Skip to main content

Latin gospels, written in the 11th cent., perhaps in N.E. France

 File
MS. Douce 292

  • Request
    this

Comprises:

  1. (fol. 7) 'Incipit Euangelium secundum Matheum', in the Vulgate version, with prefaces, list of 78 capita, and the 'Ammonian' sections
  2. (fol. 65) The Gospel according to St. Mark, with preface and sections: the list of chapters may have been cut out after fol. 67. At fol. 103v is the prefatory Life of St. Luke, showing that there was a companion volume containing the two other Gospels.

The Eusebian canons precede on fols. 1v-52, finely written in gold on purple, within arches and pillars of gold. On fols. 6v, 69v, are illuminated figures of the two evangelists in Byzantine style, and the next page to each is also fully illuminated, and fol. 7v is in large gold capitals.

The front cover is overlaid with brass, and an ivory carving (6 1/4 x 3 3/4 in.) in deep relief is let into it, representing Christ surrounded by the symbols of the four Evangelists with figures representing earth and sea beneath, in parts damaged, within a border. The flat brass frame is elaborately engraved with figures of Christ, Evangelists, an angel, etc. The whole has been reproduced in W. Salt Brassington's Historic Bindings in the Bodleian Library (1891), plate 2. The date of the ivory and brass may be the same as the writing in the book. See Waagen's Treasures of Art (1854), iii. 97.

On fols. 5v, 1r are lists of persons, often with their wives: the former perhaps late 12th cent.: the latter of about A.D. 1200 and evidently connected with the district just North of Laon, among the names of places being Laudunum (Laon), Guse (Guise), Sanctus Nicolaüs in Sylva, etc.

Dates

  • Creation: written in the 11th cent., perhaps in N.E. France

Extent

110 Leaves

Language of Materials

  • Latin

Conditions Governing Use

Select.

Shelfmark

MS. Douce 292

Other Finding Aids

Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. IV, no 21866

Our best descriptions for medieval items in this collection are in Medieval Manuscripts in Oxford Libraries under MSS. Douce.

Physical Facet

On parchment, illuminated, binding: thick wooden boards covered with leather, with brass clasps (one lost), and two small rings attached

Dimensions

10 1/2 × 8 1/4 in.

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom