Add MS 54241

MILLAR BEQUEST. Vol. XV. Rule of St Benedict, written in Northern Italy, possibly Bologna; early 14th cent. (bef. 1327). Latin. Turner, op. cit., BMQ, xxxiii, pp. 30-32, pl. XIII. Owned and annotated by Benvenuto Bononiensis, a Camaldolese monk, and Abbot of St Andrew de Candeculis: ownership inscription, 1327, f. 1v; autobiographical notes, ff. 1, 48v-49, and passim, see ibid. The MS. was in the library at Camaldoli in the 18th cent., when it was referred to by J. B. Mittarelli and A. Costadoni, Annales Camaldulenses (1761), vi, p. 50. Sold at Sotheby's, 30 July 1924, lot 293. Purchased by Millar of L. Solomons, 19 Aug. 1925.

Vellum; ff. 49. 195 x 135mm. Modern vellum fly-leaves. Original vellum paste-downs now serving as fly-leaves (ff. 1, 49) and a further original vellum fly-leaf (f. 48). Gatherings (4) of 12, except iv10. Pricked and ruled (single bounding lines) in ink for single columns of 21 lines. Written space 136 x 88mm. Script is an Italian Gothic textualis rotunda bononiensis. Catchwords. Original binding of? sheepskin over wooden boards (rebacked), with remains of pink double strap and pin mechanisms.

Decoration consists of a 4-line major decorated initial A with partial fleshy foliate border (f. 2). Minor initials in alternating red and blue.

Art. Illuminations and Drawings ITALIAN: Benedictine Rule: initials: early 14th cent.

Bindings ITALIAN: Sheepskin(?) over boards: early 14th cent.: Lat.

Monasteries: Orders Religious. Camadolese: Saint Benedict,; of Nursia: Orders Religious. Benedictines: Benedictine Rule, perhaps copied in Bologna: early 14th cent.: Lat.