Architrenius by John of Hauville, 13th century
Contents
The Architrenius is a Latin allegorical poem in hexameters, dedicated to Walter of Coutances, Archbishop of Rouen, in 1184. Little is know about its author, Johannes de Hauvilla: he was probably originary from the village of Hauville, near Rouen; at the time of the dedication of Architrenius, he was presumably alread a teacher of the cathedral school of Rouen.
The poem is divided in nine books. It narrates the allegorical journey of the protagonist, a young man called Architrenius (from Greek, 'Arch-mourner'), in search of the goddess Nature.
Architrenius: starts on f. 78r. It is introduced by the rubricated words Incipit liber magistri iohannis havillensis qui architrenius dicitur ad gualterum de constantiis rotomagensem archiepiscopum. The text begins with Velificatur athol dubio mare ponte ligatus.
Book 1: f. 78r.
Book 2: f. 80v.
Book 3: f. 83r.
Book 4: f. 87v.
[A folio has fallen between 87 and 88. The last line of book 4 (v. 483) and the beginning of book 5 (up to v. 187) are therefore missing].
Book 5: f. 88r (from v. 188).
Book 6: f. 89v.
Book 7: f. 92r.
Book 8: f. 94v.
Book 9: f. 97r.
It ends on f. 99v with the words populis dilectus et ultra. Explicit.
Prologue: on f. 99v. It is introduced by the rubricated words Incipit prologus in librum magistri (then in blue) iohannis de hauvilla qui architrenius (red again) dicitur ad gauterum rothomagensem archiepiscopum. It begins with the words Architrenius quidam cum ad annos virilis roboris devenisset.
There is a very fine initial at the beginning (f. 78r), in which is a small miniature on a punctured gold ground, representing, in the upper part, Xerxes sailing over Mount Athos, and below, Xerxes crossing the Hellespont.
Dates
- Creation: 13th century
Creator
- Johannes, de Hauvilla, fl 12th century (moralist and satirical poet) (Author, Person)
Language of Materials
Latin
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to all. The manuscripts can be consulted in the Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh University Main Library.
Extent
22 folios
Bibliography
Creator
- Johannes, de Hauvilla, fl 12th century (moralist and satirical poet) (Author, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk