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Cotton MS Otho D VIII
- Record Id:
- 040-001102901
- Hierarchy Root Ancestor Record Id:
- 032-001101582
- MDARK:
- ark:/81055/vdc_100000001273.0x00020f
- LARK:
- ark:/81055/vdc_100066093331.0x000001
- SLARK:
- Format:
- ISAD(G)
- Reference (shelfmark):
- Cotton MS Otho D VIII
- Title:
-
Calendar; Passional (February–March), comprising: Passio Sancti Ignatii; Vita Sancte Brigide Virginis; Passio Sancti Blasii Episcopi; Passio Sancti Triphonis Martyris; Passio Sancte Agathe Virginis et Martyris; Alcuin, Vita Sancti Vedasti Episcopi; Haiminus of Saint-Vaast, Miracula Sancti Vedasti Episcopi; Baudemundus, Vita Sancti Amandi Traiectensis Episcopi; Vita Sancti Ansberti episcopi; Vita Sancte Austroberte Virginis; Vita Sancte Euphrasie Virginis; Passio Sancti Valentini Martyris; Passio Sancte Iuliane Virginis et Martyris; Passio Sancti Ananie Martyris; Actus Theophili qui Christum Negavit et Recuperavit; Wrdestin, Vita Sancti Winualoei Abbatis; Passio Sanctarum Perpetue et Felicitatis; Passio Sanctorum Quadraginta Militum; John the Deacon of Rome, Vita Sancti Gregorii Papae; Passio Longini Martyris; Vita Sancte Gertrudis; Miracula Sancte Gertrudis; Passio Sancti Theodori Martyris; Bede the Venerable, Vita Sancti Cuthberti; Vita Sancti Wulframni Episcopi; Nicholas Trevet, Annales Sex Regum Anglie; Pseudo-Methodius, De Initio et Fine Seculi; ‘Hermerus’, Lilium Regnans; Chronicle of English history, 1341–1399; Record of the peace made between Henry III and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd of Gwynedd, 25 September 1267; Account of a dispute between Henry III and his barons; A record of a dispute between Peterborough Abbey and the inhabitants of Dodesthorpe; A chronicle of British history, Brutus–1388
- Scope & Content:
-
This composite manuscript contains six parts (ff. 2-7; ff. 8-173; ff. 174-233; ff. 234-254; f. 255; ff. 256-269) that were produced at separate times in England.
The largest part of the manuscript (ff. 8-173) contains a Passionary or Legendary (featuring the lives of saints for liturgical reading in the period of February to March) that was written in the 2nd quarter of the 12th century. Another portion originally part of this manuscript is the endleaves of Cambridge, Trinity College, MS. O.2.51.
The manuscript’s third part (ff. 174-233) was removed from Royal MS 13 D I by Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (b. 1571, d. 1631), in whose library the six parts were bound together (see Carley and Tite, 'Sir Robert Cotton as Collector of Manuscripts' (1992), pp. 94-99).
Contents:
ff. 2r-7v: Calendar, imperfect due to fire damage.
ff. 8r-12r: Passio Sancti Ignatii (The Martyrdom of St Ignatius) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 4256].
ff. 12r-26v: Vita Sancte Brigide Virginis (The Life of St Brigid, Virgin) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 1455].
ff. 26v-29r: Passio Sancti Blasii Episcopi (The Martyrdom of St Blaise, Bishop) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 1370].
ff. 29r-34r: Passio Sancti Triphonis Martyris (The Martyrdom of St Tryphon, Martyr) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 8338].
ff. 34r-36r: Passio Sancte Agathe Virginis et Martyris (The Martyrdom of St Agatha, Virgin and Martyr) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 133].
ff. 36r-41v: Alcuin (b. c. 735, d. 804), Vita Sancti Vedasti Episcopi (The Life of St Vedastus, Bishop) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 8508].
ff. 42r-46r: Haiminus of Saint-Vaast [Haiminus Atrebatensis] (fl. 1st half of the 9th century), Miracula Sancti Vedasti Episcopi (The Miracles of St Vedastus, Bishop) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 8510].
ff. 46r-50v: Baudemundus (fl. 8th century), Vita Sancti Amandi Traiectensis Episcopi (The Life of St Amandus, Bishop of Tongeren) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 332].
ff. 50v-58v: Vita Sancti Ansberti Episcopi (The Life of St Ansbert, Bishop) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 520].
ff. 58v-63v: Vita Sancte Austroberte Virginis (The Life of St Austrebertha, Virgin) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 831].
ff. 63v-73r: Vita Sancte Euphrasie Virginis (The Life of St Euphrasia) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 2718].
ff. 73r-75r: Passio Sancti Valentini Martyris (The Life of St Valentine, Martyr) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 8460].
ff. 75r-78v: Passio Sancte Iuliane Virginis et Martyris (The Martyrdom of St Juliana, Virgin and Martyr) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 4522].
ff. 78v-82r: Passio Sancti Ananie Martyris (The Martyrdom of St Anianias, Martyr) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 397].
ff. 82r-86r: Actus Theophili qui Christum Negavit et Recuperavit (The Act of Theopilus, who rejected and refound Christ) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 8121].
ff. 86v-95r: Wrdisten [Vurdestinus] (fl. 9th century), Vita Sancti Winualoei Abbatis (The Life of St Winwaloe, Abbot) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 8957].
ff. 95r-100v: Passio Sanctarum Perpetue et Felicitatis (The Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicitas) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 6634].
ff. 100v-103r: Passio Sanctorum Quadraginta Militum (The Martyrdom of the Forty Soldiers [of Sebaste]) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 7539].
ff. 103r-139v: John the Deacon of Rome (fl. late 9th century), Vita Sancti Gregorii Papae (The Life of St Gregory the Pope) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 3641].
ff. 139v-141r: Passio Longini Martyris (The Martyrdom of Longinus, Martyr) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 4965].
ff. 141r-143v: Vita Sancte Gertrudis (The Life of St Getrude) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 3490].
ff. 143v-145v: Miracula Sancte Gertrudis (The Miracles of St Getrude) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 3495].
ff. 145v-148r: Passio Sancti Theodori Martyris (The Martyrdom of St Theodore, Martyr) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 8079].
ff. 148r-168v: Bede the Venerable (b. 673, d. 735), Vita Sancti Cuthberti (The Life of St Cuthbert) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 2021].
ff. 168v-173v: Vita Sancti Wulframni Episcopi (The Life of St Wulfram, Bishop) [Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina, no. 8738].
ff. 174r-231r: Nicholas Trevet (b. c. 1258, d. c. 1334), Annales Sex Regum Anglie (Annals of Six Kings of England), AD 1136–1307.
ff. 231v-233v: Pseudo-Methodius, De Initio et Fine Seculi (On the Beginning and the End of this Age).
f. 233v: ‘Hermerus’, a political prophecy known as Lilium Regnans (The Lily Ruling), beginning 'Hermerus deus sapientium: anno a creatione mundi'; followed by an unidentified and imperfect (? prophetic) text.
ff. 234r-254v: Chronicle of English history, 1341–1399.
ff. 255r-255v: Record of the peace made between King Henry III (r. 1216–1272) and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd of Gwynedd (d. 1282), 25 September 1267.
ff. 256r-262r: Account of a dispute between King Henry III (r. 1216–1272) and his barons.
ff. 262v-267v: A record of a dispute between Peterborough Abbey and the inhabitants of Dodesthorpe.
ff. 268v-269r: A chronicle of British history, Brutus–1388.
The manuscript contains a later addition:
f. 1v: A table of contents, added by Richard James (b. 1592, d. 1638), librarian for Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (b. 1571, d. 1631).
[ff. 1r, 268r, 269v are blank].
Decoration:
Part 1 (ff. 2r-7v):
20 of the originally 24 roundels with the Labours of the Month and Symbols of the Zodiac in blue, red and white, against a gold background in frames of blue and purple; several are damaged by fire. Partial (three-sided) borders of acanthus leaves in gold and colours. Large ‘KL’ initials in gold in purple and blue frames (‘champ initials’). Small initials in gold, or blue with red penwork decoration. Rubrics in blue or red. Roman numerals in red.
Part 2 (ff. 8r-173v):
Large, medium and small initials in colours.
Part 3 (ff. 174r-233v):
1 large puzzle initial in blue (faded) and red (f. 174r); medium initials in blue with red penwork decoration and pen-flourishing. Rubrics in red. Paraph marks in red.
Parts 4 (ff. 234r-254v); 5 (ff. 255r-255v); 6 (ff. 256r-269v):
No decoration.
- Collection Area:
- Western Manuscripts
- Project / Collection:
- Cotton Collection
England and France 700-1200 Project - Hierarchy Record Ids:
- 032-001101582
040-001102901 - Is part of:
- Cotton MS : Cotton Manuscripts
Cotton MS Otho D VIII : Calendar; Passional (February–March), comprising: Passio Sancti Ignatii; Vita Sancte Brigide Virginis; Passio Sancti… - Contains:
- Cotton MS Otho D VIII, ff 2–7 : Calendar
Cotton MS Otho D VIII, ff 8–173 : Passional (February–March), comprising: Passio Sancti Ignatii; Vita Sancte Brigide Virginis; Passio Sancti…
Cotton MS Otho D VIII, ff 174–233 : Nicholas Trevet, Annales Sex Regum Anglie; Pseudo-Methodius, De Initio et Fine Seculi; ‘Hermerus’,…
Cotton MS Otho D VIII, ff 234–254 : Chronicle of English history, 1341–1399
Cotton MS Otho D VIII, f 255 : Record of the peace made between Henry III and Llywelyn ap Gruffudd of Gwynedd, 25 September 1267
Cotton MS Otho D VIII, ff 256–269 : Account of a dispute between Henry III and his barons; A record of a dispute between Peterborough Abbey and…
Click here to View / search full list of parts of Cotton MS Otho D VIII - Hierarchy:
- 032-001101582[0775]/040-001102901
- Container:
- View / search within Archive / Collection: Cotton MS
- Record Type (Level):
- File
- Extent:
-
A parchment codex
- Digitised Content:
- https://iiif.bl.uk/uv/#?manifest=https://bl.digirati.io/iiif/ark:/81055/vdc_100066093331.0x000001
- Thumbnail:
-
- Languages:
- Latin
- Scripts:
- Latin
- Start Date:
- 1125
- End Date:
- 1399
- Date Range:
- 2nd quarter of the 12th century - 4th quarter of the 14th century
- Era:
- CE
- Access:
- Available for research unless otherwise stated
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- User Conditions:
- Letter of introduction required to view this manuscript
- Physical Characteristics:
-
Condition: leaves damaged by fire in 1731.
Materials: Parchment.
Dimensions: 195 x 155 mm [ff. 2-7]; 250 x 170 mm [ff. 8-269] (text space: 195 x 155 mm [ff. 2r-7v]; 230 x 145 mm, in 2 columns [ff. 8r-173v]; 230 x 155 mm, in 2 columns [ff. 174r-233v]; 250 x 165 mm, in 2 columns [ff. 234r-254v]; 250 x 170 mm, in 1 column [ff. 255r-255v]; 250 x 170 mm, in 1 or 2 columns [ff. 256r-269v]).
Foliation: ff. 269 ( + 3 unfoliated modern paper flyleaves at the beginning + 3 at the end); f. 1 is an early modern endleaf; the leaves of ff. 1-269 have been mounted on separate paper frames; the paper leaves of ff. [ii]-[iii], 1-269, [270], [271] all have been mounted on separate paper guards; 1 paper pastedown (bibliographical notes) on f. [ii]recto.
Script: Protogothic; Gothic.
Binding: British Museum/British Library in-house. Rebound on 21 June 1962 (stamp inside upper cover); brown half leather binding; Cotton’s bookplate gold-stamped on the upper and lower covers, the spine inscribed in gold at the British Museum: ‘LIVES OF SAINTS ETC.’; gilt fore-edge.
- Custodial History:
-
Provenance:
Sir Robert Bruce Cotton (b. 1571, d. 1631), 1st baronet, antiquary and politician: his bookplates gold-stamped on the upper and lower covers; his name on f. 8r (‘Ro: Cotton Bruceus’); the table of contents on f. 1v has been added by his librarian Richard James (b. 1592, d. 1638); the manuscript is listed in his catalogues (see Colin G.C. Tite, The Early Records (2003), p. 156).
Cotton’s collection was augmented by his son, Sir Thomas Cotton (b. 1594, d. 1662), 2nd baronet, and his grandson, Sir John Cotton.
Sir John Cotton (b. 1621, d. 1702), 3rd baronet: bequeathed the entire Cotton collection of books and manuscripts to trustees ‘for Publick Use and Advantage’, 12 and 13 William III, c. 7. Formed one of the foundation collections of the British Museum in 1753.
- Information About Originals:
- Full digital coverage available for this manuscript: see Digitised Manuscripts at http://www.bl.uk.manuscripts/.
- Publications:
-
Carley, James P., and Colin G. C. Tite, ‘Sir Robert Cotton as Collector of Manuscripts and the Question of Dismemberment: British Library MSS Royal 13 D. I and Cotton Otho D. VIII’, The Library, 6th series, 14 (1992), 94-99.
Carley, James P., 'The Royal Library as a Source for Sir Robert Cotton's Collection: A Preliminary List of Acquisitions', The British Library Journal, 18 (1992), 52-73 (pp. 62-63).
Carley, James P., The Libraries of King Henry VIII, Corpus of British Medieval Library Catalogues, 7 (London: The British Library in association with the British Academy, 2000), p. lxxxiii, 155-56 (H2.819).
A Catalogue of the Manuscripts in the Cottonian Library Deposited in the British Museum (London: British Museum, 1802), p. 369.
Dean, Ruth J., ‘Nicholas Trevet Historian’, in Medieval Learning and Literature: Essays Presented to Richard William Hunt, ed. by J. J. G. Alexander and M. T. Gibbons (Oxford: Clarendon, 1976), pp. 328-52.
Dodwell, Charles Reginald, The Canterbury School of Illumination 1066-1200 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1954), p. 121.
Esposito, Mario, ‘Notes on Latin Learning and Literature in Medieval Ireland, IV’, Hermathena, 49 (1935), 143-145 (p. 144) [repr. in Latin Learning in Mediaeval Ireland, ed. by Michael Lapidge (London: Variorum, 1988), pp. 120-65 (pp. 143-44)].
Gameson, Richard, The Manuscripts of Early Norman England (c. 1066-1130) (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999), p. 101 (no. 401).
Heffernan, Thomas J., The Passion of Perpetua and Felicity (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012), p. 413-18 (as ‘O’).
Kaufmann, C. M., Romanesque Manuscripts 1066-1190, Survey of Manuscripts Illuminated in the British Isles, 3 (London: Miller, 1975), p. 56.
Ker, N. R., ‘Membra Disiecta, Second Series’, British Museum Quarterly, 14:4 (1940), 79-86 (pp. 85-86).
Medieval Libraries of Great Britain: A List of Surviving Books, ed. by Neil Ripley Ker, 2nd edn, Royal Historical Society Guides and Handbooks, 3 (London: Royal Historical Society, 1964), pp. 36 [Canterbury], 154 [Ramsey].
Merdrignac, Bernard, Les Saints bretons entre légendes et histoire : Le glaive à deux tranchants (Rennes: Rennes University Press, 2008) p. 201 n. 28.
Summit, Jennifer, Memory's Library: Medieval Books in Early Modern England (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2008), p. 142.
Tite, Colin G. C., The Early Records of Sir Robert Cotton’s Library: Formation, Cataloguing, Use (London: The British Library, 2003), p. 156.
Van Beek, C. J. M. J., Passio Sanctarum Perpetuae et Felicitatis, I: Textum Graecum et Latinum ad fidem codicum MSS (Nijmegen: Dekker & Van de Vegt, 1936), pp. 17*, 25*, 26*, 46*, 47*, 117*, 146*, 2 ('5c').
Webber, Teresa, ‘Script and Manuscript Production at Christ Church, Canterbury, after the Norman Conquest’, in Canterbury and the Norman Conquest: Churches, Saints and Scholars 1066-1109, ed. by Richard Eales and Richard Sharpe (London: The Hambledon Press, 1995), pp. 145- 58 (p. 157).
- Material Type:
- Archives and Manuscripts
- Legal Status:
- Not Public Record(s)
- Notes:
- This manuscript is part of The Polonsky Foundation England and France Project: Manuscripts from the British Library and the Bibliothèque nationale de France, 700-1200.