An encylopaedia in Latin, here in a set of five volumes possibly
from an original six (lacking Part V Book i). Made for William Gray
(d. 1478), later Bishop of Ely, during his travels in Germany and
Italy, and bequeathed with his library to Balliol College. The
various scribes and illuminators, perhaps working largely at
Cologne, display an international range of influences: Dutch,
Italian, English, even Spanish. Illuminated initials and borders
sometimes include Gray's coat of arms.
Some leaves lost from Part II.
Continuation of MS 238A; continued in MSS 238 C-E.
Provenance: William Gray (d. 1478), later Bishop of Ely. Bequeathed
with his library to Balliol College.
Hand: Well written, with ornament etc. as in MS 238A. After f. 79v
(the end of Part II, Book IV), the ink is paler and somewhat
greenish, the hand much closer to an ordinary roman hand, and the
marginal scrollwork progressively more sober.
