| Description | Manuscript volume containing St Bonaventure's 'Legenda Beatissimi patris nostri Francisci' (Life of St Francis) in two parts: ff.1-61 "The life of St Francis" by Bonaventura and ff.61-81 "The miracles of St Francis" also by Bonaventura. Written on parchment in 2 columns of 30 lines. Text in a textura script influenced by cursiva, worked in black ink with red rubrics and red and blue decorated initials. Written in Germany.
Completion of the manuscript can be dated to the Octave of Corpus Christi, 1532 (i.e. 6-12 June 1532). The second section f.61 begins "Infra octavam corporis Christi 1532 ferias. Finit legenda beatissimi patris nostri Francisci" [Within the octave of Corpus Christi 1532. The legend of our most blessed father Francis ends.]
Parchment manuscript in original binding of stamped pigskin over oak boards, with metal corner pieces. Rust and two large holes at the top of the rear board indicate that it was once chained. Had 2 brass and leather clasps, of which fragments remain. Marks from a chain on the rear board. Both boards affected by woodworm. 29cm.
Front and rear pastedowns are leaves from a 12th century homiliary in a protogothic script. See N R Ker, "Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries: 1. London" (Oxford: Clarendon, 1969), for a discussion of the text of these manuscript fragments. |
| AdminHistory | Saint Bonaventure (San Bonaventura): born, c1217; original name Giovanni Di Fidanza (John of Fidanza); entered the University of Paris, 1235; received the master of arts degree, 1243; joined the Franciscan order; studied theology in the Franciscan school at Paris, 1243-1248; named Bonaventure, 1244; leading theologian, minister general of the Franciscan order, and cardinal bishop of Albano; author of several works on the spiritual life; recodified the constitution of his order, 1260; died, 1274. |
| CustodialHistory | The volume belonged in the 17th century to the Franciscan convent at Saverne (Zabern), near Strasbourg, Alsace. It also bears the bookplate of the Hopetoun Library and the pressmark T 9, and the bookplate of Walter Seton, former College Secretary and book collector. Following Seton's death, a fund was raised to buy books of Franciscan interest from his collection. It was lot 58 in the Seton sale of 28 July 1927. This item also appeared as lot 41 in Leighton's Catalogue of (335) Manuscripts (c.1920) and as lot 242 in the Henry Walker sale, 23 Jan 1922. |