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

Brasenose College MS. 91

Contents

Language(s): Latin

Genealogical chronicle roll of the kings of England

Text in two columns in a small and precise secretarial hand in brown ink, names in roundels of parallel red-lines, lines of descent in red, green and yellow, one short tear, some dampstaining affecting the ink at the beginning of the manuscript. The last piece of consecutive text is on the newly quiet character of the Welsh in the time of Henry V. "Henricus Quintus" is the last name in a roundel: below it a large pencilled "H" surmounted by a crown is just visible. Regnal years are given as a rule from Hengist to Richard II. Roundels in the left margin contain the names of archbishops of Canterbury from Augustine to 'Henricus Chicheley' (1414-43).

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: parchment
Extent: 8 membranes
Dimensions (roll): 6040 × 285 mm.

Decoration

The roundel for Adam and Eve at the beginning, 60 mm in diameter, is blank, and so are smaller roundels for Noah, Christ, and Brutus. The only filled roundel is for Lucius, a pencil sketch of the head and shoulders of a king. Above the Adam and Eve roundel is a faint drawing of B.V.M., Child, and a kneeling man with scroll inscribed 'Plasmator mundi Baten miserere Iohanni'.

One large decorated initial in red and blue ink.

Capitals in red and blue ink

History

Origin: second quarter 15th century ; England

Provenance and Acquisition

Written probably for John Baten: for one of this name at the right date see Emden, BRUO, p. 132

"George Powlet Plita [?]" is written in red ink in a legal hand, 16th century, on the dorse of membrane 7. [see Ker]

Record Sources

Description by Sophie Floate.

Availability

This manuscript is held at Brasenose College. Please direct any enquiries to Brasenose College Library.

Digital Images

Digital Bodleian (full digital facsimile)

Bibliography

    Ker, N. R., A. J. Piper, Andrew G. Watson, and Ian Campbell Cunningham. Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries. Oxford, 1969.

Last Substantive Revision

2023: First online publication.

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