Harley MS 1708

Cartulary, arranged mainly topographically, by counties. Sections of the founder’s and other royal charters at the beginning; additions, mainly 13th–14th century, throughout.

ff. 1, 247: Fragments of an identified 14th-century theological commentary, used as flyleaves.

f. 2r–v: Additions from the 14th century.

f. 3r–v: Early modern flyleaf.

ff. 4r–15v: 13th-century additions.

ff. 16r–38v: Royal charters, down to 1253.

ff. 39r–46v: 13th-century additions, extending the previous section.

ff. 47r–133v: Lay charters, mostly relating to temporalities.

ff. 134r–141v: 13th-century additions, extending the previous section.

ff. 142r–161v: Almoner’s charters, given the heading ‘Carte elemosinarie’.

ff. 162r–165v: Originally blank pages with 14th-century additions.

ff. 166r–182v: Final concords.

ff. 182v–186r: 13th- and 14th-century additions.

ff. 186v–187v: List of indulgences.

ff. 188r–204v: Archiepiscopal, episcopal, abbatial, and other ecclesiastical acts, mostly relating to the abbey’s churches (imperfect, with five folios removed between f. 200 and f. 201; 14th-century copy in Cotton MS Vespasian E XXV, ff. 119r–122v).

ff. 206v–246r: 13th- and 14th-century additions.

Decoration:

Large puzzle initial in colours and gold with decoration extending into the margins including blue and red pen-flourishing with birds (f. 16r). Numerous large puzzle initials in red and blue with pen-flourishing in the same colours (e.g., ff. 33r, 36r, 47r (with dog pursuing a hare and birds), 166r, 188r (with birds)). Initials in red or blue with pen-flourishing in the other colour or in both colours, occasionally including masks, animal heads, (e.g., f. 17r). Initial in red with brown pen-flourishing (f. 234). A few initials with red pen-flourishing over the blue body of the letter (ff. 106r, 108v, 116v, 117v). Display script in red and brown. Line-filler in the shape of a dog (f. 231r).