MS. Bodl. 181
Summary Catalogue no.: 2081
Contents
Language(s): Latin
With prologue, and list of chapters before each book.
On fol. 97v is a coloured 16th cent. drawing of a monk selling indulgences, and of devils teaching monks the use of gunpowder for cannon, with English descriptions and a note that gunpowder was first invented about 1378.
At the end is a note on longevity (fol. 116).
Physical Description
Condition
Decoration
Illuminated capitals, etc.
Good miniatures (coloured drawings) on fol. 97v, added to a manuscript of 15th century. (Pächt and Alexander iii. 1189, pl. CVIII)
History
Provenance and Acquisition
Owned by sir 'Robert Cotton' in 1588–9 (C. Tite, ''Lost or stolen or strayed': a survey of manuscripts formerly in the Cotton Library', British Library Journal 18 (1992), 110)
'Donum Roberti Treswel alias Sommerset', a note in sir Thomas Bodley's hand. See no. 2685, but the present volume was perhaps given in 1612.
Record Sources
Digital Images
Digital Bodleian (1 image from 35mm slides)
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
Last Substantive Revision
2020-05-06: Description revised to include all information in SC.