Add MS 6156

GOSPELS: from the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome; late 11th cent. Latin. Origin: Italy. The gospel lections include two stations at Sta Maria Trastevere (ff. 9, 15) and the lection for the Feast of St Callixtus, Pope, patron of the church (ff. 9, 15). This MS. has been dated and fully described, with particular reference to the illumination, in J. Alexander, 'A manuscript of the Gospels from Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome', Studien zur mittelalterlichen Kunst 800-1250. Festschrift für Florentine Mütherich zum 70 Geburstag, ed. K. Bierbrauer, P. Klein and

W. Sauerländer (1985), pp. 193-206 (BL Manuscripts Department Pamphlet 2979). For another MS. from Sta Maria in Trastevere see Add. 14801. Marginals: contemporary textual references in a small Carolingian minuscule; marginal sketches, possibly 13th cent. and of northern origin (see below); chapter references inserted in margins and top left and right-hand corners of folios in a late medieval hand, possibly 15th cent. (see f. 130v). Other late medieval memoranda, etc., occur: (a) an alteration, f. 63v, col. 2;- (b) arabic numerals.

ff. 71v, 77, 79;- (c) the inscription 'dum sumus in mundo. . .', in a 15th-cent. hand. f. 135;- (d) '.15. knytes . . .' in a late 15th-cent. hand. f. 22. It is possible the MS. migrated to northern Europe and England during the 13th-15th centuries. Two letters are bound with the MS: (a) from Sir George Howland Beaumont, 7th Bart., to the British Museum; 13 May 1819;- (b) from Ambrose Glover to Sir George Howland Beaumont; Reigate, 20 May 1819. ff. 3-4. This letter records that the present MS. and Add. 6159 and 6160 were found among the books of Thomas Beaumont, Esq., (d. 3 Feb. 1818). Glover suggest that these items may have been the property of Christ Church, Canterbury, pre-reformation owners of the manor of Charlwood, co. Surr., passing to subsequent owners of the manor down to Thomas Jordan (d.1753), and then to Jordan's daughter, Mrs Elizabeth Beaumont of Buckland, wife of William Beaumont and grandmother of Thomas Beaumont. Presented by George Howland Willoughby Beaumont, Esq.(8th Bart. 1827), son of Thomas Beaumont, together with Add. 6157-6162, through the offices of Sir George Howland Beaumont, 7th Bart., Trustee of the British Museum and cousin of the donor.

Vellum; ff. 158 (paper ff. 1-6). 335 x 260mm. Gatherings: i10 (lacks? 10), ii6, iii-xviii8, xix10 (lacks one folio). The manuscript is too tightly bound for exact counting at the beginning and end. Quires marked in roman numerals at the end of each gathering from f. 29v (I) - f. 149v (XVI). Double columns. One large Carolingian minuscule throughout, headings in rustic capitals. Material arranged as follows: quire i (ff. 1-15), lections; quire ii (ff. 16-21), canon tables; quires iii-xix, Gospel texts. Incipits, explicits and headings in red, often with a colour-wash background. Decorated initials, Canon Tables and Gospel openings, showing the four Evangelists (ff. 24, 62, 88, 130). Decoration is fully described in Alexander, op. cit. Crayon sketches also occur, some probably contemporary (ff. 19, 85v, 87). Other marginal sketches, ff. 56v, 96, 116v and 117 (an armed rider) are later, and Alexander suggests a 13th cent. date and a possible northern origin, indicating a northern provenance for the MS. at that time. Rodent damage, text not affected.

Contents:

1. ff. 7-15v. Gospel lections.

2. ff. 16-21v. Canon tables.

3. ff. 22-23v. St Matthew, Preface and chapter synopsis.

4. ff. 24-60. St Matthew's Gospel.

5. ff. 60-61v. St Mark, Preface and chapter synopsis.

6. ff. 62-85v. St Mark's Gospel.

7. ff. 85v-87v. St Luke, Preface and chapter synopsis.

8. ff. 88-128. St Luke's Gospel.

9. ff. 128-129v. St John, Preface and chapter synopsis.

10. ff. 130-158. St John's Gospel.