Royal MS 4 D XII

ZACHARIAS CHRYSOPOLITANUS, Explanatio in Unum ex Quatuor, seu. Concordia Evangelistarum (CL 3 C. VII). The contents of this copy are (a) a note on the Eusebian canons (which, however, are not given), beg. 'Ex ordine librorum quatuor euangelistarum' (f. 9); (b) the first preface (elsewhere called the 'preseries') of Zacharias Chrysopolitanus, beg. 'De excellentia ewangelii et differentia ipsius' (ib.); (c) the second preface, beg. 'Matheus cognomento Leui' (f. 16 b); (d) the third preface, beg. 'Unum ex quatuor euangelistaruni dictis' (f. 17); (e) capitula of the first and second books, without the 'admonitio lectori' prefixed in Migne (f 17 b); (f) the note on the arrangement of the work, beg. 'Notum facimus lectori quod expositionis lucem', but the first four words have been omitted, except the initial N, and the large initial E of 'expositionis' is elaborately flourished (f. 18 b); (g) the text of the work itself, beginning with the prologue of Luke (ib.). At the end a note on the date of the Passion is inserted, entitled 'Remigius de passione Domini in Matheum', beg. 'Remigius in Matheum capo. cccolio, Si anni recte computentur'; ends 'sed manducarent pascha. Explicit unum ex quatuor seu concordia euangelistarum et desuper exposicio continua exactissima dililegencia (sic) edita a Zacharia Crisopolitano. Deo gratias' (f. 206 b). At the beginning are 8 leaves of another copy of the same work, including bk. i, ch. 25-42, with blank spaces for all initials of paragraphs (ff. 1-8). Vellum; ff. 206. 1 ft 3.1/4 in x 10.7/8 in. Early XIII cent. The first six gatherings of 8 leaves, numbered at the end, the remainder of 12 eaves, with catchwords, but not numbered after the ninth. The leaves of the first half of each sheet are marked with the plummet. Double columns. Initials well executed in red and blue; filie ornamental pattern (including outline drawings of faces, &c., in an elaborate pattern of red and blue filigree) at the beginning (f. 9, see pl. 38, which is slightly reduced). References and chapternumbering in the margin in red. There is a marked change of hand first style resumes at f. 107. Belonged to Worcester at f. 4 i, but the Priory, 'Liber monasterii Wygornie' 14th cent., f. 1). Old Royal press-mark 'no. 1093'; cat. of 1666, f. 4 b or 6 b; C A. 79 or 7948.