DCL MS. B.IV.41Works on Monastic life and observance, etc.
Held by: Durham Cathedral Library: Durham Cathedral Manuscripts

A composite volume of 12 parts, written in England between 12th and 15th century and assembled in Durham: fragment, reused as flyleaves; (A) tabulae, f.1-24; (B) Statutes and Acts of Benedictine Provincial Chapters, f.25-40; (C) John of Salisbury and Alan of Tewkesbury, Vita of Thomas Becket, f.41-50; (D) Rule of St Benedict, f.51-68; (E) William of Pagula, Abbas vel Prior, f.69-85; (F) Bernard of Clairvaux, f.86-97; (G) Decretals, f.98-117; (H) Walter Hilton, f.118-151; (I) Clement V, Constitutiones, f.152-189; (J) Synodal Statutes of Bishops of Durham, etc. Benedict XII, Constitutiones ad monachos nigros, f.190-207; (K) Statutes of the Benedictine provincial Chapter, 1343. Statutes of Durham College, Oxford, f.208-271; Hugh of Folieto. Brought together by second half of 15th century - the ink foliation and coeval content list (f.iv) of that date (reporting 24 items - including some from each of the separate parts – plus their folios).


Digitised: https://n2t.durham.ac.uk/ark:/32150/t2mp5547r48m.html


Physical description of manuscript
Extent: vi+273+i F
Size: 268 mm x 175 mm

Foliation

15th/16th century ink foliation of the main body of the book runs: 1-37, [lost leaf], 39, [lost leaves], 42, [lost leaves], 54-98, [lost leaf], 100-163, 164-169, 170-290. A modern pencil foliation, runs 1-119, 119*-222, 222*-271.


Secundo folio: Sicut discipulis
Binding

Standard Tuckett binding, mid 19th century full brown calf over thick wooden boards (Charles Tuckett, binder to the British Museum, rebound many Durham manuscripts in the 19th century). Impressions from the lacing channels (at least 6, all at 90° to the spine) of an earlier binding are preserved on f.i and 271.


Manuscript history
Provenance

Parts (B) and (G) were written by William Dalton, monk of Durham 1420-61. Part (C) was annotated by Thomas of Westoe, monk of Durham c. 1272-1321, and was then owned by Robert Massham, monk of Durham c. 1386-1418.
Inscriptions on f.271v, top, probably relate to the composite volume as a whole: Liber domini [Ricardi Byllyngham – erased] ex dono Reuerendi patris domini [Ricardi Bell Prioris – erased] Ecclesie \Cathedralis/ dunelm Anno domini Mo CCCCo lxvjo primo die octobris, later 15th century; Richard Billingham monk of Durham c.1441-1472; Richard Bell, prior 1464-78. Rud reports this at the front of the book. Liber dompni [Iohannis Manbe – erased] Monachi Dunelm′. ex Dono venerabilis patris dompni Wyllelmi Elwyk Supprioris Dunelm′, cuius anime propicietur deus Amen, end 15th century: John Manby, monk of Durham 1463-1494 x 95; William Elwick, subprior 1483-87.


SECTION: (flyleaves)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment. f.ii, which is perforated, has been consolidated by being stuck (on its recto) to a new sheet. f.iii-vi are weathered to an even grey tone on both sides of each sheet.

Extent: 5 f
Collation

A singleton [f.ii], followed by two bifolia [f.iii-vi]. The bifolia have been brutally cut down to fit the present context, with the loss of 4 lines of text at the top of each page and the cropping of some final letters in the outer margin.

Layout

Written area preserved on f.iii-vi: 215 x 158 mm - from a probable 240 x 160 mm. Lines preserved from a probable 30 (space, 8-9 mm; height of minims, 3-4 mm). Pricking (f.iii-vi): none preserved. Ruling (f.iii-vi): some lead lines are visible on iiiv, ivr, and vir. The pattern as a whole is unclear, but featured a single vertical at the inner edge of the text-block.

Script

Written in: (a)Secretary (the hand that added the ink foliation throughout the volume). (b) Incipient ProtoGothic, bold and stately, a type practised in Durham. One hand represented.

Decoration

Plain capitals, 3 lines high, blue or red, head the individual homilies (partially preserved on iiiv and ivv).

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, Durham, start of 12th century.


Manuscript contents
(a)     f.iiv
Modern title: Contents list
Date: Added 15th/16th century
Language: Latin

24 entries, each with folio reference corresponding to the coeval foliation.

(b)     f.iiir-viv
Modern title: Homiliary (fragment)
Author: Paul, the Deacon, approximately 720-799?
Date: start of 12th century
Language: Latin

Parts of four homilies. 1. f.iiir-v, acephalus. 2. f.iiiv-ivv, largely complete - lacking only the runs of lines from the tops of the leaf. 3. f.ivv-vir, largely complete - lacking only the runs of lines from the tops of the leaves. 4. f.viv, starting two-thirds of the way through the homily. The four homilies appear in the same order in DCL MS A.III.29, (f.5r-7v, then jumping to f.9r, lines 13-34); substantial differences in the rubrics indicate that DCL MSA.III.29 is unlikely to have been the exemplar for the present MS. The imperfect nature of item 4 in the present copy suggests that these were reject leaves.

Edited: Homéliaires Liturgiques, II.3, II.4, II.6, II.5

SECTION: (A)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment; modest to low quality with pronounced H/F contrast; flaws; a propensity to curl. Arranged FH, HF.

Extent: 24 f
Collation

I-II12

Signatures: Leaf numbering in the first half of the quires (a 6 survives on leaf 6 in quire I, a v on leaf 5 in quire II).
Layout

Text-block: 215 x 120 mm. Two columns (width, 56 mm). Lines: 48 (space, 5 mm; height of minims, 2 mm). Pricking: awl. Preserved at top of the verticals and at both ends of the extended horizontals. Ruling: lead. Single verticals flank each column (two in total in the intercolumnar space); a further vertical in the outer margin. First and last horizontals extended (all horizontals run across the intercolumnar space); a further extended horizontal in the upper margin.

Script

Written in Anglicana of different types, probably four scribes, the most divergent being the final hand (a compact hybrid with some Secretary features).

Decoration

Plain red capitals, 2 lines high, head each new alphabetical entry throughout (c) and in (d) up to f.18r; the spaces reserved for them in the stint of scribe 4 remained unfilled.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, later 14th century.


Manuscript contents
(c)     f.1r-15r
Modern title: Tabula for Regula S. Benedicti
Incipit: Prologus. Asculti o fili
Explicit: Regulam autem hanc descripsimus
Rubric: Incipiunt principia capitulorum ac diuisionum eorundem per litteras alphabeti secundum tabulam suprascriptam
Language: Latin

List of terms, arranged in alphabetical order. The first headword in each letter of the alphabet starts on a new line with a 2-line-high red capital. Subsequent headwords run on within the text block, flagged by a red paraph and red underlining, but are repeated in the adjacent margin where they are also marked by a paraph and red underlining. Subentries for a given word are marked by a pair of oblique red lines and a rubricated capital. References are by chapter and letter. Cross-references are written in the margins in smaller script than the headwords, and (in clear contrast to the latter) are marked by two red lines and are underlined in brown. On each opening is the running heading ¶Super regulam (versos) Beati Benedicti (rectos) plus, above each column, the letter or letters there treated. Followed by a listing of the incipit of each of the 73 chapters of the Regula, plus (for the longer ones) the first words of designated subsections therein - to which are assigned the letters that are used for the references in the list of terms. These letters are generally but not invariably a continuous alphabetical sequence: e.g. the divisions for ch. 2 run ‘b, c, d, e, f, g’, but those for ch. 7 run ‘b, a, b, c, d, a, b’. The copy of the Regula S. Benedicti in the present MS is not marked up with these letters, but that that in DCL MS B.IV.26 is – and it is associated with another copy of this piece.

(d)     f.15r-24v
Modern title: Tabula for De praecepto et dispensatione Bernardi
Incipit: Abbas supra regulam non est cui se semel spontanea professione submisit
Explicit: Explicit tabula super librum beati Bernardi de precepto et dispensacione compilata
Rubric: Incipit super librum ber′ de precepto et dispensatione
Language: Latin

Alphabetical list and list of incipits; the conventions similar to (c). These tabulae also appear together in the similar collection, Cambridge, Jesus College, 41, originally from Durham.


SECTION: (B)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment. Varying thickness, pronounced contrast in tone between H/F. Arranged FH, HF.

Extent: 16 f
Collation

I10, II6 (the medieval foliation here runs 35, 36, 37, 39, 42, 54, implying that this is the remains of two original quinions, most of whose leaves - probably blank - were subsequently removed; the remaining leaves are probably all singletons, the joints of f.35+40 and 38+39 being modern.

Layout

The sheets were prepared for two columns of 48 lines, but were then actually written with a varying number of long lines. Original design: text-block, 220 x 125 mm; two columns (width, 58 mm); lines, 48 (space, 4-5 mm); pricking, awl (only for the tops of the verticals, at the outer edges of the top horizontal and of that in the upper margin, and at the bottom of the outer vertical); ink ruling (single verticals flank both columns [two in total in the intercolumnar space], first and last horizontals extended, an extra horizontal in the upper margin). As used : items e-h, written area, 221 x 140 mm; lines, 50; items i-k, written area, 210-222 x 135-145 mm; lines, 44-49.

Script

1.f.25r-31v (items e-g). Hybrid Bastarda
2. f.33r-37r (items h-k). Secretary The hand of William Dalton, monk of Durham 1420-1461 - his signatures at the end of (h) and (i. See also f.115-117.

Decoration

None. The two-line-high space reserved for a capital at the start of (a) remained unfilled. Calligraphic ink capitals head sections in (b) and (c); an enlarged ink capital heads (e).

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, Durham, mid 15th century.


Manuscript contents
(e)     f.25r-30r
Modern title: Statutes of the Provincial Chapter of English Black Monks, 1363
Incipit: Abbas monasterii sancti albani prouinciali capitulo ordinis nigrorum monachorum in cantuariensi ac eboracensi prouinciis
Explicit: a presidentibus merito infligendas
Language: Latin
Edited: English Black Monks 1215-1540, II, no. 157 (p.64-82)
(f)     f.30r
Modern title: Tituli of Decretals concerning monastic issues
Incipit: Incipiunt decreta concernentia statum monachorum et abbatum.
Rubric: Two runs of rubrics, amounting to 9 and 19 lines respectively.
Language: Latin

Two runs of rubrics, amounting to 9 and 19 lines respectively.

(g)     f.30v-31v
Modern title: Constitutions concerning monks, from the Council of Oxford, 1222
Incipit: Incipiunt consuetudines edite in concilio oxoniensi concernentes ordinem monachorum
Explicit: Idem inter canonicos regulares et moniales uolumus obseruari
Language: Latin
Edited: Councils & synods, I, chapters 36, 38, 39 (extract), 40-42, and 48-59.
(h)     f.31v
Modern title: Listing of Decretals concerning monastics
Incipit: Notandum quod infrascripta capitula in libro decretalium contenta pertinent ad ordinem nigrorum monachorum
Language: Latin

Thirteen chapters listed - identified by book, titulus, and chapter. f.32r-v, blank.

(i)     f.33r-34v
Modern title: Tract on the origins of monasticism
Incipit: Incipit tractatus de prima institucione nigrorum monachorum et cetera
Explicit: nomen attulit benedictionis perpetuo duraturum, ut benedictionis sempiterne non emerito religio nominetur amen quod Willelmus Dalton et cetera
Language: Latin
(j)     f.35r-36r
Modern title: Acts of the Second English Benedictine Provincial Chapter, 11-15 September 1340.
Incipit: Secundum capitulum prouinciale celebratum apud Northampton′
Explicit: quia non habuerunt procuratoria sufficiencia tunc finit quod W dalton monachus D.
Language: Latin
Edited: English Black Monks 1215-1540, II, no. 151 (p.13-18)
(k)     f.36v-37r
Modern title: Acts of the Third English Benedictine Provincial Chapter, 9-11 September 1343 (incomplete)
Incipit: Memoranda actuum capituli prouincialis apud Northampton′
Language: Latin

Breaks off abruptly, 10 lines from the end of the page, a couple of sentences before the end of the account of the second day. f.37v-40v, ruled but blank.

Edited: English Black Monks 1215-1540, II, no. 152 (p.19-25)

SECTION: (C)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment. Weathered and darkened, above all the outermost faces (f.41r, 50v), suggesting prolonged independent existence. There is (now) little distinction between H and F sides. Probably arranged HF, FH.

Extent: 10 f
Collation

I10

Catchwords: Contemporary ?catchword ( dms) lower margin, left – indicating that this was once the first quire of a larger volume.
Signatures: Contemporary signature (“.i.”) , final verso, lower margin, centre
Layout

Written area: 188 x 128. Two columns (width, 60 mm). Lines: 44 (space, 4+ mm; height of minims, 2 mm). Written above top line. Pricking: awl. Pricked in both margins for the horizontal rulings (only those in the inner margin survive). Ruling: lead. Single verticals at the outer edge of both columns, three in total in the intercolumnar space; first two and last two horizontals extended.

Script

Written in Textualis semi-quadrata, compressed and functional. One scribe, plus a correcting hand of slightly older type.

Decoration

A decorated initial with foliate tendrils and a gold leaf ground, set against a pink panel, 9 lines high, heads the prologue to the second part. A multicoloured initial (red, green, and blue), extending the height of the text-block, with foliate ornament and flourishing (in the same colours plus yellow ochre) marks the incipit of the second part. A blue initial decorated with gold and with foliate ornament in red, green and pink heads the third part. A blue initial, 11 lines high, with foliate ornament in red, pink, green and yellow, heads the first part. The rubrics on f.45v are headed by blue capitals, 2+ lines high, flourished in red.

Corrections and annotation

Annotations throughout by Thomas of Westoe, monk of Durham approximately 1272-1321.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, 12th/13th century.

Provenance

Annotations by Thomas of Westoe, monk of Durham approximately 1272-1321. Iste quaternus est domini Roberti Massham quem collegit diuersis locis et fecit scribi Ideo propicietur ei deus 14th/15th century; f.41v, lower margin; Robert Masham, monk of Durham approximately 1386-1418. This is written over much of the first two lines of a three-line erased inscription, the exposed end of which appears to include: -?- eum dom R -?- Dunel-?- monach eiusdem loci]


Manuscript contents
(k)     f.41v-50v
Original title: Vita Thome Cantuariensis
Author: John, of Salisbury, Bishop of Chartres, -1180
Alan, of Tewkesbury, -1202
Incipit: Honor et gloria beati martiris thome per se satis eluscescit ubique terrarium
Explicit: contra ecclesiasticam libertatem statueret et statutas in regno anglorum promulgaret.
Rubric: Incipit prologus in actus et exitum beati martyirs thome cantuariensis archiepiscopi
Language: Latin
Cited: BHL 8179, 8180, 8181

SECTION: (D)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment: modest quality, thin, with pronounced H/F contrast; flaws. Arranged FH, HF.

Extent: 18 f
Collation

I8, II10 (=12, with leaves 11-12, probably blank, lost or cancelled)

Signatures: Leaf marking in the first half of quires: quire I, one, two, three then four horizontal red lines, lower margin, right; quire II, red ‘a’, ‘b’, ‘c’, ‘d’, ‘e’, ‘f’ (erased), lower margin left.
Layout

Text-block: 183 x 118 mm. Two columns (width, 55 mm). Lines: 37 (space, 5 mm; height of minims, 2.5 mm). Written below top line. Pricking: knife. Only that for the verticals survives. Ruling: ink and lead. Single verticals flank each column (two in total in the intercolumnar space); first two and last two horizontals extended.

Script

(l). Textualis semi-quadrata, neat and consistent. One scribe, plus corrections by a different hand in the same script. (m). Anglicana

Decoration

The Prologue to (l) is headed by a red and blue initial, 6 lines high, flourished in both colours. Chapters, the capitula list, and the subdivisions of the Prologue in (l), are headed by 2+-line-high initials, alternately red then blue, flourished in the other colour, the quality of the flourishing mediocre. Entries in the capitula list of (l) are headed by 1-line-high capitals, alternately red then blue.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England or France, mid 13th century.


Manuscript contents
(l)     f.51r-68v
Original title: Regula S. Benedicti
Incipit: Ausculta o fili precepta magistri
Explicit: doctrine uirtutumque culmina, deo protegente peruenies. Amen. Facientibus hec regna patebunt superna.
Language: Latin

Chapters were originally unnumbered in capitula list and main text alike. Arabic numerals were added to both, 14th century, in an inky hand: in the capitula list ‘41’ was incorrectly assigned twice in succession, the numbers thereafter being one behind the actual one; in the main text the numbering was correct. Numerous minor copying slips, duly corrected: f.58r displays both omission owing to eye-skip (in ch. 17) and reduplication (in ch. 18), the former made good in the lower margin, the latter crossed out in red.

(m)     f.67v
Modern title: Bishop William of St Calais’s Letter to the Monks of Durham
Author: William, of St Calais, -1096
Date: Added mid 14th century
Incipit: Willielmus dunelm′ episcopus, suis in christo fratribus et filiis dunolmensibus cenobitis salutem et uiuificam benedictionem
Explicit: qui uiuit et regnat deus per omnia et cetera
Language: Latin

Added to the lower margin of the page by a later 14th century hand; the last two lines, which had evidently faded, were retraced ?15th century


SECTION: (E)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment: modest to low quality, with a pronounced H/F contrast and a lively propensity to curl. Arranged FH, HF. A strip has been cut from the lower margin of f.77.

Extent: 17 f
Collation

I10, II7 (= 8 with leaf 7, probably blank, cancelled)

Catchwords: Contemporary catchword on 78v (boxed in red)
Layout

Text-block. f.69r-83r: 196 x 128 mm; two columns (width, 60 mm). f.83v-84r: 200 x 135 mm. Lines. f.69r-83r: 44 (space, 4.5; height of minims, 2 mm). f.83v: 34 (6 mm; height of minims 2+ mm). Pricking: awl (preserved in lower margin only). Ruling. f.69r-83r: lead and ink. Single verticals flank both columns (two in total in the intercolumnar space); the first and last horizontals extended. f.83v-84v: ink; frame-ruled only. f.85r-86v: unruled.

Script

f.59r-83r (items (n)-(q)). Textualis semi-quadrata, variable.
2. f.83v-84r (item (r)); also annotated items (n), (p), (q). Cursive, spiky; written with an inky pen, resulting in the blotting of strokes; end 14th century.
3. f.84r (item (r)). Anglicana, later 14th century.

Decoration

A red initial, 7 lines high, ornamented in the same red, heads (n); qualitatively crude. Red letters, 3 lines high, mark divisions within (n) on f.79r, 80r, 80v. The text is subdivided, and marginal heading flagged, by red paraphs (except on f.78r, which was overlooked by the rubricator). Hard-point sketch of six intersecting circles on f.85v.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, earlier 14th century.


Manuscript contents
(n)     f.69r-82v
Original title: Abbas uel prior
Author: William, of Pagula, approximately 1290-1332
Incipit: Abbas uel prior seu quiscumque desiderans se et conuentum suum seruire deo fideliter et deuote
Explicit: ad quam gloriam christus nos perducat, amen.
Language: Latin

A short version of William of Pagula’s Speculum religiosorum which was ascribed by John Bale to Uthred of Boldon. Three principal subdivisions: f.79r, rubric largely cropped away but the section concerns hypocrisy and humility; f.80r, De silencio; f.80v, De solitudine. Other copies of the text in DCL MSS B.IV.5 and B.IV.26. Some marginalia added in an inky cursive that reappears in (p)-(q) and wrote (r). The Arabic numerals ‘1’-‘10’ added to the lower margin of f.80v, 14th century.

(o)     f.82v
Modern title: Clause on abstaining from meat
Language: Latin

Gratian, Decretum, Part III, D.5 c. 32. Presented as a continuation of (n), copied by the same hand.

(p)     f.83r
Modern title: Notes on why one should listen to the word of God
Incipit: Audiendum est uerbum dei propter multa
Language: Latin

Corrections in the inky hand that added to (n)-(q) and wrote (r).

(q)     f.83v-84r
Modern title: Added note on Fasting
Incipit: Quare ieiunamus quadrigesimam
Explicit: excusantur a ieiunio ecclesie
Rubric: Nota in summa summarum li′ tercio, ti 56 de obseruatione ieiuniorum
Language: Latin
(r)     f.84r
Modern title: Two notes
Language: Latin

Both noting the role of advice and consultation in decision-making. f.84v-85v, blank.


SECTION: (F)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment: modest to low quality. Arranged: FH, HF. A parchment tab (now cropped) afixed to the top of f.86.

Extent: 12 f
Collation

I12

Layout

Text-block: 222 x 148 mm. Lines: 33-44. (Space, variable; height of minims, 1+ mm). Pricking: knife or awl, at the four corners of the text-block. Ruling: frame-ruled in lead.

Script

Written in Anglicana: three or four hands. 1a. f.86r-95r/line 6 (item (s)). 1b. f.95r/ll. 7-27 (item (s) supplement). A different stint from the rest of item (s), from which it differs in ink tone and ductus, this may or may not be by a distinct hand. 2. f.95v (item (t)). 3. f.96r-97r (item (u)).

Decoration

None. Plain ink capitals, 2 lines high, mark the prefaces and incipit of (s); no other divisions are indicated. Plain ink capitals, 2 lines high, head each new day in (t). Calligraphic ink capitals, 2 lines high head each section of (u).

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, earlier 14th century.


Manuscript contents
(s)     f.86r-95r
Original title: De precepto et dispensatione
Author: Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint, 1090 or 1091-1153
Incipit: Incipit Liber bernardi Abbatis de dispensatione
Explicit: Nam ego siue in paucis siue in multis quod uestre uoluntate debui, satisfacere studui
Language: Latin

A substantial passage from chapter 14 appended to make good a lacuna in the original transcription on f.91v, ll. 17-18. No marked chapter divisions; citations underlined in the ink of the text. Numerous contemporary Nota marks and other marginalia, now largely trimmed off.

(t)     f.95v
Modern title: Digest of the Provincial chapter of 1343
Date: Added mid 14th century
Incipit: Acta primo die Capituli generalis apud Norhamton’ Anno etc. xliii°
Explicit: presidencium capitulum est solutum
Language: Latin

One paragraph on each of the three days. A fuller account is in DCL MS B.IV.26

Edited: English Black Monks 1215-1540, III, p.25-6
(u)     f.96r-97v
Modern title: Constitutions of 1268
Author: Adrian V, Pope, -1276
Date: Added mid 14th century
Incipit: Regnum celorum mansionibus multis teste ueritate distinctum, de mundo isto
Explicit: Quod mandamus circa monachos in sacerdotio consitutos qui non frequenter celebrant obseruari
Language: Latin

Legatine Council at St Paul’s, London. Just the clauses of relevance to monastics, omitting that (§52) about nuns. The same selection is DCL MS B.IV.26, Part (H)

Edited: Councils & synods, II, p. 783-789, 791-2

SECTION: (G)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment: stout; noticeable contrast in tone between H and F sides. Arranged HF, FH.

Extent: 8 f
Collation

I8

Layout

Size: 268 x 175 mm. Written area: 230 x 145 mm. Written above top line. Lines: 45 (space, 5 mm; height of minims, 2 mm). Pricking. awl. Pricked for the horizontals on the outer vertical bounding line. Ruling: hard point; pattern invisible.

Script

Written in Literary cursive with Secretary and Anglicana features. One scribe, probably the same as Part (H) scribe 1 and Part (K) scribe 2.

Decoration

No decoration. Two-line-high spaces reserved for section initials in remained blank.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, start 15th century.


Manuscript contents
(v)     f.98r-105r
Modern title: Decretals concerning Monks
Incipit: Incipit decreta monachorum ordinem concernentia
Explicit: que omnia innouamus et approbamus expresse volumus et statuimus firmiter observari
Language: Latin

As DCL MS B.IV.46, f.127v-142v and cf. f.30r above. f.105v, blank.


SECTION: (H)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment: stout (except for the bifolium 107+116); noticeable contrast in tone between H and F sides. Arranged HF, FH.

Extent: 12 f
Size: 257 mm x 170 mm
Collation

I12

Layout

Written area: 208 x 135 mm. Written above top line. Lines: 38 (space, 5-6 mm; height of minims, 2+ mm). Pricking: predominantly awl, occasionally (at top and bottom) knife. The pricking is far more visible on f.108-110 than elsewhere: here alone the pricking for the horizontals was done on both sides of the text-block (on the line of the vertical rulings). Ruling: hard point; sometimes with ink for the verticals. Single vertical bounding lines; the first and last horizontal generally extended; the horizontals irregularly overrun the verticals.

Script

1. f.106r-115r/line 13 (item (w)). Literary cursive with Secretary and Anglicana features. Probably the scribe of Part (G) and Part (K), scribe 2. English Black Monks 1215-1540 (Chapters II, pp. xi-xii), identified the hand as that of John Fishburne; this was doubted by Ian Doyle (Walter Hilton, p. 63) and rightly so, as the hand has only broad generic similarities to Fishburne’s ‘signed’ work (DCL MS C.IV.23, f.57-126). 2. f.115r/line 14-117r (item (x)). Signed by William Dalton, monk of Durham 1420-1461. See Part (B), f.33r-37r above.

Decoration

No decoration. Three-line-high spaces reserved for the incipit of (w) remained blank.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, Durham, early 15th century.


Manuscript contents
(w)     f.106r-115r
Original title: Epistola de utilitate et prerogativa
Author: Hilton, Walter, -1396
Incipit: Dilecto in christo fratri salutem et spiritus sancti gratiam
Explicit: et post hec in celesti gloria uitam eternam plene et perfecte, deo miserante consequi merearis. Gratia dei tecum sit nunc et in perpetuum Amen. Walterus miser
Language: Latin

Textually its closest relatives are BL, Royal 6 E. iii; Bodleian Library, Digby 33, and Rawlinson C.397. No section divisions. Occasional ‘Nota’s etc., copied by the original scribe.

Edited: Walter Hilton, p. 103-173; this copy collated as B
(x)     f.115r-117r
Modern title: Acts of the Provincial Chapter of 1338
Date: Added mid 15th century
Incipit: Primum prouinciale capitulum celebratum apud Northampton′ per presidentes
Explicit: cui est honor et imperium per Omnia secula seculorum amen. Quod Willelmus Dalton. Explicit primum prouinciale capitulum \nigrorum monachorum/ apud northampton’ celebratum per presidentes et cetera. ¶vetus et nouum testamentum. Splendida succedo gaudens christo quia credo – nouum testamentum / Ceca recedo dolens crucifixere nolens – vetus testamentum.
Language: Latin
Edited: English Black Monks 1215-1540, II, p.5-12

SECTION: (I)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment: modest quality with noticeable contrast between H and F sides. Arranged FH, HF. A parchment tab (now cut off) was attached to f.141.

Extent: 35 f
Collation

I12, II10, III13 (= 12+1 [f.152])

Layout

Text-block: 233 x 140 mm. Two columns (width, 63 mm). Lines: 41 (space, 5+; height of minims, 3 mm). Pricking: entirely trimmed off. Ruling: lead. Single verticals flank both columns (two in total in the intercolumnar space). First three and last three horizontals extended; all horizontals run across the intercolumnar space.

Script

Written in Textualis semi-quadrata, variable. At least two hands, the first less regular than the second: 1. f.118r-141r/column i/line 27. 2. f.141r/column ii/line 27-151v.

Decoration

(1) is headed by a red and blue initial extending the length of the page with red and blue waterfalls, plus red and blue flourishing in the upper and lower margins. Chapters in (2) plus the incipits of (3) and (4) are headed by red initials, 2+ lines high, flourished in blue (or vice versa); there is no extra emphasis either for the initial incipit of (2) or for the beginnings of its individual books. Subdivisions within (2), (3) and (4) are marked by paraphs, alternately red then blue. The capitals that head each entry within (5) are stroked in yellow; the ‘C’s of the two ‘Constitucio’s at the end are 2+ lines high and embellished with faces.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, early 14th century.


Manuscript contents
(y)     f.118r-151r
Modern title: Constitutiones of 1311 issued 1317, with Prefatory Bull addressed to the University of Oxford
Author: Clement V, Pope, approximately 1260-1314
John XXII, Pope, -1334
Incipit: Iohannes episcopus seruus seruorum dei dilectis filiis doctoribus et scolaribus uniuersis oxonie commorantibus salutem et apostolicam benedictionem
Explicit: Constitucio de reuocacione pluralitatum
Rubric: Incipiunt constitutiones Clementine edite in concilio viennensi
Language: Latin

Running headings above each column: up to f.141r these are in black, are less formally written than the main text, and give both book number and chapter subject; from f.142r they are in red in the hand and script of the main text, and give chapter subject only. (1) Prefatory Bull of John XXII, here addressed to the University of Oxford. (2) Clement V, Constitutiones. (3) John XXII, Constitucio de diuisione fructuum beneficiorum vacantium, 25-x-1317. (4) John XXII, Constitucio de pluralitate beneficiorum cum cura animarum, 19-xi-1317. (5) List of contents. The same collection appears in Durham University Library, Cosin MS V.iii.3.

Edited: Decretalium Collectiones, II, cols. 1129-1200
Edited: Decretalium Collectiones, II, cols. 1205-6
Edited: Decretalium Collectiones, II, cols. 1207-9

SECTION: (J)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment: modest to low quality with noticeable H/F distinction. Arranged FH, HF. A strip has been cut off the lower margin of f.181. A parchment tab appears to have been removed from the outer margin of f.187.

Extent: 38 f
Collation

I-III12, IV2

Catchwords: Contemporary catchwords on quires I-III.
Signatures: Leaf numbering (red Roman numerals) on quire III, but skips leaf 6 and so numbers leaf 7 (f.182) ‘vi’.
Layout

Text-block: 228 x 130 mm. Lines: 50 (space, 5 mm; height of minims, 2 mm). Pricking: knife or awl. The prickings for the verticals are preserved in all quires; those for the horizontals (outer margin only) in quires I-II only. Ruling: lead. Single verticals flank the text-block. An extra pair of verticals in the outer margin. The first and last horizontal extended. An extra pair of horizontals in the upper and the lower margin.

Script

Written in Textualis semi-quadrata, consistently placed above rather than on the horizontal rulings. Modest calligraphic elaboration of most capitals. One scribe. Also responsible for the rubrics, done in a slightly more spacious version of the same script.

Decoration

Items (z)(1), (3), and (4) are each headed by a 4-line-high initial, blue flourished in red (or vice versa). Item (z)(2) and chapters within parts of (z) are headed by 2-line-high initials, alternately red flourished in blue then vice versa. Overruns isolated by blue paraphs. The incipits and chapters of (aa) are marked by 2-line-high initials, alternately red then blue; they are plain in quires I-II, but flourished in the other colour in quires III-IV.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, Durham, early 14th century (after 1338).


Manuscript contents
(z)     f.152r-166r
Modern title: Synodal statutes of Bishops of Durham 1241x49-1319
Incipit: Cum sit ars arcium regimen animarum nulli sicut credimus uertitur quin pastores super cura et custodia gregis
Rubric: Prologus constitucionum synodalium Dunolm’
Language: Latin

(1) Statutes of Bishop Nicholas of Farnham for the diocese of Durham, 1241x49. (2) Statutes of Bishop Richard Marsh for the diocese of Durham, 1217x26. (3) Statutes of Bishop Robert of Holy Island for the diocese of Durham, 1276. (4) Statutes of Bishop Richard Kellaw for the diocese of Durham, 1311x16. (5) Statutes of Bishop Lewis de Beaumont for the diocese of Durham, 1319. Marginal Nota marks and flagged themes from f.153v-165v ((1)-(4)) by at least two 15th century hands; also marginal arrows, pointing hands and (f.153v) a face. No marked subdivisions. No subsequent annotation. See DCL MS C.II.13 from which parts of these were copied.

Edited: (1) Councils & synods, II, p.421-35, siglum F
Edited: (2) Concilia Magnae Britanniae et Hibernia, I, p.572-84
Edited: (3) Councils & synods, II, p.818-20, siglum F
Edited: (3) Concilia Magnae Britanniae et Hibernia, II, p.30
Edited: (4) Concilia Magnae Britanniae et Hibernia, II, p.416-9
Edited: (5) Concilia Magnae Britanniae et Hibernia, II, p.495-7
(aa)     f.167r-189v
Original title: Constitutiones ad monachos nigros, 1336
Author: Benedict XII, Pope, -1342
Incipit: Abbates monasticorum beate marie Ebor′ et sancti albani ordinis sancti benedicti lincoln′ dioc′ executores ad infrascripta a sede apostolica specialiter deputati
Rubric: Hic incipiunt constituciones domini pape Benedicti xii super ordine monachorum nigrorum
Language: Latin

(1) Summons to First Provincial Council, Northampton 10-vi-1338. (2) Bull of Benedict XII of 13-xii-1336. (3) Letter of Benedict XII. (4) Constitutiones. The capitula list to (4), set out in two columns, is disordered and faulty; subsequent hands have attempted to remedy this by adding numbering and sigla. Numbering in Arabic numerals was added within the body of the text for chapters ‘1’-‘4’ and ‘23’-‘28’ only, the ‘1’ being erroneously placed beside the start of the Prologue. Text also found in DCL MS B.IV.26, part (F).

Edited: (1) English Black Monks 1215-1540, III, no. 185, p.7
Edited: (2) English Black Monks 1215-1540, III, no. 185, p.7-13
Edited: (3) English Black Monks 1215-1540, III, no. 183, p.3-4
Edited: (4) Concilia Magnae Britanniae et Hibernia, II, p.588-613

SECTION: (K)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment: quires I and III are thinner and of poorer quality than II, which is relatively stout and even toned. Arranged FH, HF throughout. Parchment tabs attached to f.193 and 204. A strip has been cut off the lower margin of f.191.

Extent: 18 f
Collation

This part is itself composite, with an older bifolium (quire I: f.190-191) prefixed to the two main quires (II-III: f.192-207). I2, II10, III6

Layout

Text-block: 198-205 x 120 mm. (Quire I: 215 x 135 mm.) Lines: 35-6 (space, 6 mm; height of minims, 2+ mm). Quire I: 44 (space, 4 mm; height of minims, 1.5 mm). Pricking: awl. Prickings in both side margins for the horizontal rulings. (Quire I, prickings only at the four corners of the text-block.) Ruling: ink (for verticals) and hard point (for horizontals). Single vertical bounding lines. The first horizontal was generally extended, the last sometimes and to a lesser degree. (Quire I the ruling (lead) is very faint; only a single vertical bounding line can be discerned).

Script

1. f.190r-191v/line 28. Anglicana. Similar to the scribe of f.86r-95v. 2. f.191v/lines 29-42, 192r-207v. Literary cursive with Secretary and Anglicana features. Probably the hand of Part (G), and Part (H), scribe 2.

Decoration

None. The 2-line-high spaces reserved for initials heading (ac), (ad), (af), and subsections within (ad) remained unfilled.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, Durham, 14th/15th century.


Manuscript contents
(ab)     f.190r-191v
Modern title: Benedict XII, dispensatory bull in relation to his Constitutions, 1339/40
Author: Benedict XII, Pope, -1342
Incipit: Benedictus episcopus seruus seruorum dei ad perpetuam rei memoriam, dudum pro bono et salubri statu religionis seu ordinis monachorum nigrorum
Explicit: Nulli ergo homini liceat hanc paginam et cetera
Rubric: Incipiunt declarationes super consitutionibus Benedicti directis ad ordinem nigrorum monachorum
Language: Latin

No dating clause. Cf. DCL MS B.IV.26, f.124r-127r, where dated the sixth year of his pontificate; Cambridge University Library, Dd.9.38, f.26v-28r.

Edited: Bullarum privilegiorum, p.288-91
(ac)     f.192r-v + addition to 191v
Original title: Littera de constitutionibus Benedicti XII, 1343
Author: Bernard of Genebreda
Incipit: Copia littere domini Bernardi de genebreda prioris prioratus de longa villa ordinis cluniacensis rotomagensis dioc′ de reuocatione censurarum constitutionum Benedicti pape xii presidentibus in capitulo provinciali anglie die mercurii prox′ post festum nativitatis beate marie celebrato apud Northampton′ anno domini millesimo CCCmoxliii°
Explicit: et aliis testibus ad promissa veratis et rogatis
Language: Latin

The text runs: f.192r, 192v, 191v, with a rubric at the bottom of f.192v explaining that the continuation appears on the previous folio beside a cross-sign. Includes Clement VI, Bull for the suspension of penalties in relation to the Constitutions of Benedicti XII, A.D. 1343. Also in DCL MS B.IV.26

Edited: Concilia Magnae Britanniae et Hibernia, II, p.715-7
(ad)     f.193r-201v
Modern title: Statutes of the Benedictine provincial Chapter, 1343
Incipit: Monasteriorum sancti albani et sancte marie Ebor′ ac sancte wereburge cestrensis abbates
Explicit: in quo etiam reddatur fidele ratiocinium de eisdem
Language: Latin

Edited: English Black Monks 1215-1540, II, no. 154, p.28-62, siglum Db; the text characterized by Pantin (p. 27) as having ‘many peculiarities and blunders but [it] often agrees with R [i.e. CUL, Dd.9.38, f.29r-33r] against the other Durham MSS’, i.e. DCL MS B.IV.26; B.IV.45; Cambridge, Jesus College, MSS 41 and 61.
(ae)     f.201v-204v
Modern title: Decretals concerning Monastics
Author:
Incipit: Ne religiosi vacandi occasionem habentes salutis proprie detrimentum intrarant
Explicit: presumpserit ab administracione spiritualium et temperalium nouerit se suspensum
Language: Latin

Rubrics include: De statu monachorum, Item Concilio generali, De symonia, De monialibus; a few include the name of the relevant pope

(af)     f.
Modern title: Statutes of Durham College, Oxford, 1381
Incipit: Incipit ordinacio collegii monachorum dunelm’ fundati in Oxon’
Language: Latin

Incomplete

Edited: Concilia Magnae Britanniae et Hibernia, II, p.614-7

SECTION: (L)
Physical description of section of manuscript
Support

Parchment: modest to low quality with pronounced H/F contrast, and minor flaws. Arranged: FH, HF.

Extent: 65 f
Collation

I-V12, VI5 (=6 with leaf 6 [doubtless blank] cancelled)

Catchwords: Contemporary catchwords (boxed) on all quires bar the last.
Signatures: There are two sets of leaf lettering-numbering in the first half of the quires. A brown series, preserved in quires I-III and V, comprises numbers only in quires I, III and V, but has ‘a’ plus a number (‘ai’, ‘aii’, etc.) in quire II. A red series, found in quires II-VI, always comprises a letter (‘a’-‘e’ for quires II-VI respectively) plus a number (‘i’-‘vi’ in quires II-V, ‘i’-‘iii’ in the smaller quire VI).
Layout

Text-block: 201 x 130 mm. Two columns (width: 61 mm). Lines: 50 (space, 4 mm; height of minims, 1.5+ mm). Pricking: awl in quires I-III, knife in quires IV-VI. The prickings are generally preserved in all three outer margins. Ruling: ink. Single horizontals flank both columns (two in total in the intercolumnar space). First two and last two horizontals extended; all horizontals run across the intercolumnar space.

Script

Written in Textualis semi-quadrata, rectilinear, regular; becoming more spacious from quire III. One hand, which was also responsible for the rubrics. Neat calligraphic elaboration of capitals.

Decoration

Item (ag) is headed by a 5-line-high blue initial, flourished in red. All chapters (including the prefaces to, and the first of, Books II-IV) within (ag), the incipits of (ah) and (ai), and a single subdivision within (ai) are headed by a blue initial, 2-3 lines high, flourished in red, or a red one flourished in purple. Individual entries in the capitula list for item (ag) Book IV, and all subdivisions bar one within (ai) are headed by 1-line-high capitals, alternately red then blue.

History of section of manuscript
Creation

Written in England, mid 14th century.


Manuscript contents
(ag)     f.208r-264v
Original title: De claustro animae
Author: Hugh, of Fouilloy, -1172 or 1173
Incipit: Incipientibus edificare querendus est locus fundamenti, ne superpositi parietis congeries
Explicit: dabit uirtutem in corrutionis fortitudinem immortalitatis, benedictus deus amen.
Rubric: Incipit tractatus magistri hugonis de folieto de claustro anime incipit prologus
Language: Latin

Only Book IV has a capitula list (f.242r-v). The names of authorities are occasionally supplied in the margin as part of the original transcription, e.g. ‘Ambros′’ and ‘Aug′’ on f.211v, ‘Beda’ on f.215v, ‘Greg′’ on f.226v.

(ah)     f.264v-265v
Modern title: Fifteen steps of Penitence
Incipit: Denotacio quindecim graduum
Explicit: in incessu non possit notari leuitas, nec uanitas indictis
Rubric: De orologio achaz
Language: Latin

Also found in BnF, lat. 2496 (where, like here, it follows a copy of (ab)), Troyes 558 and Trier, Stadtbibliothek, 536

Bloomfield, 1513
(ai)     f.265v-268r
Modern title: Magnificat / Sermo in Canticum Beatae Viriginis Mariae
Author: Ps.-Bernard of Clairvaux
Incipit: Magnificat anima mea dominum
Explicit: cum tradiderit regnum deo et patri et erit deus omnia in omnibus. Amen.
Language: Latin

No heading or rubric. f.268v-271v, blank, apart from ex libris inscriptions added to f.271v.

Citation: Stegmüller RBMA 1731

Microfilm
Microfilmed in 1985/86 by the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library, St John's Abbey and University, Collegeville, Minnesota. Copies held by them and Durham Cathedral Library.

Digitised material for Durham Cathedral Library MS. B.IV.41 - Works on monastic life
Digitised December 2016 as part of the Durham Priory Library Recreated project
https://n2t.durham.ac.uk/ark:/32150/t2mp5547r48m.html

Bibliography

Bibliotheca hagiographica Latina antiquae et medii aetatis   OCLC citation (Brussels, 1898-1901);Supplements (Brussels, 1911, 1986)

Bloomfield, M.W., ed., Incipits of Latin works on the virtues and vices 1100-1500 AD including a section of incipits of works on the Pater Noster   OCLC citation (Cambridge, MA: Mediaeval Academy of America, 1979)

Bullarum Privilegiorum ac Diplomatum Romanorum Pontificum Amplissima Collectio: cui accessere Pontificum omnium vitae, notae, et indices opportuni   OCLC citation, ed. C. Cocquelines, (Rome: Mainardus, 1741)

Concilia Magnae Britanniae et Hiberniae, a synodo Verolamiensi A.D. CCCCXLVI ad Londinensem A.D. MDCCXVII; accedunt constitutiones et alia ad historiam ecclesiae Anglicanae spectantia   OCLC citation, ed. D. Wilkins (London: sumptibus R. Gosling, F. Gyles, T. Woodward, & C. Davis, 1737)

Corpus Iuris Canonici, pars secunda, Decretalium Collectiones   OCLC citation, ed. E. Friedberg (Leipzig: Bernhardi Tauchnitz, 1922)

Grégoire, Réginald, Homéliaires liturgiques médiévaux : analyse de manuscrits   OCLC citation (Spoleto: Centro Italiano di Studi sull'Alto Medioevo, 1980)

Councils & synods: with other documents relating to the English Church   OCLC citation, ed. Cheney, C. R. and Powicke, F. M. (Oxford: OUP, 1964-81)

Documents illustrating the activities of the General and Provincial Chapters of the English Black Monks 1215-1540   OCLC citation, ed. Pantin, W. A., Camden 3rd series 45, 47, 54 (London: RHS,1931-7)

Stegmüller, Friedrich, Repertorium biblicum medii aevi   OCLC citation, (Madrid: 1950-1980)

Walter Hilton’s Latin Writings   OCLC citation, ed. J. P. H. Clark and C. Taylor (Salzburg: Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik, 1987)

Index terms