Devon book. D-13 Exeter Cathedral Library : recreating a major medieval library through surviving documents

The heritage of the book in Devon and Exeter
Exeter Cathedral Library
reconstructing
a major medieval library
through surviving documents
A series of presentations
to celebrate the designation
of Exeter
as UNESCO city of literature
in 2019
The book fool, from The ship of fools,
translated by Alexander Barclay.
The first book by a Devonian writer to appear
in print.

Sir Thomas Bodley
1545 Born at 229 High Street Exeter, son of John Bodley.
1553 Fled with father and Nicholas Hilliard to Geneva.
1558 Returned to England, settling in London.
1562 John Bodley receives patent to publish Geneva Bible.
1563 Takes degree of BA at Magdalen College Oxford.
1563 Probationer fellow of Merton College.
1566 Takes degree of MA
1569 Elected University proctor.
1576 Licence to travel in Italy, France and Germany.
1580 Appointed gentleman usher to Queen Elizabeth.
1584 MP for Plymouth.
1586 MP for St Germans.
1585 First diplomatic mission, to Danish court.
1597 Retires to Oxford to revive the University Library.
1602 Dean and Chapter of Exeter present Bodley
with manuscripts from the Cathedral Library.
1605 First printed catalogue of the Bodleian Library.
1610 Stationers' Company agreement to deposit books.
1610 Foundation stone of Arts End extension is laid.
1613 Died in Oxford.

Key to
Bodley’s
Secret cipher

Exeter Cathedral Library
1050 Leofric found 5 volumes in the minster.
1070 Leofric donated about 60 volumes to the Cathedral.
1327 Inventory lists 351 volumes.
About 55 of these are service books.
In addition 49 volumes received after the inventory was prepared, chiefly service
books, are listed. Actual total in library probably about 300 volumes.
1506 Inventory lists 374 volumes in library.
327 of these are chained in desks numbered 1 to 11.
A total of 634 volumes in the Cathedral are listed including many service books in
various locations but also some volumes of legal texts and other works stored in the
old treasury and elsewhere which could be considered library items (including 30
libri antiqui). Actual total forming library perhaps 450 volumes.
1602 The Dean and Chapter of Exeter Cathedral donate about 97 volumes to the newly
established Bodleian Library.
1752 Of the 634 manuscripts listed in the 1506 inventory only 18 volumes remained in
the Cathedral Library (Dean Charles Lyttleton, antiquary interested in the Cathedral Library.
The valuations quoted in the 1327 inventory were converted to 2018 values by comparing today's
national living wage with the eleven pence a week earned by labourers working in the quarries for the
Cathedral, as recorded in the fabric rolls. This implies that £1 in 1327 was worth the equivalent of
£6,000 in 2018. Of course there are many other variables – perquisites received, the nature of the
valuation, the difference between a manuscript and a printed book and the great changes in general
living conditions, but it does provide an indicative figure.

The Bodleian gift
The approximate number of volumes donated is 97 of which 31 appear in this presentation.
Century of production: 1100-1199 41
800-899 1 1200-1299 9
900-999 6 1300-1399 20
1000-1099 7 1400-1509 8
Contents of volumes: Liturgical 12
Church fathers 41 Bible 1
- Augustine 354-430 17 Gospels 1
- Gregory 540-604 12 Glosses OT & NT 6
- Ambrose 340-397 6 Penitential 1
- Isidore 560-636 4 Psalms including glosses 2
- Jerome 347-420 2 Missal 1
Other early writers 6 Other subjects 6
Bede 672-735 3 Legal 2
Boethius 477-524 1 Somnium Viridarii 1376/8 1
Johannes Cassianus 360-435 1 Medical 2
Prudentius 348-413 1 Astrology 1
Later writers 22 Robert Holcote 1290-1349 1
Bartholomaeus Anglicus 1203-1272 1 Robert Kilwardby 1215-1279 1
Jacobus de Voragine 1230-12981 Thomas Aquinas 1225-1274 1
Bartholomaeus Exoniensis died 1184 1 etc
The presentation starts with five of the earliest volumes, all in the library at the time of Bishop Leofric.
They are followed by the works of the four great church fathers, then by liturgical works
and concluding with works by other writers in chronological order of authorship.

1. Leofric missal. Cambrai, Glastonbury, Exeter, 970/1042.
Bodleian Library, MS. Bodley 579.
 Folio 115 verso. The illustration shows the start of a section in
the Proper of time section of the missal, preceded by an initial D [for
Dominus]. The script is a mixture of Carolingian minuscule for the
main text with uncials and Roman capitals for the headings.
The volume is made up of three manuscripts put together for Leofric:
A Cambrai (Leuze?) or Arras, 1040?
1 [folios 9-16, 60-154, 158-253, 262-263, 266-336] Gregorian
sacramentary, 9-16 Benedictions and prayers 60-64 Canon missae,
but also 65-154 Proprium de tempore, 158-203 Proprium de sanctis,
204-211 Commune sanctorum, 212 Missae votivae, 246 Manuale
with litany, benedictions and prayers
B Glastonbury, 970?
2 [folios 38-59] English calendar in Latin with calendrical tables and
ornamentation.
C Exeter? 1040/1072. Written in several different hands, it includes
miscellaneous masses, benedictions, exorcisms and historical matter:
fifteen manumissions granted in Exeter and Tavistock dating from
970 and 1050 in Old English, a list of sureties for land at Stoke
Canon, a Latin note on bishops and a list of relics at Exeter, chiefly
given by Athelstan.
Leofric’s ownership inscription with curse:
Hunc missalem Leofricus episcopus dat ecclesie sancti Petri apostoli
in Exonia ad utilitatem successorum suorum, Si quis illum inde
abstulerit eterne subiaceat maledictionii. FIAT FIAT FIAT. Confirma
hoc Deus quod operata es in nobis.

2. The four gospels, preceded by the prefaces of Jerome and
Eusebius and lists of tituli. Landevennec, Brittany?, 900/1000.
Bodleian Library, MS. Auct. D. 2. 16.
 Folio 102 recto. The illustration shows the start of the gospel of
Luke, the initial letter Q showing a face, perhaps of the evangelist
but not with his normal emblem, the ox, but the depiction of a
peacock.
Full-page representations of the evangelists before each gospel
with miniatures of Mark and John added later. The connection with
Landevennec is suggested by Gospels for three feasts of Saint
Winwaloe and one for Saint Samson.
Folios 1-2 verso contain a long list of the lands recovered by
Leofric for Exeter as well as of his own donations of lands, church
furniture and books
.
Folio 6 verso lines 1-7 contain an inscription in Latin and Old
English recording the gift of the book to Exeter by Leofric
together with his curse: Hunc textum dedit Leofricus episcopus
ecclesie sancti Petri apostoli in Exonia ad utilitatem successorum
sum. Si quis illum abstulerit eterne subiaceat maledictioni. Fiat. Fiat.
Fiat. Ðar crister boc gef leofric biscop sancto petro".
Folios 8-14 contain a list of relics given to the monastery of Exeter,
chiefly by Athelstan.
There are musical neumes with Romanian letters to the genealogy
on folio 29 and to the first part of the gospel on folio 30. These also
appear to be in the Exeter style.

3. Penitential of Egbert. Canterbury or Sherborne, 950/1000.
 Folio 1 recto. The illustration shows the start of the prologue of Egbert
to his Penitential (beginning: ‘Institutio illa quae fiebat). It has an
elaborate initial I made up of interlaced grotesque creatures.
The main item in the volume is an early medieval penitential handbook
composed around 740, possibly by Archbishop Egbert of York. The
volume is made up as follows : —
a (fol. viii) ‘ Incipiunt capitula libri Paenitentialis ’, 20 in number:
b (fol. i) after the title quoted above, which is on folio viii, the prologue of
Egbert to his Poenitentiale (begins: ‘Institutio illa quae fiebat ).
c (fol. 3) ‘ Haec sunt lura Sacerdotum quae tenere debent’ with the twenty-
one capitula of the Sacerdotal laws.
d (fol. 5) the actual Penitential of Egbert, the last chapter (‘xviii’) ending
‘si uolunt confiteri cum lacrimis’.
e (fol. 14) an Order of Confession, counting as chapter xix and with part of
it entitled ‘Ordo Confessionis secundum Hieronimum’. There are prayers,
litany (in which ‘Sancta’ is found), and several forms of confession, &c.
At end ‘Finis libri Paenitentialis Ecgberhti archiepiscopi’.
The twentieth chapter does not occur.
f (fol. 22) books ii, iii, and iv of a work believed to be the De Vita
Sacerdotum of Halitgarus bishop of Cambrai (d. 831), written here as if
they were bks. ii-iv of Egbert’s Excerptio.
The style of the writing and capitals of this book closely resembles that of
the Sherborne pontifical.

4. Gregory. Incipit penitentiale sancti Gregorii pape urbis
Rome. France, 950/1000.
 Folio 1 recto. The illustration shows the listing of the 214
chapters of the penitential, with the roman numerals in red in the
left hand margin. There is a fragmentary Old English inscription at
the head of the page. The volume was written in Carolingian
minuscule on the continent by "Johannes", with some coloured
capitals.
Saint Gregory (Gregorius, 540?–604), commonly known as Saint
Gregory the Great, was Pope from 3 September 590 to 12 March
604. He is famous for instigating the first recorded large-scale
mission from Rome, the Gregorian Mission, to convert the then-
pagan Anglo-Saxons in England to Christianity. He is also well
known for his writings, which were more prolific than those of any
of his predecessors as Pope and is considered with Augustine,
Jerome and Ambrose as one of the four great fathers of the Latin
Church.
Contents:
1 [folio 1] Incipit penitentiale sancti Gregorii … preceded by a list
of the 214 chapters.
2 [folio 20] Interrogatio beati episcope Cantoriorum Augustini
ecclesie, 18 questions on church discipline with response of
Gregory to each
3. [folio 33] Incipit sancti Basilii penitentiale ad Cominai Longii,
4. [folio 62] Incipit opuscula sancti Hernimi presbiteri ad
Damascum papa.
5 [folio 64 verso] Incipit Concilio Peniteniae haec est qui
iudicaverunt ccc. Xviii. Sancti patres episcope in concilio Niceno.
Colophon: Iohannes me scripsit.

5. Prudentius. Poems. England, 1020/1070.
Bodleian Library, MS. Auct. F. 3. 6.
 Folio 3 verso. The illustration shows the coloured
capitals and copious notes and glosses to the poems. Some
glosses are in Old English, and all were probably written
before the volume was presented by Leofric to Exeter. The
hymn at the bottom of the second column has neumes, an
early musical notation. There are also two Old English
charms (folios ii recto, iii verso) and neumes for the hymn
on Saint Vincent on folio 124.
Leofric's donation inscription and curse: "Hunc librum
dat Leofricus episcopus ecclesie sanct Petri apostoli in
Exonia ad sedem suam episcopale pro remedio anime sue
ad utilitatem successorum suorum. Siquis autem illum inde
abstulerit perpetue maledictioni subiaceat. Fiat." with a
similar statement in Old English.
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens was a Roman Christian poet,
born in the Roman province of Tarraconensis, in Northern
Spain in 348. He probably died in the Iberian Peninsula
around 413.
In Leofric’s donation list of 1072 it is listed as: liber
Prudentii sicomachie. The volume can be identified in the
1327 inventory in the section Libri de dono Willielmi de
Cicestrie, et aliorum: O Prudentii, plurima opuscula,
[incipit] Per quinquennia. Precii 12d. - perhaps £300 in
2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as:
Plurimu Prudentii Opuscula in 1 libro. Folio 2 begins: Ne
inens.

6. Augustine. [Colophon] Aurelii Augustini doctoris contra
Faustum Manicheum liber secundus explicit [the treatise
being in two books]. Norman, 1075/1125.
 Folio 112 recto. The illustration shows the end of the first
book and the start of the second with a large capital F drawn in
pen and ink with interlacing bands.
The volume has small illuminated capitals and two large capitals
in pen and ink with interlacing bands, canine heads and other
decoration. It may have been produced in a Norman scriptorium
for Osbern (bishop 1072-1103) or William Warelwast (bishop
1107-1137).
Augustine Saint, (354 ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ 430) Bishop of Hippo. St. Augustine of
Hippo 13 November 354 – 28 August 430) was one of the four
great fathers of the early Latin church. A theologian and
philosopher from Numidia, his writings deeply influenced the
development of Western Christianity and Western philosophy.
He is viewed as one of the most important Church Fathers in
Western Christianity for his extensive writings. According to his
contemporary Jerome, Augustine "established anew the ancient
Faith".
The volume can be identified in the 1327 inventory in the
section Libri Augustini: Contra Faustum. [Incipit] Faustus
quidam. It is valued at £0 13 0 - perhaps £4,000 in 2018 prices.
In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as: Augustinus contra
Faustum Manicheum. Folio 2 begins: Quid non.

The manuscript may have been produced in a Norman scriptorium for Osbern (bishop 1072-1103) or William Warelwast (bishop
1107-1137).
The volume can be identified in the 1327 inventory in the section Libri Augustini.: as volume two of: Super Psalterium, tria
volumina que sic incipiunt: Aurelii Augustini. Pretii omnium. £0 3 0 – perhaps £300 per volume in 2018 prices. In the 1506
inventory it can be identified as: Aurelius Augustinus super Exposicionem Psalmi, Quid gloriaris usque: Domine exaudi. Folio 2
begins: Abimelecli.
Augustine's works are represented by 25 volumes in the 1327 inventory as against 11 for Jerome, 14 for Gregory and nine for
Ambrose. He remained the best represented writer in the library in 1506 when 31 volumes by him are listed.
7. Augustinus. Aurelii Augustini
egregii doctoris de Psalmo
quinquagesimo iº sermo incipit.
Norman (England?), 1100/1125.
Bodleian Libraries, The University
of Oxford, MS. Bodley 272
 Folio. 276. The illustration shows
the initial A which introduces
Augustine's commentary on psalm
91.
The volume is in Latin on parchment
and contains Augustine's
commentary on psalms 51-100.
Bishop Grandisson's writing is on
folio 1, including the words:
"ecclesie Exoniensis".

8. Augustine. Capitula in expositionem euangelii sancti
Iohannis edita a sancto Augustino venerabili episcopo. Norman,
1075/1125.
 Folio 3 verso. The illustration shows a detail of the Incipit or
"Here beginneth", the medieval version of the title page. It starts:
Incipit tractatus S[an]cti Augustini de Evangelio secundu[m]
Iohannem.
The volume is in Latin on parchment in two columns with
illuminated capitals. The binding is white sheepskin (about 1602)
over older sewing and boards, injured and repaired, leaves
discoloured by damp at each end. The capitula are followed by the
124 homilies forming Augustine's commentary on Saint John's
gospel.
Folio 4 recto [next image]  The illustration shows the decorated
initial I representing the evangelist John holding his gospel and an
oversized quill, accompanied by various grotesque creatures.
The manuscript may have been produced in a Norman scriptorium
1107-1137).
The volume can be identified in the 1327 inventory in the section
Libri Augustini as: Super evangelium Johannis. [Incipit] In nomine
Domini. It is valued at one mark (13s 4d – perhaps £3,250 in 2018
prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as: Augustinus
super Evangelium Johannis. Folio 2 begins: Jesus quia.

8. Augustine. Capitula in expositionem euangelii sancti
Iohannis edita a sancto Augustino venerabili episcopo.
Norman, 1075/1125.
Bodleian Library MS. Bodley 301.
Folio 4 recto.  The illustration shows the decorated initial I
representing the evangelist John holding his gospel and an
oversized quill, accompanied by various grotesque creatures.
The volume is in Latin on parchment in two columns with
illuminated capitals. The capitula are followed by the 124
homilies forming Augustine's commentary on Saint John's
gospel.
 Folio 3 verso [previous image]. The illustration shows a
detail of the Incipit or "Here beginneth", the medieval version
of the title page. It starts: Incipit tractatus S[an]cti Augustini de
Evangelio secundu[m] Iohannem.
The manuscript may have been produced in a Norman
scriptorium for Osbern (bishop 1072-1103) or William
Warelwast (bishop 1107-1137).
section Libri Augustini as: Super evangelium Johannis.
[Incipit] In nomine Domini. It is valued at one mark (13s 4d –
perhaps £3,250 in 2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be
identified as: Augustinus super Evangelium Johannis. Folio 2
begins: Jesus quia.

9. Augustine. De civitate Dei. – Norman, 1100/1200.
 Folio 1 recto. The illustration shows the Incipit at the base of
the second column, preceded by the Retractio of the author Saint
Augustine by way of a preface with an initial I made up of
grotesque creatures. At the head of the page is an ownership
inscription: Liber ecclesie Exoniensis.
The volume has several miniatures in capitals by at least two
artists, illuminated capitals etc. A few of the 14th century
annotations apply sentences in the treatise to events in England,
for example "sic fraters Coneweye et ei adherents" (folio 186
verso).
This is probably the most influential of Augustine's works. It
treats theology in relation to the history of mankind and God's
action in the world is explained. It was written as an apologia,
answering the pagans who attributed the fall of Rome to the
abolition of pagan worship. Augustine explains the Christian
Church as an organisation arising from the declining Roman
Empire. The work is the earliest treatise on the philosophy of
history and its influence on political thinking has been
considerable.
section Libri Augustini: De Civitate Dei. [Incipit] Longissimam
civitatem. It is valued at £1 0s 0d – perhaps £6,000 in 2018
prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as:
Augustinus de Civitate Dei. Folio 2 begins: Ut effugerent.

10. Augustine. Homilies on John. – England,
1100/1150.
 Folio 5 verso. The image shows the incipit
which details the contents of the volume with an
elaborate initial letter M (for Meminit): "In hoc
corpore continentur Aurelii Augustini in epistola
sancti Iohannis apostoli omeliae decem de
caritate". The initial was written after the text
which it partially obscures.
The contents are ten sermons on charity with a
prologue, based on John i-v. 3.
The volume can be identified in the 1327
inventory in the section Libri Augustini: Super
Epistola S. Johannis. [Incipit] Meminit sanctitas.
It is valued at two shillings - perhaps £600 in
2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be
identified as: Augustinus super Epistolas Johannis.
Folio 2 begins: Quibus sanum.

11. Gregorius. Registri beati Gregorii pape urbis Rome liber
primus. Norman, 1075/1225.
 Folio 1 recto. The illustration shows the opening page with a
decorated initial C introducing Gregory's statement of faith or
creed as a prologue to the Registrum epistolarum or collection of
his letters in fourteen books, which is introduced by a decorated
initial U. There are notes in the volume in Bishop Grandisson's
hand.
1107-1137).
Gregory was a prolific letter writer and copies of some 854 letters
have survived. During Gregory's time, copies of papal letters were
made by scribes into a Registrum (Register), which was then kept
in the scrinium (book-case). In the 9th century, when John the
Deacon composed his Life of Gregory, the Registrum of
Gregory's letters was formed of 14 papyrus rolls. The original
rolls are now lost, the 854 letters surviving in copies made at
various later times, the largest single batch of 686 letters being
made by order of Pope Adrian I (772–95). Most of the letters date
from the last 13 years of his life (590–604) and give us an
accurate picture of his work. The fourteen rolls are reflected in the
fourteen books of the present volume.
Libri Gregorii: Registrum Gregorii. [Incipit] Credo in unum
Deum. It is valued at ten shillings – perhaps £3,000 in 2018
prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as: Registrum
Gregorii. Folio 2 begins: Tam glorie.

12. Gregory. Moralia beati Gregorii pape per
contemplationem in librum beati Job. – England,
1100/1200.
 Folio 217 verso. The illustration shows an initial R at
the start of one of the books, added by a later illuminator,
partially obscuring the text.
Moralia, sive Expositio in Job, sometimes called Magna
Moralia is one of the longest patristic works. It was written
between 578 and 595, begun when Gregory was at the
court of Tiberius II at Constantinople, but finished only
after he had already been in Rome for several years,
possibly as early as 591. It is based on talks Gregory gave
on the Book of Job to his 'brethren' who accompanied him
to Constantinople. The work as we have it is the result of
Gregory's revision and completion of it soon after his
accession to the papal office. It is Gregory's major work,
filling some 35 books or 6 volumes, a lengthy commentary
on the Book of Job entitled "An Extensive Consideration
of Moral Questions".
The volume contains books 1-16 with Epistola and Prefatio
at beginning and can be identified in the 1327 inventory in
the section Libri Gergorii as the first volume of: Duo
volumina moralium Gregorii super Job, quorum unum
[incipit] Quociens et aliud: Dudum te frater. It is valued at
the unusually high price of £4 0s 0d – about £24,000 in
2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as:
Prima pars Moralium Gregorii. Folio 2 begins: Multa. This
may indicate that the second volume had already been lost.

13. Gregory. Homilies on Ezekiel. – Norman, 1050/1100.
 Folio 1 recto. The illustration shows an illuminated
initial D, decorated with interlacing tendrils and a grotesque
animal.
Folio 1: Incipit liber primus omeliarum beati Gregorii papae
urbis Romae in primam partem Ezechielis prophete quae
sunt numero duodecimo. Folio 91 verso: Incipit liber
secundus omeliarum […] in extremam partem Ezecielis
prophete [que sunt] numero decem. Ownership inscription
(14th century) "Iste est liber ecclesie cathedralis Exonie".
Gregory (540-604) was one of the four great fathers of the
Latin Church. His works are represented by 14 volumes in
the 1327 inventory as against 11 for Jerome, nine for
Ambrose and 25 for Augustine.
section Libri Gergorii: In primam partem Ezechiel. [Incipit]
Dei Omnipotentis. It is valued at three shillings (£0.15) -
perhaps £900 in 2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can
be identified as: Gregorius in prima parte Ezechiel. Folio 2
begins: Preterite.

14. Gregory, Liber pastoralis. – Normandy, 1050/1100.
 Folio 4 verso. The illustration, which is badly affected by
damp stains, show the incipit of the first part of Gregory's Liber
pastoralis with an elaborate initial showing Gregory writing the
text of the book.
Incipit liber primus pastoralis cure editus a beato Gregorio papa
Romano ad lohannem Rauennatem episcopum with the preface ,
the second book follows at folio 44 and a list of chapters
precedes the work.
At folio 3 is a painting of Christ seated with a banner in his left
hand, oval within a rectangular frame.
At folio 4 is St. Gregory writing his book,
On folio 137 verso is a Latin form of supplication from the prior
and convent of St. Nicholas of Exeter (?) to the bishop John, that
he should admit John Toyler, an acolyte, to the order of
subdeacon (perhaps late 13th century).
Exeter provenance but may not be part of 1602 gift. This appears
to be a MS. presented by William Flarwood or Hayward,
prebend of Winchester, in 1611.
The 1327 inventory lists three sets of Gregory's Liber pastoralis,
ranging in value from two to five shillings (£600 to £1,500 at
2018 prices). In the 1506 inventory there are four copies. It is not
possible to pinpoint this volume among those listed.

15. Jerome. Collection of works on Old Testament. English,
1100/1200.
 Folio 24 verso. The illustration shows the end of the section
on the distances of places and the start of the section on the
interpretation of Hebrew names preceded by an elaborate initial P
in red and blue.
This volume occurs in the inventory of 1506 but is not recorded
among the donations by the dean and Chapter. It must however
have been received not later than 1602.
Contents:
1 [folio 1] De distantiis locorum.
2 [folio 24 verso] De nominibus Hebraicis.
3 [folio 54] Epistola ad Damasum de vii vindictis Cain
4 [folio 58] Epistola ad evangelum de Melchisedech
5 [folio 60] Epistola ad Rufinum de judicio Salomonis.
6 [folio 61] Epistola ad Vitalem de Salomone et Achaz.
7 [folio 64 verso] Epistola ad Dardanum de terra promissionis.
8 [folio 69] Habraici quaestiones super Genesim.
The volume also includes works not by Jerome:
9 [folio 48 verso] Nomina regum locorumque de actibus
apostolorum. Beda.
10 [folio 62 verso] Epistola utherii [i. e. Eicherii] de situ Iudee
Libri Jeronimi: De distantiis locorum. [Incipit] Eusebius. It is
valued at ten shillings (£0.50) – perhaps £3,000 in 2018 prices. In
the 1506 inventory it can be identified as: Hieronimus de
Distancia Locorum. Folio 2 begins: Dicebatur.

16. Jerome. On Isaiah. Normandy, 1075/1125.
Bodleian Libraries, The University of Oxford, MS. Bodley 717.
 Folio 2 recto. The illustration shows the incipit: Incipit liber
primus sancti Iheronimi presbiteri super Isaiam prophetam, with
an elaborate initial V showing Christ entroned with Isaiah
exhorting the people to turn to Him. There is a smaller initial P
at the start of the prologue.
The volume contains the whole treatise in 18 books with a
prologue. It also contains an ownership inscription (14th
century): liber ecclesie Exoniensis de communibus".
Jerome (347-420) was one of the four great fathers of the Latin
Church. His works are represented by 11 volumes in the 1327
inventory as against nine for Ambrose, 14 for Gregory and 25 for
Augustine.
The manuscript was probably produced in a Norman scriptorium
1107-1137).
Folio 287 verso [next image].  The illustration shows the
colophon: Explicit liber beati Iheronimi sup[er] Ysaiam. Above
it is: Imago pictoris & illuminatoris huius operis", a miniature of
the illuminator of the work, Hugo Pictor
.
section Libri Jeronimi: Super Ysaiam in minore volumine :
[Incipit] Expletis. It is valued at one mark (13s 4d £0.67) –
perhaps £4,000 in 2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be
identified as: Hieronimus super Ysayam. Folio 2 begins:
Apostatrices.

The volume is in Latin on parchment with fine miniatures, illuminated capitals etc by Hugo Pictor, including, on folio 1, the incipit with a
figure of Isaiah seated within a Byzantine arch and, on folio 287 verso, before the colophon a miniature of Hugo Pictor. The volume
contains the whole treatise in 18 books with a prologue. It also contains an ownership inscription (14th century): liber ecclesie Exoniensis
de communibus".
Jerome (347-420) was one of the four great fathers of the Latin Church. His works are represented by 11 volumes in the 1327 inventory as
against nine for Ambrose, 14 for Gregory and 25 for Augustine. The volume can be identified in the 1327 inventory in the section Libri
Jeronimi: Super Ysaiam in minore volumine : [Incipit] Expletis. It is valued at one mark (13s 4d £0.67) – perhaps £4,000 in 2018 prices.
In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as: Hieronimus super Ysayam. Folio 2 begins: Apostatrices.
16. Jerome. On Isaiah.
Normandy, 1075/1125.
Folio 287 verso.  The illustration shows
the colophon: Explicit liber beati Iheronimii
sup[er] Ysaiam.
Above it is:
Imago pictoris & illuminatoris huius operis",
a miniature of the illuminator of the work,
Hugo Pictor, with pen in hand and ink horn by
his side.
The manuscript was probably produced in a
Norman scriptorium for Osbern (bishop
1072-1103) or William Warelwast (bishop
1107-1137).

17. Jerome, commentaries on Bible. – France?, 1100/1150.
Bodleian Librar, MS. Bodley 808.
 Folio 5 verso. The illustration shows an early listing of the
contents of the book. Comparison with the actual contents shows it to
be somewhat confused.
Contents: Works by or attributed to St. Jerome, chiefly
commentaries on books of the Bible : —
a. (fol. i) Hebraicae questiones in Genesim :
b. (fol. 41) De decern temptationibus Israel in deserto ;
c (fol. 43) Hebraicae questiones in Reges, et :
d (fol. 67) in Paralipomenon
e. (fol. 91) Commentarius in Canticum Deborae, et :
f (fol. 96) in Lamentationes Jeremiae ;
g (fol. 101) De terra Promissionis, epistola ad Dardanum ;
h (fol. 102) De distantiis locorum, i. e. de situ et nominibus locorum
Hebraicorum,
in alphabetical order of names ;
i (fol. 136) De nominibus Hebraicis, in order of the books of the
Bible, including the Epistola Barnabae.
j. (fol. 171) Nomina regum locorumque de Actibus Apostolorum,
Beda.
This volume was in Exeter Cathedral Library, and occurs in the
inventory of 1506, but is not recorded among the donations of the
Dean and Chapter in 1602. It was certainly acquired not later than
that year.
Libri Jeronimi: De distantiis locorum. [Incipit] Eusebius. It is valued
at ten shillings (£0.50) – perhaps £3,000 in 2018 prices. In the 1506
inventory it can be identified as: Diversi Tractatus Hieronimi in uno
libro. Folio 2 begins: Ve inquit.

18. Ambrose. De virginitate etc. Norman, 1075/1125.
 Folio 56 verso. The illustration shows a close-up of the initial letter
in blue and red which introduces Ambrose's De virginibus liber iiii. It
also enable us to admire the beautifully formed Carolingian minuscule
of the text.
Contents:
1 (fol. i). In Dei nomine Incipit prefatio luliani Toletani episcopi in
librum qui appellatur Pronosticon . id est praeuisio futuri seculi.
Followed by the whole work in three books, with lists of chapters. It was
intended that the Pastorale of St. Gregory should follow on fol. 29, but
only the first few lines were written, and then erased.
2 (fol. 30). Five treatises by St. Ambrose on virginity :
a (fol. 30) ‘Incipit liber .i. beati Ambrosii de Virginitate the treatise de
Virginitate, in three books :
b (fol. 46) ‘Incipit de Viduis liber primus ’, the treatise in one book :
c (fol. 56 verso) ‘Incipit de Virginibus liber .iiii.’, the treatise de
Virginibus, in one book.
d (fol. 69) ‘Incipit Exhortatio Virginitatis ’, the treatise de Institutione
virginis, in one book :
e (fol. 79 verso) ‘Incipit Sermo sancti Ambrosii de lapsu virginis
consecrate beg. ‘Audite qui longe estis’.
The manuscript may have been produced in a Norman scriptorium for
Osbern (bishop 1072-1103) or William Warelwast (bishop 1107-1137).
The volume can be identified in the 1327 inventory in the section Libri
Ambrosii: Liber Juliani Toletani Episcopi. [Incipit] Diem ilium. It is
valued at two shillings, perhaps £600 at 2018 prices. In the 1506
inventory it is listed as: Liber Juliani Tholetani Episcopi. Folio 2 begins:
Saltern ut.

19. Ambrose. De fide. – Norman, 1100/1150.
 Folio 1 verso. The illustration shows an elaborate initial R in
red ink with interlacings and a grotesque creature. The start of the
text: "Regina Austri venit audire sapientiam Salomonis" refers to
the visit of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon.
Contents:
‘Liber sancti Ambrosii episcopi de Fide’ in nine books, which are
made up out of the following three treatises:
a (fol. i) De fide ad Gratianum imperatorem, five books.
b (fol. 47) De Spiritu Sancto ad Gratianum, preceded by a list of
chapters, and ‘Epistola Gratiani Augusti three books.
c (fol. 77) De incarnationis Dominicae Sacramento, preceded by a
list of chapters.
Ambrose (340-397) was one of the four great fathers of the Latin
Church. His works are represented by nine volumes in the 1327
inventory as against 11 for Jerome, 14 for Gregory and 25 for
Augustine.
1107-1137).
Libri Ambrosii: Ad Gracianum imperatorem de fide. [Incipit]
Regina austri. It is valued at four shillings (£0.20) – perhaps
£1,200 in 2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified
as: Ambrosius ad Gratianum de Fide. Folio 2 begins: Errore.

20. Ambrose. Apologia pro David [etc]. Norman,
1075/1100.
 Folio 1 recto. The illustration shows the list of
works in the volume:
1. [folio 1 immediately below list] Apologia pro David
in expositione Psalmi L.
2 [folio 19 verso] De Ioseph libri duo [one book only]
3 [folio 38 verso] De patriarchis
4 [folio 51 recto] De penitentia libri duo
5 [folio 80 verso] De excessu Satiri fratris libri duo
6 [folios 121 verso – 126 verso] Epistole iiii beati
Ambrosii episcopi
The volume can be identified in the 1327 inventory in
the section Libri Ambrosi: Apollogia. [Incipit]
Apollogiam Prophete. It is valued at three shillings
(£0.15) – perhaps £900 in 2018 prices. In the 1506
inventory it can be identified as: Appologia Ambrosii.
Folio 2 begins: Qui Domino.

21. Pseudo-Athanasius. Opuscula. – Norman (England?),
1075/1100.
 Folio 23v. The illustration shows the end of the sixth book on the
Trinity and the start of the seventh with a fine illuminated initial P
with interlacings and human and animal figures.
Contents: theological works chiefly by Vigilius Tapsensis (Bishop of
Thapsus, fl. 480/500) under the name of Saint Athanasius, listed on
folio 1 recto and verso:
1 [folio 1] de sancta Trinitate unitatis [first eight of twelve books]
2 [folio 26 verso] libellus fidei Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti [book
nine]
3 [folio 27] de Trinitate et de Spiritu Sancto [book twelve]
4 [folio 39] prologus in altercatione … contra Arrium … followed by
the treatise
5 [folio 73] Solutiones obiectionum Arrianorum
And the following not by him:
6 [folio 70 verso] Epistola Potamii ad Athanasium ab Arrianis
- [folio 71 verso] Epistola Athanasii ad Luciferum episcopum
7 [folio 78] de fide Sancti Iheronimi presbiteri [a short creed]
8 [folio 78] de fide apud Bethleem [usually called Explanatio fidei ad
Cyrillum, here ascribed to Jerome but probably not by him.
The manuscript may have been produced in a Norman scriptorium for
Osbern (bishop 1072-1103) or William Warelwast (bishop 1107-
1137).
The volume can be identified in the 1327 inventory: liber Athanasii
episcopi de Trinitate. [Incipit] Tu unus Deus. It is valued at five
shillings (£0.25) – perhaps £1,500 in 2018 prices. In the 1506
inventory it can be identified as: Liber Athanasii. Folio 2 begins:
Trinitas.

22. Saint Paul's epistles with glossa ordinaria of
Walafrius Strabo and glossa interlinearis of Anselmus
Laudunensis. England, 1150/1200.
 Folio 1 recto. The illustration shows the largest
illuminated capital in the volume with scenes from the life
of Saint Paul and, in red, the incipit of the first epistle, to
the Romans.
.
The main text is preceded by two prologues beginning
"Primum queritur quare" and "Romani sunt qu ex Iudeis",
a general account of Saint Paul beginning "Saulus dicte a
saule quia superbus (folio iv) and a theological piece
beginning "Per ipsum est tibi onmis honor" (folio ii).
Folios 137-144 are repeated on 145-154.
Folio 125 recto [next image].  The illustration shows
the start of the Epistle to the Hebrews
section Libri de dono Roberti de Blound et Henrici
archidiaconi Totton: Epistole Pauli glosate, [incipit] Paulus
servus," quibus magna pars textus deest. Precii 3s. It is
valued at three shillings (£0.15) – perhaps £900 in 2018
prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as: Glosa
super Epistolas Pauli. Folio 2 begins: Intencione.

22. Saint Paul's epistles with glossa ordinaria of
Walafrius Strabo and glossa interlinearis of Anselmus
Laudunensis. England, 1150/1200.
Folio 125 recto.  The illustration shows the start of the
Epistle to the Hebrews, the Incipit being highlighted in red.
The text of the epistles is given in a larger minuscule hand
with the interlinear gloss of Anselmus Laudunensis. The
right hand column gives the gloss of Walafrius Strabo.
The main text is preceded by two prologues beginning
"Primum queritur quare" and "Romani sunt qu ex Iudeis", a
general account of Saint Paul beginning "Saulus dicte a
saule quia superbus (folio iv) and a theological piece
beginning "Per ipsum est tibi onmis honor" (folio ii).
Folios 137-144 are repeated on 145-154.
 Folio 1 recto [previous image]. The largest illuminated
capital in the volume with scenes from the life of Saint
Paul.
section Libri de dono Roberti de Blound et Henrici
archidiaconi Totton: Epistole Pauli glosate, [incipit] Paulus
servus," quibus magna pars textus deest. Precii 3s. It is
valued at three shillings (£0.15) – perhaps £900 in 2018
prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as: Glosa
super Epistolas Pauli. Folio 2 begins: Intencione.

23. Glosses on John and Mark. – England, 1175/1250.
 Folio 155 verso. The front elevation of the temple as seen in the
vision of Ezekiel. The work, by Richard of St Victor, is not the main
part of the volume, which contains glosses on the gospels of John and
Mark as well as the epistles to the Hebrews. It was originally separate
from the glosses and is earlier than them in date.
Contents:
1 [1200/1240, folio 1] Incipiunt glose super Iohannem evangelistam.
2 [1200/1240, folio 56] Glossae super Marcum.
3 [1200/1240, folio 112] Incipit epistola ad Hebreos.
4 [1175/1200 folio 128] In visionem Ezechielis, anonymous but by
Ricardus de S. Victore with coloured illustrations of the temple of the
vision. The Latin text of Ezekiel xl 1 to xliii 17 is added at folio 168
in a hand of the early 13th century.
Donation inscription: "Hunc librum postillarum siue glosarum super
Iohannem & M[arcum] & Epistolam ad Hebreos dedit Hugo
archidiacous Tantonensis Deo & ecclesie beati Petri Exoniensis vy
proprietas ipsius sit eccesie vs[us] vero pauperum scolarium. Si quis
aliter egerit incidat in sententiam Oxoniensis concilij contra
testmentorum impeditores promulgatam. Hugh de Wilton, archdeacon
of Taunton died between 1236 and 1241.
Libri de dono Roberti de Blound et Henrici archidiaconi Totton:
Mattheus et Marcus, de dono Henrici, Archidiaconi Totton, [incipit]
Mattheus ex Judeis. Precii 20s. It is valued at twenty shillings (£1.00)
– perhaps £6,000 in 2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be
identified as: Matheus et Marcus glosatus. Folio 2 begins: Deum sic
prima.

24. Psalms with the glossa magistralis of Petrus
Lombardus. England, 1175/1200.
Bodleian Library, MS. Auct. D. 2. 8
Folio 241 verso.  The illustration shows the whole
page, with two illuminated initials. Both initials are part
of the marginal gloss by Peter Lombard, which makes
up the bulk of the page, the text of the psalm itself being
a mere eight lines in a larger minuscule hand.
The first preface begins "Cum omnes prophetas" and the
gloss "Beatus. Cui omnia optata succedunt". The gloss is
in a parallel column. With illuminated initials, some
with miniatures. The binding is stamped white sheepskin
(about 1602) over older sewing and boards, rebacked
and repaired, the leaves discoloured by damp at
beginning and end.
Ownership inscription on folio ii verso: "Liber Sancti
Petri Exoniensis. Si quis illum subtraxerit aut
alienauerit, eterne subiaceat maledictioni" in 13th
century hand threatening anyone who removes the book
with eternal malediction. Apparently part of the gift of
the Dean and Chapter in 1602 but not in the register of
benefactors.
Individual psalters are difficult to identify among the 25
listed in 1327 and the 22 listed in 1506.

25. Peter Lombard. Commentary on Paul's epistles.
England?, 1200/1250.
 Folio 7 recto. The illustration shows the incipit where the
rubric states: "Incipit Exposicio super Epistolam ad Romanos
secundum magistrum Petrum", the only statement of authorship
in the volume. There is also an illuminated P with a grotesque
creature with a human head.
The text of the Epistles of St. Paul in Latin, with the commentary
of Petrus Lombardus in smaller writing in a parallel column: an
outer column gives the Fathers from whom Peter Lombard
largely derived his notes. At folio 1 is a list of chapters, a general
prologue beginning ‘Primum queritur quare’, two prologues to
the Epistle to the Romans (folios 4 and 7), and arguments of the
Epistles.
Inscription ‘Liber ecclesie cathedralis Exonie’, 14th cent. : the
book seems to occur in the Exeter library inventories of 1327
and 1506 [‘de dono Roberti de Hane’]. It was in the Bodleian by
1605, so, although omitted in the Register of Benefactors, it
probably came with the other Exeter books in 1602.
Peter Lombard (c.1096 – 21/22 July 1160, Paris), born in
Novara, was a scholastic theologian, Bishop of Paris, where he
died, and author of four books of Sentences, which became a
standard textbook of theology, for which he earned the accolade
Magister Sententiarum.
The 1327 inventory in the section lists several glosses or
commentaries on St Paul's epistles so it is difficult to identify
this volume. In the 1506 inventory is a mention of: Epistole
Pauli glosata, the 2nd folio starting: Et pax.

26. Nicholas Trivet, on the psalms. England, 1300/1350.
The volume contains several miniatures and many illuminated borders
(with grotesques), capitals, &c.
Folio 250 verso.  Three miniatures of musicians, one playing the
bagipies, the second an organ and the third striking bells. The red text or
rubric forms the explicit or colophon marking the end of the main text.
The next image shows a more typical opening.
Incipit Exposicio litteralis fratris Nicholai Treueth ordinis Predicatorum
super Psalterium preceded by a prologue to John of Bristol.
Ownership inscriptions: ‘Liber J.[ohannis de G.[randisson] Exoniensis
episcopi quem damus ipsi ecclesie ’ . . . : ‘ Hunc librum cum alio super
Psalterium scilicet Nicholai Tryueth : & alium . Nicholai de Lyra .
damus capitulo nostro Exoniensi. Manu mea .J. de G. Exoniensis. Anno
Domini . Mºcccºlxºvº & officij mei xxxº ix° et etatis lº xxiiijº . . . ego
Johannes de G. V Exoniensis noui vtrumque . Nicholaum. de Lira
Minorem et Trineth Predicatorem fratres.
Nicholas Trivet (c.1258 – c.1328) an Anglo-Norman chronicler born in
Somerset, the son of Sir Thomas Trevet (died 1283), a judge. He became
a Dominican friar in London, and studied first at Oxford and later in
Paris. He was prior of his order in London, taught at Oxford and was at
Santa Maria Novella in Florence. He wrote a large number of
theological and historical works and commentaries on the classics,
especially the works of Seneca. He is chiefly remembered by his
chronicle of the Angevin kings of England, an important source for the
period between 1135 and 1307.
In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as: Glosa super Psalterium in
exposicione literali Nicholai Treneth. Folio 2 begins: Quia ternarius.

26. Nicholas Trivet, on the
psalms. England,
1300/1350.
Bodleian Library, MS.
Bodley 738.
 Folio 60 verso and 61
recto. The illustration shows
an opening to demonstrate
the layout in two columns
with illuminated initials and
a lively marginal figure. The
decorative initial B
introduces the gloss on
psalm 41. The script,
particularly the larger
version used for the
heading, demonstrated the
angular textura style
developed during the gothic
period.

27. Canons of the Church. – England, 1100/1150.
 Folio 1 verso. Incipit in red: Incipiunt canones … with initial letters in
blue and red. The script is a Carolingian minuscule.
Contents:
1 [folio 1] Canones qui dicuntur apostolorum
2 [folio 3] Ten "concilia Grecie" ending with the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451)
3 [folio 24 verso] Eight "Concilia Africe.
4 [folio 44 verso] Ten "Concilia Gallie"
5 [folio 57 verso] Twenty-four "Concilia Ispanie", the last AD 619.
Ownership inscriptions: "Hunc librum legavit Magister Walterus Gybbys
ecclesie cathedralis Exon canonicus dum uixit in testamento suo ad vsum
eiusdem ecclesie ibidem perpetuo remansurum, quem quidem librum
executores dicti defuncti deliberarunt Decano & Capitulo ecclesie
Cathedralis predicte tertio die mensis Septembris Anno Domini millesimo
cccc xiiij’. ‘Liber Ecclesie Exon, reddatur eidem,’ 14th cent. : ‘ Liber
Ecclesie & capituli Cathedralis Exoniensis’, 15th cent. The Catholic
Church has the oldest continuously functioning legal system in the West.
What began with rules ("canons") adopted by the Apostles at the Council
of Jerusalem in the first century developed into a highly complex legal
system encapsulating not just norms of the New Testament, but some
elements of the Hebrew, Roman, Visigothic, Saxon, and Celtic legal
traditions. As many as 36 collections of canon law are known to have
been compiled before 1150. The present collection falls within a period,
prior to Gratian and the decretals. It includes collections of canons
decreed by various early councils in Greece, Africa, France and Spain up
to the seventh century.
The volume can be identified in the 1327 inventory among the Libri
canonum et legume: Breviarium Canonum Apostolorum in magno
volumine. [Incipit] in Ytalia. It is valued at two pounds – perhaps £12,500
in 2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as: Canones
Apostolorum, Folio 2 begins: Tanquam laytus.

28. Isidorus. Etymologiae. Norman, 1100/1125.
 Folio 24 verso. The illustration shows the end of a section on
mathematics and the start of a section on music, indicated by the line in red
in the first column, followed by a list of the subsections.
At end: "Explicit liber vicesimus Ethymologiarum beati Ysidori episcope.
The volume contains the complete encyclopaedic treatise with four letters
from Isidorus to Braulio and two from Braulio as preface. Folios ii-iv
contain sections R-Z of a 15th century index of subjects. Appears to be in
the Exeter Cathedral Library inventory of 1506 but not in the list of
manuscripts presented by the Dean and Chapter 1602, probably received not
long after.
May have been produced in a Norman scriptorium for Osbern (bishop
1072-1103) or William Warelwast (bishop 1107-1137). The volume can be
identified in the 1327 inventory among the Libri Ysidori: Etymoligiarum.
[Incipit] In nomine Sancte Trinitatis. It is valued at four shillings (£0.20) –
perhaps £1,200 in 2018 prices. In the 1506 inventory it can be identified as:
Ysidorus Ethimologiarum. Folio 2 begins: Novum.
Saint Isidore of Seville (c.560–636), a scholar and Archbishop of Seville, is widely
regarded as the last of the Fathers of the Church and has been termed "The last scholar of
the ancient world." At a time of disintegration of classical culture, and aristocratic violence
and illiteracy, he was involved in the conversion of the Arian Visigothic kings to
Catholicism. He was influential in the inner circle of Sisebut, Visigothic king of Hispania.
He played a prominent role in the Councils of Toledo and Seville whose Visigothic
legislation influenced the beginnings of representative government. His fame is based on
his Etymologiae, an etymological encyclopedia which assembled extracts of many books
from classical antiquity that would have otherwise been lost. He was the first Christian
writer to try to compile a summa of universal knowledge. The work takes its title from the
method he used in the transcription of his era's knowledge. This first Christian
encyclopedia is a huge compilation of 448 chapters in 20 volumes. More than a thousand
manuscripts have survived and was printed as early as 1472. Later encyclopedias such as
the Catholicon and De proprietatibus rerum derive much of their material from Isidore.

29. St Thomas Aquinas, Catena aurea on Matthew and Mark. –
England? 1300/1350.
 Folio 242 recto. Part of chapter 13 of Mark's gospel. The text of the
gospel is in larger, widely spaced script with the gloss by St Thomas
Aquinas to the left.
The text of gospels is in a larger hand. It contains annotations of Bishop
Grandisson who supplies the title: Euangelia Mathei & Marchi glosata per
fratrem Thomam Alquinum Aquinum canonizatum. Aquinas was
canonised in 1323. Johannes & Lucas sunt in alio volumine. [Bodley 380
which has a similar inscription by Grandisson]. Ownership inscription:
"Liber ecclesie Cathedralis Exoniensis" 15th century.
Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 7 March 1274) was an Italian Dominican
friar, Catholic priest, and Doctor of the Church. He was an immensely
influential philosopher, theologian, and jurist in the tradition of
scholasticism, within which he is also known as the Doctor Angelicus and
the Doctor Communis.
The Catena Aurea is a compilation of the thoughts of the Church Fathers
on the four Gospels. As well as the Latin Church Fathers he quotes from an
unexpectedly large number of the Eastern Church Fathers. He selected and
edited these quotations so that each work would be a united whole.
Unusually for an author of his time, he was careful to note his sources. As
a gloss of the Gospels containing quotations from the Church Fathers of
both the East and the West, arranged and selected by St. Thomas, the
Catena Aurea is a rare aid for studying scripture.
The volume can be identified in the 1327 inventory among the Libri
provientes tempore Thome Thesaurarii: Alquinus super Evangelis in
duobus voluminibus, de dono Magistri Thome de Lechelade. Precii 4
marcarum. (four marks = £2 13s 4d) - £16,000 in 2018 prices. In the 1506
inventory it can be identified as: Thomas super Matheum. Folio 2 begins:
Quia.

30. Bartholomaeus Anglicus. De proprietatibus rerum. England, 1370/80.
 Folio 1 verso. Ownership inscription: Liber ex dono magistri Roberti Ryggh
cancellarij & canonic huius ecclesie ad cathenandum imperpetuum in libraria
communi eiusdem ecclesie. (This book is the gift of master Robert Rygge, chancellor
of this church, to be chained in perpetuity in the common library of the said church).
In Latin on parchment in double columns: with illuminated capitals. At end: ‘Explicit
tractatus de Proprietatibus Rerum secundum fratrem Bartholomeum Anglicum de
ordine fratrum Minorum’. It ends ‘diligencius intuenti’: at folio 156 the scribe’s
exemplar being imperfect or difficult to read. On folio 291 is a Latin note that fifteen
persons (among them Henry Brum, John Port, Will. Attevill) deposited this book with
three others ‘in antiqua cista’ no doubt at Oxford, on Oct. 31, 1390 (?) : on fol. 6'' is ‘
Precium istius libri xlvj. s. viijd.’, about the same time. Robert Rygge, chancellor of
Exeter, was chancellor of the University of Oxford between 1381 and 1391, and died
before Jan. 22, 1411, when his executor delivered this and another book to the chapter
of Exeter.
De Proprietatibus Rerum (On the nature of things) is the most widely copied, adapted,
and translated medieval encyclopedia. It encompasses theology and astrology as well
as the natural sciences. It was written around 1240 at the school of Magdeburg in
Saxonia and intended for the use of students and the general public. Structured on
astrological principles, it is divided into 19 books, a number arising from "the sum of
the twelve signs of the zodiac and the seven planets, signifying universality." It
demonstrates an obvious schism between science as interpreted by Christian scripture
and science as interpreted through Aristotelian concepts with reflections of the ideas
gradually permeating European intellectual culture from Arabic and middle-Eastern
scholarship.
The author Bartholomeus Anglicus (1203? - 1272), lectured in divinity at the
University of Paris and became a Franciscan about 1225. He held senior positions
within the church, and was appointed Bishop of Łuków although he was not
consecrated to that position.
In the 1506 inventory the volume can be identified as: Bartholomeus de proprietatibus
rerum. Folio 2 begins: Essencia.
The books cover the following topics:
1 De Deo - God and the names of God
2 De proprietatibus angelorum - Angels
3 De anima - The soul and reason
4 De humani corporis - The bodily humors
5 De hominis corpore - The parts of the body
6 De state hominis - Daily life
7 De infirmitatibus - Diseases and poisons
8 De mundo - Earth and the heavenly bodies
9 De temporibus - Time and motion
10 De materia et forma - Matter, form and fire
11 De aere - The air and weather
12 De avibus - Birds
13 De aqua - Water and fishes
14 De terra - The earth and its surface
15 De regionibus et provinciis - Topography
16 De lapidibus et metallis - Minerals
17 De herbis et arboribus - Plants and trees
18 De animalibus - Land animals
19 De accidentibus - Colours, smells and tastes etc

Le Songe du Verger (or du Vergier; in Latin Somnium Viridarii) is a fundamental text of the late Middle
Ages. Written in Latin and translated into French it is a legal work written between 1376 and 1378
generally attributed to Évrart de Trémaugon counsellor to King Charles V and later bishop of Dol-de-
Bretagne. The author falls asleep in a meadow and in a dream sees the King accompanied by the Pope,
then a clerk and finally a knight, chosen as advocates chosen to debate points of law on the relationship
between spiritual and temporal power. Presented to the King in 1378 it is not a “mirror for princes,” but
in fact more of a political encyclopedia. Évrart de Trémaugon deals with all the questions likely to
interest the king. Everything suggests that the king was personally involved in the work’s conception
and that the final version is the fruit of collaboration between the author and his sponsor.
31. Somnium viridarii. France,
1400/1500.
Bodleian Library, MS. Bodley
338.
 Folio 1 recto. The author
asleep in a garden with the figures
representing temporal and spiritual
power which figure in his dream.
Placed at the top of the page above
the Incipit, which is written in red,
it is the first of three miniatures in
the book.
Incipit liber qui vocatur
Sompnium Viridarii, tractatus de
potestate vtriusque iurisdictionis,
spiritualis videlicet et temporalis
ac de earundem vnione Concordia
et pace dyalogice procedens, in
two books. The colophon states
that the work was finished by the
author on 16 May 1378, the day on
which two years before the King
of France had appointed him "inter
agentes in rebus domus sue & in
consiliarium".
In the 1506 inventory it can be
identified as: Sompnium Viridarii.
Folio 2 begins: Nobilitas.

Let us consider then how we may become scribes of the Lord.
The parchment on which we write for him is a pure conscience, whereon all our good
works are noted by the pen of memory, and make us acceptable to God.
The knife wherewith it is scraped is the fear of God, which removes from our
conscience by repentance all the roughness and unevenness of sin and vice.
The pumice wherewith it is made smooth is the discipline of heavenly desires
The chalk with whose fine particles it is whitened indicates the unbroken meditation
of holy thoughts.
The ruler [regula] by which the line is drawn that we may write straight is the will of
God ...
The tool [instrumentum] that is drawn along the ruler to make the line is the devotion
to our holy task ...
The pen [penna], divided in two that it may be fit for writing, is the love of God and
our neighbour ...
The ink with which we write is humility itself ...
The diverse colours wherewith the book is illuminated, not unworthily represent the
grace of heavenly wisdom ...
The desk [scriptorium] whereon we write is tranquility of heart ...
The copy [exemplar] by which we write is the life of our Redeemer ...
The place where we write is contempt of worldly things.

Work undertaken on Exeter Cathedral Library 1414-13

Account of work done in the Library of Exeter Cathedral 1412 and 1413 (D&C 2669)
Receipts and expenditure on materials

Account of work done in the Library of Exeter Cathedral 1412 and 1413 (D&C 2669)
Wages of carpenters

Account of work done in the Library of Exeter Cathedral
1412 and 1413 (D&C 2669)
Overall breakdown

Account of work done in the Library of Exeter Cathedral 1412 and 1413
Evidence from the accounts

The pound in your pocket
some leaves from the magic money tree
Indicative calculations of six centuries of inflation 1412 to 2020
Jakyl earned 3s 0d (£0.15) for a six day week = £7.80 per annum
Wages for master carpenter 2020 = £32,500 per annum (4167 times more)
Atwater earned 2s 6d (£0.125) for a six day week = £6.50 per annum
Wages for carpenter 2020 = £25,000 per annum (3846 times more)
Implies £1.00 in 1412 is worth roughly £4,000 in 2020.
Total income for fitting out library in 1412 = £35 4s 4½d
Total expenses for fitting out library = £35 13s 7½d
Equivalent budget for library project in 2020 = £142,000 (more or less)

The growth of Exeter Cathedral Library 1070-1506
1070 65 volumes
1327 324 volumes in library 116 elsewhere
1506 374 volumes in library 260 elsewhere

Hereford Cathedral
chained library
Duke Humphey’s Library
at the University of
Oxford as refitted with
shelves and desks by
Bodley

Zutphen
chained library
Netherlands

Bibliotheca Malatestiana
Cesena, Italy

Exeter working papers
in book history
This talk is one of a series produced
during Lockdown 2020 to celebrate the
designation of Exeter as UNESCO city
of literature in 2019.
Most of them are also accessible
through the
Exeter working papers,
Devon bibliography and
Etched on Devon’s Memory
websites as part of the
World Book Heritage
initiative.
The book fool from Alexander Barclays’ translation of
The ship of fools (1509)

Devon book. D-13 Exeter Cathedral Library : recreating a major medieval library through surviving documents

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