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

MS. Bodl. 494

Summary Catalogue no.: 2108

Physical Description

Composite: fols. 1–55 || fols. 56–111 || fols. 112–127 || fols. 128–167. The first three parts at least together by the early thirteenth century.
Extent: iv + 173 leaves
Dimensions (binding): 9.875 × 6.625 in.

Condition

Much stained by damp at beginning and still more towards the end.

Binding

White sheepskin (about 1602) on older sewing and boards.

History

Provenance and Acquisition

Exeter cathedral: parts 1–3 at least given by Hugh de Wilton, archdeacon of Taunton (d. after 1236): 'Hunc libram postillarum siue glosarum super Iohannem & M⟨arcum⟩ & Epistolam ad Hebreos dedit Hugo archidiaconus Tantoniensis Deo & Ecclesie beati Petri Exoniensis. vt proprietas ipsius sit Ecclesie. vs⟨us⟩ uero pauperum scolarium. Si quis aliter egerit . incidat in sententiam Oxoniensis concilij contra testamentorum impeditores promulgatam,' an inscription of which a few letters have perished.

Exeter cathedral: identifiable in catalogues of 1327 and 1506 (MLGB3).

Pressmark ‘H’ (MLGB3).

Presented by the dean and chapter of Exeter in 1602.

MS. Bodl. 494 – Part 1

Contents

(fol. 1)
Peter Comestor, Commentary on St. John's Gospel
Rubric: Incipiunt Glose super Iohannem
Incipit: Omnia poma noua
Language(s): Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: parchment

Layout

2 cols.

History

Origin: 13th century, early ; English

MS. Bodl. 494 – Part 2

Contents

(fol. 56)
Peter Comestor, Commentary on St. Mark's Gospel
Incipit: Vidi & ecce . iiij. quadrige

The first column is written on the last leaf of the preceding piece by the scribe of part 1.

Language(s): Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: parchment

Layout

2 cols.

History

Origin: 13th century, early ; English

MS. Bodl. 494 – Part 3

Contents

(fol. 112)
Bruno Carthusiensis, Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews
Rubric: Incipit Epistola ad Hebreos
Incipit: ⟨I⟩n Iudea erant eclesie

At the foot of the first page is a 13th cent. note 'secundum magistrum Robertům Melidunensem' (half cut off).

Language(s): Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: parchment

Layout

2 cols.

History

Origin: 13th century, early ; English

MS. Bodl. 494 – Part 4

Contents

(fol. 128)
Richard of St.-Victor, De templo Ezekielis
Incipit: Multis diuine scripture

The Latin text of Ezek. xl. i-xliii. 17 is added at fol. 168 on a separate gathering of parchment in a hand of the beginning of the 13th cent.

Language(s): Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: parchment

Decoration

Fine diagrams. (Pächt and Alexander iii. 185, pl. XVIII)

History

Origin: 12th century, third quarter; additions, 13th century, beginning ; English

Additional Information

Record Sources

Description adapted (April 2020) from the following sources:
Otto Pächt and J. J. G. Alexander, Illuminated Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, III (1973), no. 185 [part 4: decoration, origin, date]
Summary Catalogue (1922) [contents, physical description, provenance and acquisition; decoration, origin and date parts 1–3]

Digital Images

Digital Bodleian (14 images from 35mm slides)

Bibliography

Last Substantive Revision

2020-05-18: Description revised to incorporate all information in SC.