Wycliffite bibles, written in about A.D. 1390
Made up of two MSS., comprising:
- (fol. 1) Part of the Old Testament in English, in the earlier version of Wycliff, in three hands, from Numb. xx. 2 ('whan the puple nedede water') to Baruch iii. 20 'in the place of hem risen the Ʒunge', with prologues. Here the translation breaks off abruptly, the next line containing only a nearly contemporary addition 'Explicit translacionem [-lacōm] Nicholay de herford', and the rest of the leaf being blank. The first hand goes to fol. 131v, the second to the end of fol. 134, the third to fol. 251. Judges i. 21-iv. 4 ('of Beniamin'--'wife of Lapidoth' or its equivalent) are wanting, a leaf being lost. The break in Baruch shows that the writing is probably not before 1382.
- (fol. 251) Part of the Bible in English, in the earlier version of Wycliff, in two hands, from the prologue of Isaiah to Acts xxviii. 15 ('Thre Tauernes who whanne'), with prologues, the end being lost. The first hand extends to the end of fol. 391v, the second from that point onward. Ezech. i. 26-xxxii. 23 (after 'lickenesse of'--before 'titude of hym is maid') are wanting.
See no. 3093, and Forshall and Madden's edition (1850), pp. xvii, 1.
Dates
- Creation: written in about A.D. 1390
Extent
492 leaves, in double columns
Language of Materials
- English
Shelfmark
MS. Douce 369
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 21944
Our best descriptions for medieval items in this collection are in Medieval Manuscripts in Oxford Libraries under MSS. Douce.
Physical Facet
On parchment, imperfect, binding: red velvet
Dimensions
15 3/8 × 10 7/8 in.
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk