Bible; England, 13th century, second quarter (?)
MS. Holkham misc. 1
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Description
From Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries
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Title
Bible; England, 13th century, second quarter (?)
Shelfmark
MS. Holkham misc. 1
Place of origin
English
Date
13th century, second quarter (?)
Language
Latin
Contents
Form
codex
Support
Parchment, rather poor quality, with very marked hair-flesh differences in many places.
Physical extent
iii (paper) + 340 + iii (paper) leaves.
Hands
Written in competant gothic script, apparently by three or more scribes; apparently written above top line throughout (except for the added Text 17), but then re-ruled with an extra top horizontal line, from fol. 98 onwards, effectively moving the first line of writing 'below top line'.
Decoration
Headings in plain brown ink in larger script, crossed through in red.
Large red and blue 'puzzle' initials with red and blue penwork at the beginnings of books and prologues, not particularly well-executed; smaller initials alternately red with blue penwork or vice versa.
One-line initials, letters of running-headers, numerals of chapters, etc., alternately red or blue; paraphs alternately in red or blue.
Binding
Standard Holkham binding. Sewing not visible, but apparently modern; bound in typical Holkham style in black straight-grained morocco over pasteboards, the upper cover stamped in gilt with the crest of the Earls of Leicester; gilt turn-ins; the spine lettered in gilt 'BIBLIA | SACRA' at the top, and 'MS. | SÆC. XII' at the bottom; the bottom edge of fols. 1–2 have rust-stains apparently from a chain-staple.
Provenance
Written presumably in England (but the parchment is not unlike that from southern Europe) towards the middle of the 13th century, when the transition from 'above top line' to 'below top line' was occurring.
Annotated and glossed extensively within a short time of the writing, and perhaps rebound within the 13th century (see under Collation).
Perhaps in a chained library at some date (see under Binding).
Holkham Hall; formerly Norfolk, Holkham Hall, MS. 8; No. 8 in de Ricci's handlist: inscribed in pencil 'Holk Cat No. 8' (fol. ii recto).
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