E0002 Leaf from a Missal (Missale Plenarium)

E0002 Leaf from a Missal (Missale Plenarium)

Missal

Spain or Southern France; Middle 12th Century. Latin Text; Revived Carolingian Script.

Many Missals, Bibles and Psalters of the 12th century were written in this fine, bold script. It was a revived form of the 9th century carolingian minuscule. In the absence of miniatures and decoration, it is difficult to assign a manuscript in this hand to a particular country. Some of the letters in this book, however, have been carefully compared with those in a manuscript known to have been ordered in Spain in 1189 A.D. by a certain Abbot Gutteruis, and it was found that the resemblance is striking. It is possible, therefore, that this leaf was written in the same monastery. However, because of the uniformity of all scripts in the early period, many English and French manuscripts could present close similarities in the style of writing.

This twelfth-century Spanish missal is in black ink with enlarged initials and phrases highlighted in red-orange. The first section of the recto side contains what is likely a series of Gregorian chants; lines 13-21 include part of the book of Ephesians. On the verso, lines 2-21 contain text from Matthew. Slightly yellowed vellum with binding holes noticeable along the left recto. Lined with lead plummet or very light ink. The bottom right corner of the recto is broken and dirty, presumably from turning. Further identifying marks include scribal correction on the recto--the erasure of the letter "S" and addition of the letter above the rest of the word on line 16, a squiggle of ink from the next leaf in the original manuscript on the verso side in the top right, and the number "85" in the top right corner of the recto, in pencil.

This leaf contains text for the 20th and 21st Sundays after Pentecost, including Ephesians 5:15-21 (recto) and Matthew 22:2-14 (verso). Responses not yet transcribed.

Middle 12th century

Item in public domain. Description provided by Dr. Fred Porcheddu-Engel via the Otto F. Ege digital collection. http://ege.denison.edu/denison_leaf_02.php

300 dpi JPEG; Size: 34 x 23.5 cm

Latin

Medieval manuscript leaf

Denison University Leaf 02, Fifty Original Leaves from Medieval Manuscripts

Recto Translation: [Ephesians 5:15-21]

15 See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise, 16 But as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of God. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the holy Spirit, 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father: 21 Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.

Verso Translation: [Matthew 22:2-14]

2 The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son. 3 And he sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the marriage; and they would not come. 4 Again he sent other servants, saying: Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my beeves and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come ye to the marriage. 5 But they neglected, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise. 6 And the rest laid hands on his servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them to death. 7 But when the king had heard of it, he was angry, and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and burnt their city. 8 Then he saith to his servants: The marriage indeed is ready; but they that were invited were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways; and as many as you shall find, call to the marriage. 10 And his servants going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they found, both bad and good: and the marriage was filled with guests. 11 And the king went in to see the guests: and he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. 12 And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment? But he was silent. 13 Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

Recto Transcription: [Transcription begins at the large initial F:]

Fratres vidéte quómodo caute ambulétis: non quasi insipiéntes, sed ut sapiéntes: rediméntes tempus, quóniam dies mali sunt. Proptérea nolíte fíeri imprudéntes, sed intelligéntes quæ sit volúntas Dei. Et nolíte inebriári vino, in quo est luxúria, sed implémini Spíritu Sancto, loquéntes vobismetípsis in psalmis, et hymnis, et cánticis spirituálibus, cantántes et psalléntes in córdibus vestris Dómino, grátias agéntes semper pro ómnibus in nómine Dómini nostri Jesu Christi Deo et Patri, subjécti ínvicem in timóre Christi.

Verso Transcription: Símile factum est regnum cælórum hómini regi, qui fecit núptias fílio suo. Et misit servos suos vocáre invitátos ad núptias, et nolébant veníre. Íterum misit álios servos, dicens: Dícite invitátis: Ecce prándium meum parávi, tauri mei et altília occísa sunt, et ómnia paráta: veníte ad núptias. Illi autem neglexérunt: et abiérunt, álius in villam suam, álius vero ad negotiatiónem suam: réliqui vero tenuérunt servos ejus, et contuméliis afféctos occidérunt. Rex autem cum audísset, irátus est: et missis exercítibus suis, pérdidit homicídas illos, et civitátem illórum succéndit. Tunc ait servis suis: Núptiæ quidem parátæ sunt, sed qui invitáti erant, non fuérunt digni: ite ergo ad éxitus viárum, et quoscúmque invenéritis, vocáte ad núptias. Et egréssi servi ejus in vias, congregavérunt omnes quos invenérunt, malos et bonos: et implétæ sunt núptiæ discumbéntium. Intrávit autem rex ut vidérent discumbéntes, et vidit ibi hóminem non vestítum veste nuptiáli. Et ait illi: Amíce, quómodo huc intrásti non habens vestem nuptiálem? At ille obmútuit. Tunc dicit rex minístris: Ligátis mánibus et pédibus ejus, míttite eum in ténebras exterióres: ibi erit fletus et stridor déntium. Multi enim sunt vocáti, pauci vero elécti.