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

MS. Bodl. 883

Summary Catalogue no.: 3076

Contents

Jean Mallart, Chemin de Paradis
Rubric: Le Chemin de Paradis

(fol 1v) 'Oraison a Dieu'

(fol. 7v) 'Epistre au Roy', King Henry VIII

(fol. 10v) 'Aux lecteurs'

(fol. 18v) The first book of the poem

All in verse

Language(s): Middle French

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: parchment
Extent: ii + 80 leaves
Dimensions (binding): 10.75 × 7.625 in.

Hand(s)

Humanistic script

Decoration

Written and illuminated by Jean Mallart, 'poete et orateur francois' (French Poet and Orator) to Henry VIII. He received payments in 1540–1541. Pächt and Alexander iii. 1330, Pl. CXX

Fine miniatures

Fine initials

There are four large miniatures of the author writing his book (fol. 1v), of the royal Arms (fol. 7v), and of subjects of the poem (fols 10v, 18v)

Binding

Red velvet, English contemporary work

History

Origin: c. 1530–1540 ; France

Provenance and Acquisition

'Liber vniuersitatis Oxon. ex dono Francisci Greuill in artibus magistri et socii Collegij Mertonensis, Octob. 11°, 1622'

Record Sources

Description adapted (March 2023) by Stewart J. Brookes from the Summary Catalogue (1922). Decoration, localization and date follow Pächt and Alexander (1973).

Digital Images

Digital Bodleian (5 images from 35mm slides)

Bibliography

Last Substantive Revision

2022-04-04: Add binding information from Summary Catalogue.