14th-century manuscript of the 'Historia Anglorum' of Henry of Huntingdon.

Item

Identifier: Adv.MS.33.5.4

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The manuscript contains prologue (folio 1) and books 1-7 (folios 2, 12 verso, 23 verso, 38 verso, 50 verso, 64, 76 verso), ending in the year 1138, the first 11 paragraphs of the later book 8 being included in book 7 (cf. Arnold, pages xii, xxxix note 3). Book-numbers are added at the tops of folios 315 and 24 only.

There are initials throughout; that of the prologue is zoomorphic, and that of book 1 more elaborate than the rest. On folios 1-20 they are in red and/or green, with a few in blue or gold; thereafter they are in red only, except for one in blue on folio 40 verso. Guides to the illuminator survive occasionally in the outer margins. Marginal notes in several hands occur throughout.

Dates

Creation: 14th century.

Extent

1 Volumes (vi (paper) + 93 + vi (paper) folios.)

Language of Materials

Latin

Additional Description

Arrangement

Collation: 1-11⁸, 12⁶ (-6). Signatures in gatherings 1-4, as roman numerals below the left-hand edge of the text on the last verso. Possible traces of folio numbering on folios 4-5 and 11-12. Contemporary foliation, omitting 21. Pricking with triangular awl. Ruling in ink. 1 column. 31-32 lines. Text area 170 x 100-105 millimetres.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Vellum. Binding of brown leather, tooled blind, with two clasps, 17th century.

Custodial History

The volume belonged to and may have been written for John Grandison, bishop of Exeter from 1327 to 1369: `Liber venerabilis patris domini Johanis Exoniensis episcopi. qui eum celauerit anathema sit’ (folio 1), and some of the marginal notes are in his hand. The ex libris of Sir James Balfour of Denmilne is on folio 1, dated 1631, and the Denmilne mark is on folio 93 (there is no Denmilne number). The volume was bought by the Advocates’ Library in 1698.