Contents: This manuscript is the second volume of a two volume-set
containing Josephus Flavius's Antiquitates Iudicae. The first
volume is Royal MS 13 D VI and contains books 1-14 of the work
written by Josephus. This manuscript consists of the last books,
15-20, and includes Josephus's De Bello Iudaico. It is one of the
eight manuscripts in Thomson's group I dated by him to c. 1120-1140
(see Thomson, Manuscripts from St Albans Abbey (1983), no. 37).
According to Thomson, it was written by scribe A working at St
Albans at that time. Other manuscripts attributed to this scribe
are: Oxford, Bodleian Library, Bodley 752 and Oxford, Christ Church
115. Contents:f. 1*v: In the lower margin has been added in red and
green interlocked letters: 'Incipiunt Capitula quinti decimi libri
antiquitatis Iudaicae historiarum'. ff. 1r-83r: Josephus Flavius,
Antiquitates iudaicae , books 15-20. Each book is preceded by
capitula, beginning: 'Tempus annorum decem et octo. Sosius quidem
et Herodes qualiter Ierusolimam ceperint'. Book 15 (ff. 1r-15v),
preceded by capitula (f. 1r); Book 16 (ff. 16r-21v), preceded by
capitula (ff. 15v-16r); Book 17 (ff. 22r-44v), preceded by capitula
(ff. 21v-22r); Book 18 (ff. 45r-59v) preceded by capitula (ff.
44v-45r); Book 19 (ff. 60r-74v), preceded by capitula (ff.
59v-60r); Book 20 (ff. 74v-83r), preceded by capitula (f. 74v),
ending: 'de Deo eiusque substantia et de legibus et cur secundum
eas aliud facere permittimur aliud prohibemur. Flavii Iosephi
hystoriarum antiquitatis Iudaicae liber vicesimus explicit'. ff.
83v-211r: Josephus Flavius, De Bello Iudaico, in seven books,
preceded by a prologue (ff. 83v-84v), beginning 'Quoniam bellum
quod cum populo Romano gessere'; beginning of the text (f. 84v):
'Incipit Liber primus hystoriarum Iosephi de Bello Iudaico. Cum
potentes Iudeorum inter se dissederent'. Book 1 (ff. 84v-114r);
Book 2 (ff. 114r-138v); Book 3 (ff. 138v-152v); Book 4 (ff.
153r-161v); Book 5 (ff. 161v-170v); Book 6 (ff. 170v-187r); Book 7
(ff. 187r-211r), ending (f. 211r): 'De veritate autem confidenter
dicere non pigebit, quod eam solum per omnia que scripsi habuerint
coniecturam. Flavii Iosephi hystoriae Iudaici Belli liber septimus
explicit'. Decoration: The style of the decoration is related to
that of the St Albans Psalter according to Kauffman, Romanesque
manuscripts (1975). One inhabited initial in colours and gold, at
the beginning of book 15 (f. 1r). Thirteen outline initials, some
with foliate decoration interlaced with human figures, animals or
birds, in colours, at the beginning of other books (ff. 16r, 28r,
45r, 62r, 74v, 83v, 84v, 114r, 138v, 153r, 161v, 170v, 187r).
Initials in green with penwork decoration in red, or red with
penwork decoration in green.Rubrics in red with letters in green.
Headings in red ink.Quire signatures in Roman numerals.
