Beinecke MS 578
England, s. XIV and XI
Psalter-Hymnal; Gospel of St. Mark in Anglo-Saxon (fragm.)

ff. 1r-7v	Calendar, one page for each month. The computistical data are: Golden Number, 
Day Letter, Roman Calendar. Among the original feasts the following are conspicuous: Weburga 
(3 Febr.), Milburga (23 Febr.), Oswaldus bishop of Worcester (28 Febr.), King Edward (18 
March), Cuthbertus (20 March), Richardus bishop (2 April), Cutlach (11 April), Elphegus (19 
April), Ethelbertus King of Essex (20 May), Aldhelmus (25 May), Translation of Vulstanus 
bishop of Worcester (7 June), Edburga (15 June), Leitfredus (21 June), Etheldreda (23 June), 
Festum reliquiarum S. Swithini (2 July), Grimbaldus (6 July), Translation of Swithinus (15 July), 
Kenelmus (17 July), King Oswald (5 August), Aidanus and Cuthburga (31 August), 
Chlodovaldus (7 Sept.), Translation of Egwinus and Vulstanus (10 Sept.), Aurea (4 Oct.), 
Wilfridus (12 Oct.), Etheldreda (17 Oct.), Elphegus (1 Dec.), Birinus (3 Dec.). Added by a later 
hand in Gothica Cursiva (Secretary): "Obiit Edwardus princepes" (4 May [1471]), "Translatio 
sancti Iacobi apostoli" (8 May), Botulphus (17 June), "Obiit Iohannes Abyndon abbas" (20 June), 
Reneburga (Keneburga??) (25 June), Ethelwoldus (1 August), "Obiit Iohannes Glodoncel (of 
Gloucester?)" (17 Sept.), "Ric(ardus) Wychelt (of Worcester?)" (2 Oct.) , "frater Thomas Erstow 
(of Bristol?) precentor" (26 Oct.).

The identification of the three last-named individuals, "no doubt Tewkesbury monks", is taken 
from the 1975 Sotheby catalogue.

2. ff. 8r-116r	Psalter. Large initials with borders at Pss. 1, 26, 38, 51, 52, 68, 80, 97, 101, 109. 
Medium-size initials at Pss. 20, 79, 95,  and 119.

3. ff. 116r-125v	Biblical Canticles :  Confitebor tibi, Domine, quoniam iratus es michi ... ; 
Ego dixi in dimidio dierum meorum ... ; Exultavit cor meum in Domino ...; Cantemus Domino, 
gloriose enim magnificatus est ...; Domine, audivi auditum tuum et timui ...; Audite, celi, que 
loquar ...; Ignis succensus est in furore meo ...; Benedicite omnia opera Domini Domino ...; 
Benedictus Dominus Deus Israhel ...; Magnificat anima mea Dominum ...; Nunc dimittis servum 
tuum, Domine ...; Te Deum laudamus ...

The first Canticles correspond with Leroquais, Psautiers, v. 1, p. LV, nos. 1-11.

4. ff. 125v-127v	Athanasian Creed : Quicumque vult salvus esse ante omnia opus est ut 
teneat catholicam fidem ... Hec est fides catholica, quam nisi quisque fideliter firmeque 
crediderit salvus esse non poterit.

5. ff. 127v-133v	Litany and prayers. Among the Martyrs are Gereon, Albanus, Oswald, 
Kenelm, Edmund, Edward, Elphegus ; among the Confessors Swithun, Dunstan, Edmund, 
Ethelwold, Cuthbert, Aidan, Oswald, Vulsin, Edwold, Macharius, Grimbaldus, Vulmarus, 
Vulframnus, Winwalous, Petrocus, Cadocus, Ceadda, David; among the Virgins Etheldreda, 
Edith, Cuthburga, Sativola, Iuthwara, Radegundis, Balthildis.

6. ff. 133v-143v	Canticles : Dominicis diebus per annum cantica preter Adventus et 
Nativitatis Domini et Quadragesime et in Pascha. Domine, miserere nostri, te enim exspectamus 
... ; Audite qui longe estis que fecerem, dicit Dominus ... ; Miserere, Domine, plebi tue super 
quam invocatum est nomen tuum ... [f. 135r:] Cantica in Adventu. Confortate manus dissolutas et 
genua debilia roborate ...; Consolamini, consolamini, popule meus ... ; Iuravit Dominus in  
dextera sua et in brachio fortitudinis sue ... [f. 136r :] Cantica in Natali Domini. Populus qui 
ambulabat in tenebris vidit lucem magnam ...; Letare, Ierusalem, et diem festum agite ...; Urbs 
fortitudinis nostre Syon ... [f. 138r:] Cantica in Quadragesima. Deducant oculi mei lacrimas per 
diem et noctem ... ; Recordare, Domine, quid acciderit nobis intuere ... ; Tollam vos de gentibus 
et congregabo vos de universis terris ... [f. 139v:] Cantica in Resurrectione Domini. Quis est iste 
qui venit de Edom tinctis vestibus ... ; Venite, revertamur ad Dominum, quia ipse cepit et sanabit 
nos ... ; Expecta me, dicit Dominus, in die resurrectionis mee ... [f. 140v :] In natali unius apostoli 
et plurimorum et in natali plurimorum martyrum. Qui sponte obtulistis de Israel animas vestras ad 
periculum ... : Qui propria voluntate obtulistis vos discrimini ... ; Vos sancti Domini vocabimini, 
ministri Dei nostri ... ; Benedictus vir qui confidit in Domino ... ; Beatus vir qui inventus est sine 
macula ... ; Ecce servus meus, suscipiam eum ... ; [f. 142v :] In natali unius virginis sive 
plurimarum et de sancta Maria cantica. Audite me divini fructus et quasi rosa plantata super 
rivos aquarum ... ; Lauda filia Syon, iubila Israel ... ; Gaude et letare filia Syon, quia ecce ego 
venio ...
The Canticles for Sundays, Advent, Christmas and Lent correspond with Leroquais, Psautiers, 
vol. 1, pp. LVI-LVII.

7. ff. 143v-179v	Hymnal. In the following description the rubrics are not copied. 
[Temporale:] Conditor alme syderum ...[RH 3733-34]; Verbum supernum prodiens ...[RH 
21391]; Vox clara ecce intonat ... [RH 22199]; Christe qui lux es ... [RH 2934]; Christe 
redemptor omnium ... [2960]; Veni redemptor gencium ... [RH 21234]; A solis ortus cardine ... 
[RH 26]; Hostis Herodes impie ... [RH 8073]; A Patre unigenitus ...[RH 14] ; Ihesus refulsit 
omnium ... [RH 9738]; O lux beata Trinitas ... [RH 13150]; Primo dierum omnium ... [RH 
15450];  Eterne rerum conditor ... [RH 447]; Iam lucis orto sydere ...[RH 9272]; Nunc Sancte 
nobis Spiritus ...[RH 12586]; Rector potens verax Deus ... [RH 17061]; Rerum Deus tenax vigor 
...[RH 17328]; Lucis creator optime ...[RH 10691]; Sompno refectis artubus ... [RH 19210]; 
Splendor paterne glorie ... [RH 19349]; Inmense celi conditor ...[RH 8453]; ********** paterni 
luminis ...; Ales diei nuncius ...[RH 795]; Telluris ingens conditor ... [RH 20268]; Rerum creator 
optime ... [RH 17322]; Nox et tenebre ...[RH 12401-2]; Celi Deus sanctissime ... [RH 3484]; 
Nox atra rerum contegit ...[RH 12396]; Lux ecce surgit aurea ... [RH 10810-11]; Magne Deus 
potencie ...[RH 10934]; Tu Trinitatis unitas ... [RH 20712-3]; Eterna celi gloria ...[RH 609]; 
Plasmator hominis Deus ...[RH 14968]; Summe Deus clementie ...[RH 19636]; Aurora iam 
spargit ...[RH 1633]; Summi largitor premii ... [RH 19716]; Ex more docti mistico ...[RH 5610]; 
Dicamus omnes cernui ...[RH 4574]; Audi benigne conditor ...[RH 1449-51]; Ihesu 
quadragenarie dicator ...[RH 9607]; Dei fide qua vivimus ... [RH 4323]; Meridie orandum est 
...[RH 11506]; Perfecto trino numero ... [RH 14835]; Clarum decus ieiunii ...[RH 3362]; Iam 
Christe sol iusticie ... [RH 9205-7] ; Sic ter quaternis trahitur ...[RH 18931]; Vexilla regis 
prodeunt ...[RH 21481]; Pange lingua gloriosi ...[RH 14481]; Lustra sex qui iam peracta ...[RH 
10763]; Qua Christus hora siciit ...[RH 15840]; Ternis ter horis numerus ...[RH 20356]; Te lucis 
auctor personent ...[RH 20139]; Chorus nove Ierusalem ...[RH 2824]; Ad cenam agni providi 
...[110]; Ihesu nostra redemptio ... [9582]; Aurora lucis rutilat ...[RH 1644]; Ympnum canamus 
glorie ...[RH 8235]; Optatus votis omnium ...[RH 14177];  Eterne rex altissime ... [RH 654]; 
Iam Christus astra ascenderat ...[RH 9215-6]; Veni creator Spiritus ...[RH 21204]; Beata nobis 
gaudia ...[RH 2339]; Adesto Sancta Trinitas ...[RH 487]; Tu Trinitatis unitas ...[RH 20712-3]; 
Summe Deus clementie ?? ...[RH 19636]; Deus creator omnium ...[RH 4426]; Nocte surgentes 
vigilemus ...[RH 12034-5]; Ecce iam noctis tenuatur umbra ...[RH 5129]. 

[f. 165v, Sanctorale, Mary:] Ave maris stella ...[RH 1889]; Quem terra pontus ethera ...[RH 
16347]; O gloriosa domina, excelsa super sydera ...[RH 13042]; Quod chorus vatum venerandus 
...[RH 16881]; [Benedict :] Ut tue vite Benedicte ... [RH 21073]; Magno canentes annua ... [RH 
11010]; Christe sanctorum decus atque virtus ... [RH 3004]; [Holy Cross:] Auctor salutis unicus 
...[RH 1441]; [John the Baptist:] Ut queant laxis ...[RH 21039]; Antra deserti teneris ...[RH 
1213]; O nimis felix meritique ...[RH 13311]; [Peter and Paul] Aurea luce et decore roseo ...[RH 
1596]; [Assumption:] O quam glorifica luce ...[RH 13516]; [Michael:] Tibi Christe splendor 
patris ...[RH 20455]; Misteriorum signifer celestium ...[RH 11826]; Christe sanctorum decus 
angelorum ...[RH 3000]; O Christe splendor glorie laudes referimus ...[RH 12784]; [Dedication:] 
Christe cunctorum dominator ...[RH 2854]; Hic salus egris medicina ...[RH 7834]; Quesumus 
ergo Deus ut serenum annuas ...[RH 16016]; [All Saints:] Festiva seclis colitur dies ...[RH 
6190]; Omnium Christe pariter tuorum  ...[RH 14144]; Christe redemptor omnium conserva tuos 
famulos ...[RH 2959].

[f. 174r, Common of the Saints,  Apostles:] Annue Christe seculorum domine nobis ...[RH 1149-
50]; Eterna Christi munera apostolorum gloria ...[RH 590]; Exultet celum laudibus resultet terra 
...[RH 5832]; [Martyrs:] Deus tuorum militum sors et corona ... [RH 4534]; Martyr Dei qui 
unicum Patris  ... [RH 11228]; Sanctorum meritis inclita gaudia ... [RH 18607] ; Eterna Christi 
munera et martyrum victorias ...[RH 598]; Rex gloriose martyrum corona confitentium ...[RH 
17453]; [Confessors:] Iste confessor Domini sacratus ...[RH 9136]; Ihesu redemptor omnium 
perpes corona ...[RH 9628]; Sancte tu prebe quociens rogaris ...[RH 18512-3]; Huius o Christe 
meritis precamur arceas ...[RH 8158]; [Virgins:] Virginis proles opifexque matris virgo ...[RH 
21703]; Ihesu corona virginum quem mater illa ...[RH 9507-8].

[f.179r, Corpus Christi :]Pange lingua gloriosi corporis misterium ...[RH 14467]; Sacris 
solempniis iuncta sunt?? gaudia ...[RH 17713]; Post agnum tipicum ...[RH 15163]; Verbum 
supernum prodiens ... [RH 21398].

On the inserted leaf f. 145r-v a later inexperienced hand has written more hymns: "Salvator 
mundi Domene [sic] qui nos salvasti hodie ..." [RH 17808]; "Te lucis ante terminum" [RH 
20138], and the prayer "Presta, Pater omnipotens, per Gesum [sic] Christum ...", followed by 
notes and pen-trials by other hands; the last is "Ad mandatum dominus abbas cum ********".

8. ff. 180v-186v	Incipit officium mortuorum. The Commendation of Souls is incomplete.

9. rear fly-leaf		Et protinus egredientes de sinagoga venerunt in d[omum] 

Et venit ad eum leprosus deprecans eum, et genuflexo

[Anglo-Saxon text to be copied from edition]

Marc, 1:24-31 and 36-42, in West-Saxon translation

R.M. Liuzza , ed., "The Yale Fragments of the West Saxon Gospels",  Anglo-Saxon England, 17 
(1988), pp. 67-82 (transcription pp. 80-82).


Parchment, ff. 186, 150 x 105 mm. Irregular edges. In the foliation of the last quire ff. 180 and 
186 are counted twice.

I 6 (ff. 1-6), II-XII 12 (ff. 7-138), XIII 12 (ff. 139-151 + one leaf, f. 145), XIV-XV 12 (ff. 152-
175), XVI 12 (ff. 176-186 + one leaf, f. 186 bis??). Horizontal catchwords at right, near the lower 
edge, mostly trimmed off.

Ruled with ... ink for one column of 23 lines below top line (in the final quires 22 or 21 lines). 
The Calendar is ruled with ... ink for 31 lines below top line. Dimensions??

Copied by three scribes, all writing Northern Gothica Textualis Formata. A copied the Calendar 
(art. 1), probably in the beginning of the fifteenth century; B is the main scribe, copying all 
following pages up to f. 180v, l. 9. The rest (= art. 8) is copied by hand C, using two sizes of 
script. B and C are marked by an unusually large number of fusions. A few corrections have been 
made by a hand using Secretary. The fragment (art. 9) is copied in careful Anglo-Saxon 
Minuscule.

The decoration consists of  (1) 1-line plain initials alternately in red and blue in the text;(2) 2-line 
flourished initials in blue with red penwork with marginal extensions; (3) 3- and 5-line litterae 
duplices with partial or full penwork borders (J-motifs) as indicated in art. 2. Litterae duplices 
also on ff. 116r, 133v, 143v (artt. 3, 6 and 7).

Original undecorated binding in ?? leather over oak boards. Spine with three raised bands. Traces 
?? of one clasp.

Written for a Benedictine monastery in England dedicated to St. Peter: see a reference to an 
abbot in the rubric "inchoetur ab abbate si presens fuerit" (f. 162r), and the double invocation of 
St. Peter and St. Benedict in the Litany ("Sancte Petre II", f. 127v and "Sancte Benedicte II", f. 
129r). A series of Saints in the Calendar and in the Litany point to south-west England, perhaps 
Cerne or Abbotsbury. The Calendar (art. 1) was probably added early in the fifteenth century 
and points to Tewkesbury abbey, as appears from the prominent place given to St. Wulstan and 
the mentioning of two other Worcester saints, Oswald and Egwin, and the note on the death of 
John Abyndon, abbot of Tewkesbury (c. 1444). Names of three sixteenth-century owners are 
written in the margins of ff. 6r ("Wyllyam Medlyecott"), 54v ("Wyllyam Emey"), 89v, 91r, 92r 
("Wyllyam Hendeley" etc.); the name of a seventeenth-century owner appears in the outer margin 
of f. 104r ("Iohannes Browne"). Belonged successively to Sir Sydney Cockerell, C.H. St. John 
Hornby (MS 70) and Major John Roland Abbey, Storrington, Sussex (J.A. 3243). Sotheby sale, 
24 March 1975, item 2955. Purchased from H.P. Kraus, 19 June 1975.

Bibliography: N.R. Ker, Catalogue of Manuscripts containing Anglo-Saxon (Oxford, 1957), no. 
1.
R.L. Collins, Anglo-Saxon Vernacular Manuscripts in America (New York, 1976), pp. 36-37.
Exhibition Catalogue: W. Cahn and J. Marrow, eds., 
"Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts at Yale: A Selection," 
Yale University Library Gazette 52 (1978), no. 7.
R.M. Liuzza (ed.), The Old English Version of the Gospels. Early English Text Society, vol. 1 
(Oxford, 1994), pp. XLI-XLII.

Albert Derolez