DCL MS. A.II.3Bible
Held by: Durham Cathedral Library: Durham Cathedral Manuscripts

Paris Bible, written in the later 13th century, with historiated initials introducing each book of the Bible.

Digitised: https://n2t.durham.ac.uk/ark:/32150/t2mnp193916h.html

Physical description of manuscript
Support

Parchment

Extent: i+462+i f.
Size: 410 mm x 260 mm

Foliation

Modern pencil foliation runs 1-228, 228*-349, 340*-349*, 350-412, 414-452 (i.e. two 228s, two sets of 340-349, and no 413).


Secundo folio: nate rationem
Collation

I11 (=12 with leaf 3, after f.3, excised); II-XXXV12, XXXVI6, XXXVII-XXXIX12.

Catchwords: Contemporary catchwords survive on many quires: generally written in the same script as the main text. Leaf lettering in the first half of quires still visible in some cases.
Signatures: Contemporary or early quire numbering (final verso, lower margin, right): in ink using Roman numerals on quires I, IV-VIIII; in lead using Arabic numerals on quires II, III and X-XXXVIII.
Layout

Ruled in 2 columns, 54 lines per page.

Script

Written in textualis semi-quadrata, probably by a single scribe who also corrects errors.

Decoration

Historiated initials start each book of the Bible.

Binding

Standard Tuckett binding, mid 19th century full brown calf over thick wooden boards (Charles Tuckett, binder to the British Museum, rebound most of the Cosin Manuscripts in the 19th century). Rusty hole in f.452, lower margin near spine, could indicate chain fixture on an earlier binding.

Manuscript history
Creation

Written in France, Paris, later 13th century.

Provenance

Pressmark E; catalogued in Cloister Library catalogue of 1395 and marked there “In libraria”.

Manuscript contents
(a)     f.2-415
Modern title: Bible
Language: Latin
(b)     f.417r-452r
Modern title: Dictionary of Hebrew names
Original title: Interpretationes Hebraicorum nominum
Author: Jerome, Saint (-419 or 420)
Incipit: Aaz apprehendens uel apprehensio
Explicit: Zuzim consiliantes eos uel consiliatores eorum
Rubric: Hic incipit interpretaciones hebraicorum nominum
Language: Latin

Microfilm
Microfilmed in 1985/86 by the Hill Monastic Manuscript Library, St John's Abbey and University, Collegeville, Minnesota. Copies held by them and Durham University Library.

Digitised material for Durham Cathedral Library MS. A.II.3 Bible
Digitised in February 2016 as part of the Durham Priory Recreated project
https://n2t.durham.ac.uk/ark:/32150/t2mnp193916h.html
Bibliography

Catalogi veteres librorum Ecclesiae cathedralis dunelm. Catalogues of the library of Durham cathedral, at various periods, from the conquest to the dissolution, including catalogues of the library of the abbey of Hulne, and of the mss.   OCLC citation, Surtees Society 7, (London: J.B. Nichols and Son, [1838]).

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