Lot 53

Gregory the Great, Cura Pastoralis, in Latin, decorated manuscript on vellum [England, first half of the thirteenth century]

Estimate

5,000 - 7,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Vellum

32 leaves, 228mm. by 158mm., wanting a gathering after fol.16 (with loss of Book III, admonitio 11 to 15), else complete, collation: i-iv^{8, double column, 45-49 lines in black ink in a small and neat English gothic bookhand, rubrics in red, 2-line initials in red or blue, one large initial 'P' (70mm. high) in variegated red and blue with foliate flourishes, first leaf discoloured, strips cut in bas-de-page of fols.1 and 32 (now repaired), few worm holes and small spots (with no affect to text or decoration), else excellent, modern red leather over wooden boards}

Provenance

provenance

1. Perhaps from the medieval library of Reading Abbey: the sixteenth-century ownership inscription of J. Reynoldes on fol.1r (a principal owner of manuscripts once at Reading; see previous lot).

2. Richard Bostock of Wrexham, North Wales: his eighteenth-century inscription on fol.1r.

3. Bergendal MS.95 (once bound together with sister codex MS.96, the previous lot here); bought by Joseph Pope in our rooms, 19 June 1990, lot 86: Bergendal catalogue no.95; Stoneman, 'Guide', p.202.

Catalogue Note

text

Pope Gregory the Great (c.540-604) wrote his Pastoral Care soon after his papal inauguration, as a treatise on the responsibilities of the clergy. It was immediately popular, although some ecclesiastics such as the bishop of Cartagena did voice their doubts to the author that it was too strict. It was adopted by Charlemagne's bishops in a series of councils in 813, and copies were presented to bishops at the point of their consecration. It was translated into English by King Alfred. It remained the fundamental work on the episcopacy and their role throughout the entire Middle Ages.