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 Harley MS 1319, ff 1r-78v La Prinse et mort du roy Richart (Book of the Capture and Death of King Richard II) also known as La Prinse et mort du roy Richart (the Capture and Death of king Richard), the Account of the Fall of Richard II, or the Chronicle of Jean Creton), composed by Jean Creton (fl. 1386–1420), historian and poet; see J. J. N. Palmer, ‘Creton, Jean (fl. 1386–1420)’, in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004), [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/50197, accessed 19 Oct 2010]. This work was commissioned between November 1401 and March 1402 by Philip the Bold, duke of Burgundy. In April 1399 Creton was sent by Charles VI of France (r. 1380-1422) to accompany Richard II to Ireland. Creton sailed with the earl of Salisbury to north Wales, and gave an eyewitness account of the capture of the king. This is one of seven copies of the texts: see Jean Creton, Archives de littérature du Moyen Âge (ARLIMA) , http://www.arlima.net/il/jean_creton.html#prinse [accessed on 19 October 2011]. f. 1 is a parchment leaf inscribed on the verso in a late 16th-century hand: 'Histoire du Roy d'Angleterre, Richard, traictant particulierement la rebellion de ses subiectz et prinse de sa personne etc. Composée par un gentilhomme françois de marque, qui fut a la suite dudict Roy avecque permission du Roy de France', with the date '1399' added below in darker ink.Decoration: 16 miniatures in colours and gold with ivy-leaf borders. The subjects of the miniatures are: the author Jean Creton and a French knight (f. 2r); Henry of Monmouth knighted in the field by Richard II (f. 5r); the relief ships (f. 7v); MacMorogh, the Irish chieftian, approaching the duke of Gloucester (f. 9r); Archbishop Arundel preaching (f. 12r); Salisbury's arrival at Conway (f. 14v); Richard II's fleet (f. 18r), Richard II at Conway (f. 19v); the dukes of Exeter and Salisbury (f. 25r); Henry Bolingbroke and the dukes (f. 30v); Richard II and the earl of Northumberland (37v); Northumberland's oath (f. 41v); Richard II and the soldiers of the earl of Northumberland on the road to Chester (f. 44r); Richard II and Henry Bolingbroke at Flint Castle (f. 50r); Richard II delivered to the citizens of London (f. 53v); Henry Bolingbroke recognized as king by the parliament (f. 57r). 1 large initial in colours and gold 'A'(u) with foliate motifs (f. 2r). Large initials in gold on coloured grounds. Cadels. Capitals marked in yellow.The manuscript was illuminated by the Virgil Master (fl. in Paris, c. 1309-1420).
Harley MS 585, ff 130r-193r Lacnunga (i.e. 'remedies' or 'cures') is a collection of medical recipes, magical charms and invocations mainly in Old English, partly in Latin and Old Irish. Rubric 'Þith heafod wræle' with later marginal note in Latin 'Ad dolorem / capitis', incipit: 'Genim ham/or/wyrt and efenlaftan / nyðowearde', explicit (f. 190v): 'daga fyrste he his lif geændað', followed (ff. 191r-193r) by invocations in Latin and (f. 193r) a medical recipe in Old French, incipit: 'A os freint en tester A merusche / et herbe terestre boilli en miel'. The text includes prose and metrical charms (ff. 136v-137r, 160r-163r known as 'Nine Herbs Charm', 167r-167v, 175r-176r, 180v-181r, 181v-183r, 185r-186r), Latin prayers (ff. 149r-150v, 151r, 181r-181v, 183r-184r, 191r-193r), the poem 'Lorica of Lodgen' (ff. 152r-157r), and a short text (ff. 190r-190v) on lucky and unlucky days known as 'Dies Aegyptiaci'. For the text see Cockayne 1864-1866; H. H. G. Grattan and C. Singer, Anglo-Saxon Magic and Medicine Illustrated Specially from the Semi-Pagan Text 'Lacnunga', Publications of the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum, new series 3 (London: Oxford University Press, 1952); Bierbaumer 1976. For the charms, see E. V. K. Dobbie, The Anglo-Saxon Minor Poems, Anglo-Saxon Poetic Records, 6 (New York, 1942); G. Storms, Anglo-Saxon Magic (The Hague, 1948).
Harley MS 1684, ff 105r-140r Lanfrancus de Mediolanum, Chirurgia parva, 2 books in Middle Dutch translation.Decoration: Initials in red. Paraphs and rubrics in red.
Royal MS 12 F XIII, ff 141v-149r Lapidary in prose, probably an adaptation of the Latin poem of Marbodus, bishop of Rennes (d. 1128), though the order differs from the Latin Marbodus. Printed from this manuscript by M. F. Mann, 'Eine altfranzösische Prosaversion des Lapidarius’ Marbod’s', Romanische Forschungen, 2 (1886), 363-74 (pp. 367-73). Incipit: 'Allectorie crest el genuil del chapun'; explicit: 'Topaz Iacincte Amatiste'. On f. 144r 'Amalanz' is glossed 'in Anglico Blinde Beles'.
Harley MS 55, ff 5r-13v Laws of King Cnut the Great (r. 1016-1035). Decoration: Large initials (2-3 lines; ff. 5, 7v, 13) in red, paragraph initials touched in red, rubric (f. 5r) in red.
Harley MS 55, ff 3v-4v Laws of King Edgar (r. 959-975), with the Latin title 'Lege Eadgari' added in the upper margin.
Royal MS 18 D II, ff 167r-180v Le assemble de dyeus, an anonymous poem, attributed to John Lydgate in the 17th-century table of contents (f. 1r) and listed as 'The Discord betwixt Reason and Sensualytie written by Jhon Lydgate', but it is not Lydgate's poem 'Resoun and Sensuallyts'. Also attributed to Lydgate by Wynkyn de Worde in one of his editions, 1498 (see Warner and Gilson 1921), who also printed it with the Siege of Thebes, but without an attribution. Incipit: 'Whan Phebus in the crabbe had nere his cours ronne And towarde the Icon his iourney gan take.' Decoration: Calligraphic initials highlighted in yellow and red.
Royal MS 15 E VI, ff 273r-292v Le Chevalier au Cygne: a chanson containing an abridged version of three parts of the vast Crusade cycle: Hélias, Les Enfances de Godefroi de Bouillon, and Jérusalem. The exploits of the seven children who are turned into swans, of Elyas or Helias, and of his grandson, Godfrey of Bouillon, known as the Knight of the Swan are included. Rubric, ‘Cy comence lystoire du chevalier au signe’ and incipit, 'Or escoutez, seigneurs, pour dieu lesperitable Que lhesus vous garisse de la main au d[iable]' (f. 273r); explicit, 'Par Mahom, dit Marbrin, je lottroy et le gre' and colophon, 'Cy fine le rommant du chevalier au cisne' (f. 292r). Decoration: 1 two-column miniature in colours and gold, in two parts: on the left a knight in a boat drawn by a swan; on the right the mother in bed with seven children in a cradle with partial bar and foliate border (f. 273r). Foliate initial in colours with gold beneath the miniature. Initials in gold on rose and blue grounds with penwork decoration in white. Letters with cadels and pen-flourishing in the first and last line of a page and first letters of each line with yellow highlighting. Illuminated by the Talbot Master and his workshop (see main entry).
Royal MS 15 E VI, ff 4r-24v Le livre de la conqueste du roy Alixandre (in the table of contents), a French translation of Historia de proelis, or abridgement of Pseudo-Calisthenes, the legend of Alexander, King of Macedonia (b. 356 B.C., d. 323 B.C.), Emperor of Greece and Persia, including details of his successors, the execution of his mother, Olympias and passages on the marvels of India (ff. 15r-21v). The rubric is 'Cy commence le livre et la vraye hystoire du bon roy Alixandre'; incipit 'Puisque le premier pere de lumain lignaige' (f. 5r); explicit 'ius a force. Sy en lairay ester la parolle. amen. Cy fine le livre du roy Alixandre filz du Roy Phillipe de Macedoine et de la royne'. (f. 24v). Decoration: One full-page miniature in colours and gold with a full border containing Margaret's arms (the royal arms of England impaled with those of Anjou) supported by a herald wearing a tabard of Shrewsbury arms, and the arms of John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury with the arms of Beauchamp, Earls of Warwick in pretence, for his wife, Margaret Beauchamp, in the lower margin (f. 4v). One two-column miniature in colours and gold with a full border containing a herald wearing a tabard of Shrewsbury arms and holding a banner bearing the royal arms of England, and the arms of John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury with the arms of Beauchamp, earls of Warwick in pretence, for his wife, Margaret Beauchamp, in the lower margin (f. 5r). 80 smaller miniatures in colours and gold within text columns, with marginal ivy extensions forming partial borders. Foliate initials in colours and gold beneath miniatures (e.g., ff. 5r, 6r). Initials in gold on rose and blue grounds with penwork decoration in white. Line-fillers in blue, rose and gold with penwork decoration in white. Cadels.Illuminated by the Talbot Master and his workshop and by three other illuminators, the Master of the Lord Hoo's Book of Hours (bifolium ff. 21-24), an artist working in the Bedford Master's style (f. 4v, bifolium ff. 22-23).The subjects of the miniatures are:f. 4v, The city of Babylon with Nectanebus enthroned in his palace bearing an inscription 'La cite de babyloine', with another palace with inscription reading 'le chastel du Chaire', a garden with an inscription reading 'le jardin du Beaulme', and a watermill with an inscription reading 'les moulins de Babiloine'.f. 5r, Nectanebus enthroned receiving a letter; Nectanebus having his head shaved and fleeing his palace.f. 6r, Nectanebus addressing Olympias; Nectanebus and Olympias in bed. f. 6v, Nectanebus as a dragon at Philip's table;Philip taking Alexander to Aristotle.f. 7r, The death of Nectanebus; Alexander and Bucephalus; the victory of Alexander over Nicolaus.f. 7v, The coronation of Alexander the Great.f. 8r, Philip and Alexander dismissing Persian envoys; the defeat of Philip by Pausanias.f. 8v, Alexander defeating Pausanias; the death of Philip; Alexander enthroned.f. 9r, The army of Alexander marching; Alexander and his army at sea.f. 9v, The building of Alexandria; the naval expedition to Crete; priests of Jerusalem bringing to Alexander the book of Daniel. f. 10r, Alexander receiving a letter from the messengers of Darius; King Darius receiving a letter from the messengers of Alexander.f. 10v, King Darius dictating a letter to Alexander; Alexander reading the letter from Darius; Alexander and Olympias.f. 11r, Alexander addressing his army. f. 11v, Battle between Alexander and the Persians.f. 12r, Battle between Alexander and the Persians. f. 12v, The surrender of a city to Alexander. f. 13r, Alexander attacks the city of King Darius of Persia.f. 13v, The burial of Darius; the execution of the murderers of Darius; the marriage between Alexander and Roxana. f. 14r, Alexander receiving a letter from Porrus. f. 14v, The battle between Alexander and Porrus. f. 15v, The Queen of the Amazons meeting Alexander; Alexander battling flying dragons and beasts; Alexander battling strange creatures. f. 16r, Alexander battling against a strange beast; Alexander fighting Porrus; Alexander killing Porrus.f. 16v, The burial of Porrus; Alexander confronting a tribe of women; Alexander's knights killing elephants with spears. f. 17r, Alexander encountering a group of horned men; miniature of Alexander encountering a group of naked people in a lake; Alexander encountering a group of women with horses' hooves for feet (the hippopodes). f. 17v, Alexander encountering the gymnosophists, a race of naked wise men who live in caves; Alexander arriving at the river Pison. f. 18r, Alexander having a letter inscribed on a column; Dindymus receiving a letter; Alexander fighting with giant; Alexander burning a wild man. f. 18v, The House of the Sun; the trees of the sun, moon, and a Phoenix.f. 19r, Candacalus being robbed of his wife; Alexander rescuing her. f. 19v, Alexander and Candace; Alexander reconciling Candace's sons. f. 20r, Alexander fighting dragons and tusked beasts; Alexander encountering men and women living in water. f. 20v, Alexander dreaming of Ammon; Alexander being carried up by griffins; Alexander being lowered into the sea in a cask. f. 21r, Alexander in a tent, speaking to his army; Alexander fighting with unicorns; Alexander fighting with dragons; Alexander fighting with Cyclopes. f. 21v, Alexander encountering blemmyae; miniature of Alexander encountering horse-like creatures; miniature of the burial of Bucephalus; miniature of Alexander with caladrius birds and ill people; miniature of Alexander encountering a two-headed serpent, elephants, and other beasts. f. 22r, The surrender of Babylon to Alexander; Alexander sending a letter; Alexander consulting an astronomer. f. 22v, Alexander dictating a letter; Iobas offering poisoned wine to the feasting Alexander. f. 23v, The death and burial of Alexander. f. 24r, Olympias is attacked by King Tacida.f. 24v, The death of Olympias; her corpse is eaten by dogs.
Royal MS 16 F II, ff 210v-248v 'Le livre dit grace entiere', a manual on princely education. 1 frontispiece miniature: f. 210v, Under a canopy, the prince reading from a roll to two priests and four others, a grey hound. In the background, the prince kneels before an altar and attends a mass. The border in the same style as the previous, with ostrich feather and two roses (one supported by a white greyhound and a red dragon) coloured quarterly.
Royal MS 15 E VI, ff 227r-272v Le romant de Guy de Warwik (Gui de Warewik) et d’Heraud (Herolt) d'Ardenne. Guy de Warwik was one of the most popular romances in medieval England, surviving in sixteen known manuscripts in French verse and in numerous Middle English versions. This is one of only two surviving French prose copies of the text (the second is another 15th-century manuscript: Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, fr. 1476, which belonged to Marguerite de Rohan, wife of Jean le Bon). Colophon, 'Cy commence le livre de Guy de Warrewik', prologue incipit: 'Du temps du roy Athlestain, prince de noble memoire' and text incipit, 'en icelle honnourable saison et regne' (f. 227r); explicit, 'saluacion de corpz et dame. Amen' and colophon, 'Cy fine le rommant de Guy de Warwik'. (f. 266r); Heraud d’Ardenne incipit, 'Plaisance qui ma fait parler et descripre'; explicit 'tous ceulx du pays' (f. 266v).and colophon, 'Explicit le rommant de Guy de Warwik et de Herolt dardenne'. (f. 272r).Decoration: 1 two-column miniature in colours and gold of Guy of Warwick as a courtier and pilgrim with full borders including the arms of John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, with the arms of his wife, Margaret Beauchamp (f. 227r). 1 one-column miniature in colours and gold of Heraud before the Admiral of Africa with partial border (f. 266v). Foliate initials in colours with gold beneath miniatures. Line-fillers in blue, rose and gold with penwork decoration in white. Initials in gold on rose and blue grounds with penwork decoration in white. Cadels and pen-flourishing in the first and last lines of pages.Illuminated by the Talbot Master and his workshop (f. 227r) and an unnamed illuminator (f. 266v) (see main entry).
Harley MS 1811, ff 1r-2v Leaves from an antiphonary or a breviary were used as flyleaves at the beginning and at the end of the manuscript. The leaves at the beginning start with chants for 1st and 2nd Sunday in Lent. Space was left for a musical notation.
Harley MS 1811, ff 41r-42v Leaves from an antiphonary or breviary used as flyleaves beginning with chants for the Septuagesima Sunday (the ninth Sunday before Easter). Space was left for a musical notation.
Royal MS 16 F II, ff 188r-209r 'Les demandes en amours': eighteen questions in verse, followed by eighty-seven in prose.1 fronstipiece miniature:f. 188r, Chastel d'Amours: three ladies at the gate to the Castle of Love converse with a young man. Border in the same style as the previous two, with ostrich feather and the arms of Henry VII and Elisabeth over a scroll 'Dieu et mon droet'. In the lower portion of the border, red and white (and quarterly, red and white) roses.
Harley MS 6878, ff 62r-65v Les traicte des armilles pour verifier des estoires selon la tradition de Ptholemeo.Decoration:2 diagramatic images of the sphere (ff. 63v, 65r).
Stowe MS 944, ff 40r-41r Letter of Eadwine, monk and choir-master (cilda mæstere) of New Minster, to Ælfsige, Bishop of Winchester, relating his vision of St Cuthbert of Durham, his subsequent clandestine visit to the remains of the saint, and his proceedings after his return to Winchester; with a second paragraph, relating his knowledge of the circumstances on the occasion of the inauguration of a spiritual agreement between the Old Minster and New Minster; incipit: 'Ic [Ead ine] Munuk cilda mæstere an [Ni an] mynstre', explicit: 'ane into ealde mynstre 7 oðre into [ni an] mynstre'. Printed in Diplomatarium anglicum aevi saxonici: A collection of English charters, from the reign of King AEthelberht of Kent, A. D. DC. V. to that of William the conqueror, ed. by B. Thorpe (Macmillan, 1865), p. 321, from the Codex Winton (Add. MS 15350, f. 114v).
Harley MS 270, ff 123r-149v Liber de simplici medicina or Circa instans attributed to Matthaeus Platearius. Title (f. 123r) 'Incipit liber platearij de simplici medicina', prologue incipit: 'Circa instans negotium in simplicibus medicinis / nostrum versatur propositum'; table of contents for letters A and B, text incipit: 'Aloe calide et sicce con/plexionis est in secundo gradu. / Aloe ex succo', explicit: 'contra constipationem ventris', rubric 'Explicit liber de simplici medicina secundum / platearium'. This copy is not listed among the 13th-century English manuscripts of the text in Latin in E. Garrido Anes, 'Geographical and Dialectical Distribution of Platearius' Liber de Simplici Medicina in England', International Journal of English Studies, 5.2 (2005), 93-105. For the text see L. Thorndike and P. Kibre, Catalogue of Incipits of Medieval Scientific Writings in Latin, rev. ed. The Mediaeval Academy of America Publication, 29 (London, 1963; with supplements in 1965 and 1968), p. 211c; its electronic version on CD-ROM ed. (Ann Arbor, MI, 2000), no. 211C. The text is followed by a one-line (alchemical?) recipe, in Latin, 'Recipe roci uncia .i. salis gummis uncia .i. tempentur cum / lacte amigdaleo'. Decoration:1 foliate initial in colours (f. 123r). 1 red initial with pen-flourishing in blue and red extending into the lower margin (f. 123r). Initials in blue or red, with pen-flourishing in red, blue, or both. 2 pen-flourished decorations in the lower margin, the first incorporating a face (ff. 132v, 139v). Small simple initials in red or blue.
Harley MS 531, ff 139r-162v Liber novem iudicum (imperfect). The text on ff. 156-162v was supplied by a diffferent, slightly later hand. Decoration: Initials in blue. Places left for diagrams (ff. 147v-149r, 150v).
Harley MS 3244, ff 19r-26v Liber Penitentialis by Alain de Lille (or Alanus ab Insula) (c. 1128–1203). Rubric: 'Incipit penitenciale secundum magistrum Alanum', incipit: 'A domine deus'. Followed by a rubric 'De confessione' (f. 26r), incipit: 'Trinum deum peccator offendit'; and a sermon by Bernard of Clairvaux (Sermo de diversis) (ff. 26r-26v), incipit: 'Quatuor a. sunt que impediunt confessionem'.
Stowe MS 944, ff 13r-29r Liber vitae or a list of brethren, monks and benefactors of the New Minster abbey, assembled to be read during services, including1. Preface (ff. 13r-13v); 2. 'Nomina regum occidentalium Saxonum', from Cynegils to Æthelred II (1016); continued in various hands to Henry V (f. 14r); 3. 'Nomina filiorum regum': a list of ten names of Anglo-Saxon princes (f. 14v); 4. 'Nomina Archiepiscoporum Doruernensium': a list of twenty-nine archbishops of Canterbury, from Augustine to Æthelnoth, appointed 13 November 1020 (f. 14v-15r)). 5. 'Nomina episcoporum orientalium Saxonum': a list of twenty-four bishops of London, from Mellitus to Ælfstan (961-995). This and the three following lists differ from those in Cotton MS Tiberius B V, f. 21r, and Stubbs, Registrum Sacrum, p. 159 (f. 15r); 6. 'Nomina episcoporum Hrofensis ecclesiæ': a list of fifteen bishops of Rochester, from Paulinus to Godwine (995) (f. 15v); 7. 'Nomina episcoporum occidentalium Saxonum' a list of thirty-five bishops of Winchester, from Byrinus to Ælfsige (1014-1033), in the original hand, continued at various times to Henricus Blesencis (1129) (ff. 15v-16r); 8. 'Nomina episcoporum australium Saxonum': a list of seventeen Bishops of Selsey, from Wilfrid to Æthelgar (980-987) (f. 16r); 9. 'Nomina episcoporum Scirburnensis ecelesiæ': a list of twenty-one Bishops of Sherborne, co. Dorset, from Aldhelm to Ælfmær (1017-1022), which agrees with the series in Cotton MS Tiberius B V, f. 21v, but not with that in the Registrum Sacrum, p. 165 (f. 16v); 10. 'Nomina episcoporum Wiltuniensis ecclesiae': a list of eight bishops of Ramsbury, co. Wilts, from Æthelstan to Byrhtwold (1005-1045), not agreeing with the Registrum Sacrum (f. 16v); 11. 'Nomina episcoporum Cridiensis ecclesiae': a list of seven bishops of Crediton, co. Devon, from Eadulf to Eadnoth (1012- 1019) (ff. 16v-17r); 12. 'Nomina episcoporum Wyllunnensis ecclesiae': a list of six bishops of Wells, co. Somerset, from Sigar to Byrhtwig (1018). The list of bishops of Wells given in the Registrum Sacrum differs wholly from this, and is apparently derived from the 'Nomina Wilnensis æcclesiæ' in Cotton MS Tiberius B V, f. 21v (f. 17r); 13. 'Nomina ducum' a list of fifteen Anglo-Saxon 'duces', ending with Godwine (d. 1053) (f. 17r); 14. 'Nomina benefactorum defunctorum': a list of seventeen Anglo-Saxon thegns, etc. (f. 17r); 15. 'Nomina fratrum veteris coenobii Wentane ecclesiae sub protectione domni sancti Petri apostoli Deo inibi servientium': a list of twelve bishops of various dioceses, brethren of the Old- Minster or St Peter's. Among them are Athelwold, Bishop of Winchester, whose deposition was commemorated on 1 August (d. 984); and Ælfheah his successor, consecrated 14 kal. November (19 October 984) and enthroned 5 kal. November (28 October) and still living at the time of the entry (d. 19 April 1012) (f. 17v); 16. 'Isti quoque specialiter se devoverunt': a list of religious and secular devotees of the abbey, in continuation of item 15, numbered consecutively from 13 to 100, then again 1 to 92 and the remainder added without numeration in various later hands in the 11th and 12th centuries. The list begins with Womarus, Abbot of Ghent, who died, according to the Anglo-Saxon chronicle, in 981, and includes a bishop, dean, archdeacon, ‘precentor’, 'vestiarius', other abbots, a cellarer, monks, a nun, priests, 'levitæ' or deacons, and 'pueri', as well as goldsmiths, and persons designated as 'nanus', 'claudus', 'carpus', 'albus', 'niger', 'senex', 'decrepitus', 'Jud[æus]', etc. (f. 18r); 17. 'Nomina fratrum Novi Coenobii Wintoinensis æcclesiae. Salvatoris cosmi honore sacratae': a long list of persons admitted to the brotherhood of New Minster, and afterwards of Hyde, outside the city walls, from the foundation to the suppression, arranged in groups under the heading of the respective abbots by whom they were received (ff. 20v-23r, 62r-64r). In the early parts of the list the names are written in columns with the rank or condition of each person in an opposite column, and numbered from i to lxxvi. These include the period between Æthelgar, 1st abbot (965), and the accession of Ælfwine, 6th abbot (1035). The numeration begins again from i. to ccxi., after which the principle of numbering is abandoned, and eventually the list becomes irregular and carelessly written. (ff. 20v-23r; after f. 23r it is continued at the end of the volume); 18. 'De monacho iter acturo': a rule for the maintenance of a monk on a journey; 12th century (f. 24r); 19. 'De servientibus': a rule respecting the charge upon Candevera, perhaps Preston-Candover, near Andover, co. Hants, for support of the 'servientes' of the abbey; 12th century (f. 24r); 20. 'Benedictio': a rule respecting the form of blessing to be used according to the custom on all occasions; 12th century (f. 24r); 21. ‘[H]ec est conventio inter nos et monachos Sancti Albani’: terms of the spiritual confraternity between New Minster and St Alban's Abbey; 12th century (f. 24r); 22. A list of royal and distinguished persons, written by various hands during the 12th and 13th centuries. It begins with Henry I, his queen Matilda (d. 1118), and their son William, who was drowned in 1119 (f. 24v); 23. 'Nomina familiariorum vel benefactorum qui se nostris commendaverunt orationibus'. This list of benefactors begins with kings Æthelred and Cnut, and contains a number of 'duces', 'ministri', Danes, and others. It is numbered from i. to lxxxv. in the original hand, then continued to ciiii. in somewhat later hands, and a few are added at the close without numeration (f. 25r); 24. 'Nomina feminarum illustrium hunc sanctum locum pro Dei amore diligentium, vel quae se precibus huius familiæ elemosinarum largitione commendaverunt': a list of queens, abbesses, and other royal, noble, or illustrious ladies, beginning with Ealhswyth, wife of King Alfred, and containing, among others, the name of Santslaue, sister of King Cnut, who is not found in the usual pedigrees of that king. The marginal note 'hi' (for 'hic'), placed against her name at a later period, seems to show that her remains were deposited in New Minster (f. 26r); 25. 'Nomina fratrum Abbandonensis coenobii': a list of forty-one brethren of Abingdon Abbey, beginning with Abbot Osgar (963- 981), and consisting of five abbots, one monk, and a number of 'sacerdotes' and 'levitæ' (f. 26v); 26. 'Nomina fratrum Elgensis coenobii': a list of twenty-seven brethren of Ely Abbey, beginning with Abbot Beorhtnoth (970- 981), and composed of three abbots, six monks, and a number of priests and deacons (f. 27r); 27. 'Nomina sororum Hrumensis coenobii': a numbered list of fifty-four sisters of Ramsey Abbey, including two abbesses (f. 27v); 28. 'Nomina fratrum laicorum': a long list of lay-brethren (both men and women), arranged at first in columns and numbered from i. to xviii., afterwards not numbered or regularly entered, but written in various hands of different periods down to the suppression of the abbey. The list is continued on two subsequent pages (ff. 54v, 55r); and on four leaves added at the end of the book (65r-68r). On f. 55r is an entry that Richard 'Palmarius' gave a silver box (cassula) for relics, in return for which his name was to be entered in the martyrology and his anniversary commemorated (ff. 28r-29r).
Stowe MS 944, f 55v List of relics of Biblical personages and saints. Included are relics headed 'Iste reliquiæ sunt in magna cruce', i.e. in the famous cross given by King Cnut to the New Minster abbey.
Harley MS 2558, ff 9r-9v List of Thomas Fayreford's medical cases with names of patients including over 100 named people cured by Fayreford. Title 'De curis factis per T. Ffayreforde in diversis locis', incipit: 'In primis in domina de Ponynges que habuit frenesim', explicit: 'item Johannes peterton'. Published in Jones 1998. Listed in L. Thorndike and P. Kibre, Catalogue of Incipits of Medieval Scientific Writings in Latin, The Mediaeval Academy of America Publication, 29 (London, 1963; with supplements in 1965 and 1968), p. 706k; its electronic version on CD-Rom (Ann Arbor, MI, 2000), no. 706K.
Royal MS 2 B VII, ff 302v-318v Litany, with miniatures of saints, scenes from the Bible, and bas-de-page scenes. Decoration: f. 302v: Miniature of the Last Judgement, with an historiated initial 'R' of a group of bishops, and a bas-de-page scene of Paul giving a letter to a messenger.f. 303r: Two-register miniature of Peter admitting souls to Paradise and Satan receiving souls in hell, with a bas-de-page scene of Paul's conversion on the Road to Damascus.f. 303v: Miniature of the Virgin Mary, enthroned, suckling the Child, with two angels above supporting the drapery behind her. In niches, two angels are playing the guitar and a violin, and two others, below, holding tapers, with a bas-de-page scene of an angel appearing to Ananias, then Ananias leads Paul by the hand.f. 304r: Miniature in nine parts: two six-winged seraphim standing on wheels, a four-winged archangel holding a sceptre, a four-winged archangel holding a sword and sceptre, Michael, in armour, holding a battle-axe, a six-winged angel standing before an altar, and three six-winged angels, one holding a spear, another a trumpet, with a bas-de-page scene of Ananias addressing Paul on the left, and Ananias sitting with him at the table on the right. f. 304v: Miniature with a horned Moses standing with three patriarchs on either side of him on the upper register and John the Baptist (Agnus Dei) with three prophets on either side on the lower register, with a bas-de-page scene with Paul, naked in a large font, being baptized by the hand of God in a cloud above.f. 305r: Miniature in two parts, with Four Apostles (without emblems) on register above, and Peter (with keys), Paul (with sword), Andrew (with diagonal cross), and John (with palm-branch and eagle) on register below, with a bas-de-page scene of Paul, with nimbus, preaching before seven figures.f. 305v: Miniature of eight apostles and evangelists without emblems, on two registers, with four on top and four below, with a bas-de-page scene of Nero seated, Paul praying, and Patroculus falling headlong, with a devil on either side of him.f. 306r: Miniature in two parts, with eighteen saints (or disciples), nine on each register, with a bas-de-page scene of Nero seated on the left, with Paul, in the grasp of an officer, borrowing a veil from Plautilla.f. 306v: Miniature with eight saints (martyrs), four in the upper register and four in the lower register, with or without emblems, including St. Stephen (stones in a napkin) and St. Clement the pope (an anchor), with a bas-de-page scene of Paul with his eyes covered by Plautilla's veil and being beheaded by a man with a raised sword.f. 307r: Miniature of twelve saints (martyrs), eight on the upper register and four on the lower register, including a pope, a king, bishops, and St. Denis (carrying his severed head) with a bas-de-page scene of Paul as he appears to Nero seated with the empress at table.f. 307v: Miniature of eight saints (confessors), four in the upper register and four in the lower register, without nimbi or emblems, including a pope (Silvester) and two bishops, with a bas-de-page scene of Margaret spinning, with sheep feeding beside her, and the prefect Olybrius approaching on horseback.f. 308r: Miniature in two parts of thirteen saints (confessors), nine on the upper register and four on the lower register, without nimbi or emblems, including a pope (Leo) and a king, with a bas-de-page scene of Margaret standing in custody before the prefect (who is crowned and has a sceptre).f. 308v: Miniature of Mary Magdalene (with an unguent-pot), Mary of Egypt (covered with long white hair and holding a loaf), Margaret (piercing a dragon with a long cross), and another (with a palm-branch), with a bas-de-page scene of Margaret tied up by her hair, being scourged and lacerated by four figures with flesh-hooks.f. 309r: Miniature with seven virgin saints, one holding a palm-branch, with a bas-de-page scene of Margaret being sent to prison by the prefect.f. 309v: Miniature with seven kneeling figures (one with a crown and two with mitres) below Christ in a cloud, his right hand raised in benediction and in his left a sphere, with a bas-de-page scene of Margaret emerging from the body of a dragon, holding a cross in her hands.f. 310r: Miniature of six kneeling figures, three men and three women, with Christ in a cloud, his right hand raised in benediction, and a sphere in his left, with a bas-de-page scene of Margaret, who whips two devils, whilst holding a cross in her left hand.f. 310v: Bas-de-page scene of Margaret before the prefect, assisted by two others.f. 311r: Bas-de-page scene of Margaret sitting in a cauldron over a fire, with two others provoking it.f. 311v: Bas-de-page scene of Margaret before the prefect, assisted by two others.f. 312r: Bas-de-page scene of Margaret being led off to execution, with three women following her.f. 312v: Bas-de-page scene of Margaret kneeling in prayer towards a cloud containing Christ.f. 313r: Bas-de-page scene of Margaret being beheaded by a man with a raised sword and two men lying on the floor having been struck by lightning, with three decorated initials: 'D'(eus), 'O' and 'D'(eus).f. 313v: Bas-de-page scene of Margaret laid in a tomb, with four surrounding figures and the Manus Dei, with two decorated initials: 'D'(eus) and 'I'(neffabilem).f. 314r: Bas-de-page scene of Margaret, supported by two angels, kneeling before Christ, with two decorated initials: 'F'(idelium) and 'P'(ietate).f. 314v: Bas-de-page scene of the nativity of Nicholas.f. 315r: Bas-de-page scene of Nicholas refusing his mother breast.f. 315v: Bas-de-page scene of a poor neighbour of Nicholas and his three daughters.f. 316r: Bas-de-page scene of Nicholas putting gold through his neighbour's window.f. 316v: Bas-de-page scene of the bishop of Myra and his clergy.f. 317r: Bas-de-page scene of the consecration of Nicholas as a bishop of Myra.f. 317v: Bas-de-page scene of Nicholas as a bishop addressing three children in a tub.f. 318r: Bas-de-page scene of Nicholas stilling a storm and saving a boat.
Harley MS 978, ff 75r-117v Literary miscellany in verse and prose including:
Goliardic verses including poems by Walter Map (ff. 75r-107r); Rubric (f. 75r): 'Apocalipsis Golye episcopi', incipit: 'A tauro torrida lampada cynthis?', explicit: 'Tu autem domine miserere crawe. Amen'. The verses include H. Walther, Initia carminum ac versuum Medii Aevi posterioris Latinorum (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht, 1969), nos. 91, 627, 11395, 18404, 11427, 18302, and a text of the Doctrinal Sauvage. See also Dean and Boulton 1999, nos. 209, 244.
Song of Lewes or Song of the Barons (ff. 107r-114r); Incipit: 'Calamus velociter scribe sit scribentis / Lingua laudabiliter te benedicentis', explicit: 'Immo si sic facerent essent insensati'.
A legend of Becket's parents (ff. 114v-116r); Rubric: 'De coniugo patris / ac matris beati / thome martiris', incipit: 'Nunc autem ut / paulo altius sermo/nem historie repetamus', explicit: 'et cunctorum in ocu/lis intuentium graciosum'. Followed by the beginning of its translation in Anglo-Norman, rubric (f. 116r): 'Ci comence coment Gilebert beket / le pere seint thomas espusa sa fem/me la mere seint thomas le martir', incipit: '[G]jleber beket, burgeis de lun/dres se croisa en la tere seinte / pur penance fere' (5 lines). See Dean and Boulton 1999, no. 511.
Dialogue on falconry in verse, excerpt (ff. 116v-117r); Incipit: 'Bel uncle cher io le sai par veir ke en / bon oisel ad riche avoir', explicit: 'Coment io doi apercervir'. See Dean and Boulton 1999, no. 402.
Add MS 50001, ff 53r-55v Little Office of the Cross. Decoration: Miniature of Christ being nailed to the cross (f. 53r).
Harley MS 1121, ff 1r-140r Livre de Sydrac.Decoration:Diagram in blue, brown and red ink of the planets (f. 117v); large puzzle initial in red and blue with pen-flourishing in the same colours forming a three-sided border including foliate motifs and a dragon, at the beginning of the text (f. 1r). Initials in blue with red pen-flourishing or in red with grey pen-flourishing including foliate motifs, faces, hybrid creatures, fish, etc. (e.g., ff. 2v, 49v, 57v, 99v, 102r, 108v, 132r, 132v, etc.). Paraphs in red or blue. Line-fillers in red and/or blue, often in the shape of a fish (e.g., ff. 2v, 11r).
Harley MS 3535, ff 2r-36r Lu libru di la maniscalchia, the Italian (Sicilian dialect) translation of Giordano Ruffo, De medicina equorum by Johannes de Cruyllis (imperfect at the beginning), incipit: 'Cum zo sia cosa ki intra tuti li animali'.Edition of the text: G. de Gregorio, ‘Il codice de Cruyllis-Spatafora’, Zeitschrift fur romanische Philologie, 29 (1905), 566-606.Decoration: Initials in red, some with a simple penwork decoration.
Royal MS 12 C VIII, ff 71v-87v Lucian of Samosata (c. 125– after 180), Dialogues in the Latin translation by Titus Livius Guidoloctus of Urbino (15th century); title: 'Hic sequuntur Luciani dialogi tres interprete Livio Guidolocto Urbinate'. Includes three dialogues, De raptu Europae (ff. 71v-74v), Galene et Panope (ff. 74v-76v), and De Paridis iudicio (ff. 76v-87v). Incipit (f. 71v): 'Ex quo ego sum et inter uentos numeror'.
Harley MS 2378, ff 182v-183r Ludi nature regis Salomonis. Title (f. 182v) 'Incipiunt ludi nature regis Salomonis quos / (f. 183r) misit regine', incipit (f. 183r): 'Ad faciendam aquam comburentem'. Another copy is Sloane MS 121 (ff. 90v-92r). Listed in L. Thorndike and P. Kibre, Catalogue of Incipits of Medieval Scientific Writings in Latin, The Mediaeval Academy of America Publication, 29(London, 1963; with supplements in 1965 and 1968), p. 37l; its electronic version on CD-Rom (Ann Arbor, MI, 2000), no. 37L (also p. 793j or no. 739J for the text).
Harley MS 3091, ff 22r-40r Lunar and calendrical notes and astronomical tables including:a table entitled 'Cursus lunae per XII signa' (f. 22r)
astronomical calendar with added notes, 10th century (ff. 22r-28r);
Tables of the 19-year Metonic cycle from 532 to 1057, with additions from 1058 to 1272, including additional notes relating to Nevers and its cathedral especially from 815 to 1196 (ff. 28v-40r).
Harley MS 2558, ff 224r-224v Lunary relating to medicine. Title (15th century) 'De duodecim signs', incipit: 'Et quia signa lune medi/cinis necessaria sunt et u/tilia'. Listed in L. Thorndike and P. Kibre, Catalogue of Incipits of Medieval Scientific Writings in Latin, The Mediaeval Academy of America Publication, 29 (London, 1963; with supplements in 1965 and 1968), p. 523e; its electronic version on CD-Rom (Ann Arbor, MI, 2000), no. 523E.
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