Royal MS 8 D III

TREATISES on theological and canon law subjects, in Latin; with miscellaneous contemporary entries on the fly-leaves, &c., many of which refer to Ramsey Abbey, co. Hunt.

1. 'Littere dom. Roberti episc. Lincoln. ad dompnum papam': in reality the letter of Grosseteste to the Archdeacon of Canterbury and magister Innocentius, protesting against a papal letter of provision [1253] (cf. 6 E. V, art. 8, 7 E. II, art. 12). The latter part of the document, which contains the bishop's protest, is here placed first and followed by the beginning, in which the papal letter is recited. Beg. 'Nouerit discrecio uestra quod mandatis'. f. 3.

2. 'Breuiloquium pauperis in scriptura': the Breviloquium of S. Bonaventura (Cardinal-bishop of Albano, d. 1274). Printed by Hefele (Tobingen, 1845 and 1861) and Padre Ant. Mariae a Vicetia (Venice, 1874), and in the Franciscan edition of the collected works (Quaracchi, 1891), vi, p. 199; for early editions see Hain, Repetiorium, nos. 3462-3474. Without author's name. In seven parts, with a table of capitula prefixed. Beg. 'Flecto genua mea, &c. [Eph. iii. 14-19]: Magrus doctor gencium'. f. 4b.

3. 'Liber pastoralis siue penitencialis mag. Bartholomei Exoniensis episcopi' (1161-1184; cf. 7 E. I, art. 2). The text differs considerably in arrangement, apparently beginning as an abridgement only, and being afterwards supplemented by the addition of the passages omitted. A few additions from other sources occur (f. 73, &c.),

including a formula of absolution, placed at the end. The table of rubrics prefixed follows the same perverted order. , Beg. 'Nunquam nimis docetur aut scitur'; ends 'reddatur innoxius per deum'. f. 49b.

4. 'De electione abbatis secundum quod eligunt apud Sanctum Albanum': formulac for election 'per viam compromissi' as used in the clection of Roger de Norton [in 1263]. At the end 'Viam autem [per] scrutinium non prosequor quia puerilis est'. The whole entry is an insertion in a late 13th cent. hand. f. 76.

5. 'Rabanus de corpore et sanguine Christi'; similarly attributed in 5 F. XII, but really the work of Paschasius Radbertus (cf. 8 B. XI, &c.). Wants the preface. The table of capitula (f. 76 b) is in another hand. Beg. 'Quisque chatholicorum recte deum cuncta creasse'. f. 77.

6. 'De forma eligendi pastorem': an anonymous treatise on the election of abbots. A formula is in the name of Henry III. Beg. 'Ad quarundam consuetudinum errorem illuminandum'. f 85 b.

7. 'Incipit liber pastoralis a magistro Iohanne de Deo compositus'. What immediately follows this rubric is, however, the Liber Dispensationum of Johannes de Deo, canon of Lisbon (see Schulte, Gesch. der Quellen des can. Rechts, ii, p. 96). Beg. 'Ad honorem ... tuique patris uenerabilis Innocencii quarti cui super aliis stilus dirigitur et opusculum corrigendum', followed by a table of contents and dedication, 'Venerabilibus uiris fratribus ord. predicatorum et magistro monete eiusdem ordinis doctori theologie et fratribus minoribus et heremitis et scolaribus et dominis et magistris Bononie commorantibus et studentibus uniuersis'. Text beg. 'Tene quod dispensacio est iuris rclaxacio'. Colophon, 'Ex. plicit liber dispensacionum formacionum sentenciarum relacionum et consultacionum a magistro', &c. f. 87.

8. The Liber pastoralis proper (see Schulte, ib.): a treatise on the qualifications for benefices and preferments. Dedication beg. 'Venerabili patri ac domino Guillelmo' (to Guillelmus Fliscus, Cardinal-deacon, and to the rest of the college); text, 'Dicturi de irregularitatibus, primo dicendum est'. In seven books. The very long colophon by the author gives the date of composition, 1244, and a list of his works. The scribe's colophon is 'En ego quem parit stilus qui cuncta creauit / Hoc patre subiunctus non laude sorde seductus. Explicit liber pastoralis a mag. Iohanne de Deo con. positus'. f. 98b.

9. 'Instituciones facte a domino Innocentio in concilio generali apud Lugdunum vniuersitati magistrorum et scolarium Parisiensium et in eundem modum Bononiensibus': a portion of an encyclical letter without date [after 21 Apr. 1246] of Innocent IV, promulgating decrees of the Council of Lyons in 1245 (see Mansi, Concilia, xxiii, col. 651, and Denifie, Chartularium Univ. Paris. i, p. 188). The text agrees nearly with that of 9 F. II, f. 202b. Beg. 'Cum nuper in concilio Lugdunensi'; ends 'qui contra hoc fecerit puniendos'. The article is an insertion. f. 118.

10. 'Liber penitencialis Iohannis de Deo'(see Schulte, op. cit. p. 102, but the present text having a different colophon is possibly a later edition than that noticed). Dedication beg. 'Venerabili patri in Christo ac domino ac (sic, for Airesio) diuina prouidentia urbis Bonon. (sic, for Ulisbonensi episcopo)'; text, 'Sic tene quod subtiliter et astute'. In seven books.. Colophon, 'Explicit liber penitenciarius a mag. Iohanne de Deo Yspano doctore decretorum canonico uni Bonon. (sic, for Ulisbonensi) . . . sub anno dom. m^o.cc^o.xlvii^o. indictione v^a. mense Octobris v^o. kal. Nouembris, tamen quia in humano opere', &c. f. 119.

11. Questions on the seven deadly sins: a confessional formulary based on one which is sometimes assigned to Grosseteste (cf. 8 C. VII, art. 15). Without title. The text more nearly agrees with 8 B. X, art. 5, but is slightly fuller. For other copies see 8 A. XV, art. 2. Beg. 'Si scienter et prudenter peccauerit uel offenderit'; ends 'Si tabernas frequentauerit uel alios ibi duxerit'. Probably an insertion. f. 143.

12. 'Liber uenerabilis Anselmi archiepiscopi Cantuariensis Cur Deus Homo' (so colophon): S. Anselm's dialogue on the Incarnation, in two books (cf. 6 D. VIII, art. 6, 7 B. IX, art. 21, Migne, Patr. Lat. clviii. 359). Prologue beg. 'Opus subditum quod propter quosdam'; text, 'Sepe et studiosissime a multis rogatus'. f. 145.

13. 'Incipit Merlinus': the prophecy of Merlin Ambrosius, from Geoffrey of Monmouth (see Ward, Cat. of Romances, i, p. 297). Beg. 'Sedente Wortegirno rege Britonum'; ends 'inter sidera conficient'. In the margin are several explanatory notes, the latest referring to 'Rex Henricus III', i.e. the young king, son of Henry II. f. 160b.

14. One of the prophecies assigned to Merlin Silvester (see Cat. of Rom. l. c., and cf. 5 F. XV, also a Ramsey Abbey MS.). Beg. 'Mortuo leone iusticie'; ends alpes transcendet'. f. 163.

15. 'De dubitationibus': a note on questions of canon law touching the Eucharist. Beg. 'Sepe contingit periculum'. f. 163 b.

16. Copies of four letters relating to the strife between Henry III and the barons in 1264. The first three occur also in the other Ramsey MS., 5 F. XV (f. 2 b), and in Lansdowne MS. 863 (copied by R. St. George 'ex antiquo pergameno') and a MS. at Canterbury (Hist. MSS. Comm., Fifth Report, App. p. 455). They are also given in the chronicles of N. Trivet and Rishanger, and in Foedera (Record ed.), i, p. 440. The letters are :-(a) [Simon de Montfort,] Earl of Leicester, and Gilbert de Clare, on behalf of the barons, to the King; Fletching, 12 May, [1264];-(b) The King to Simon de Montfort and Gilbert de Clare and their 'complices', in reply; Lewes, 12 May, anno xliv (sic, for xlviii, 1264);-(c) Richard, King of the Romans, and Prince Edward and the barons on the King's side to the same; [12 or 13 May, 1264];-(d) Confirmation by the Bishops, Barons, 'clerus et populus regni Anglie' of the King's commission to [Stephen Berksted,] Bishop of Chichester, S. de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and G. de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, as the three electors to appoint nine counsellors [under the arrangement made in Parliament after the Mise of Lewes]; London, 25 June, 1264. Sealed by [Walter Bronescomb,] Bishop of Exeter, [Walter de la Wyle,] Bishop of Salisbury, Roger [Bigod, 4th] Earl of Norfolk, and John Fitzjohn. The King's commission is in Foedera (Record ed.), i, p. 444, but this confirmation (printed from this MS. in Engl. Hist. Review, July, 1901, p. 500) does not seem to be otherwise known. f. 164 b.

17. 'Iste sunt mete inter comitatus Huntedon., Norhamton., et Cantebrig.': an inquisition of the boundaries of co. Huntingdon taken 7 Jan. 28 Hen. III [1244]. The names of the five justices, sheriff of Huntingdon, four bailiffs of hundreds, and 28 jurors are given. f. 165.

18. Letter of Henry III and the barons to the bishops, undertaking to maintain the Provisions of Oxford; London, 27 July, 1264. Printed from this MS. in Engl.

Hist. Review, July, 1901, p. 500. f. 165 b.

19. 'Incipiunt quedam sentencie excepte de tractatu uenerabilis Aelredi abbatis Riuallensis, quas fecit de institutis inclusarum ad sororem suam'. The article consists in fact of two parts, viz.:-(a) Extracts only from capp. xxiv-xlvii of the work of Ethelred or Ailred, Abbot of Rievaulx (1146-1166), printed in Holstenius' Codex Regularum (1759), i, p. 420, and in Migne, Patr. Lat. xxxii. 1451. Beg. 'Prostrata Iecto pudiciciam tuam commenda deo'. f. 166;-(b) 'Incipit quedam forma meditacionum eiusdem ad eandem sororem suam', &c. This portion is not abridged. It consists of three parts (De recordatione praeteritorum, De experientia praesentium, De consideratione futurorum), of which only the first and third occur in Ethelred's work as printed, opp. cit. All three, however, will be found in the collection of meditations attributed to S. Anselm (Migne, clviii. 785), where they form medd. xvxvii, and in Cotton MS. Nero A. iii, f. 2. Beg. 'Itaque ut ille dulcisamor Iesu'. f. 166 b.

20. 'Meditaciones beati Bernardi': the work, of uncertain authorship, sometimes called Hugonis de S. Victore Liber de Anima (ib. clxxxiv. 485, cf. clxxvii.

165). For other copies see 6 B. XI, art. 9. Here preceded by a prologue attached elsewhere (c. 9. 7 A. VI, f. 39) to the meditations of S. Anselm, beg. 'Oraciones siue meditaciones que subscripte sunt'. Text beg. Multi multa sciunt et se ipsos nesciunt'. f. 169. At the end occur several paragraphs the connexion of which with the meditations is very doubtful, though they appear elsewhere in the same position, e.g. in 8 B. VIII, art 5. They are:-(a) The fragment noticed above, 8 C. VII, art. 23, beg. 'Perfectissima atque plenissima iusticia'. f. 172 b;-(b) Two exempla, 'De rege et tribus filiabus eius' (ib. clxxxiii. 770) and 'De Ethiopissa quam filius regis duxit in uxorem', both of which occur in 8 B. VIII. Beg. 'Rex nobilis et potens tres habuit filias'. f. 172 b;-(e) De continua pugna

inter Babylonem et Ierusalem (ib. clxxxiii. 761, cf. 8 B. VIII, art. 5 d). Beg. 'Inter Babilonem et Ierusalem nulla est pax'. f. 174.

21. ' De beatitudine celestis patrie', &c. : extract (without author's name) from the Proslogion of S. Anselm, capp. xxiv-xxvi (ib.clviii. 239). Beg. 'Excita nunc, anima mea, et erige totum intellectum'. f. 174 b.

22. Anonymous sermon for an election. Beg. 'Elegit David servum suum, &c. [Ps. lxxvii. 70]: Duo hic notantur que exiguntur'. f. 175.

23. Brief extracts, relating to monastic life, from various works of S. Bernard, including epistles i and cxi (ib. clxxxii. 77-78, 254); sermons In festo SS. Petri et Pauli i and De Diversis xxvi (ib. clxxxiii. 407, 610); and Apologia ad Guillelmum (ib. clxxxii. 899-915). Beg. 'Si salus magis in cultu uestium'. f. 175 b. On the fly-leaves are:-(a) Mnemonic verses relating to theology and canon law, including six lines, beg. 'Effigiem Christi qui transis pronus honora', of which the last couplet is printed as Hildebert's (Migne, clxxi. 1426), but seems to be really by Baudri, Bishop of Dol (see Romania, i, p. 40). ff. 1, 86 b;-(b) Note, imperf. at beg., about liturgical singing. f. 1 b;-(c) Part of the form for the benediction of an abbot, beg. 'Interrogatio episcopi. Vis tuum propositum et sancti Benedicti regulam'. f. 2;-(d)'Hecestconsuctudo in sartrino': a curious note of allowances to the two monks and four others employed in the tailor's shop [of Ramsey Abbey, cf. Cotton MS. Galba E. X, f. 23]. Special allowances are made in Lent, 'quando unguent les semeles', and on the anniversaries of Eari Aylwin and Bishop Aylric. f. 2;-(e) A theological note,' Questio est si peccata redeant'. f. 4;-(f) Canon law notes. f. 117;-(g) Inventories of vestments [of Ramsey Abbey-several are specified as 'Ranulphi abbatis', 1231-1253] and of jewels, &c., on the shrine of S. Ivo. The latter is dated 257. f. 118 b;-(h) Mnemonic verses to show the number of quaestiones in each causa in Gratian's Decretum. f. 143 ;-(i) Formula of monastic profession. f. 177 b. Vellum ; ff. 77. 10 in. x 7 in. Written, in several different hands, soon after the middle of XIII cent. Gatherings, i⁴, ii¹⁴, iii, iv¹², v, vi¹¹, vii⁸, viii⁶, ix⁸, x¹², xi, xii¹⁰, xiii, xiv^l2, xv², xvi¹⁰, xvii, xviii⁶, xix¹². Double columns. Sec. fol. 'tercio uero'. Initials in red and blue. Belonged to Ramsey Abbey, 'Liber Alani de Brauncestre. anima eius requiescat in pace' (f. 1), and apparently seen there by Leland, Collectanea (1774), iv, p. 47. Old Royal press-mark 'no. 133'(Westm. invent. of 1542, Add. MS. 25469, f. 26), cat. of 1666, f. 28 b; CMA. 7878, 7939,8251-8254.