The manuscript is the first volume of two separate volumes with
continuous foliation: Harley MS 4804/1 (ff. 1-167v), and Harley MS
4804/2 (ff. 168-336v). The first volume is a book of Psalms
containing the commentary on the Psalms written by Gilbert of
Poitiers (b. after 1085, d. 1154), copied in Chartres during the
first half of the 12th century. It includes a Greek text of the
Psalms added in the lower margin (ff. 4r-26r) by the Italian
humanist Sozomenus Pistoriensis or Zomino of Pistoia (b. 1387, d.
1458). The second volume was copied in the first half of the 14th
century in Italy and contains Papias (fl. 1050)'s Vocabulista
(Vocabulistics). Contents: f. 3r: Basil of Caesarea (b. c. 330, d.
379), translated by Rufinus of Aquileia (b. c. 345, d. 411) [here
attributed to St Augustine (b. 354, d. 430)], De laude psalmorum
prologus (The Prologue on the Praise of the Psalms), entitled:
'Prologus Beati Augustini super psalterium'; beginning 'Omnis
scriptura divinitus inspirata utilis est ad docendum hac ipsa de
causa a spirituo sancto conscripta', added in a 14th-century hand.
ff. 3v-160v: The Psalms including, Gilbert of Poitiers (b. c. 1075,
d. 1154), Commentarius in Psalterium (Commentary on the Psalter),
beginning with Gilbert of Poitiers' commentary: 'Christus integer,
caput cum membris, est materia huius libri'; beginning of the book
of Psalms (f. 4r): 'Incipit liber Hymnorum vel soliloquiorum
prophete de Chisto. Beatus vir qui non abiit', with the commentary:
'Beatus vir huic Psalmo non est ausus Hesdras apponere titulum'.
The manuscript contains a few later additions: ff. 4r-26r: Greek
text added in margins by Zomino da Pistoia. ff. 163r-165r: Added
beginning of Psalms and prayers, written by Zomino da
Pistoia.Decoration:The historiated and decorated initials are in
the style of Chartres whereas the small initials with foliate
decoration are in a style used in Paris in the same period,
according to Stirnemann, 'Où ont été fabriqués les livres de la
glose ordinaire' (1994).Historiated initial in colours with David
playing the harp at the beginning of the Psalms, followed by
display script in red and blue (f. 4r). Large initial in colours
with foliate decoration at the beginning of Psalm 51 (f. 54r).
Initials in red or blue with simple penwork decoration in the other
colour. Coloured initials in red. Ornate paraphs in the margin in
brown ink (e. g., ff. 135v, 136r; possibly added).
