MS. Ashmole 43
Summary Catalogue no.: 6924
South English legendary
Contents
Language(s): Middle English
(fols. 4r–6r)
Life of St Wulfstan Incipit: ||Vor þulke þat þe kyng to truste failed he wel uaste |So þat he was bineþe icaste & ouercome ace laste
Explicit: Vor him me may al day þere mony vair miracle ise |Nou god leue þat we mote wiþ him in þe Ioie of heuene be
DIMEV 4773 Wants verses 1–84.
(fol. 6r)
Lives of SS. Fabian and Sebastian Rubric: Fabyan
Incipit: SEint fabian bi olde dawe good mon was Inouȝ |At rome he ladde holi lif & to alle godnesse drouȝ
Explicit: Wende to þe Ioie of heuene þat last wiþoute ende |Nou god uor þe loue of him ous alle þus sende
Longer version, 114 lines.
DIMEV 4593(fols. 7v–10r)
Life of St Agnes Rubric: seynt Annes
Incipit: SEynt Anneis þe holi maide wel ȝong heo bigan |To serui god al miȝti to be cristenwomman
Explicit: þis was lo a uair myracle of seynt Anneis iwis |Nou god ous bringe to þulke Ioie þat þis maide Inne is
DIMEV 4532 (fols. 10r–12v)
Life of St Vincent Rubric: seynt Vyncent
Incipit: SEynt Vyncent in spayne was & to acristene biscop com |þat men clupede valleri & nom of him cristendom
Explicit: Nou Ihesu uor þe loue of him lete ous such lif lede |þat we mote to heuene come & for ȝeue ous oure mysdede
DIMEV 4772 (fols. 12v–13r)
Life of St Julian the Confessor Rubric: seynt Iulyan þe confessour
Incipit: SEynt Iulian þe confessour ibore was at rome |Mony men þoruȝ is prechynge to cristendom come
Explicit: Anoþer seynt Iulian þare is þat men bidteth to uaste |After good In in strange stude wen hii beþ þer of agaste
DIMEV 4651 (fols. 13r–15r)
Life of St Julian Hosteler Rubric: seynt Iulyan þe gode herberour
Incipit: SEyn Iulian þe gode herbiour of noble kunne com |Stallward mon & noble he was & louede cristendom
Explicit: & atelaste þour godes wille þat we mote fle |To þe Ioie of heuene & wiþþoute ende þer be
DIMEV 4652 (fols. 15r–18v)
Life of St Bridget (longer version) Rubric: syn Bryde
Incipit: SEyn Bride þe holi maide of hirlonde was |Biȝute heo was in spouse bruche in awonder cas
Explicit: þe uerst day of feuerer hire lif heo broȝte to ende |God let ous alle for hir loue to þe Ioie of heuene wende
DIMEV 4571 (fols. 18v–21v)
Life of St Blase Rubric: seynt Blase
Incipit: SEint Blase wel clene lif ladde wiþþoute hore |In þe lond of capadose þis godemon was ibore
Explicit: Nou god leue þat we parti mote of þe heie blisse |þat seint blase is Inne ibroȝe þat we þer of ne misse
DIMEV 4565 (fols. 21v–23v)
Life of St Agatha Rubric: seynt Agace
Incipit: SEynt Agace þe gode maide in cisile was ibore |Wel ȝong cristene heo bicom & forsok sunne & hore
Explicit: As wisliche bidde we hire as heo þe contreie ȝef bote |þat we to te Ioie of heuene wiþ hire come mote
DIMEV 4530 (fols. 23v–24r)
Life of St Scholastica Rubric: seynt scolace þe holy mayde
Incipit: SEyn Scolace þe holi maide holi was of lyue |Leuere heo hadde nonne be þen be iwedded to wyue
Explicit: So god leue þat we mote wiþ cristenemen be |Ibured at our ende day & to heuene fle
DIMEV 4756 (fols. 24r–25r)
Life of St Valentine Rubric: seynt valentyne
Incipit: SEyn valentyn þe martir good man was Inouȝ |& þoru is prechyng mony mon to cristendom drouȝ
Explicit: & is soule to heuene wende þoru godes grace |Nou god uor þe loue of him ous bringe to þulke place
DIMEV 4771 (fols. 25r–28r)
Life of St Juliana Rubric: seyn Iulyan
Incipit: SEyn Iulian þe gode herbiour of noble kunne com |Stallward mon & noble he was & louede cristendom
Explicit: & atelaste þour godes wille þat we mote fle |To þe Ioie of heuene & wiþþoute ende þer be
DIMEV 4653 (fols. 28r–28v)
Life of St Matthias Rubric: seyn Mathy
Incipit: SEyn Mathi apostel is as ȝe scholleþ iwite |þeru lot apostel ymad he was as we fyndeþ iwrite
Explicit: & burede it þus wiþ gret honur as me sceweþ ȝute |In seynt marie chirche ofte his heued wit gret prute
DIMEV 4728 (fols. 28v–31v)
Life of St Oswald the Bishop Rubric: seyn Oswald
Incipit: SEyn Oswald þe biscop was ibore her in engelonde |Of heie men he was icome as ic vnderstonde
Explicit: Vor is loue our lord haþ þer vair myracle ofte iwroȝt |God lete ous to þe Ioie come þat he is Inne ibroȝt
DIMEV 4740 (fols. 31v–32v)
Life of St Chad Rubric: seyn Chadde
Incipit: SEyn Chadde þe holi mon was of engelonde |Biscop he was of lichesfeld as ic vnderstonde
Explicit: & wiþ angles to heuene wende as hi broȝte him er tydynge |Nou god uor þe loue of him to þulke Ioie ous bringe
DIMEV 4573 (fols. 32v–34r)
Life of St Gregory Rubric: Seyn Gregory
Incipit: SEyn Gregori þe confessour in cicile was ibore |In holinesse he ladde is lif þat is soule nere uorlore
Explicit: Bidde we him wiþ gode herte apostel of engelonde |þat he byuore our lord crist our neode vnderstonde
DIMEV 4609 (fols. 34r–41v)
Life of St Patrick (with his Purgatory) Rubric: seyn patryc
Incipit: SEyn patric com þoru godes grace to preci in irlonde |To teche men hor riȝte bileue on Ihesu to vnderstonde
Explicit: Beteþ alle ȝoure sunne her as god wole ȝou grace sende |þat we wiþþoute oþer pyne to parais henne wende
DIMEV 4742 (fols. 41v–45r)
Life of St Edward the Elder Rubric: seyn Edeward þe ȝonge martyr
Incipit: SEyn Edward þe ȝonge martir was kyng of engelonde |Wel ȝong ymartred he was þoru trecherie & onde
Explicit: Nou god uor þeloue of boþe þat our kynges were |To þe Ioie of heuene þat hi beþ Inne wiþ hem bringe ous þere
DIMEV 4590 (fols. 45r–46r)
Life of St Cuthbert Rubric: syn Cubert
Incipit: SEyn Cubert was ibore her in engelonde |God dude uor him uair miracle as ȝe scolle vnderstonde
Explicit: & to þe Ioie of heuene god let ous ek also |& þoru þe bone of seynt Cutbert bringe ous alle þerto
DIMEV 4579 (fols. 46r–48v)
Life of St Benedict Rubric: seyn Benet
Incipit: SEyn benet was ibore in þe lond of mursie |To rome he was wel ȝong isend to lerny of clergie
Explicit: Nou god uor þe loue of seynt benet ous lete þen wei wende |& to þe Ioie þat he is Inne to him come aten ende
DIMEV 4549 (fol. 48v)
The Feast of the Annunciation Rubric: seynt Mary day in lente
Incipit: SEynte Marie dai in leynte among oþer dawes gode |Riȝt is uorteholde hei hoso him vnderstode
Explicit: Nou bidde we Ihesu godes sone þat þulke heie dai wroȝte |þat we mote come to þulke Ioie þat he ous to boȝte
DIMEV 4704 (fols. 48v–49r)
Incipit: FEsten meble þer beþ icleped viue in þe ȝere |þe uerste is to louke aleluye our penaunce to rere
Explicit: þat we scholde wiþ sorwe of herte our penaunce lede |& aȝen þe tyme of leynte repenty our mysdede
DIMEV 1301 (fols. 49r–51r)
Rubric: leynte
Incipit: LEynte comeþ þer afterward þat six wuke ilasteþ |& hor sunnen uorte beten alle cristenmen uasteþ
Explicit: So þat he mowe an ester dai wen he haþ al iuast |Our lordes flesc vnderuonge þat aswete mossel is last
DIMEV 3048 (fols. 51r–52r)
Rubric: Easter
Incipit: ÞE holi feste of ester comeþ after leynte anon |As our lord aros fram deþe to lyue boþe in flesc & bon
Explicit: þe rouisous ne comeþ neuere biuore seynt Markes dai |þer uore we wolleþ of telle in þe bigynnyng of may
DIMEV 5334 (fols. 52r–56r)
Life of St Mary of Egypt Rubric: seyn Marye Egyptiake
Incipit: SEynte Marie egipciake in egipte was ibore |All hire ȝonge lif heo ladde In sunne & in hore
Explicit: þus seynt marie Egipciake out of hire fol dede |Turnde to heuene blisse þoru penaunce þat heo gan lede
DIMEV 4702 (fols. 56r–59r)
Life of St Alphege Rubric: syn Alfe þe martyr
Incipit: SEyn Alfe þe martir þat good mon was Inouȝ |Ibore was in engelond & to holi lif drouȝ
Explicit: Nou bidde we seynt Alfe þat broȝte þer is lif to ende |þat we mote þoru is bone to þe Ioie of heuene wende
DIMEV 4536 (fols. 59r–60v)
Life of St George Rubric: syn Iorge
Incipit: SEyn Iorge þe holi mon as we fyndeþ iwrite |In þe lond of capadoce ibore was & biȝitte
Explicit: þer he is in grete Ioie þat last wiþþouten ende |Nou god uor þe loue of him ous let alle þuder wende
DIMEV 4603 (fols. 60v–61r)
Life of St Mark Rubric: syn Marke
Incipit: SEyn Marc þe holi gospellare wide wende alonde |Vorto preche cristendom þoruȝ our lordes sonde
Explicit: & for feste of þe letanye þat byuore may |Holi chirche halt ech ȝer a seyn Markes day
DIMEV 4697 (fols. 61r–62r)
Letania maior et minor Rubric: letany
Incipit: LEtanye is asong as ȝe mowe ofte ise |To bidde ech halwe after oþer our help uorte be
Explicit: Vor it nys no neode wenne hi beþ þer to sette hem here also |Vor sette hem here & ek þer it nere noȝt wel ido
DIMEV 3127 (fols. 62r–62v)
Life of St Peter Rubric: syn peres þe frere prechoure
Incipit: SEyn Peres þe frere prechour In þe cite of beronye |Ibore was of mysbilievned men þat were al in eresie
Explicit: At þe endyng of aueryl he þolede Martirdom |God ous bringe to þulke Ioie þat his soule to com
DIMEV 4746 (fols. 62v–63v)
Lives of SS. Philip and James (fols. 62v–63r)
Rubric: syn pelyp
Incipit: SEyn Pelip & seynt Iacob apostles tweie |þe uerste day þat comeþ in may deþ hi þolede beie
(fol. 63r–63v)
Rubric: syn Iacob
Explicit: Nou bidde we ȝerne seynt Iacob & seynt Pelip also |þat oure soule mote uorþ wiþ hore in to þe Ioie of heuene be ido
(fols. 63v–66r)
The ‘Early History’ of the Cross Rubric: þe holy rede day
Incipit: þE holi rode þe swete tre riȝt is to habbe in munde |þat haþ fram stronge deþ ibroȝt to lyue al mankunde
Explicit: So þat þulke stude was vorlete mony aday |þat no cristenmon ne paynym muste war þe rode lay
DIMEV 5339 (fols. 66r–68r)
The Invention of the Cross Rubric: Constantyne þe Emperore
Incipit: A noble emperour þus com seþþe þat het constantyn |In batail he was so muche þat þus nas of no fyn
Explicit: Quiriac þonkede oure lord crist wiþ gret Ioie he is nom |& tok hem eleyne þe gode quene þo he to hire com
DIMEV 133 (fols. 68r–71r)
The ‘Exaltation’ of the Cross Rubric: þe holy Rod in May kynge Cosdre
Incipit: þE holi rode was ifounde as ȝe witeþ in may |& an haused was in septembre þe holi rode day
Explicit: Nou god uor loue of þe suete rode þat þu were on ido |Bryng ous to þe heie Ioie þat þu boȝtest ous to
DIMEV 5338 (fols. 71r–71v)
Life of St Quiriac Rubric: seyn quiriac
Incipit: SEyn quiriac þat biscop was prechede godes lawe |Iulian þe luþer emperour broȝte him of lif dawe
Explicit: & is soule to heuene wende after þis tormentynge |God uor þe loue of seynt quiriac to þulke Ioie ous bringe
DIMEV 4754 (fols. 71v–80v)
Life of St Brendan Rubric: syn brendan
Incipit: SEyn Brendan þe holi mon was of Irlonde |Monek he was of harde lyue as ic vnderstonde
Explicit: An albei þus was seþþe arered as is bodi was ido |Nou god ous bringe to þulke Ioie as is soule wende to
DIMEV 4567 (fols. 80v–83r)
Life of St Dunstan Rubric: syn dounston
Incipit: SEyn dunston was of engelond icome of gode more |Miracle our lord dude uor him ar he were ibore
Explicit: Swete lord seynt dunston þat oure erchebiscop were |Bryng ous to þe Ioie of heuene as angles þi soule bere
DIMEV 4584 (fols. 83r–84r)
Life of St Aldhelm Rubric: synt Aldelm
Incipit: SEyn Aldelm þe confessour was man of noble lyue |Ibore he was in engelond þe kynges broþer sone Iue
Explicit: Nou bidde we ȝerne seynt aldelm þat he our erande bere so |þat we mote to þe Ioie come þat he is on ido
DIMEV 4535 (fols. 84r–85v)
Life of St Augustine of Canterbury Rubric: seynt Austyn
Incipit: SEyn Austyn þat cristendom broȝte in to engelonde |Riȝt is among oþer iwis þat be vnderstonde
Explicit: Nou bidde we ȝerne seynt Austyn þat to crisendom ous brouȝte |þat we mote to þe Ioie come to wam our lord ous boȝte
DIMEV 4543 (fols. 85v–87r)
Life of St Barnabas Rubric: seyn Barnabe
Incipit: SEyn Barnabe þe apostel þat good was & hende |Imartred he was uor godes loue in strong deþ aten ende
Explicit: Nou bidde we ȝerne ihesu crist kyng of alle kynge |Vor þe loue of Barnabe þat he ous to heuene bringe
DIMEV 4545 (fols. 87r–88v)
Life of St John the Baptist Rubric: syn Ion Baptist
Incipit: SEyn Ion was þe beste bern þe holi baptist |þat of womman was ibore euere saue ihesu crist
Explicit: Nou seynt Ion þat in flum Iordan baptised godes sone |Let ous þoru our cristendom to þe Ioie of heuene come
DIMEV 4647 (fols. 88v–95r)
Life of St Peter Rubric: syn Peter þe apostell
Incipit: SEyn Peter was wiþ our lord of alle apostles hext |Seynt Ion þe ewangelist & he our lord were euer next
Explicit: Seynt Peter þat bereþ heuene keie þoru our lordes grace |Graunte ous þuder come & þer Inne habbe an place
DIMEV 4749 (fols. 95r–98v)
Life of St Paul Incipit: SEyn Poul was aluþer mon ar he conuerted were |Alle cristenmen of þelond hadde of him gret fere
Explicit: & uor loue of seynt poul was lif ichabbe ised |Bring ous to þe Ioie of heuene after þat we beþ ded
DIMEV 4745 (fols. 98v–100r)
Life of St Swithin Incipit: SEyn Swiþin þe confessour was of engelonde |Bi side wynchestre he was ibore as ic vnderstonde
Explicit: Nou seynt swiþin þat our biscop was her in engelonde |Bringe ous to þe Ioie of heuene þoru our lordes sonde
DIMEV 4763 (fols. 100r–104v)
Life of St Kenelm Incipit: Sein kenelm þe ȝonge kyng þat holi martir is |Kyng he was of engelond of þe marche of walis
Explicit: Nou god uor seynt kenelms loue is swete grace us sende |þat we mote to þulke Ioie þat he is Inne wende
DIMEV 4658 (fols. 104v–108r)
Life of St Margaret Incipit: SEynt Margarete was holi maide & good |Ibore heo was in antioch Icome of kunde blod
Explicit: Nou seynt Margarete þat holi maide we biddeþ aten ende |þat þu bidde uor ous þat we mote to þe Ioie of heuene wende
DIMEV 4688 (fols. 108r–112v)
Life of St Mary Magdalene Incipit: SEynt Marie magdaleyn þat god uor ȝef hire sunne |Lazare soster & martha In come of kynges kunne
Explicit: Nou seynt Marie Magdaleyn þat broȝte hire lif þus to ende |Bidde god þat we mote wiþ hire to þe Ioie of heuene wende
DIMEV 4707 (fols. 112v–116v)
Life of St Christina Incipit: SEyn Cristine þe holi þing as ic ȝou telle con |Holi lif ladde & clene & wel ȝou telle con
Explicit: Wiþ torment as ȝe haweþ ihurd & eiþ wounder monion |Nou god uor þe loue of hir ous bringe þuder echon
DIMEV 4574 (fols. 117r–120r)
Life of St James the Great Incipit: SEyn Iame þe apostel riȝt is to habbe In mone |Seynt Iones broþer þe euangelist & godes aunte sone
Explicit: Nou seynt Iame uor þe holi stude þat þu hast in galis |Help ous & alle þine pilgrims & bring ous to heuene blis
DIMEV 4620 (fols. 120r–122v)
Life of St Christopher Incipit: SEyn Cristofere was sarazyn In þe lond of canaan |In none stude bi is daie ne bond me so strong aman
Explicit: þus seynt cristofere atelaste þe herte lord out soȝte |Nou god ous bringe to þulke Ioie þat he is soule broȝte
DIMEV 4576 (fols. 122v–124v)
Legend of the Seven Sleepers Incipit: Seue sleparis were holi men as me haþ itold biuore |In þe site of ephese hi were alle ibore
Explicit: Nou god þat In þulke holi men so vair miracle sende |Bringe ous to þulke Ioie þat hor soule to wende
DIMEV 4816 (fols. 124v–127r)
Life of St Lawrence Incipit: SEyn Laurance good mon was & In strong martirdom |He endede anerþe is lif & to þe Ioie of heuene com
Explicit: Nou ihesus uor þe grete pine þat seynt laurence uor þe hadde |Bring ous to þulke Ioie þat þin angles him to ladde
DIMEV 4659 (fols. 127r–128r)
Life of St Hippolytus Incipit: Seyn Ipolit þe martir knyȝt was of gret honur |þat seynt laurence In person wuste þoru heste of þe emperour
Explicit: Nou bidde we ȝerne seynt Ipolit þat he our erande bede |þat god habbe mercy of ous & of alle þat habbeþ nede
DIMEV 4615 (fols. 128r–131r)
The Assumption of Our Lady Incipit: SEynte marie godes moder fram þe apostles nas noȝt |þo þe holi gost awitsoneday among hem was ibroȝt
Explicit: So þat heo was of sixti ȝer ar heo were henne Inome |Nou god ous grante uorþ wiþ hire to þe Ioie of heuene come
DIMEV 4703 (fols. 131r–134v)
Life of St Bartholomew Incipit: SEyn Berthelmeu þe apostel com of kynges blode |Sinþe uair man & noble he was of glad & suete mode
Explicit: Nou bidde we ȝerne seynt berthelmeu þat hei apostel is |þat þe raþer þoru is bone come to heuene blis
DIMEV 4547 (fols. 134v–136r)
Life of St Giles Incipit: Seyn gilis þe holi mon ne louede noþing sunne |At atteneis he was ibore he com of kynges kunne
Explicit: He deide seue hondred ȝer after þat god was ibore |& wende to þe Ioie of heuene þat he of seruede byuore
DIMEV 4605 (fols. 136r–137v)
Life of St Matthew Incipit: SEyn Matheu þe euangelist apostel he was iwis |Euangelist & eke apostel boþe he was & is
Explicit: Nou ihesus ȝeue ous grace þulke Ioie to wynne |Vor þe loue of seynt matheu þat is soule is Inne
DIMEV 4719 (fols. 137v–138r)
Life of St Justina Incipit: Seyn Iustine of heie men In antioch com |Wel ȝong heo louede on ihesu crist & turnde to cristendom
Explicit: Nou Ihesu uor þe suete loue of þe maide Iustine |& vor þe loue of ciprian schulde ous fram helle pyne
DIMEV 4655 (fols. 138r–139v)
Legend of St Michael Part I Incipit: Seyn Michel þe archangel & is felawes also |Beþ bituene god & ous to scewe wat we schulle do
Explicit: Nou god uor þe loue of seynt Michel ous let such lif lede |þat we mote to heuene come after þat we beþ dede
DIMEV 4732 (fols. 139v–141v)
Life of St Jerome Incipit: SEyn Ierom was swiþe good clerc & wis In alle þinge |Much he made of godes seruice þat men in chirch doþ singe
Explicit: þer Inne him burede is monekes þis was is lyues ende |Nou god ous bringe to þilke ioie þat is soule gan to wemde
DIMEV 4623 (fols. 141v–142v)
Life of St Leger Incipit: SEyn liger þat biscop was & holi mon Inouȝ |þoru is prechinge monion to our lord he dronȝ
Explicit: Nou god uor loue of seynt liger is suete grace ous sende |þat we after þisse lyue to þe Ioie of heuene wende
DIMEV 4660 (fols. 142v–149r)
Life of St Francis Incipit: SEyn Frances þe frere menour good mon was Inouȝ |In is ȝonghede marchaunt he was & to trewenesse dron
Explicit: & beþ þer boþe two In Ioie wiþþoute ende |Nou god uor loue of hem ous late þuder wende
DIMEV 4597 (fols. 149r–151r)
Life of St Faith Incipit: SEynte fei þe holi maide of suyþe heie men com |Swiþe ȝong In hire child hod heo turnde to cristendom
Explicit: Nou seynt Fei & hire felawes our ernde beode so |þat we mote to þe Ioie come þat hi beþ Inne ido
DIMEV 4595 (fols. 150v–151v)
Life of St Denis Incipit: SEyn denys was In þe olde lawe payn as oþer were |In þe cite of atteneis þer non oþer nere
Explicit: þer hi beȝut alle þre as monymen iseþ |God ȝeue ous part of þulke Ioie þat hi Inne beþ
DIMEV 4582 (fols. 151v–154r)
Legend of St Michael Part II Incipit: SEyn Michel In nouembre haþ ek anoþer day |Biuore þe feste of seynt Luc as ic ȝou telle may
Explicit: Vor þei hi out of helle be hi ne schulleþ so at route |þat hi þe bernynges of helle wiþ hem ne bereþ aboute
DIMEV 4731 (fols. 154r–155v)
Life of St Luke Incipit: SEyn Luc þe euangelist non apostel nas |Ac þe apostles he siwede & hor diciple was
Explicit: Nou bidde we seynt Ion & seynt Luc & hor felawes beie |þat hi bringe ous toward heuene In þe riȝte weie
DIMEV 4675 (fols. 155v–157v)
Life of St Frideswitha Incipit: SEynte ffredeswide was her of engelonde |At oxenford heo was ibore as ic vnderstonde
Explicit: þer haþ ibe uor hire loue ofte gret bonynge |Nou bidde we god uor hire loue þat he to heuene ous bringe
DIMEV 4598 (fols. 157v–160r)
The Eleven Thousand Virgins Incipit: Elleue þousend virgines þat vair companye was |Imartred were uor godes loue ichulle ȝou telle þat cas
Explicit: Nou god ous grante uor is grace þat we mote winne |þe heie Ioie of heuene þat þis maidens beþ Inne
DIMEV 1184 (fols. 160r–162v)
Lives of SS. Simon and Jude Incipit: SEyn Symon & seynt Iude twei breþeren were |Marie sones cleophe as oure bokes ous doþ lere
Explicit: þer seynt Symon & seynt Iude þe holi apostles tweie |Endede hor lif in martirdom & to heuene wende beie
DIMEV 4758 (fols. 162v–164v)
Life of St Quintin Incipit: SEyn Quintyn þe martyr of þe contreie was of rome |Vor godes loue he þolede much as he to heuene come
Explicit: Hi seie heuene openy þet aȝen In heo flei anon |Nou god uor þe loue of seynt qiutyne ous bringe þuder echon
DIMEV 4753 (fols. 164v–165v)
Life of St Alban Incipit: SEyn Albon þe holi mon was her of engelonde |Imartred he was uor godes loue þoru our lordes sonde
Explicit: Nou bidde we ȝerne seynt albon & ihesu crist wel uaste |þat we mote to þe Ioie come þat euer schal laste
DIMEV 4534 (fols. 165v–166r)
All Saints Day Incipit: Alle halwen day we holdeþ one tyme of þe ȝere |Vor uale enchesons holi chirch þerto ous gan lere
Explicit: Nou bidde we alle halwen to holde hor feste so |þat hi bringe ous to þulke Ioie þat hi beþ Inne Ido
DIMEV 333 (fols. 166v–169v)
All Souls’ Day Incipit: Alle soulen dai anerþe riȝt is to holde heie |Vor alle we sculle habbe neode þerto & alle schulle deie
Explicit: Nou ihesus þat ous dere boȝte þei we do ofte amys |Of oure soule haue mercy & bringe ous to heuene blis
DIMEV 362 (fols. 169v–172v)
Life of St Eustace Incipit: SEyn Eustas a noble knyȝt of heþene lawe was |Ac ar he were icristned men clupede him placidas
Explicit: Ipassed it was an hondred ȝer & twenti after þat god her com |þat eustas myd is wif & is sones þolede martirdom
DIMEV 4592 (fols. 172v–174r)
Life of St Leonard Incipit: Sayn leonard þe confessour alonde eode her |After þat god anerþe com aboute vif hondred ȝere
Explicit: Þe miracles þt he persones dude ne mai no tonge telle |Nou god schulde ous poru seint leonard fram prison of helle
DIMEV 4661 (fols. 174r–176r)
Life of St Martin Incipit: SEyn martin was ibore In þe lond of sabarie |Wel longe he was Inorised In þe lond of papie
Explicit: Vour score wynter he was old ar he deide also |Nou god ous ȝeue part of þulke Ioie þat is soule wende to
DIMEV 4699 (fols. 176r–177r)
Life of St Brice Rubric: seynt Brice
Incipit: SEyn brice wiþ seynt martin was is dekene anerþe here |To seynt martyn he was contrarious In eche manere
Explicit: Nou god uor þe gret a[ ] þat seynt brice hadde here |Grante ous to be vor is loue of pyne of helle skere
DIMEV 4569 (fols. 177r–184v)
Rubric: Edmond Confessour
Life of St Edmund, Archbishop of Canterbury Incipit: SEyn edmond þe confessour þet liþ at pounteneie |Of godemen & trewe com þei hi were noȝt wel heie
Explicit: Nou uor is loue we biddeþ god þat ous dere aboȝte |Bringe ous to þe heie blisse þat is soule to broȝte
DIMEV 4587 (fols. 184v–185v)
Life of St Edmund the King Rubric: Edmond kinge
Incipit: SEyn edmond þe kyng of wan we makeþ feste |Of þe on ende of engelond kyng was bi este
Explicit: Nou god uor þe loue of seynt edmond þat was so noble kyng |Grante ous þe Ioie þat he is Inne after our endyng
DIMEV 4588 (fols. 185v–188v)
Life of St Cecilia Incipit: SEyn Cecile of noble kunne ibore was at rome |Our lord crist heo louede wel ar heo fram cradel come
Explicit: Nou bidde we our suete lord uor hire holi martirdom |To bringe ous to þulke Ioie þat hire soule to com
DIMEV 4572 (fols. 188v–195v)
Life of St Clement Incipit: SEynt Clement was ibore at rome bi olde dawe |Of þe hexte men he com at rome þat were of þulke lawe
Explicit: þer is nou seynt clements chirch I mad wiþ qinte gynne |God ȝeue vs part of þulke Ioie þat is soule is Inne
DIMEV 4577 (fols. 195v–199r)
Life of St Katharine of Alexandria Incipit: SEynte katerine of noble kunne com bi olde dawe |Hire fader kyng hire moder quene boþe of olde lawe
Explicit: Nou ihesu crist vor þe suete loue of seynt katerine |ȝeue ous þe Ioie of heuene & schulde ous fram helle pyne
DIMEV 4656 (fols. 199r–202r)
Life of St Andrew Incipit: Seynt Andreu þe apostel was seynt Peters broþer |Our lord sulf to cristendom him broȝte & non oþer
Explicit: Nou bidde we seynt Andreu þat he ous so wisse |& bidde uor ous þat we come to heuene blisse
DIMEV 4540 (fols. 202r–208v)
Life of St Nicholas Rubric: seynte Nicholas
Incipit: SEyn Nycholas þe holi mon þat good confessour was |Icome he was of heie men In þe cite of patras
Explicit: Nou god þat for seynt Nichol such myracle hast ido |Schulde ous fram þe pyne of helle & fram dedlich sunne also
DIMEV 4737 The Conception of Mary and the Expanded Nativity DIMEV 4178
(fols. 208v–209v)
Prologue Incipit: Of Ioie & blisse is al my song kare to bileue | to herie him among þat al our sorwe schal reue
Explicit: þat swete bern our kunde boþe of flesch & felle |Of þe kunde of wan we come somwat ic mot telle
(fols. 209v–212r)
Incipit: A good mon þat men clupede isacar was bi olde dawe |In bedlehem þat doȝtren hadde two In þe olde lawe
Explicit: Ac naþeles þer wiþþoute me mai ifynde some |Ac ȝif god wole hi mowe amende ar hi to deþe come
(fols. 212r–214r)
Life of St Lucy Incipit: SEynte Lucie þat holi maide in cicile was ibore |Wel ȝong heo gan to seruy god & bileue sunne & hore
Explicit: þer heo is wiþ ihesu crist In Ioie wiþþouten ende |Nou god for þe loue of hire ous lete þuder wende
DIMEV 4663 (fols. 214r–219r)
Life of St Thomas the Apostle Incipit: SEynt Thomas þe gode apostel Imartred was in Inde |Of is lif we mote rede as we doþ In bok fynde
Explicit: Nou seynt Thomas þat In to Inde cristendom verst broȝte |Bringe ous to þe Ioie of heuene to wan our lord os boȝte
DIMEV 4767 (fols. 219r–220v)
Incipit: SEyn Anastace was ibore at rome bi olde dawe |Of swiþe heie men icome al of þe olde lawe
Explicit: & þe maner is to muche anerþe to lye lesinge |To þe Ioie of heuene þat heo is Inne godes ous bringe
DIMEV 4537 (fols. 220r–221r)
Life of St Stephen Incipit: SEyn Steuene was a wgiw & of giwes he com |þoru prechinge of þe apostles he turnde to cristendom
Explicit: In þulke chirch his holi bones were ido in scryne |Nou god for þe loue of seynt steuene vs saue fram helle pyne
DIMEV 4762 (fols. 222r–228r)
Life of St John the Evangelist Incipit: SEyn Ion þe euengelist þat apostel also is |His moder was our leuedi soster & seynt Iames broþer iwis
Explicit: Of ech halwe men fynd to soþe þat bodi bileuei here |Bote of our leuedi & seynt Ion þat maidens were so clere
DIMEV 4634 (fols. 228r–228v)
Life of St Oswald the King Incipit: SEynt Oswold þe holi kyng of þe on ende of engelonde |Kyng was as vel þulke tyme of norþhomblonde
Explicit: Nou seynt oswold þe martir so our ernde bede |þat god ous sende is swete help & alle þat halbe nede
DIMEV 4741 (fols. 228v–259r)
Life of St Thomas of Canterbury Incipit: ENgelond glad þu beo vor þu miȝt wel eþe |&al holi chirche also for one monnes deþe
Explicit: þei hi beo wel repentaunt as þis knyȝtes were ic wene |ȝut ne libbeþ hi niȝt half hor lif as hit was bi hem isene
DIMEV 1507 The ‘Harley text’.
(fols. 259r–260r)
The Translation of St Thomas of Canterbury Incipit: Seynt Thomas þis holi mon vnder erþe lai |Ar he ischrined were mony along dai
Explicit: Nou ihesu for þe swete loue þat seynt Thomas on þoȝte |Bringe ous to þulke Ioie þat he so dere abouȝte
DIMEV 4768 (fols. 260r–269v)
Life of St Edward the Confessor Incipit: SEyn edward þe gode kyng riȝt is to habbe in munde |Ibore he was in engelond Ichulle segge of wuch kunde
Explicit: So þat non ne deude þer of after him desturbinge |þe chirch he let halwy as [ ]childermasse dai||
DIMEV 4589 The final folios are fragmentary. G.E. Moore, The Middle English Life of Edward the Confessor (Philadephia, 1942), p. iii attempts to reconstruct their contents.
Physical Description
Form: codex
Support: parchment
Extent: x + 265 + xi leaves
Dimensions (leaf): 230 × 137 mm.
Foliation: Modern foliation, superseding an incorrect ink foliation of the 17th century, which starts with 4 and continues up to 259. At this point, the first leaf of the first quire was evidently missing but leaves 2–4 were present.
Collation
112 (1–4 lost, = 11), 2–1312 (= 154), 1410, 15–2212 (= 260), 2312 (1, 2, 7, 8 lost; 9 is in two parts numbered 265–6; = 269). Since 11–4 would have taken up the 288 lines missing, no quire seems to be lost at the beginning and no temporale probably ever preceded the collection. Regular catchwords, often in a red frame; no signatures.
Layout
One column with 36 (fols. 4–22) to 47 (fol. 101r) lines per page. 176 × 100 mm.
Hand(s)
Written in a small Anglicana hand by one scribe in brown ink. Görlach (p. 74) suggests that the scribe has attempted to ‘reproduce features of a dignified book hand on the basis of an engrossing hand, with upright and square proportions’.
Decoration
Blue initials, flourished in red with marginal extensions at the beginning of each work.
Capital letters dotted or crossed in red. Running titles added in a 15th-century hand.
Binding
Brown tanned calf over laminated pulpboard with blind tooled edging of double rows. Spine rebacked.
History
Origin: 14th century, first quarter ; English ; orthography is consistent within the volume, suggesting that these reflect the scribe’s own dialect, analysed as belonging to Gloucestershire (LP 7170).
Provenance and Acquisition
A 16th-century hand supplies unsuitable rhyme words on fol. 211v. Two other readers of this period add some Latin marginalia, one of whom is likely also responsible for the ink foliation.
Unidentifiable scribbles on fols. 156v, 176v, 236v, 258v.
‘John tayllor off Brydstow’ (fol. 189r); later passed to his descendent:
Silas Taylor; passed to:
Entered the Bodleian Library from the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
Record Sources
Description by Andrew Dunning (January 2021), based in part on the Digital Intex of Middle English Verse; and Manfred Görlach, The Textual Tradition of the South English Legendary (Leeds, 1974), pp. 73–5. Previously described in the Quarto Catalogue (W. H. Black, A descriptive, analytical, and critical catalogue of the manuscripts bequeathed unto the University of Oxford by Elias Ashmole Esq...., Quarto Catalogues X, 1845).
Digital Images
Digital Bodleian (1 image from 35mm slides)
Bibliography
Online resources:
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
Last Substantive Revision
2022-01-18: Andrew Dunning Revised with consultation of original.