Bernard of Clairvaux, miscellaneous works; Germany, late 12th or early 13th century

Title

Bernard of Clairvaux, miscellaneous works; Germany, late 12th or early 13th century

Shelfmark

MS. Laud Misc. 355

Date

12th century, late, or 13th century, early

Language

Latin

Contents

Form

codex

Support

parchment

Physical extent

ii (paper) + 154 + ix (paper)

Hands

Protogothic bookhand.

Decoration

Initials in plain red, some with elaborate arabesque/silhouette embellishment (e.g fols. 2v, 10v, 21r)

Binding

Laudian binding. Sewn in four double alum-tawed(?) bands laced into pasteboards covered with tanned brown leather, each framed with blind fillets and with the gilt arms of Archbishop Laud in the centre. The edges of the leaves gilt. Traces of two ties. The spine with an old paper label inscribed ‘Bernardus de Consideracione &c M’ and ‘B’, and two Bodleian printed paper labels.

Acquisition

Part of his first donation to the Bodleian, sent 22 May 1635. Former Bodleian shelfmarks: ‘J.9.’ and ‘Laud 355’ (front pastedown).

Provenance

‘Liber S. Johnson’ and ‘S. Bernardi quædam.’, early 17th cent. (fol. 1r): Samson Johnson, a protege of William Laud, preacher (concionator) attached to Sir Robert Anstruther, British ambassador at the Diet of Frankfurt-am-Main (see the Quarto Catalogue, p. xx).

William Laud, 1573–1645: acquired 1635 (fol. 2r)

Title

Bernard of Clairvaux, works

Shelfmark

MS. Laud Misc. 355

Date

12th century, end-13th century, beginning

Language

Latin

Physical extent

155 Leaves

Custodial history

Manuscript 1948 acquired by the Bodleian Library