MS. Lyell 66
Contents
Anonymous Commentary on the Gospel of St. Matthew, sometimes attributed to Geoffroy Babion. Stegmüller, Bibl. 2604 (he cites our MS. as Phillipps 438). (fols. 1, 10) Table of contents, quoting the texts which begin each section; (fol. 2) preface
P.L. 162 col. 1228–1499. Only 45 lines of the text as pr. in P.L. are missing. The work is divided into ninety numbered sections corresponding to the table of contents. On the still disputed authorship of this work see O. Lottin, Psychologie et Morale V, 1959, pp. 153-69; R. Van den Eynde, 'Autour des "Enarrationes in Evangelium S. Matthaei" attribuées à Geoffroi Babion', R.T.A.M. 26 (1959), 50–84.
Physical Description
Collation
Layout
2 cols., 33-5 lines ruled in pencil; written space 205 × 155 mm.
Decoration
No rubrication: decorated red initials on fol. 2, 4.
There are many contemporary corrections and a few later marginal notes.
Binding
12th-cent. (?) binding of smooth white leather on thick wooden boards, the edges flush with the pages; flat spine; original sewing; two metal clasps on leather straps fastened to pins in the fore-edge; chain mark at top of lower cover. Contemporary title: 'Expositio super Math.' written across the top of the spine. There is an offset on the front board, possibly from a 13th-cent. or earlier liturgical MS.
History
Provenance and Acquisition
Formerly in the library of the Premonstratensian monastery of Steinfeld in the Eifel, in the diocese of Cologne; contemporary note on fol. 1: ‘Liber ecclesię sancte Marię sanctique Potentini in Steinvelt siquis abstulerit anathema sit amen.' Also: '1471. Expositio super Matheum'. On the front cover is written '15. 55:-3'. on the spine 'MS. N. 2', and on fol. 1 'Loc: 255: N: 8' (18th cent.). For the Steinfeld MSS. see P. Bloch, 'Das Steinfeld Messale', Aachener Kunstblätter 22 (1961), 37-60. He knew of this MS. (p. 47, no. 10), but only from the Rosenthal catalogue.
Later acquired by Leander van Ess of Darmstadt; no. 53 in his sale catalogue of 1823.
Bought in 1824 by Sir Thomas Phillipps: no. 438 in his library and lot 311 in the Phillipps sale, Sotheby's, 6-9 June 1910.
James P. R. Lyell, 1871–1948: bought by Lyell in February 1942 from Rosenthal; see J. Rosenthal, Bibl. Med. Aev. MSS. I (Kat. 83), 1925, no. 7 and Taf. IV (fol. 2).
Chosen as one of the hundred manuscripts bequeathed to the Bodleian by Lyell in 1948.
MS. Lyell 66 - pastedown
Contents
The end pastedown is a reject bifolium from a 12th-13th cent. Antiphoner. The right-hand page contains antiphons and a prayer for the feast of the Assumption.
Physical Description
History
Additional Information
Record Sources
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
Last Substantive Revision
2025-08: Matthew Holford: encode all information in printed catalogue.