Treatises on heraldry and the Order of the Garter, Religious treatise — 15th century, third quarter; additions, 16th century; English
MS. Douce 271
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
Treatises on heraldry and the Order of the Garter, Religious treatise — 15th century, third quarter; additions, 16th century; English
Shelfmark
MS. Douce 271
Date
15th century, third quarter; additions, 16th century
Language
Anglo-Norman
Middle English (1100-1500)
Contents
Form
codex
Support
parchment
Physical extent
ii + 78leaves
Decoration
Fine miniatures
Acquisition
Bequeathed to the Bodleian in 1834
Provenance
Francis Douce, 1757–1834
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
Short treatises connected with the office of Heralds, the order of the Garter, etc.
Shelfmark
MS. Douce 271
Summary
The chief are:
(fol. 4) '... Le liure de la fondacion & ordonnance de lordre et compagnie de la Jartiere', the foundation charter of A.D. 1349
(fol. 14) '... Le liure de la creacion et fondacion des heraulx': beg. 'Selon les ditz des philosophes.' Other pieces deal with oaths, ceremonies, privileges of officers, etc., all in French
(fol. 48) A treatise on moral virtue, in French: beg. 'Inicium Sapiencie timor Domini ... A ceulx dit il qui Dieu doubtent.'.
There are many 16th century additions, chiefly in English, largely in the hand of sir Thomas Wall, Garter King of Arms (d. 1535/6, whose signature occurs several times (fols. iiv, 64, 77): but an entry on fol. 1 seems to be the signature of sir Christopher Barker when Norroy (1526-36). Among these additions are various oaths and regulations, and:
(fol. 63) creations of Knights of the Garter in Hen. VI's time
(fol. 64v) 'Eneas [Sylvius] de Herauldis', an English tr. of a letter to John Endurbache by pope Pius II, when bp. of Siena (A.D. 1450-56)
(fol. 73v) forms of address to be used by the king in writing to foreign potentates, in French (abt. A.D. 1520-40)
(fol. 75) 'The names of the officers at arms as they goo in ordre accordingly to ther auncianette, A.D. 1536, a valuable list.
The binding bears the arms and motto of Sir Edward Walker as Garter King of Arms (1645-6, 1660-77).
Date
written chiefly in the 15th cent. in England
Language
French
English
Physical facet
On parchment with pen-and-ink drawings at fols. 4, 27v
Physical extent
78 Leaves
View full record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
Collection contents
Short treatises connected with the office of Heralds, the order of the Garter, etc.
