Shelfmark
MS 89
Author
Title
Seneca. manuscript
Varying form of title
Title in M. R. James catalogue: L. Annaei Senecae opera
Publication, distribution, etc.
Germany?, between ca. 1200 and ca. 1250.
Physical description
1 volume (i, 187, i leaves) : parchment ; 25.2 x 17 cm.
Note
A collection of pieces by or attributed to Seneca.
Note
The manuscript was rebound around 1900 and the constituent pieces placed in a different order on the basis of the old quire numbers; the description in M. R. James's catalogue as cited in the references below reflects the former binding order.
Note
The constituent pieces are: Epistolae Pauli et Senecae, with preface by Jerome and 6-line 'Epytaphium quod fecit seneca de se ipso cum moretur' (ff. 1-2v); De beneficiis (ff. 3-39v, begins imperfectly in book 4, chapter 5); Epistulae morales ad Lucilium preceded by table of headings (ff. 40-143v); Naturales quaestiones (ff. 144-163v); De clementia (ff. 164-175v); De copia verborum [i.e. Martin of Braga, Formula vitae honestae] (ff. 176-178v); De remediis fortuitorum (ff. 179-181); 'Excerpta de epistolis Senece' (ff. 182-187; f. 187v is blank).
Note
The Epistulae morales are in 89 numbered letters with Epistle 85 of the printed editions being the last letter and Epistle 48 counted as two letters (48 and 49); the subjects of the letters explained by scholia in red.
Note
This manuscript used for Gercke's edition of the Quaestiones naturalibus, and said to be closely related to Montpellier, H. 116.
Note
The added title of the 'Excerpta de epistolis Senece' is in a 15th century English hand; this piece comprises ten paragraphs also in Exeter Cathedral, MS 3549B.
Note
Written space: ca. 170 x 108 mm.
Note
Two columns of 27 lines.
Note
Writing above the top ruled line.
Note
Collation: 1 two (ff. 1,2) 2-3¹² 4¹² + 1 leaf after 12 (ff. 27-39) 5² (ff. 40-41) 6-12¹² 13¹⁸ (ff. 126-143) 14⁸ 15-16¹² 17² + 1 leaf after 2 (f. 178) 18² + 1 leaf after 2 (f. 181) 19⁶.
Note
Quires 2-18 numbered at end V-XXI.
Note
Initials in red or blue; some with ornament of the other colour; in some pieces outside the written space.
Note
Capital letters in the ink of the text filled with red.
Note
Secundo folio not in Ker.
Note
Rebound at Eton around 1900.
Note
Probably written in Germany on the basis of a pencilled Germanic gloss on f. 21 (non exorant id est verbidden'); many near contemporary scholia in red ink and pencil.
Note
In England by the 15th century when further marginalia added, including the mark of Thomas Gascoigne on f. 2v: [four dots] IHC [four dots] ma [four dots].
Note
Former Eton shelfmark: Bk.6.16.
Note
This catalogue record is based on the work of Neil Ker and M.R. James, as cited in the references below.
Citation/references note
Ker, N. R.. Medieval manuscripts in British libraries, v. 2 (1977), p. 702-3
Citation/references note
James, M. R. A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the library of Eton College (1895), 89
Citation/references note
Bernard, Catalogi librorum manuscriptorum Angliae et Hiberniae, 1697, 114
Cite as
Eton College Library, MS 89
Additional physical form available
Reproduction available; Bodleian Library; Eton College Library should be contacted for permission to reproduce; SFW 2159
Provenance
Previously belonged to Thomas Gascoigne (see above).
Binding
Late 19th/early 20th century binding.
Subject
Subject
Ancient philosophy Manuscripts.
Subject
Stoics Manuscripts.
Added entry--name
Gascoigne, Thomas, 1403 - 1458 former owner.
Added entry--place
Germany.
Language code
lat
Identifier
B50016