Statutes of Edward III and Richard II, in Latin and French; London(?), England, s. xivex.

Title

Statutes of Edward III and Richard II, in Latin and French; London(?), England, s. xivex.

Shelfmark

Exeter College MS. 159

Place of origin

London(?), England

Date

s. xivex.

Language

Anglo-Norman

Latin

Contents

Form

codex

Support

parchment FHHF

Physical extent

136 leaves, followed by one medieval membrane flyleaf

Hands

A, anglicana formata punctuated by low point.

B, anglicana formata but often with short r, punctuated with low point.

*C: the script of the two documents, an untidy anglicana, unpunctuated, at first appears dissimilar but comparison of letter forms, especially the y, shows that the writer is the same.

Decoration

A, rubrics, red paraphs and underlining; B, red paraphs only. In both, spaces with guide letters have been left for initials.

Binding

Sewn on three bands between flush bevelled wooden boards covered with once-white whittawed leather which is now smooth and shiny (s. xv). Endbands are blue and white (or brown?). On the front cover are the remains of one strap attached with two nails but a corresponding catch on the back cover has been lost.

Provenance

At the foot of fol. 2r are obliterated names. Originally two separate volumes. Perhaps written in London but item *C suggests that there is a connection with Somerset.

On the front cover is ‘N. 88’; in ink on a square paper label on the spine is ‘88’; on the spine itself is ‘88’; and on fol. 10v is ‘88. Statuta Regni ab anno 1 Edw. iii ad annum 14 Ric: 11. Vide Catal. Glynne Barti.’ (s. xviii), all referring to the catalogue of the library of Sir William Glynne (CMA ii. 49–54, no. 2012. 88), with the majority of whose manuscripts the book came to Exeter by bequest of Joseph Sandford: see MS 87, History.

Exeter library identifications are ‘CLIX’ inside the front cover and perhaps ‘2’ on a round paper label on the spine.