This manuscript consists of a compilation of Latin moral,
grammatical and historical treatises in prose and verses including
interlinear and marginal glosses, probably collected by Geoffrey of
Ufford (fl. c. 1154) and entitled 'Scutum Bede Collectivus Gaufridi
de Ufford' (f. 1r); this appears to be the sole surviving copy of
his compilation.Contents: f. 1v: A list of vices classified in four
classes with the reason why they have to be avoided, followed by
ten lines of verses, beginning: 'Hec figura scutum dicta Bede: in
partes octo picta'. ff. 2r-4r: An exhortation in verse to the study
of letters, beginning: 'Noli mi fili monitum mispendere vili Cipus
erit laudis, si que pater edocet audis', followed by a table of
Hebrew, Greek, Latin and Runic alphabets (ff. 3r-3v), a two-lines
glossed explanation 'Grammatica prefixa vario signamine', followed
by a table with Greek letters entitled 'Caracteres ethyci
phylosophi' (f. 4r). An explanation of symbols with extracts from
Isidore of Seville (d. 636), Etymologiae (Etymologies)(f. 4v).
Instructions for the pronunciation of letters (f. 5r). ff. 5v-155r:
A compendium of biblical world history, preceded by a prologue
explaining the author's intention (ff. 5v-6r); the preface of the
work explaining the symbolism of the number seven (ff. 6v-8r); and
followed by a general chronicle including lists of French and
Lombard kings, emperors and popes (ff. 90v-118v); a chronicle of
England (ff. 119v-144r) preceded by a prologue in verse (f. 119v);
a treatise on vices and virtues (ff. 144v-155r). ff. 155v-165r:
Libellus de nominibus naturalium rerum (Book on the Names of
Natural Things), a trilingual glossary on lists of animals, plants
and stones in Old English, Latin and Old French. ff. 165v-166r:
Medical recipes ending with a verse recipe for healing wounds (f.
116r).Decoration:Two drawings in ink of a father and son (f. 2r).
Tables, frames, and diagrams in red or red and green, some with
crosses. Large initials in green, red, yellow, black, or blue, many
with penwork decoration in another colour or colours, two with a
face (ff. 48v, 93v). Three initials in purple with red penwork
decoration (ff. 64r, 67v, 71r). Small initials in red, green, or
blue. Some highlighting of initials, text, or letters in a yellow
wash. Colour notes in pencil (e.g., f. 151v, where r = red and g =
green).
