New Testament in the Later Version of the Wycliffite Bible, with usual prologues — 15th century, first quarter; England

Title

New Testament in the Later Version of the Wycliffite Bible, with usual prologues — 15th century, first quarter; England

Shelfmark

MS. Rawl. C. 257

Date

15th century, first quarter

Language

Middle English (1100-1500)

Latin

Contents

Form

codex

Support

parchment, paper flyleaves

Physical extent

223 leaves, c.

Hands

three scribes (1) fols. 1–35va, (2) fols. 35va–89v, (3) 90r–209v; textura, black ink

Decoration

5- to 6-line gold initials on blue and pink background with penwork sprays decorated with gold disks at the beginnings of gospels.

6- to 7-line ‘puzzle’ initials with red penwork and one-sided penwork borders at the beginnings of other books.

3- to 4-line blue initials with red penwork at the beginnings of prologues; 2- to 3-line similar initials at the beginnings of chapters.

Rubrics in red ink.

Binding

Dark brown leather over wood boards, 17th century (?). Blind-roll border round the outer edge of both covers. Blind-roll rectangular frame with floral corner-pieces on both covers; gilt branch with an acorn and four leaves in the middle of both covers. Rebacked in the Bodleian (?). Four raised bands on spine, framed with blind fillet lines. Gilt lettering on spine: ‘WICKLIFFES NEW TESTAMENT’ and ‘RAWL. MS. C. 257’.

Metal fittings of two leather ties and clasps, now lost.

Acquisition

Bodleian Library: bequeathed by Rawlinson and accessioned in 1756.

Provenance

Thomas Rawlinson (1681–1725); see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: no. 821 in his sale, March 1733/4 (?).

Richard Rawlinson (1690–1755); see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: bought in Thomas Rawlinson’s sale for £1 9s. 0d. Paper label with ‘41. 10th Days sale’ pasted to the upper pastedown.

Title

New Testament (later Wycliffite version)

Shelfmark

MS. Rawl. C. 257

Date

first half of the 15th century

Language

English

Physical extent

1 item