 1 column. 36 lines. Ruled area 190 x 55 millimetres. Secundo folio: `aut age diu(er)sos`.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Vellum. French binding of wooden boards covered in crimson velvet; black label with gilt lettering; the upper board is cut for a clasp, which is not present; binding and boards probably 16th century, the velvet 17th.

Custodial History

On folio ii verso are the notes: `ex libris D D Robert de Saint Victor`, `Le B’, and ‘N[?] 25’. The manuscript was acquired before circa 1825.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.

Bibliography

‘P. Vergili Maronis opera’, edited by R Mynors (Oxford, 1969).

‘Anthologia Latina’ (1869-1870), 1.

‘Library of National Antiquities, I: A Volume of Vocabularies’, edited by Thomas Wright (privately printed, 1857).

Hunt, R W. ‘Schools and the cloister’ (Oxford, 1924).