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Manuscript Description
Cambridge, Cambridge University Library MS Ii. 3.21, part 1
 
Title:Boethius
Author:Chaucer
Contents:Boethius (closely affiliated NLW MS Peniarth 393D); on ff52v-54, after II metrum 5 of Chaucer's Boethius, the scribe has copied Former Age and Fortune; Commentary on Boethius by William of Aragon
Language:English
Datable:Before 1424
Date Range:1400-1425
Scribal Hands:
Examples of the hand. Click on the link above for full details and images of individual letter forms.
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Dialect:LP 5990; County: Kent
Material:Parchment
No of Folios:ii paper flyleaves + 119 parchment leaves + ii paper flyleaves
Pagination:Modern pencil in upper outer corners recto.
Quiring:1(8), 2(16), 3-10(12), 11(14), 12(12), 13(14), 14(12), 15(10) (missing 9-10).
Signatures:None visible
Catchwords:Mostly in place, for example on ff24, 36, 48, 60,72, 84, 96, 108, 134, 146, 160; most are surrounded in a box which looks like folds of fabric at the corners; the early ones are surrounded with a box decorated with red ink with tiny lines to produce a stippled effect along the edges; on f72 the catchword has no surround and on f84v the box is in red ink.
Page Size:320 x 225 approx
Frame:6 x vertical 2 x horizontal; the text box has parallel lines on each side and the outer vertical makes the frame for the marginalia.
Writing Space:Variable; tabula ff1-8 in double columns 260 x 180; thereafter single columns with broad margins for glossing 235 x 100
Incipits and Explicits:Elaborate explicit in red ink on f180v, 'Explicit expliceat ludere scriptor eat / finito libro sit laus & gloria xpo' / Corpore scribentis sit gratia cunctipotentis'.
Marginal Headings:Everywhere apparent; usually preceded by red paraphs
Running Titles:The number of each Book in red ink in Roman numerals serve as running titles throughout the volume.
Table of Contents:Elaborate 'Tabula' to begin the volume.
Title by Scribe:In Latin by the scribe.
Borders:3-sided border on f9 of gold, blue, pink, red.
Illuminated Initials:The first illuminated initial which originally opened the Latin text and was eleven lines in depth, has been excised; for the first initial of each subsequent book in Latin, pink and blue champ initials on gold ground with heavy sprays which extend into margins emanating from the letter.
Paragraph Marks:Red paraphs used in margins for each gloss of the Latin text; paraphs in blue on ff15v-17 and in red on ff52-53 for each stanza of the poems; spaces left for paraphs in ME Boece text but they have not been completed.
Flourished Initials:Blue lombard initials with red pen-work flourishing throughout begin each prosa and metrum; very fine work.
Miscellaneous Info:Watermark on paper flyleaves has 2 columns with something in the middle and a big bunch of grapes on the top? On f52v is 'Chauc(er) vpon this fyfte mak(er) of the second book' with a folded fabric scrolled surround in red ink. The two texts are intertwined, ff1-180v; after which Part II begins again with f2. On f180v, ends rubric 'Explicit expliceat ludere scriptor eat / finito libro sit laus & gloria xpo' / Corpore scribentis sit gratia cunctipotentis'
Further Information:Seymour, M. C. A Catalogue of Chaucer Manuscripts, vol. 1, Works Before 'The Canterbury Tales', pp. 45-46, Aldershot, Hants: Scolar Press, 1995.
Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP