Genesis–2 Chronicles in the Earlier Version of the Wycliffite Bible — 14th century, end; England

Title

Genesis–2 Chronicles in the Earlier Version of the Wycliffite Bible — 14th century, end; England

Shelfmark

MS. Douce 370

Date

14th century, end

Language

Middle English (1100-1500)

Latin

Contents

Form

codex

Support

parchment

Physical extent

284 leaves, c.

Hands

textura; probably the work of several scribes; changes in the style of writing on fols. 211r, 235, 259r; such changes do not correspond to textual divisions, but occur at the beginning of quires or leaves

Decoration

2- to 5-line blue initials with red penwork at the beginning of books; 2- to 3-line similar initials at the beginning of prologues and chapters (the initial ‘þ’ tends to be larger, e.g., 11 lines high at the beginning of Genesis and Exodus); some chapters have simple red 1-line initials.

Rubrics in red.

Binding

Stamped white leather over wood boards, 16th century. Sewn on six thongs. Ornamented metal bosses and corners on both covers. Fittings of two clasps, now lost.

Acquisition

Bodleian Library: received in 1834 with the bequest of Douce.

Provenance

talard, 15th century (?), fol. 1r.

George Rawdon of carlton Mathe Sadlar of ffellonglaye with grace of god wyfe to George Rawdon of carlton, 16th century (fol. 174v). Fellongley, Warwickshire (?).

1756 January 17th Bought this Book of Mr John Cooke of Upingham – John Jackson (?) (d. 1794); see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, entry Jackson, John, d. 1807, traveller.

Francis Douce (1757–1834); see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: bought at Jackson’s sale in 1794 (lot 345); notes on flyleaves; stamp on fol. 1r.

Title

Book of Genesis to 2 Chron. inclusive, with some prologues, in the earlier version of Wycliffe

Shelfmark

MS. Douce 370

Summary

The first column is hardly legible. This was presumably the first volume of a set. A facsimile of fol. 252v is in W.W. Skeat's Twelve facsimiles (1892), plate viii.

Date

written in more than one hand late in the 14th cent.

Language

English

Physical facet

On parchment, binding: stamped leather on boards, with ornamented metal bosses and corners, clasps lost (16th cent. ?)

Physical extent

280 leaves, in double columns

Custodial history

On fol. 274v is a note of 'George Rawdon of Carlton' and 'Mathe Sadlar of Fellonglaye' (Fillongley, co. Warw.), his wife (16th cent.): '1756 Jany 17th Bot this Book of Mr Jn° Cooke of Upingham:' Douce probably bought it at the John Jackson sale in 1794 (lot 345).