A Benedictine psalter from Peterborough abbey, Written in the early 14th century in England
File
MS. Barlow 22
A Benedictine psalter from Peterborough abbey, where it belonged to brother Walter de Rouceby whose obit in the calendar is dated May 4, 1341 (fol. 7). The psalter is followed by:
- Canticles, litany (fol. 168)
- Office for the dead (fol. 189)
- Preceded by a Respond in three parts and a leaf from a 13th-cent. breviary (inner front cover, fol. 1)
- Lessons, etc., for martyrs, stt. Benet, Peter, Mary, added in a 14th-cent. hand (fol. 2)
- A calendar with marginal obits of the abbots, etc., of the house (fol. 5)
- A series of nineteen miniatures illustrating the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary (fols. 12v-14v)
The painted fore edge and the Beatus page, which is executed in the best style of east Anglian illumination, both bear the royal banner (fleur-de-lys and leopards), for Peterborough was a royal foundation (of king Penda).
One leaf has been cut out between fols. 1-2, eight leaves between fols. 4-5. fols. 11, 12, 167 are blank.
One leaf has been cut out between fols. 1-2, eight leaves between fols. 4-5. fols. 11, 12, 167 are blank.
Dates
- Written in the early 14th century in England
Extent
203 Leaves
Language of Materials
Latin
Shelfmark
MS. Barlow 22
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. II, no. 6461
Custodial History
The volume belonged to 'John Harborne' on Dec. 20, 1604 (inner back cover). Fol. 2 has, in Barlow's hand, 'Liber Tho: Barlow è Coll. Reg. Oxon., anno MDC.LXI'.
Bibliography
- For a fuller treatment of the miniatures see Eric Miller, English Illuminated MSS. of the XIVth and XVth Centuries , pp. 10, 50, and plates 22, 23, and cf. S. G. Cockerell, The Gorleston Psalter , p. 2.
Physical Facet
On parchment, with nineteen fine miniatures, illuminated capitals, etc.; binding, brown leather, much worn, over bevelled boards, 15th-cent. English work
Dimensions
10 3/5 × 7 in.
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk