Prose Mirror, Middle English translation of the General and Pauline epistles, Four gospels in the Earlier Version of the Wycliffite Bible with usual prologues — 15th century, first quarter; England

Title

Prose Mirror, Middle English translation of the General and Pauline epistles, Four gospels in the Earlier Version of the Wycliffite Bible with usual prologues — 15th century, first quarter; England

Shelfmark

MS. Holkham misc. 40

Place of origin

England

Date

15th century, first quarter

Language

Latin

Middle English (1100-1500)

Contents

Form

codex

Support

parchment (of mediocre quality with numerous rough edges and flaws), paper flyleaves

Physical extent

iii (paper) + 257 + iii (paper) leaves, c.

Hands

five scribes: (1) fols. 1r–16v; (2) fols. 17r–25r; (3) fols. 25r–133r; (4) fols. 133r–162v (epistles); (5) fols. 162v–257r (gospels); textura, black and brown ink

Decoration

2- to 3-line plain red initials at the beginnings of gospels; similar 1- to 3-line initials at the beginnings of prologues and chapters.

Rubrics in red ink.

Binding

Typical Holkham binding of light brown straight-grained morocco over wood boards, 19th century. Gilt and blind decoration round the outer edge of both covers. Four raised bands on spine; gilt decoration on the raised bands and on the panels between the bands. Gilt crest of Thomas William Coke on the front cover. Gilt lettering on spine: ‘THE MYRROUR & GOSPELS’ and ‘MS. MEMB. 672’. Gilt edges of textblock.

Acquisition

Bodleian Library: acquired from the collection of the Earls of Leicester at Holkham Hall, near Wells, Norfolk. Former shelfmark: Holkham Hall MS. 672.

Provenance

John Forest, rector of Ramsden Bellhouse: Iohannes Forestius rector de Ramseton in Comitatu essex est proprius et indubitatus possessor huius libri 1552 (fol. 7r).

Sir Edward Coke (1552–1634); see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: autograph on fol. 1r; item 212 in the catalogue of his books (Hassall (1950), p. 15).

Thomas William Coke, first earl of Leicester of Holkham (1754–1842); see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: name and crest on the book-plate on the upper pastedown; crest on the binding.