Shelfmark
MS 133
Author
Uniform title
[Historiarum adversus paganos libri VII]
Title
Orosius, De ormesta mundi ; Epistola Alexandri. manuscript
Varying form of title
Title in M. R. James catalogue: Orosii Historia
Publication, distribution, etc.
England, ca. 1125-ca. 1175.
Physical description
1 volume (iii, 87, iii leaves) : parchment, initials ; 28 x 19.5 cm.
Note
Paulus Orosius, Historia adversus paganos (ff. 1-85), followed by Alexander's letter to Aristotle, ending at p. 206 line 20 of the edition by Kübler, 1888 (ff. 85-87v).
Note
The Eton MS is no. 36 of many copies listed by J. M. Bately and D. J. A. Ross in Scriptorium 15, pp. 329-334 (Orosius), and one of 113 listed by D. J. A. Ross in Scriptorium 10, pp. 129-132 (Letter to Aristotle).
Note
Book 1 of Orosius is preceded by the same preliminary matter as British Library MS Royal 13 A. xx.
Note
A space on f. 2v was perhaps intended for a map.
Note
On ff. 15v and 16rv the script is spread out, as if too much space had been allowed for the matter and another quire had already been begun, or the scribe wanted to begin quire 3 at a particular point.
Note
Three leaves are missing.
Note
Some marginalia and running book numbers added in the 14th century.
Note
Written space: 190 x 110 mm.
Note
Two columns of 39 lines.
Note
Collation: 1-6⁸ 7⁸ wants 2 after f. 49 8⁸ wants 8 after f. 62 9⁸ 10⁸ (3 and 6 half sheets) 11⁸ wants 1 before f. 79 12 two (ff. 86-87).
Note
Quires numbered at the beginning in pencil; catchwords added in the ?13th century.
Note
Written in the same hand throughout, neat and backwards sloping.
Note
Initials at first in one, two or three colours (red, blue or green) with ornament in the same colours, but from book 5 (f. 45) monochrome and in books 5 and 6 without ornament; other initials 2-line (or more) or 1-line, blue or red or at first green, sometimes with two colours in one initial.
Note
The 5-line initial O on f. 1 has been excised.
Note
Secundo folio: tam apud.
Note
Medieval binding, with later paper flyleaves, possibly 18th-century; see binding note below.
Note
Written in England.
Note
Inscription of "W. Bathon", identified as William Bourchier, Earl of Bath (1557-1623) at the top of f. 1.
Note
Inscription recording donation to Eton on f. iii verso: "Dedit hunc librum Collegio Etonensi Thomas Richardson S.T.P. eiusdem Collegii Socius 1722".
Note
Former Eton shelfmark: Bl.4.6 [olim Bo.6.1].
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. 755
Citation/references note
James, M. R. A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the library of Eton College (1895), 133
Cite as
Eton College Library, MS 133
Additional physical form available
Reproduction available; Bodleian Library; Eton College Library should be contacted for permission to reproduce; 2163
Provenance
Ker suggests this manuscript belonged to "W. Bathon" i.e. William Bourchier, Earl of Bath (1557-1623); see also Eton College, MS 90.
Provenance
Given to Eton by Thomas Richardson in 1722.
Provenance
M. R. James noted that the lettering of the binding back strip was reminiscent of that found on manuscripts belonging to Bury Abbey, and that the inscription "W. Bathon" suggested it may have belonged to Laud when Bishop of Bath and Wells.
Binding
Medieval binding of wooden boards covered with dirty white leather, rebacked; the old back strip lettered 'Orosius' in Lombardic capitals of the 13th/14th century, pasted on; formerly clasped, central strap and pin missing.
Subject
Orosius, Paulus. Historiarum adversus paganos libri VII
Subject
Epistola Alexandri ad Aristotelem de situ Indiae Manuscripts.
Subject
Apologetics Manuscripts.
Subject
Church history Early and primitive church Manuscripts.
Added entry--name
Bath, William Bourchier,, 1557 - 1623 Earl of former owner.
Added entry--name
Richardson, Thomas former owner.
Added entry--name
Laud, William, 1573 - 1645 associated name.
Added entry--title
Epistola Alexandri ad Aristotelem de situ Indiae.
Added entry--place
England.
Language code
lat
Identifier
B50094