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

Title

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

Shelfmark

MS. Laud Misc. 25

Date

15th century, first quarter

Language

Latin

Middle English (1100-1500)

Contents

Form

codex

Support

parchment, paper flyleaves

Physical extent

201 leaves, c.

Hands

textura, black ink, the size and style of script often change unpredictably on the same page (e.g., fols. 28v, 58r, 66v, 67r)

Decoration

3- to 4-line red and blue penwork initials and penwork borders at the beginnings of gospels.

2- to 4-line blue initials with red penwork at the beginnings of prologues (accompanied by a penwork border at the beginning of John); 2-line similar initials at the beginnings of chapters.

Indexing letters, catchwords, ascenders and descenders are sometimes decorated with floral penwork designs.

Rubrics in red ink.

Binding

Brown leather of pasteboard, 19th century. Blind fillet-line border round the outer edge of both covers. Five raised bands on spine, framed by blind fillet lines. Gilt lettering on spine ‘THE FOUR GOSPELS.’ and ‘LAUD. 25.’. Turn-ins with floral designs. Paper labels from an earlier binding pasted to the upper pastedown.

Acquisition

Bodleian Library: first donation from Laud, 22 May 1635. Earlier shelfmark ‘C.7’ (upper pastedown and fol. 1r).

Provenance

William Laud (1573–1645); see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: ‘W.L.’ (fol. 1r).

Title

Gospels (later Wycliffite version)

Shelfmark

MS. Laud Misc. 25

Date

15th century

Language

English

Physical facet

Rebound on calf

Physical extent

194 Leaves

Custodial history

Manuscript 2029 acquired by the Bodleian Library