Record

StorageSiteUCL Special Collections
LevelItem
Reference Number MS GERM/6
TitleGerman Religious Poetry Anthology
Date17th century
Date213th century
DescriptionAnthology of religious poems, 17th century, including penitential prayers and verse meditations on the joys of the next world. Following an introduction (ff 1r-6v), the text from folio 7r is in verse. With marginal references to passages in the Bible, written in the authoress' own hand, throughout the text. Her identity is not revealed, except that her Christian name was Dorothea, and, given references in the introduction to her grandchildren and other relations, she probably wrote the book in later life. With the name Jacobs Himmelsleiter inside the front cover.

Bound in a manuscript fragment parchment cover. Black text in a gothic textualis rotunda, 13th century? The work is from Aristotle's "De Anima" and part of the chapter heading "[De Somnis] et Vigilia" in alternating red and blue capitals is clearly visible on the rear of the book. The text starts at: "[Transferentibus] enim s[ecundu]m sensum sequitur passio velut de sole ad tenebras eni[m] nich[il] videre propter adhuc subsistentem motu[m] in oculis a lumine et si ad unum colorem..."
The parchment is very discoloured, with some large stains on the front and holes made by pests on the rear cover and spine. However, the text is in excellent condition with minimal rubbing along the spine.
Extent1 volume containing 78 leaves
CustodialHistoryThe volume formerly belonged to the antiquary Rosenthal of Munich, and bears on the inside front cover: Ch. B XX 343246.
AcquisitionPresented to University College London by Professor Trouton in 1911.
AccessStatusOpen
AccessConditionsThe papers are available subject to the usual conditions of access to Archives and Manuscripts material, after the completion of a Reader's Undertaking.
FindingAidsDorothy K Coveney, 'A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of University College London' (London, 1935), which summarises the contents of the manuscript; handlist at University College London Special Collections.
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