The Polychronicon is a famous medieval book written by the
Benedictine monk and chronicler Ranulf Higden. The work is divided
into seven books (in imitation of the seven days of Genesis) and is
a summary of general history, offering fascinating insights as to
what was known or believed at the time. Among the perhaps
surprising remarks is the note that the Earth must be round,
because it casts a round shadow on the moon during an eclipse.
Contents: Alphabetical index to following work, provided by the
scribe (ff. 1r-7v). Polychronicon (9r-186ra). Fols 186rb and 186v
originally blank.
Extent: ff. ii + 186 + ii. 345 x 245 mm.
Layout: In double columns, each column 240 × 73-75 mm., with 14
mm. between columns, 50 lines to the column.
Hand: Written in small gothic textura semiquadrata.
Decoration: Headings in ink in the text hand. At the openings of
books and chapters, two- and three-line blue lombards with red
flourishing. Marginal notations of chapters and dates preceded by
alternate red and blue paraphs. Running titles with book number and
indication of years and rulers in text ink, preceded by alternate
red and blue paraphs. In some chapters, the text is divided by
alternate red and blue paraphs; authorities underlined in the text
ink. On fol. 61v, Pythagorean diagrams.
Binding: Damaged white leather over bevelled wooden boards. Sewn on
seven thongs, taken straight into the board. The large stubs of two
leather straps, each held by three nails, on the upper board,
indentations and some metal remaining from clasp fittings at the
centre of the lower board. Nail-holes from a chain. Two front
pastedowns of old parchment, with a Christ Church bookplate; back
pastedown modern paper.
Additional information: For a detailed description, please see
www.chch.ox.ac.uk/library-and-archives/digital-library.
Provenance: There is a variety of expunged notes of prior
ownership: at the top of fol. i r, badly smudged; the top of fol.
ii has been torn out, leaving only the descenders of an
inscription; lower on that folio, two expunged ownership
inscriptions (probably in the same hand), with a rose with mark
between them by Samuel Burton; fol. 1, a further erased note at top
right. Fol. 186v is covered with notes, potentially connecting the
manuscript with a monastic establishment in north-east
Gloucestershire, probably Hailes (OCist), perhaps Winchcombe (OSB).
The book came to Christ Church from Samuel Burton around 1588.
Despite the appearance of a continuous presence in the Library, it
may be that for some of its time in Christ Church’s ownership, it
wandered. It is not mentioned in the Old Archive Catalogue and its
absence may be explained by a note at the verso of the final
flyleaf of the Library Accounts, MS LR 16, where it is recorded
(perhaps by Philip Birt, the Library Keeper 1717-20) ‘Mem yt Hon.
B. Calvert borrow’d Higden’s Polychron. {not returned)’. The
negligent borrower was Benedict Calvert (1700-32) who matriculated
in 1716 and left in 1723.
