With 13th-15th century additions.
Contents: Various lists and copies of deeds relating to Eynsham
(ff. 1-4). Cartae et privilegiarum confirmaciones Eyneshamensis
ecclesie (ff. 5-6r). Originally blank leaf. Provided with further
texts – a record of an inquisition of c. 1221, a verse (perhaps
by same hand as preceding), an Anglo-Norman veterinary recipe; a
letter to the archbishop of Canterbury from pope Innocent [III?],
and, at the foot, an Anglo-Norman charm for sheep disease. (f. 6v).
Cartulary of Eynsham Abbey (ff. 7-45). Added items to the cartulary
(ff. 45v-152r).
Extent: ff. iv (numbered fols 1-4) + 146 (numbered fols 5-152,
including the rear pastedown and with fol. 86 now removed). In the
original portion (ff. 7-45), overall 263 × 175mm. In the later
sections, similar but variable overall size, with blemishes.
Hand: Late protogothic bookhands.
Decoration: In the original portions: headings in red, as are large
marginal roman numerals for the charters (to correspond to the
index at the head). At the openings of the charters, alternate one-
and two-line green and red lombards. Proper names frequently
underlined in pencil, less often with red crayon. The remainder of
the volume is undecorated, save for paraphs in the text ink at the
head of entries.
Binding: Remains of a tan leather chemise over earlier whittawed
leather on bevelled wooden boards (most of both leather covers gone
from the lower board) (14th century). Sewn on four thongs, taken
straight into the board. A groove for a strap at centre of leading
edge on the upper board, and a diamond-shaped seating for a
clasp-pin at the centre of the lower board.
For a detailed description, please see
www.chch.ox.ac.uk/library-and-archives/digital-library.
Provenance: Produced by the monks of Eynsham to preserve the
records of their holdings, it continued to attract accretions into
the 15th century. It is not clear what happened to the manuscript
in the wake of the abbey’s surrender on 4th December 1538. There
is a patch at the top of fol. 7, whitened by scratching, where
there was probably an ownership note. This manuscript circulated in
antiquarian circles in the later 16th and early 17th century,
extracts being taken by (among others) Robert Talbot (c. 1505-58),
John Joscelyn (1529-1603) and Ralph Brooke (c. 1553-1625). Most
notably, Richard James, librarian to Sir Robert Cotton, transcribed
passages at Bodleian MS. James 8, pp. 6-23, noting the volume as
‘Re(gistr)orum moncii de Egnesham. MS in manibus magistri
Philippi Kinge’. It would seem that this manuscript arrived
during the second or third decade of the seventeenth century, and
was in the ownership of the Dean and Chapter by the autumn 1644,
when it was consulted by William Dugdale (1605-86): his notes from
both survive in Bodleian MS. Dugdale 21. This manuscript was later
in that century borrowed by Anthony Wood. His interest in this
volume is attested not only by his addition of the charter numbers
in the later portions but also by his adding annotations in the
original section (eg fol. 9, 12, 12v, 31v, 35, 66), and possibly
the title at top right of fol. 7: ‘Eynsham iuxta Oxoniam’. In
Christ Church, the manuscript was first held in the Chapter House.
The manuscript is now located in Christ Church Archives [shelfmark:
D&C vi.a.2]
