Stowe MS 65

THE POLYCHRONICON of Ranulph Higden, translated into English by John Trevisa; in seven books. With three prefaces, the first beg. "Aftir solempne and wi[y]se writeris of artis and sciencis." The text does not agree completely with that of any of the MSS. collated for the edition in the Rolls Series. The following passages are supplied in a modern imitative hand: — Bk. i. ch. 5 (f. 4), "and wryte and certyfye" (ed. Babington and Lumby, Rolls Series, vol. i. p. 43) — ch. 15 (f. 10b), "with moneye and grete" (ed. cit. i. 125); — Bk. i. ch. 22 (f. 14), "sholde take yonglynges" (ed. cit. i. 183) — ch. 28 (f. 21b), "in the northe the" (ed. cit. i. 295); — Bk. iv. ch. 16 (f. 103), "to wedde his vessels" (ed. cit. v. 31) — ch. 29 (f. 111b), "Macharies one of Egypte" (ed. cit. v. 189); — Bk. vii. ch. 4 (f. 170), "The kynge of Fraunce scorned" (ed. cit. vii. 311) — ch. 8 (f. 173b), "the fende had hym ofte " (ed. cit. vii. 377); — Bk. vii. ch. 44 (f. 399), "the kynges brother of Nauerne" (ed. cit. viii. 350) — end. The text of the portions thus supplied is largely taken from Caxton, including the false date 1357 [for 1387] at the end. The Chronicle is followed by other translations, etc., by Trevisa, viz.: — (a) "Dialogus inter clericum et wilitem": a Dialogue on the spiritual and temporal power, beg. "Ich wondere, sore noble kni[y]t," translated from the Latin of William Occam. f. 202; — (b) "Serma dni. archiepiscopi Armacani [Richard Fitz- Ralph] factus Auinione 8⁰ die mensis Nouembris, anno dni. 1358⁰": a sermon against the mendicant orders, on John vii. 24, "Demeþ no[y]t by þe face." f. 205b; — (c) "Dialogus inter dominum et clericum ": a dialogue in English on translation, as an introduction to the Polychronicon, beg. "Seþþe pat Babel was buld." f. 217; — (d) Letter by Trevisa, on his translation of Higden, to his patron, Thomas Berkeley, 5th Baron Berkeley (ob. 1417), beg. "Welþe and werschip to my worþi and werschipful Lord sore Thomas lord of Berkeleye, I John Trevisa," etc. Printed by Caxton, with the Dialogue on translation, in his edition of the Polychronicon, 1482 (cf. Rolls ed., vol. i. p. lxi). f. 218; — (e) Alphabetical table of contents of the Polychronicon. f. 218. All these articles are found in most MSS. of the Polychronicon, but usually precede it; but the Latin index, which is found in addition in other MSS., is not present here. Vellum; ff.222. Early xvth cent. In double columns of 49 lines. Initials of chapters in red and blue. With illuminated borders at the beginning of the several books. On the last page is an acquittance to Edw. Clere [of Blickling, Sheriff of Norfolk in 1567] for rent of a tenement "in Saynt Edmondes in Norwiche, in old tyme Sir Nicholas Goldwell," 24 Nov. 1559. Folio.

John Trevisa, Vicar of Berkeley: Translation of Higden's Polychronicon, and other treatises: early 15th cent.

Ranulph Higden, Chronicler: Polychronicon, translated by John Trevisa: early 15th cent.

England General Chronicles and History: Trevisa's translation of the Polychronicon: 15th cent.

Art. Illuminations and Drawings ENGLISH: Trevisa's Polychronicon: borders: early 15th cent.

includes:

• f. 222 b Edward Clere, of Blickling, Sheriff of Norfolk (1557): Acquittance for rent in Norwich: 1559.