Elizabeth I — 1544; English
MS. Cherry 36
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Description
From Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries.
Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries contains descriptions of all known Western medieval manuscripts held in the Bodleian Libraries, and of medieval manuscripts in selected Oxford colleges. Learn more.
Title
Elizabeth I — 1544; English
Shelfmark
MS. Cherry 36
Place of origin
English
Date
1544
Language
English
Contents
Form
codex
Support
parchment
Binding
Embroidered textile binding attributed to Elizabeth I, filigree work of gold and silver on a ground of blue corded silk, with initials K.P. (Katherine Parr) in the middle of each cover.
View full record in Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries
From Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts.
Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts contains descriptions of the Bodleian Libraries’ archival collections, including post-1500 manuscripts. Some manuscripts with records in other catalogues are also described here as part of a description of a larger archive. Learn more.
Title
A translation into English out of French of 'The Miroir or glasse of the synnefull soule'
Shelfmark
MS. Cherry 36
Summary
A translation into English out of French of 'The Miroir or glasse of the synnefull soule', a new year's gift from queen Elizabeth when 11 years old to her step-mother queen Katherine, written with her own hand and perhaps also bound by herself. The dedication states 'therefore have i ... translated this lytell boke out of frenche ryme in to englishe prose: ioyning the sentences together as well as the capacitie of my symple witte, and small lerning coulde extende themselues. The wich booke is intytled, or named the miroir or glasse, of the synnefull soul ...'
The dedication is headed 'To our moste noble and vertuous quene KATHERIN, Elizabeth her humble daughter wisheth perpetuall felicitie and everlasting ioye', and ends, 'Frome asherige [Ashridge], the laste daye of the yeare of our lord god, 1544.' There is a preface 'To the reader', after which the text begins, 'The glasse of the synneful soule. psal. 51 Make me a cleane harte: O god. Where is the hell full of trauayle.'
On fol. 63v is 'A praier made by her matie' beg. 'O god the Almaker: keeper: and guider'), perhaps of the time of the Spanish Armada, copied in by some other hand.
The binding is traditionally said to be queen Elizabeth's own handiwork (see Hearne's Diary, 19 Sept. 1708, etc.). It consists of ornamental filigree work of gold and silver wire on a ground of blue corded silk, with the initials K.P. (Katherine Parr) in the middle of each cover. It was stiffened with mill-board and fly-leaves probably soon after it was placed in the Bodleian.
Date
Written in 1544 by queen Elizabeth
Language
English
Physical facet
On parchment, binding, see below
Physical extent
66 Leaves
View full record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
Collection contents
A translation into English out of French of 'The Miroir or glasse of the synnefull soule'
