MS 74: Compendium theologicae veritatis by Hugh Ripelin, 14th century
Contents
14th century German manuscript of the 'Compendium theologicae veritatis', one of the most widely read theological manuals or textbooks of the Middle Ages. It is divided into seven books: 1 The Nature of God; 2 The Creation; 3 On Sin; 4 The Incarnation; 5 On Grace, Beatitudes and the Sacraments; 6 The Sacraments; 7 The Last Things. It has been attributed to a variety of authors but current research points to Hugh Ripelin (also called Hugo Argentinensis), a Dominican theologian at Strasburg, as the most likely author. The original text was probably written in 1268.
Contents:
List of contents: starts f.1 recto.
Book 1: On the Nature of God. Starts f.2 recto.
Book 2: The Creation. Starts f.13 verso.
Book 3: On Sin. Starts f.27 (wants first folio).
Book 4: The Incarnation. Starts f.40 recto.
Book 5: On Grace, the Beatitudes, and the Ten Commandments. Starts f.53 verso.
Book 6: The Sacraments. Starts f.76 recto.
Book 7: The Last Things. Starts f.92 verso.
Colophon: on f.102 verso. It reads, "Finis adest operis. Mercedem posco laboris. Finito libro. Sit laus et gloria Christo", meaning, "The end of the work has arrived. I would like a reward for my labour. Now that the book is done, let there be praise and glory to Christ". After this is are the words, "Explicit Compendium Theologice Veritatis. Amen. Qui me furetur, sibi collum finie necetur. Explicit liber", meaning, "The Compendium theologicae veritatis ends. Amen. Whoever steals me, may his neck be slit. The book ends".
Sermo: A sermon starting, "Ecce sponsus venit, exite obviam ei..." and ending, "Verba ista cantantur - ineffabile perducat nos J.C. Amen". F.103 recto - f.103 verso. It is in a different hand and is not related to the main text of the manuscript.
Fair Gothic hand, plain red capitals. The same hand for most of the manuscript (f.1 - f.88 verso), but a different hand from f.89 - f.102 verso (possible multiple different hands within these folios: f.89 - f.89 verso, top of first column, second hand; f.89 verso - top of f.91 verso, third hand; f.91 verso - 102 verso, fourth hand). The final folio, containing a sermon (f.103 recto and verso), is certainly in a different hand again, and this is an inserted sermon, not part of the main text of the manuscript.
Dates
- Creation: 14th century
Creator
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
1 bound MS volume
Custodial History
The script is probably German, but there are no specific marks. The title, a modern one, shows that it was in a German library up until a late date. Binding in the front board was a fragment from an 11th century book, probably a Psalter now removed and placed among the fragments (manuscript 211. xviii).
Previous reference
Laing 59
Physical Facet
Material: Vellum.
Binding: Original, oak boards covered leather with marks of strap, lettered, on modern paper label, 'Compendium Theolog: Veritatis. Perg. Msept.(a.d. xiv Jahrh.).' Some folios missing.
Collation: a6 (wants 1 and 8), b8, c8, d7 (wants 1 and 2), f7 (wants 5), g8, h7 (wants 8), i8, k7 (wants 5), l7 (wants 5), m8, n8, o7=103.
Dimensions
25.4 cm x 18.10 cm
General
Secundo folio: incipit compendium
Foliation and number of lines to a page: ff. 103, in double columns, 32 lines to a page.
Creator
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