Kings MS 156

COMMISSION and form of oath of Hieronymus Zane, eques, as Procurator S. Marci super commissariis de Citra Canale, at Venice. The oath (f. 13 b) binds him to observance of ordinances since 22 Oct. 1319, but the first sixty-four chapters are apparently a codification (dated 27 Mar. 1320) of orders, some of which are of earlier date (see f. 31). Chapters lxv-cxxxvii continue the ordinances (partly in Latin, partly in Italian) to 1567. A table of chapters is prefixed (f. 1). The scribe's colophon is at the end (f. 72b), 'Presbyter Ioannes Vitalis Brixianus scripsit, literis aureisque ornauit hunc librum Anno salutis M.D.LXVIII'. Vellum; ff 1+78. 11 ³/₄ in. x 8¹/₄ in. A. D. 1568. Gatherings of 8 leaves (i ¹⁰, Vi¹⁰ ; two of the illuminated leaves, ff. 11, 13, do not form part of the quires). Illuminated initials. The oath is written in gold on a purple ground, with ornamental border. Two fullpage miniatures represent (1) Distribution of aims in a piazza by an elderly official (Zane?), clerks with bags at a table; on a dais above, S. Mark, with lion, and Adria. f. 11 b;-(2) The same official (Zane ?) in armour, seated ; clerks at a table paying soldiers, and behind, galleys on the sea; banner with arms of Zane: per fess, az. and arg., a fox counterhanged. f.12. Vellum binding. Royal arms over another stamp. Belonged to Joseph Smith, Consul at Venice, Bibl. Smith, p. cxxvii, col. ii.