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MS. Auct. D. 2. 19

Summary Catalogue no.: 3946

Rushworth Gospels or Macregol Gospels

The Macregol or Rushworth Gospels; Ireland (Birr), before 822

Contents

Gospels (Macregol or Rushworth Gospels)

Old English gloss added, 10th century.

Text and gloss ed. K. Tamoto, The Macregol Gospels or The Rushworth Gospels (2013)

Language(s): Latin with added glosses in Old English

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: parchment
Extent: 169 fols.
Dimensions (leaf): 345–50 × 270 mm.

Layout

1 col., 22 lines; written space 270 × 210 mm.

Hand(s)

Two scribes, (A) 'Macregol', fols. 1–84 (except fol. 58v lines 15–22, fol. 75 lines 19–22), 126, 128–47, 148–69v; (B) fol. 58v lines 15–22, fol. 75 lines 19–22, fols. 85v-125v, 127v, 147v.

Decoration

Written (in part) and illuminated by Macregol, probably the abbot of Birr who d. 822 (Pächt and Alexander iii. 1269, pls. CXIV - CXVI)

Important miniatures.

Important borders.

Important initials.

History

Origin: 9th century, early (before 822); additions, 10th century ; Irish, Birr; ; additions, English, 'aet harawuda' (Harewood, Yorks., or Harewood, Herefs. (?))

Provenance and Acquisition

'Macregol dipincxit hoc euangelium: Quicumque legerit... orat pro macreguil scriptori', fol. 169v.; probably Mac Regol, abbot of Birr, d. 822.

Old English glosses end with the names of the two glossators (fols. 168v-169): 'ðe min bruche gebidde fore owun ðe ðas boc gloesde. færmen ðæm preoste æt harawuda. hæfe nu boc awritne bruca mið willa symle mið soðum gileofa sibb is eghwæm leofost'.

Owned in 1665 by John Rushworth (?1612–1690).

Given by him to the Bodleian, perhaps in 1681.

Record Sources

Description adapted (2018) from Watson, Pächt and Alexander (see Bibliography), and the Summary Catalogue.
Summary Catalogue, Vol. 2, part 2, p. 792
Summary Catalogue, Vol. 2, part 2, p. 793

Availability

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Please note in addition that this item will be on display in the exhibition 'Treasured' (6 June – 26 October 2025, ST Lee Gallery, Weston Library). It will not be orderable during that period or for a short time before and after.

Digital Images

Digital Bodleian (full digital facsimile)
Digital Bodleian (49 images from 35mm slides)

Bibliography

Abbreviations

View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.

Last Substantive Revision

2024-05: Add Meehan bibliography.