Lancelot Cycle, Branches 3, 4, 5. — 14th century, beginning; French

Title

Lancelot Cycle, Branches 3, 4, 5. — 14th century, beginning; French

Shelfmark

MS. Rawl. Q. b. 6

Place of origin

French

Date

14th century, beginning

Language

Old French (842-ca. 1400)

Contents

Form

codex

Support

parchment

Hands

Fols. 1–245 were written by Ernouls of Amiens, colophon fol. 187v.

Decoration

Fine miniature (defaced).

Fine borders.

Fine historiated initials.

Fine other initials.

Binding

Dark green leather with gold ornament (English, 17th cent.), worn and mended.

Acquisition

Bequeathed to the Bodleian in 1755

Provenance

Richard Rawlinson, 1690–1755

Title

The romance of Lancelot du Lac, in French prose, in four parts

Shelfmark

MS. Rawl. Q. b. 6

Summary

The romance of Lancelot du Lac, in French prose, in four parts:

The first part begins on fol. I with no rubric (the rubrics are generally wanting in this MS.) 'En la marche de Gaule & de la petite Bretaigne': at fol. 187v is 'Ci faut la branche Galehost le roy des ylles lointaignes. Et conmence la branche de Meleagant le fiex au roy Bandemagu de Gorre. Les queles branches Ernouls damiens escrit.'

The first leaf of the second part has been cut out, and the text (on fol. 188) begins 'des lors en auant, ne a nul autre iour': at end (fol. 314v) 'Ci fenist mestre Gautier Map son liure: & conmence la Queste du Graal.'

The third part has also lost its first leaf, and begins (on fol. 315) 'res queus dist sire or pouez uous': at end (fol. 360) 'Ici fenissent les auentures du Saint Graal Et comence la Mort le roi Artu.'

The fourth begins at once, on the same column as the above colophon, 'Apres ce que mestre Gautier Map ot traitie ... Quant Boort fu uenuz': at end 'Explicit la Mort le roi Artu.'

Summary Catalogue note: The abundant armed figures in the historiated initials always have the surcoat long--never shortened in front: consequently I regard the MS. as written in the first quarter of the 14th century Ernouls of Amiens is succeeded on f. 246 by another scribe. E.W.B.N.

Date

written in the first half of the 14th century

Language

Old French (842-ca. 1400)

Physical facet

On parchment, with many illuminated capitals containing miniatures, borders, etc., in double columns; binding, dark green leather with gold ornament (English, 17th century), worn and mended

Physical extent

412 Leaves

Custodial history

On fol. vv is 'Launselot in gallico. 2° fo .que nous', and later '5 li.', referring to this volume. The names of 'Alys Scrope' (15th century), 'Robertus Tomson de Wyllmyngton' (in NW. Kent: 16th century) and others occur, not necessarily as owners.

Dr. R. Rawlinson's bookplate is in this volume.