MS. Add. A. 283

Summary Catalogue no.: 29400

Martyrology

Based on and abbreviated from the work of Usuard

With six prefatory pieces, the last of which explains the lunar tables prefixed to each day

Language(s): Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: paper

i + 92 (91) + i leaves, with parchment flyleaves

Dimensions (binding): 8.625 × 6.375 in.

Dimensions (leaf): 212 × 147 mm.

Dimensions (written): 165 × 105 mm.

Hand(s)

Written by two different hands

Binding

Brown leather on boards, almost plain, injured at the back

History

Origin: c. 1500 ; Germany, Westphalia, Hamm, convent

Provenance and Acquisition

Westphalia, Hamm, convent: fol. 92: 'Istud martirologium scribi fecit et disposuit humilis et inutilis frater Henricus de Bercka [v.d. Berghe] ordinis minorum de observantia immeritus gardianus pro illo tempore conventus in Hammone pro usu huius loci. Et idem, ex caritate quam semper ad hanc domum habuit, procuravit et solicitavit consensum domine terre et totius capituli pro conservatione huius capelle cum longa et frequenti instantia. Quapropter petit idem frater rectori huius domus et socio suo et universis devotis sororibus presentibus et futuris in vita et in morte haberi commendatus' (c. 1500)

Fol. 1v: 'Hic libellus pertinet ad templum consecratum in honorem sancte et individue trinitatis et beate Marie Virginis atque omnium [sanctorum] quod germanice yn Heilbeck [= Hilbeck] nominatur in quo Henricus Geriseim misam quod et ferme quinque annos fecerat cantabat cum Henrico et Johanne Coloniensibus atque alter quidam quos dominus in viam suam dirigat. amen. Anno M^o V^o XXIX in die Oculi mei et cetera'. There are many names of 'cantatores huius ecclesie', etc., chiefly from Cologne. (Hilbeck is near Hamm in Westphalia)

Richard de M. Lawson, London, February xxiii. MDCCCLVII

Bought from William George, bookseller of Bristol (Catalogue 117, no. 392), on 4 December, 1884 for £2 10s

Record Sources

Description adapted (July 2025) by Stewart J. Brookes from the Summary Catalogue (1905). Extent, leaf dimensions and layout from van Dijk (1957)

Summary Catalogue, Vol. 5, p. 614

Bibliography

Printed descriptions:

S. J. P. van Dijk, Latin Liturgical Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, vol. 2: Office Books (typescript, 1957), p. 205

Abbreviations

View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.

Last Substantive Revision

2025-07-22: Description revised to incorporate all the information in the Summary Catalogue (1905) and other printed sources

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