The epistles are provided with the pre-Anselmian gloss that
includes readings ascribed to ‘Lanfrancus’ (e.g. fol. 149) and
‘Berengarius’ (e.g. fol. 119), described by Beryl Smalley,
‘La Glossa Ordinaria. Quelques prédecesseurs d’Anselm de
Laon’, Recherches de théologie ancienne et médiévale, 9
(1937), 365-400 (cf. Stegmüller RB, nos 9838-47 [6:408-10]).
Contents: Romans (ff. 1r-30r). I Corinthians (ff. 30v-59v). II
Corinthians (ff. 59v-78v). Galatians (ff. 78v-88r). Ephesians (ff.
88r-97v). Philippians (ff. 97v-104v). Colossians (ff. 104v -111r).
I Thessalonians (ff. 111v- 117v). II Thessalonians (ff. 117v-121r).
I Timothy (ff. 121r-129r). II Timothy (ff. 129r-134v). Titus (ff.
134v-137v). Philemon (ff. 138r-139r). Hebrews (ff. 139v -161v).
Extent: ff. i + 162. 260 x 160 mm.
Layout: Ruled with double vertical borders for the central text
column, and further single vertical borders marking the outer
extent of the gloss columns, plus further horizontal lines ruled
10mm below both top and bottom line.
Hand: Written in protogothic bookhand.
Decoration: At the opening of each epistle, large pen and ink
capitals, occupying half the central text space and often extending
into the upper or lower margin. They are designed with interlace
pattern, vine-stems and grotesques, including a jester growing out
of the foliage (fol. 1), a leopard in the process of gnawing and
being gnawed (fol. 78v), an Amazonian warrior (fol. 88v), two
leopards and a cow (fol. 140). The first two initials are ochre
washed, the rest left plain. Each prologue written in majuscules
with opening initial drawn only in outline. Initial three or four
lines of each epistle in decorative uncial style capitals. One-line
capitals for verses in the text ink, a few ochre washed.
Binding: 12th century leather, browned with age, over unbevelled
wooden boards, with padded half-moon shaped tabs at top and tail
for withdrawing from a book-chest (most of the black and gold cloth
covering remains on the lower tab). Sewn on three thongs taken
through the side of the board. The stub of a cloth strap, with
three intact brass nails, at the middle of the upper board and a
nail to fix it in the middle of the lower board. Chain staple marks
with intact nails; both probably date from after the manuscript’s
arrival in Christ Church.
Additional information: Ralph Hanna and David Rundle, A Descriptive
Catalogue of the Western Manuscripts, to c. 1600, in Christ Church,
Oxford (Oxford, 2017), pp. 202-205; Medieval Manuscripts in Oxford
Libraries,
http://medieval.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/catalog/manuscript_3969. For a
detailed description, please see see
www.chch.ox.ac.uk/library-and-archives/digital-library.
Provenance: There are two indications of medieval use, neither at
all specific about the context: (a) ‘Epistole Pauli glosate glosa
cum interlineari’ (the front pastedown; anglicana, 15th century,
same hand as inscription on lower board); (b) erased inscriptions
of ownership (the front and rear pastedowns, fols i, 161v, 162), as
also ‘Cum sumus in celo letemur pectore leto Ryght welbelo⟨
⟩‘. In the late 16th century, the book belonged to Thomas
Carpender. There are further unspecific indications of late 16th-
or early 17th-century use: (a) ‘Robertus ......‘ (erased) with
motto ‘Viue vt viuas’ (fol. i); (b) ‘Virtutis premium laus’
(the front pastedown). Some of these may postdate the book’s
donation to Christ Church: ‘Liber ecclesiae Christi Oxon ex dono
Johannis Howsoni Anno 1588o’ (fol. iv). The inscription is in the
donor’s hand.
