MS. Bodl. 55

Summary Catalogue no.: 1976

An alphabetical series of 509 theological tituli or common places, from Absolucio to Zizannia, preceded by an alphabetical index of subjects. The 17th cent. binder has inserted a large number of coarse interleaves. The preface which mentions and explains the title Floretum has its first few lines damaged, but the early part was fortunately transcribed while still legible, by Gerard Langbaine (MS. Langbaine 5) at p. 163, and beg. 'Iesu Christo Domino nostro'. The text beg. 'Dominus noster Iesu Christus'. Langbaine points out that on p. 241 Robert Holkot is quoted. The only interleaves on which there is any writing are those following fol. vii and p. 256.

For the work see A. Hudson, 'A Lollard compilation and the dissemination of Wycliffite thought', Journal of Theological Studies 23 (1972).

Language(s): Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: parchment, upper and lower inner corners stained by damp, and in parts badly damaged

vii leaves + 428 pages

Dimensions (binding): 7.625 × 5.875 in.

Layout

2 cols.

Decoration

Good border.

Initials. (Pächt and Alexander iii. 688)

History

Origin: 14th century, end ; English

Provenance and Acquisition

'Sum liber Roberti Smith' (16th cent.), who wrote some notes on fol. iii and elsewhere.

On the end cover is a paper with Latin notes by 'R. Beytknowen' (16th cent.).

Bought with many printed books and one other MS. (no. 2859) out of £10 presented by sir Francis Vere in the first half of 1607. Sir Thomas Bodley's writing is on foll. ii verso, iii recto.

Record Sources

Description adapted (April 2020) from the following sources, with additional reference to published literature as cited:

Otto Pächt and J. J. G. Alexander, Illuminated Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, III (1973), no. 688 [decoration, origin, date]

Summary Catalogue (1922) [contents, physical description, provenance and acquisition]

Summary Catalogue, vol. 2, part 1, p. 143

Digital Images

Digital Bodleian (1 image from 35mm slides)

Abbreviations

View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.

Last Substantive Revision

2020-04-07: Description revised to incorporate all information in SC.

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