A catalogue of Western manuscripts at the Bodleian Libraries and selected Oxford colleges

MS. Bodl. 301

Summary Catalogue no.: 2739

Contents

Augustine, Tractatus in euangelium Iohannis
Rubric: In nomine Dei summi incipiunt capitula in Expositionem Euangelii sancti Iohannis edita[sic] a sancto Augustino venerabili episcopo

The capitula are followed by the hundred and twenty-four homilies forming Augustine's commentary on the Gospel of John

Language(s): Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: parchment
Extent: ii + 234 leaves
Dimensions (binding): 15 × 11 in.

Condition

Fol. ii is injured and repaired.

Layout

2 cols

Decoration

Pächt and Alexander i. 444, pl. XXXVI: similar in style to the Carilef Bible (Durham Cathedral Library, MS. A. II. 4), and related manuscripts from Jumièges, St. Ouen, Rouen, and Bayeux.

C. R. Dodwell, The Canterbury School of Illumination, 1066-1200 (Cambridge University Press, 1954), p. 117, identifies MS. Bodl. 301 as one of a group of Exeter manuscripts from the late eleventh and early twelfth centuries which are illuminated in the 'Carilef' style that is associated with the Norman books given to Durham by William of St Carilef, e.g. the Carilef Bible (Durham Cathedral Library, MS. A. II. 4). The other manuscripts from Dodwell's group are MS. Bodl. 783, MS. Bodl. 813 and MS. Bodl. 707 [NB: Dodwell lists MS. Bodl. 701 but must have intended MS. Bodl. 707]

Fine historiated initial (Fol. 4r, a figure of the Evangelist)

Many good initials

Binding

White sheepskin (c. 1602) over older sewing and boards, injured and repaired.

History

Origin: 11th century, end ; France, Normandy

Provenance and Acquisition

Exeter, Devon, Cathedral church of St Peter ; inventory of 1327 (MLGB3)

Presented by the Dean and Chapter of Exeter in 1602 (MLGB3)

Record Sources

Description adapted (January 2023) by Stewart J. Brookes from the Summary Catalogue (1922), with additional reference to published literature as cited. Decoration, localization and date follow Pächt and Alexander (1973)

Digital Images

Digital Bodleian (11 images from 35mm slides)

Bibliography

Last Substantive Revision

2023-01-30: Description revised to incorporate all the information in the Summary Catalogue (1922)