MS. Digby 177
Summary Catalogue no.: 1778
The Miracles of Saint Frideswide
Contents
Language(s): Latin
(fols 1r–30r)
, Miracula sancte Frideswide BHL 3169 Printed in Benjamin Bossue, ‘De sancta Frideswida virgine, patrona Oxoniensi in Anglia’, in Acta sanctorum Octobris, ed. Joseph van Heck et al., Acta sanctorum 55 (Brussels, 1853), viii, 567–90.
(fol. 1r–v)
Prologue Rubric: Incipit prologus domni philippi prioris de miraculis sancte frideswide.
Incipit: Domini ac saluatoris nostri uirtus et sapientia tanto maioribus laudum preconiis attollitur⹎
Explicit: leprosis mundatis ut ora sacerdotibus ostenderent preceptum est.
(fols 1v–2r)
The translation of St Frideswide, 12 February 1180 (chap. 1) Incipit: Scripturus itaque miracula que temporibus nostris
Explicit: posterorum memorie arcius inprimatur.
Excerpted in the Romsey Legendary: London, British Library, Lansdowne MS 436, fols 103v.
(fol. 2r)
Martin of Oxford sees a heavenly light (chap. 2) Incipit: In pago oxenefordie erat uir quidam martinus nomine qui mercimonii
Explicit: irradiationem totius prouintie que huiuscemodi signo preostensa est⹎ materialem ciuitatis arbitratus concremationem.
(fol. 2r–v)
Edith of Oxford’s vision of a golden column, 1171/72 (chap. 3) Incipit: In eodem pago matrona quedam editha nomine. quantum ad huma num
Explicit: euentus. cum in occiduis mundi partibus noui solis claritas exorta est.
(fol. 2v)
The dream of Robert, Prior Philip’s relative, 1179? (chap. 4) Incipit: Habebat prenominatus prior philippus famulum quendam consanguinitate sibi coniunctum
Explicit: pagina presens excrescat. presertim cum ad describendas eius uirtutes⹎ mea festinat intentio.
(fols 2v–3r)
The daughter of Geoffrey Pady healed of a swollen neck, the night of 12–13 February 1180 (chap. 5) Incipit: Cum igitur ut predictum est pridie idus februarii gloriose translationis
Explicit: admiratione et gaudio in breue tempus omnimodis sanitati restituta est.
(fol. 3r)
Alice of Oxford sees on Maundy Thursday, 17 April 1180? (chap. 6) Incipit: Erat in eodem pago iuuencula quedam adelitia nomine
Explicit: curata est⹎ ut in ea nulla prorsus egritudinis pristine
(fol. 3r–v)
William of Wales recovers from a bent back (chap. 7) Incipit: Venerat illuc diebus illis de partibus Walliarum uir quidam
Explicit: ad plenum conualuit⹎ quod ad dominicum sepulcrum. adeundum iter incolumis arripuit.
(fols 3v–4r)
William of Ardley cured of various ailments (chap. 8) Incipit: Erat in uico quodam cui uocabulum est herduluesleie
Explicit: et a prenominatis eum pror sus incommodis respirasse⹎ ipsa rerum experientia didicimus.
(fol. 4r–v)
Haimo de Saint-Cyr cured of three ailments on Easter, 20 April 1180 (chap. 9) Incipit: Per idem tempus hoc quoque mirabile et memoria dignum accidit.
Explicit: frequenter dum ei famulari compellebantur⹎ calamitatum suarum uexauerat et tedio affecerat inmanitas.
(fol. 4v)
Winneva of Heythrop healed of dropsy (chap. 10) Incipit: Cum itaque talium signorum circumquaque fama crebresceret⹎ ob gratiam recuperande sanitatis
Explicit: sanitatis recepte uentrem qui prorsus resederat. populo gaudente palam cunctis ostenderet.
(fols 4v–5r)
Reinildis of Abingdon cured of swelling (chap. 11) Incipit: Hisdem temporibus mulier quedam de abbendonia Reinildis nomine
Explicit: aliquantulum prominebat. que tamen postmodum temporis proces su prorsus abolita est.
(fol. 5r)
Raganilda of Burford cured of various ailments (chap. 12) Incipit: Venit et ob gratiam recuperande sanitatis puella quedam de Burefordia Raganilda nomine
Explicit: simul incommodo. non sine omnium qui tunc aderant admiratione prorsus inmunis.
(fol. 5r)
Brithiva of Haverhill and Eve of Gatehampton cured (chap. 13) Incipit: Sed et hoc laudibus eius non inmerito annectendum uidetur qui ante
Explicit: morte liberat. hic quidem in spe⹎ in futuro autem in re.
(fol. 5r–v)
The sisters Turkiva and Seilda, of Eynsham, see (chap. 14) Incipit: Erant in uilla cui nomen est Einesham due sorores quarum altera
Explicit: uiderant˷ iam a domino curatas non sine admiratione et gaudio cernebant.
(fols 5v–6r)
Azelina of Pillerton cured of paralysis (chap. 15) Incipit: Eodem tempore uirgo quedam de normannia oriunda. etate quidem adulta
Explicit: que eam paulo ante paraliticam uiderat⹎ et iam repente sanatam admirabatur.
(fol. 6r)
Matilda cured of illnesses (chap. 16) Incipit: Accidit insuper in eadem beate uirginis ecclesia eo dem die et
Explicit: ad dei laudes inuitauit. qui sanctam uirginem suam tanta miraculorum gloria mirificabat.
(fol. 6r–v)
Raganildis of East Anglia walks (chap. 17) Incipit: Puella quedam Raganildis nomine de terra gloriosi patris et martiris
Explicit: et liberauit in pondere montes et colles in statera.
(fol. 6v)
Christina of Ampney healed from pain (chap. 18) Incipit: His diebus mulier quedam de ameneia Cristina nomine per unius
Explicit: clarandam manifestius dei uirtutem sanationem suam intuentium animis repetitis frequentius incuruationibus inculcans.
(fol. 6v)
Emma of Exeter cured of dropsy (chap. 19) Incipit: Quedam paupercula mulier Emma nomine de partibus exonie cum partum
Explicit: quenter euenit ut diuine miserationis opem pre oculis semper habere nouerint.
(fols 6v–7v)
William of Lincoln walks (chap. 20) Incipit: Ad laudem insuper diuine pietatis accedit accidit stupendum quod subnectitur mira
Explicit: illum pre omnibus locum amplectens ubi munus curationis acceperat.
(fol. 7v)
The daughter of Richild of Winchester walks during vespers (chap. 21) Incipit: Accidit eodem die et aliud dignum relatu mirabile.
Explicit: sicut gesta erat oculata fide cernentes⹎ non inmerito laudes laudibus accumularunt.
(fols 7v–8r)
Eustace of Coleshill cured of madness on the Invention of the Cross, 3 May (chap. 22) Incipit: Hoc quoque relatu dignum arbitror. quod in preclara salutifere crucis
Explicit: omni furoris molestia et capitis concussione liberum prorsus et inmunem.
(fols 8r–9r)
Fulk Grove’s son returned to life on the Invention of the Cross, 3 May (chap. 23) Incipit: Sed et de hoc quod eodem die contigit signo dei
Explicit: uires que in eo penitus defecerant⹎ singulis reformante momentis.
(fol. 9r)
Leviva of Wroxton healed of a tumour and ill humours (chap. 24) Incipit: Mulier quedam leuiua nomine de uilla que Wrokestan nuncupatur.
Explicit: omnis abscessit et manuum pedumque debilitas in naturalem rediit potentiam.
(fol. 9r)
Childiva of Enstone cured of a pain in her abdomen (chap. 25) Incipit: Hisdem quoque diebus uxor uiri cuiusdam de Ennestan childiua nomine que
Explicit: poterat per gloriose uirginis merita gratiam sanitatis adepta est.
(fol. 9v)
Constance of Denchworth healed of intolerable headaches (chap. 26) Incipit: Sed et puella quedam de dencheswrtha constantia nomine cum
Explicit: sed accepte curationis benefitium mirantibus cunctis et uerbis ostentans et gestibus.
(fol. 9v)
Leviva of Shoreham recovers from a fever and walks (chap. 27) Incipit: Quedam etiam mulier leuiua nomine de uilla que Shoram nuncupatur nata.
Explicit: dei laudes resonante⹎ qui in sanctis suis semper est et ubique mirabilis.
(fols 9v–10v)
Emmeline of Eddington survives suicide and speaks, May 1180 (chap. 28) Incipit: Puella quedam Emelina nomine. etate adulta. de uilla quadam uocabulo
Explicit: curatricis sue famulatui famulatu et corpore herens et affectu.
(fol. 10v)
Richard of Winchester healed of paralysis (chap. 29) Incipit: Carpentarius quidam de ciuitate Wintoniensi nomine Ricardus dum die
Explicit: adeptus paucis interpositis diebus sine baculi sustentamento ad solum natale remeauit.
(fols 10v–11r)
Alexis of Hereford healed of many ailments (chap. 30) Incipit: Hisdem diebus iuuenis quidam alexius nomine iuxta herefordiam natus per
Explicit: utroque oculo res minutissimas utpote pilos et capillos deo donante discerneret.
(fol. 11r)
Godwin of Watchfield hears and speaks at matins (chap. 31) Incipit: Sed et iuuenis quidam de Wathnesfelda Godwinus nomine cum subiti casus
Explicit: loquentium labia ad loquendum formari uidens⹎ non autem uerba loquentium discernens.
(fol. 11r–v)
Isabella of Beachampton, wife to an adulterous man, healed after childbirth (chap. 32) Incipit: Mulier quedam ysabella nomine de becchamtuna iuxta bukingeham cum ab
Explicit: grauedine quam ab omni febrili calore se prorsus liberam testata est.
(fol. 11v)
Beatrice of Wroughton healed of abdominal pain (chap. 33) Incipit: Eodem die mulier quedam Beatrix nomine de ellendona uiro copulata
Explicit: oratione persistens. mane facto ab omni dolore se liberam cunctis ostendit.
(fols 11v–12r)
Margaret, Roger fitz Ralph of Stratton’s daughter, cured of scrofula on Ascension Day, 29 May 1180 (chap. 34) Incipit: Miles quidam Rogerus nomine filius Radulfi de uilla cui nomen
Explicit: deciperet animam illius. ualitudine correpta⹎ migrauit a seculo.
(fol. 12r–v)
Mabel of Shifford healed outside the church door on Ascension Day, 29 May 1180 (chap. 35) Incipit: Eodem die cum missarum agerentur sollempnia mulier quedam de Sifford
Explicit: et post dies paucos gaudens ad propria remeauit.
(fols 12v–13v)
The death of Deulecresse fil Moses, a young Jewish man in Oxford, the night of 29–30 May 1180 (chap. 36) Incipit: Nec silentio pretereunda est ultio quam dominus in quodam iudaice prauitatis homine in ipsa ciuitate oxenefordie nocte sequenti uirginis sue uindicauit iniurias. Iudeus quidam deus eum crescat
Explicit: qui a se dei scientiam reppulerunt qui gratis odio deum habuerunt.
Excerpted in the Romsey Legendary: London, British Library, Lansdowne MS 436, fols 103v–104r. Gerald of Wales, Gemma ecclesiastica, i.51 also adapts this chapter.
(fols 13v–14r)
John of Chadlington healed after coming near to death, June 1180 (chap. 37) Incipit: Cum his et aliis signorum mirabilibus uirtutem operum suorum populo suo
Explicit: representabat deum qui est benedictus in secula⹎ deuotissime benedicens.
(fol. 14r)
Cecilia, John of Chadlington’s wife, gives birth (chap. 38) Incipit: Habebat idem iohannes uxorem nomine ceciliam claris natalibus propagatam.
Explicit: que de tenebris infideles uocat in admirabile lumen suum.
(fol. 14r–v)
Walter of Oxford healed of quinsy (chap. 39) Incipit: Erat eodem tempore iuuenis quidam Walterus nomine beate uirginis
Explicit: redderetur. ilico resti tuta sibi potestate. cibos incorporandi quam penitus amiserat.
(fol. 14v)
Wulviva of Abingdon healed before the archbishop’s Mass (chap. 40) Incipit: Talium itaque signorum fama crebrescente. uir uenerabilis dominus Ricardus cantuariensis
Explicit: translatione uirginis sue gratum sibi idem uenerabilis pater exhibuerat obsequium.
(fols 14v–15r)
A blind woman from London sees during the same Mass (chap. 41) Incipit: Eodem die mulier quedam de partibus londoniarum ob salutem recuperandam
Explicit: et que ceca uenerat⹎ deo et uirgini sue gratias referens incolumis discessit.
(fol. 15r–v)
Matilda of Northampton sees on Pentecost, 8 June 1180? (chap. 42) Incipit: Nec uacat a laude uirginis insigne miraculum quod euenit. die
Explicit: quos consanguinitatis necessitudine puella contingebat. fidem omnium. assertionis sue testimonio roborantes.
(fols 15v–16r)
An adulteress cannot see the church door (chap. 43) Incipit: Succedunt mirabilibus. mirabilia frequentia signorum⹎
Explicit: mereri. quia confessionis antidoto⹎ cuiuslibet uulneris dolor. aufertur.
(fol. 16r–v)
A thief cannot find the way out (chap. 44) Incipit: Sicut autem hec de qua supra dictum est.
Explicit: flectabantur⹎ donec uirtus diuina. ipso rerum euentu. palam cunctis innotuit.
(fol. 16v)
Brichtiva of Northampton removes an ear blockage at St Margaret’s Well in Binsey (chap. 45) Incipit: Mulier quedam de partibus Norhamtunie. Brichtiua nomine.
Explicit: ecclesiam rediens. deumque benedicens. omnibus qui aderant se curatam ostendit;
(fol. 17r)
Hawise of Shifford healed of a debilitating illness (chap. 46) Incipit: Vir quidam de sipfordia filiam habe bat uocabulo hawisam. annorum
Explicit: populis stupentibus ab omni languore se per merita uirginis liberata exhibuit.
(fol. 17r)
Margaret of Shrewsbury walks (chap. 47) Incipit: Venerat eisdem ferme diebus de partibus Salopesbirie mulier quedam margareta
Explicit: et in robur pristinum menbrorum omnium redit debilitas.
(fol. 17r)
Stephen of York, a student at Oxford, healed of a fever (chap. 48) Incipit: Morabatur eo tempore apud oxenefordiam studiorum causa clericus quidam stephanus
Explicit: conquieuit. et redeuntibus paulis per uiribus in breui ad plenum conualuit.
(fol. 17r)
Wimarcha of Stoke cured of an intestinal pain (chap. 49) Incipit: Sed et mulier quedam de Stoches Wimarcha nomine cum anno
Explicit: cepit humoribus et deo gratias et beate uirgini referens omnino sana recessit.
(fol. 17r–v)
The priest Ralph of Andover makes a votive candle (chap. 50) Incipit: Sacerdos etiam quidam quidem de handeura Radulfus nomine cum per annum
Explicit: uoti lichno se metiens. ab omni deo iuuante respirauit incommodo.
(fol. 17v)
The priest Ralph of Andover makes a votive candle for his son, Robert (chap. 51) Incipit: Sed et filius eiusdem sacerdotis febrili tremore per integrum mensem
Explicit: se usus beneficio⹎ per uirginis beate merita statim liberatus est.
(fol. 17v)
The subdeacon Thomas of Andover makes a votive candle (chap. 52) Incipit: Quidam etiam de uico eodem subdiaconus thomas nomine eadem qua
Explicit: quod humana non potuit⹎ diuina se manu liberatum gaudens predicabat.
(fol. 17v)
Emma of Southampton healed of paralysis (chap. 53) Incipit: Ad laudem insuper et gloriam uirginis sue hoc etiam dominus operari
Explicit: deum qui in sanctis suis gloriosus est benedicentibus⹎ constanti uoce professa est.
(fol. 17v)
Thomas of Warminster cured of a debilitating swelling (chap. 54) Incipit: His etiam diebus uir quidam de Wereministra thomas nomine qui uentositate
Explicit: plenum et perfectum inbecillitatis sue remedium per merita gloriose uirginis consecutus est.
(fol. 17v)
Alice of Breighton cured of harmful humours (chap. 55) Incipit: Quedam etiam mulier de Bricchetona Adelicia nomine cum longo tempore nociuis
Explicit: penitus residente sanitati pristine se restitu tam esse gauisa est.
(fols 17v–18r)
Agnes of Duns Tew healed in one eye only (chap. 56) Incipit: Hoc quoque pretereundum non est quod in muliere quadam
Explicit: oculus mulieri redditus non sit⹎ ipse nouit cuius iudicia sunt abyssus multa.
(fol. 18r)
Agnes of Bristol regains the use of her hands (chap. 57) Incipit: Illo quoque tempore mulier quedam de Bristou Agnes nomine sancte uirginis
Explicit: benedicta manus lauit tumor omnis abcessit. et amissa manuum rediit habilitas.
(fol. 18r)
Emma of St Albans cured of a paralysed arm (chap. 58) Incipit: Puella quedam de terra beati anglorum prothomartiris albani emma nomine.
Explicit: restituta est. naturali redeunte potentia et nature defectum⹎ uirtute reformante diuina.
(fol. 18r–v)
Peter of Marlborough cured of sciatica during matins (chap. 59) Incipit: Sed nec hoc silendum arbitror quod iuueni cuidam de merleburga
Explicit: ut nichil in se pristine debilitatis siue doloris remansisse publice protestaretur.
(fols 18v–19r)
A boy from Leicestershire sees (chap. 60) Incipit: His et aliis signorum preclara uirgo portentis. fame sue gloriam longe
Explicit: diuine manus operationem predicans. quam oculata fide facillimum erat agnoscere.
(fol. 19r–v)
Thurben of Holywell, a fuller, goes mad after a headache and is cured (chap. 61) Incipit: Predictis adiciendum est et hoc insigne miraculum quo in ciuitate
Explicit: exibendum gratiorem domino famulatum. ut sepulcrum adiret dominicum. iter arripuit.
(fol. 19v)
Richard of Alton healed from bowel pains, alongside his daughter (chap. 62) Incipit: Eodem tempore uir quidam de Aweltona ricardus nomine ad beate
Explicit: est dominus. ne de sua gaudens curatione. filie pater lugeret erumpnas.
(fol. 19v)
Emma of Pyrton healed of swollen limbs (chap. 63) Incipit: Sed et femina quedam de uilla cui nomen est
Explicit: nomen inuocans. tandem hausta aqua benedicta uomitus beneficio prorsus sanata est.
(fols 19v–20r)
Agnes of Southampton cured of dropsy (chap. 64) Incipit: Sicut autem propinquis sic et remotis uniuersitatis conditor uirginis sue
Explicit: quiescente deum benedicens sana et incolumis ad propria cum gaudio rediit.
(fol. 20r)
The daughter of Robert of Churchover healed from a fever (chap. 65) Incipit: Filia etiam cuiusdam militis nomine roberti⹎ de Wauera
Explicit: aliquomodo medicorum curari posset opera⹎ in ecclesia beate uirginis perfecte curata est.
(fol. 20r)
A girl from Warwickshire healed of epilepsy (chap. 66) Incipit: Quedam insuper puella de Wariwikesira ob sanitatem recuperandam illuc aduenit.
Explicit: gauderet⹎ iterato beatam uirginem adiret. ut grates ei de sua referret curatione.
(fol. 20r–v)
Ediva of Wanborough receives her sight; Henry of Wanborough uses his right hand and foot (chap. 67) Incipit: Mulier quedam de Wanburg’ Ediua nomine religionis speciem
Explicit: pueri agnouerant debilitatem et de utriusque curatione nobiscum deo gratias egerunt.
(fol. 20v)
Aluitha of Dorchester recovers from dropsy (chap. 68) Incipit: Mulier quedam de Dorchecestria aluitha nomine cum febrium dolore
Explicit: et aliquantis ibi diebus moram fecis set⹎ miserante deo prorsus curata est.
(fol. 20v)
Thorsten of Wycombe healed from a fever (chap. 69) Incipit: Iuuenis quidam de Wicumba turstinus nomine febrium cruciatu integro fatigatus
Explicit: publice cunctis qui aderant audientibus et diuinam laudantibus uirtutem protestatus est.
(fols 20v–21r)
A boy from Wycombe sees (chap. 70) Incipit: Hisdem diebus puerulus quidam biennis a parentibus in confinio Wicumbe
Explicit: gratie sibi collate quod lingua non poterat facto testimonium nesciens perhibuit.
(fol. 21r–v)
A traveller from Winchester falls ill on avoiding the church (chap. 71) Incipit: Hoc quoque quod subnectitur signo dominus declarauit deuotionem sibi placere
Explicit: et ad perficiendum quod eos urgebat negotium uires in integrum restituit.
(fol. 21v)
Albreia of Fulbrook lifts her feet (chap. 72) Incipit: Virgo quedam Albreia nomine de uico quodam cui uocabulum est Fulebroc
Explicit: dei uiderent munere⹎ quod nec etatis beneficio. nec medicorum recuperare potuerat artificio.
(fol. 21v–22r)
Margaret of Collingbourne recovers from an abdominal illness (chap. 73) Incipit: Clericus quidam Gaufridus nomine. de uilla cui nomine en est
Explicit: limina adiuit. et cura tricem suam denuo rediens sanitati plene restituta uisitauit.
(fol. 22r–v)
Richard Pauncefoot’s left hand and arm restored (chap. 74) Incipit: Miles quidam Ricardus cognomento Pantefot. genere clarus. amplis possessionibus
Explicit: ponderosas librabat. et sic in dei laudes cor da fidelium excitauit.
(fol. 22v)
Hawise of Faringdon sees after two pilgrimages (chap. 75) Incipit: Erat in uico cui nomen est ferendona puella quedam Hawisa nomine
Explicit: sibi oblatas et uidere posset et discernere.
(fol. 22v–23r)
A young girl from Woburn recovers her sight (chap. 76) Incipit: His et aliis operum suorum mirabilibus uirginis sue merita dominus
Explicit: qui aderant exultantibus et dei magnalia cum gaudio personantibus.
(fol. 23r)
Goda of Warwick healed of a skin disease (chap. 77) Incipit: His adiciendum arbitror quod in uidua quadam Goda nomine de partibus
Explicit: sanie spem perfecte curationis omnibus eam intuentibus interuentu beate uirginis prebuit.
(fol. 23r–v)
The son of Mauger of Gloucester recovers from paralysis (chap. 78) Incipit: Vir quidam malgerus nomine de partibus claudiocestrie filium habebat an norum
Explicit: subita curationis nouitate nec dum a stupore prehabito plene conualuerat.
(fol. 23v)
A woman from Inglesham healed of sores (chap. 79) Incipit: Mulier quedam de uico cui nomen est inglesham sic ulceribus per
Explicit: sanitati se resti tutam quantum uerecundia permittebat ipsa sui corporis ostensione protestabatur.
(fol. 23v)
Cecilia of Salden recovers from a fever (chap. 80) Incipit: Puella quoque nomine cecilia de uilla que saldena nuncupatur.
Explicit: et incolumis ad propria remeauit. nichil in se pristine ualitudinis representans.
(fol. 23v)
Agnes of Farthinghoe walks (chap. 81) Incipit: Venerat illuc eisdem diebus uxor uiri cuiusdam agnes nomine de Ennestan
Explicit: est ita quod nullo eam sustentante libere quo uolebat gressus dirigeret.
(fol. 23v)
A woman from Wednesbury hears (chap. 82) Incipit: Sed et mulier quedam de uico cui nomen est Wothnesberia
Explicit: recepta potestate uerba submisse loquentium et audiret et cum omni facilitate discerneret.
(fol. 23v–24r)
Alviva recovers from insanity (chap. 83) Incipit: Sed et mulier quedam Alueua nomine uiro copulata triennio furoris
Explicit: et deo gratias agens⹎ sana et incolumis ad propria remeauit.
(fol. 24r)
Alice of Tackley hears (chap. 84) Incipit: Est uicus non longe a pago oxenefordie distans cui tacheleia
Explicit: Audiendi recepto mu nere. saniei fluxu restricto et fetoris horrore funditus represso.
(fol. 24r)
Hawise of Wolford recovers from depression (chap. 85) Incipit: Hisdem quoque diebus puella quedam hawisa nomine de uico cui Wlwarda
Explicit: sanitate recessisset⹎ demum rediens. ilico uomitus beneficio prorsus liberata est.
(fol. 24r)
Alice of Ashbury recovers her strength (chap. 86) Incipit: Eodem die quedam alia puella Adelicia nomine. de uilla que asseberia
Explicit: et non multo post a nimia qua diutius oppressa fuerat debilitate. respirauit.
(fol. 24r–v)
Swethiva of Bierton walks (chap. 87) Incipit: Virgo quedam de uico cui Burtuna nomen est. iuxta
Explicit: dolore et infestatione renum inmunis ad solum natale cum gaudio remeauit.
(fol. 24v)
Godiva of Lus Hill healed of a headache and walks (chap. 88) Incipit: Mulier quedam Godiua nomine de uilla quadam iuxta crikeladam que lustella
Explicit: plebs fidelis excitata⹎ in dei laudes gaudens et exultans erupit.
(fol. 24v)
Hawise of Newbury recovers her sight (chap. 89) Incipit: Adhuc gloriose uirginis merita multitudo signorum ostendit. et fidelium animos
Explicit: dextri labe purgata. ciliorum deformitate detersa. omnimodam sanitatem deo miserante sortita est.
(fols 24v–25r)
Hugelina of Oxford healed of a fever (chap. 90) Incipit: Non longe a pago oxenefordie uirgo quedam hugelina nomine febrium ardore
Explicit: modico tamen interiecto tempore tortionum quiescentibus aculeis ab omni dolore liberata est.
(fol. 25r)
Agnes of Sarsden walks (chap. 91) Incipit: Sed et puella quedam agnes nomine de uilla que sicherestan nuncupatur
Explicit: cum gaudio redire permisit. nullis in ea prehabite uexationis remanentibus omnino uestigiis.
(fol. 25r)
Christiana of Northleach healed of an intermittent illness (chap. 92) Incipit: Erat in uilla cui lecche nomen est uirgo quedam triennio
Explicit: et beneficii singularis leticiam professione publica gaudium fecit esse commune.
(fol. 25r–v)
Sibyl of Wendover healed of gout in her hands (chap. 93) Incipit: Fuit et in uilla cui Wendoura nomen est mulier quedam uocabulo
Explicit: casu recidisset⹎ iterato per dei gratiam et beate uirginis patrocinium curata est.
(fol. 25v)
Helen of Ludgershall Castle recovers from piercing pain (chap. 94) Incipit: Mulier quedam helena nomine de finibus castri cui Lutegareshala uocabulum est.
Explicit: deleuit. et intellectum quem sanitatis munus preripuerat. egritudinis molesti a restituit.
(fols 25v–26r)
William of Shrivenham healed from syncope (chap. 95) Incipit: Sed et iuueni cuidam Willelmo nomine de uilla que
Explicit: restitutus est. uiribus corporis reparatis. recedentibus omnino pristine debilitatis et defectus erumpnis.
(fol. 26r)
Christiana of Dean walks (chap. 96) Incipit: Nec alicui uideatur onerosa miraculorum numerositas. cum diuine manus operationem
Explicit: donata deo sueque curatrici gratias agens⹎ domum incolumis reuersa est.
(fol. 26r–v)
Hugh of Shrewsbury healed of epilepsy (chap. 97) Incipit: Vir quidam de partibus salopesberie hugo nomine quatuor ferme mensibus
Explicit: cum perfecte dei munus cognouisset⹎ gaudens et exultans deum que benedicens abcessit.
(fol. 26v)
Leviva of Lockinge walks (chap. 98) Incipit: Mulier quedam de uico qui lakinges nuncupatur leuiua nomine sinistro pede
Explicit: repentine mutationis baculum cui innisa fuerat beate uirgini quasi pro munere obtulit.
(fol. 26v)
Doubtful healings left untold (chap. 99) Incipit: Non nulli etiam utriusque sexus quos uiscerum dolor miserabiliter torquebat.
Explicit: morbis terminum non mira culo. sed secundum cursum solitum nature contigisse.
(fol. 26v)
John, constable of Chester, healed of abdominal distension (chap. 100) Incipit: Licet autem scriptura testante ignobilia mundi huius deus
Explicit: tum sibi celitus beneficium uoce publica fidelium auribus inculcans.
(fols 26v–27r)
Margaret, wife of Richard fitz Gerald, finds her holy water transformed into milk (chap. 101) Incipit: Sicut autem omnipotentis dei manus nouas cotidie creat. essentias. sic
Explicit: quia candore castitatis. odo rem sui nominis. longe lateque diffudit.
(fol. 27r–v)
Prior Philip recovers from a tertian fever (chap. 102) Incipit: Cum igitur aliis exhibita curationis remedia. loquatur os me um
Explicit: ut in aliis dei gratiam quam in me fueram expertus⹎ facilius crederem.
(fols 27v–28r)
Agnes of Leicester cured of fever and madness (chap. 103) Incipit: Habebat aurifaber quidam iuo nomine de pago leicestrie uxorem agnetem nomine
Explicit: quod fecerat. operum executione demum compleuit. deique uirtutem palam populis annunciauit.
(fol. 28r)
Mabel, wife of William Achard, healed of dropsy (chap. 104) Incipit: Sed nec silere iustum est operis diuini uirtutem quam in nobi
Explicit: uisitauit ecclesiam. collatum sibi celitus beneficium clara uoce constanter exponens.
(fol. 28r–v)
Emma of Wheatley healed of a spiritual ailment (chap. 105) Incipit: Alia quoque spectabilis femina emma nomine domina uille cui Wateleia
Explicit: Itaque continuate salutis adeptioni congaudens dei gratiam ore predicabat et mente.
(fols 28v–30r)
Laurence Kepeharm survives surgery (chap. 106) Incipit: Hoc quoque quam stupendum sub silentio pretereundum non arbitror esse miraculum.
Explicit: nobis in tante uirtutis testimonium ostenderunt;
(fol. 30v)
Acrostic hexameter poem on ‘FRIDESVVIDA’ "Iesus maria Iohannes.
Fontem/ in sicco fundo a domino impetrauit Regibus oxonie iter opturauit Iuuenem leprosum osculo mundauit Demonem in specie/ cristi superauit Edgarum regem Leyces’ lumine priuauit Securis manubrium a manu liberauit Visum dederit militibus/ quos prius excecauit Virgini Bamptonie lumen restaurauit In silua per triennium cum sponso ^id est cristo^ habitauit Dementem ligatum penitus liberauit Angelo ductore bamptonem nauigauit "
Anthony Wood, Survey of the Antiquities of the City of Oxford, ed. Andrew Clark, Oxford Historical Society, 17 (Oxford, 1889), ii, 134.
(fol. 30v)
Hexameter acrostics on ‘FRIDESVVIDA’, forming mnemonics for her miracles, set against the seven vices ""
- Contra superbiam
- Filia. Regalis. Iuris. Datur. Esse. Sodalis.
- Venti. Venalis. Iacturam. Depulit. Alis.
- Contra iram
- Fons. Redit. Immemores. Ducunt. Exemplum. Sapores.
- Vincunt. Vltores. Inuios. Dicentis. Amores.
- Contra inuidiam
- Fer. Ruit. Inuidie. Dampnabilis. Ense. Salutis.
- Viscera. Virtutis. Iam. Dat. Amicicie.[sic]
- Contra accidiam
- Factoris. Recolens. Iusti. Deuocius. Egit.
- Summa. Videre. Volens. Iuga. Dissuadentis. Abegit.
- Contra auariciam
- Fatales. Retum. Iactus. Despexit Egena.
- Sorte. Virum. Verum. Iustum. Dilexit. Amena.
- Contra gulam
- Fauces. Restrinxit. In Deliciis. Epularum.
- Sic. Ventrem. Vincit. Ita. Dulcoratus. Amarum.
- Contra luxuriam
- Flos. Redolens. Iuit. Ductor. Enigma. Sequta.
- Virgula. Vestiuit. Imbres. Dilexit⟨.⟩ Acuta.
Physical Description
Form: codex
Support: parchment
Extent: ii + 30 + ii leaves
Dimensions (leaf): 272–76 × 191–200 mm.
Foliation: Foliated in modern pencil, 1–30.
Secundo Folio: ⟨deser⟩uire uiderentur
Collation
a2, 1–38 (fols 1–24), 46–1+1 (fols 25–30; 3rd replaced), b2. The first leaf of each quire is lettered a–d at the foot.
Layout
185 × 119 mm. Ruled in pencil and plummet; pricking on all edges of the page for frame and lines, spaced 5.5 mm apart. Horizontal rules occur from top to bottom (fol. 2r) at 33.5 | 39 | 44.5 | 21.75 | 207 | 212.75 | 273; vertical rules, from left to right, 20 | 24 | 79.5 | 84 | 88.5 | 142 | 146.5 | 191.5. Written above top line.
Hand(s)
Protogothic script. The first phase of production may have been limited to the two quires, with the following sections added in at least two later phases.
Chap. 106 (fols 28v–30r) is written in a darker shade of ink, probably added to the volume shortly after its creation. The same shade of ink is used to make numerous corrections to the text, particularly adding punctuation to assist oral reading (sometimes the additions are overpunctuated in comparison to the original text).
Decoration
Text opens with an 8-line arabesque initial in red and green. Subsequent chapters open with 2-line initials, generally alternating between blue and red.
Along with letters added plummet to direct the rubricator, there are numbers whose function is unclear: iii in the margin of fol. 10rb; iii, fol. 17rb; iiii, fol. 17va; iii, fol. 18ra; iiii and viii, fol. 18rb.
Additions:
The manuscript includes what appear to be autograph revisions to the text rather than corrections from an exemplar, most notably in his account of the translation of Frideswide’s relics on fol. 2ra, and what appears to be an extended addition at the foot of fols 15v–16r.
A contemporary hand indicates a series of nine lessons (presumably for use at matins) from Miracula, each of which ends with the annotation ‘Tu autem’ in the margin if it is not immediately followed by another reading:
- Lectio 1, fols 1v–2r, chapter 1, ‘Scripturus itaque … tuorum super omnia aromata’;
- Lectio 2, fols 2v–3r, chapters 5–6, ‘Cum igitur … remanerent uestigia’;
- Lectio 3, fols 3r–4r, chapter 8, ‘Erat in uico quodam … ipsa rerum experientia didicimus’;
- Lectio 4, fol. 4r–v, chapter 9, ‘Per idem tempus … et tedio affecerat inmanitas’;
- Lectio 5, fols 6v–7v, chapter 20, ‘Ad laudem insuper diuine pietatis … ubi munus curationis acceperat’;
- Lectio 6, fols 7v–8r, chapter 22, ‘Hoc quoque relatu … prorsus et inmunem’;
- Lectio 7, fols 8r–9r, chapter 23, ‘Sed et de hoc quod eodem die … reformante momentis’;
- Lectio 8, fols 9v–10r, chapters 26–28, ‘Puella quedam Emelina nomine … et corpore herens et affectu’ (opening indicator erased);
- Lectio 9, fols 15r–v(?), chapter 42, ‘Nec uacat a laude uirginis … sue testimonio roborantes’ (no ‘Tu autem’).
Anthony Wood began to number the sections implied by the drop capitals in ink. He refers to the text in his Survey of the Antiquities of the City of Oxford. A reader completed the chapter numbers in pencil in the 20th century, but these are only accurate up to 87, since they skip back to 80 at fol. 24v.
Binding
Standard Digby binding (Delisle type I). Brass clasps.
Decorated with Digby’s arms, surrounded by wreath, with legend ‘INSIGNIA KENELMI DIGBY EQVITIS AVRATI ✠’.
History
Origin: Oxford, Augustinian priory of St Frideswide; June 1180 × June 1183
The manuscript’s first two quires (fols 1–16) are datable between the contested consecration of John the Scot as bishop of St Andrews on 15 June 1180 and his resignation in June 1183. The scribe of chapter 1 records him as bishop-elect at the time of the translation of St Frideswide (12 February 1180) and afterwards bishop (‘postmodum autem episcopo’, fol. 2r), but the second statement was subsequently erased, reflecting the papal settlement of 1183. The text also refers to Roger, abbot of Abingdon, who died in 1185 (ch. 42).
While there is no specific evidence for the manuscript’s place of origin, its multiple stages of copying, original revisions, and liturgical markings show that the book was at St Frideswide’s Priory immediately after its initial creation, though it remains possible that the priory commissioned the first two quires. The effaced inscription at the head of fol. 1r is legible with multispectral imaging as a guide for the decorator in the text hand, ‘Domini ac saluatoris’.
The book was still at St Frideswide’s in the 14th century, since it was available to the compiler of De sancta Fredeswida uirgine (BHL 3166) in the Romsey Legendary (London, British Library, Lansdowne MS 436). This text includes extracts from MS Digby 177 and concludes with an enumeration of its contents, indicating that the reader may find them ‘in libro translacionis et miraculorum beate uirginis Frideswide’ (Lansdowne MS 436, fol. 103v). The Romsey Legendary refers to several books in local shrines.
Provenance and Acquisition
Thomas Allen (MS fº 7); Allen/Digby inventory A 14: inscribed, fol. 1r. Many of Allen’s manuscripts were from Oxford, and he owned other books from shrines; cf. Michael Foster, ‘Thomas Allen (1540–1632), Gloucester Hall and the Survival of Catholicism in Post-Reformation Oxford’, Oxoniensia, 46 (1981): 99–128.
Kenelm Digby: inscribed, with his motto, ‘Vindica te tibi’ (fol. 1r).
Donated to the Bodleian, 1634.
Record Sources
Description by Andrew Dunning (January 2020; revised May 2025). Previously described in the Quarto Catalogue (W. D. Macray, Bodleian Library Quarto Catalogues IX: Digby Manuscripts, repr. with addenda by R. W. Hunt and A. G. Watson, 1999).
Funding of Cataloguing
Jesus College, Oxford
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
Last Substantive Revision
2025-05-21: Andrew Dunning Additional detail.