'Troilus & Creseid, written in fiue Books by ... Geofrey Chauser. Donn into Lattine with the Comments [in English and Latin] by Sir Fra: Kynaston Knight 1639. Begun August 21 Anno 1639': this title is set in an allegorical drawing with medallion portraits (one of Kynaston): at end is 'Finis. Quarto Maij 1640' and 'Jmprimatur Tho: Wykes, Jun: 2, 1640.'
The first two books without commentary were printed at Oxford in 1635: but this MS. contains not only the usual five books but also (p. 175) 'The Sixt & last booke ... written by Mr Robert Henderson [or Henryson] and called by him The Testament of Creseide', with Latin translation and notes.
The Latin, which is rhythmical and rhymed, follows each English stanza: but the whole is apparently copied by a scribe, for an autograph letter of Kynaston, Jan. 5, 1629/30, has been added at p. ix, in no way resembling the other writing.
At p. vii is also a letter of his father sir Edward Kynaston, reporting his appointment of Thomas Hopkins as rector of Hordley in Shropshire, Aug. 29, 1627.
The first two books without commentary were printed at Oxford in 1635: but this MS. contains not only the usual five books but also (p. 175) 'The Sixt & last booke ... written by Mr Robert Henderson [or Henryson] and called by him The Testament of Creseide', with Latin translation and notes.
The Latin, which is rhythmical and rhymed, follows each English stanza: but the whole is apparently copied by a scribe, for an autograph letter of Kynaston, Jan. 5, 1629/30, has been added at p. ix, in no way resembling the other writing.
At p. vii is also a letter of his father sir Edward Kynaston, reporting his appointment of Thomas Hopkins as rector of Hordley in Shropshire, Aug. 29, 1627.
Dates
- written in A.D. 1639-1640
Extent
536 pages
Language of Materials
- English
- Latin
Preferred Citation
Oxford, Bodleian Libraries [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Add. C. 287, pp. 1-2]
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Shelfmark:
MS. Add. C. 287
Collection ID (for staff)
CMD ID 20017
Abstract
Troilus & Creseid, written in A.D. 1639-1640.
Biographical / Historical
Sir Francis Kynaston (1586/7–1642) was a writer and the founder of an academy of learning.
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. V, no. 29640.
Custodial History
Owned by:
- Henry Aldrich, dean of Ch. Ch., Oxford (d. 1710);
- John Haddon Hindley;
- Francis G. Waldron, who purchased it in Hindley's sale on March 9, 1793 (lot 1215), and who in 1796 published a specimen of the commentary;
- S. W. Singer (see note by him on inner front cover);
- James Crossley, who purchased it in Singer's sale on Aug. 3, 1858 (lot 134), and wrote a note on p. vi;
- B. Quaritch, who purchased it in the sale of Crossley's library on June 20, 1886 (lot 2951) for £10 10s.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Bought from B. Quaritch (catal. pt. 369, art. 35797), on Sept. 10, 1886, for £10.
Physical Facet
On paper
Dimensions
12 × 8 in.
- Title
- Troilus & Creseid
- Status
- Published
- Date
- EAD version 2020 by Pauline Soum-Paris
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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