15th-century manuscript of uncertain origin which contains miscellaneous works, mostly theological

File

Identifier: Adv.MS.18.8.5

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The contents of the manuscript are as follows:

(i) A version of the first two parts of the `Secretum Secretorum`. It corresponds to the text published in ‘Opera ... Rogeri Baconi’, fascicle V, pages 38-75, but is a very much shorter version, omitting the whole of caps. ii (the prologue of John), iv and viii, and many passages elsewhere. There are a few insertions and corrections in another hand. Begins `Quando allexander subiugavit sibi perses`. Ends `una vice post aliam et sic cum die auxilio bene fiet. Explicit aristotelis ae dieta`. (Folio 3.)

(ii) Anonymous commentary on Psalm 118 (119). ‘Repertorium biblicum medii aevi’, vi, number 9088. Begins `Multiplex saepe hominum opinio`. (Folio 12 verso.)

(iii) Envoy in verse. Printed in ‘Secular Lyrics of the XlVth and XVth centuries’, page 97. Beginning `Goo litle book of commendation`.

(Folio 53.)

(iv) `De cognitione verae vitae` by Honorius of Autun, attributed in the colophon to St Augustine. ‘Patrologia Latina’, 40, columns 1006-1032. Cap. ix is missing where a bifolium is wanting between folios 65 and 66. Speakers in the text appear as `Magister` and `Fratres`. It is followed (folio 99 verso) by a prayer to St Augustine, beginning `Austine pater aquilino more Johannis`, and a table of contents. (Folio 55.)

(v) Dialogue on penitence and sin between `Justus` and `Peccator` in the introduction, and `Senex` and `Iuvenis` in the text. The end is missing, and the text breaks off in the fifth chapter. Begins `Convertere ad dominum deum tuum ... [Hosea xiv, 2]. Cum peccatum sit aversio`. (Folio 102.)

Written in littera textualis cursiva; sections ii-iii are in the same hand. Some initials in red; that on folio 3 in blue with red penwork. Ruled in ink. Folio 54 is blank except for the title of the following text in an 18th-century hand.

Dates

Creation: 15th century.

Extent

1 Volumes (viii (iii-viii paper) + 117 folios.)

Language of Materials

Latin

Additional Description

Arrangement

Collation: 1⁸, 2⁶, 3-8⁸, 9⁸ (-4, 5), 10-12⁸, 13¹⁰ (-1 probably blank), 14-15⁸. With catchwords. Two metal clasps, the upper one missing.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Vellum. Binding of brown calf with blind fillets.

Custodial History

On folio iv is the inscription `Constat Domino Johanni Parker ex dono Magistri Thome Daneti sacre pagine doctoris`. Danet, canon of Lichfield, died in 1483; Parker may have been the chaplain of New College, Oxford (see ‘A Biographical Register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500’). A later inscription on folio ii reads `Pertinet Ad Magistrum Willelmum Wilton Ex dono Magistri Willelmi yngelarde`. The manuscript belonged to Sir James Balfour of Denmilne, and has his mark of ownership (folio 117 verso) and number 20 (folio iii). The manuscript was bought by the Advocates’ Library in 1698.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

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

Bibliography

‘Opera ... Rogeri Baconi’, fascicle V, edited by Robert Steele (Oxford, 1920).

Stegmüller, P. ‘Repertorium biblicum medii aevi’ (Madrid, 1958), vi.

‘Secular Lyrics of the XlVth and XVth centuries’, edited by R H Robbins (Oxford, 1955).

Migne. ‘Patrologia Latina’, 4.

Emden, A B. ‘Biographical Register of the University of Oxford to A.D. 1500’ (Oxford, 1939).