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Senate House Library, University of London

Fragment of Bede's commentary on the Song of Songs

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0096 MS 835

Held at: Senate House Library, University of London

Title: Fragment of Bede's commentary on the Song of Songs

Date(s): Early 12th century

Level of description: Collection (fonds)

Extent: 2 bifolia

Name of creator(s): Unknown

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Venerable Bede (672/3-735) was born and lived in Northumberland. For most of his life he was a monk at Monkwearmouth and Jarrow monastery, where he dedicated his time to prayer and writing. His most famous work is the 'Ecclesiastical history of the English people', which details Christianity in England from the beginning to Bede's own day.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Fragment of a manuscript of Bede's Expositio in Cantica Canticorum, containing his commentary on the Song of Songs 1, 3-7, beginning '[Quae] tanto magis amori' and ending 'te qui in custodi[enda]' (see Patrologiae cursus completus...Series (Latina) Prima (ed) J.P. Migne, XCI, 1086-92). The document was probably written in the early 12th century, but includes a few marginal notes in a 14th century hand.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: Latin

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Uncatalogued material may not be seen. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.

Physical characteristics:

270 x 175 mm. 4 leaves, the first lacking a sttrip cut from the outer edge; hard point ruling; writing above top line; 2-line initials in red; rubricated. Formerly a pastedown.

Finding aids:

See R. Watson, 'Descriptive list of fragments of medieval manuscripts in the University of London Library `(1976).

Detailed catalogue

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

Given by Miss D. Bains in 1973.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.