MS. Lyell 23

Language(s): Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: parchment

Decoration

Two main hands: a and b. Large painted foliate initials in a on fols. 39r, 54v, 68r, 82v, 102r, 118v, 136v, generally basically in blue (fol 68r in pink), on gold backgrounds, with further decoration in orange, pink, green, and red, with bar borders in gold and colours extending into the upper and lower margins and ending in clusters of leaves. Other initials to Psalms in a are in gold on backgrounds of pink and blue, or green, with sprays of coloured leaves, initials to verses are alternately blue flourished in red, or red in purple; b has painted initials on fols. 1r, 188v, 197r, 200r, in gold on backgrounds of pink and blue, decorated in white, with sprays of tiny gold or coloured leaves sprouting from outer corners. Other initials in b are mostly blue flourished in red; in the calendar some are gold flourished in purple. (Pächt and Alexander iii. 1045)

History

Origin: 15th century, middle ; English

Provenance and Acquisition

Tarrant Keynston, Dorset, Abbey of St Mary the Virgin, of Cistercian nuns: Entries in the calendar show that it was written for this house. Obit of Ric. Poor at Apr. 15, of Queen Joan of Scotland at Mar. 5; 'Electio dompne Ysabelle Wilton' at Aug. 12. Queen Joan was buried at Tarrent and was a benefactor. (MLGB3: evidence from locally specific contents, including obits, scribbles, etc.).

Bookplate of Robert Cooper, Jnr. Grafton and Co., Coptic House, Great Russell Street, Catalogue 66 (1928), no. 1, cat. 123 (1933), no. 678 (£120). Still in their possession Febr. 1938, and Aug. 1940. (MLGB3)

James P. R. Lyell, 1871–1948

Chosen as one of the hundred manuscripts bequeathed to the Bodleian by Lyell in 1948.

Record Sources

Summary description abbreviated from A. de la Mare, Catalogue of the Medieval Manuscripts Bequeathed to the Bodleian Library Oxford by James P. R. Lyell (1971)