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

MS. Bodl. 474

Summary Catalogue no.: 2000

Contents

Speculum laicorum
Rubric: Tractatus qui dicitur Speculum Laycorum
Incipit: (preface) In Christo sibi dilecto quondam conscolari & confratri moderno
Incipit: (type) De triplici abstinencia. Cap. 1. Abstinencie triplex est species

In 87 chapters, consisting of an alphabetical series of discourses on theological and moral subjects, illustrated by quotations and by 'narraciones', some dated, 1310 (fol. 39v) 1247 (fol. 43v), 1298 (fol. 71), 1265 (fol. 104v), 1356 (fol. 134). A list of chapters is at fol. ii.

On fol. 173 is a 16th cent. reference to a 'Scala Perfectionis' by Walter Hilton. The lower margins of fols. 62, 65 are cut off.

Language(s): Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: parchment
Extent: ii + 173 leaves
Dimensions (binding): 9.375 × 6.875 in.

Decoration

Illuminated capitals.

History

Origin: 15th century, first half ; English

Provenance and Acquisition

The name of Judith Baker (16th cent.) is on fol. 33.

Presented by dr. William Cotton bp. of Exeter, in 1605.

Record Sources

Description adapted (April 2020) from the Summary Catalogue (1922).

Last Substantive Revision

2020-04-09: Revised to incorporate all relevant information in SC.