Compendium Theologicae Veritatis by Hugh Ripelin, 10 October 1477

This is a 15th century manuscript of the Compendium Theologicae Veritatis. This text was 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. As demonstrated in the colophon on f.227, the treatise has been attributed to a variety of authors, most commonly to Albertus Magnus (as here). Current research points to Hugh Ripelin (also called Hugo Argentinensis), a Dominican theologian at Strasbourg, as the most likely author. The original text was probably written in 1268.

Colophon: f.227r. The Latin reads, "Laus tibi sit Xpe, quoniam liber explicit iste. Explicit septimus et ultimus liber qui totus intitulatur compendium theologice veritatis compositum per Egidium de Roma. Sed quidam ascribunt beato thome de aquino, alii cuidam thome theutonico, aliqui vero alberto magno. Finit per me presbiterum franciscum captaneum de placentia in monasterio sancti benedicti de Padolirone in quadam cella quae sancta justina nuncurateur, ad instructionem et consolationem meam, ad honorem dei ac beatissime Virginis Marie Matris eundem et omnium sanctorum ac sanctarum totius curie celestis Amen. 1477 die decimo Octobris". In English this means, "Praise be to you, Christ, since this book is finished. The seventh and last book is finished, the whole of which is called the 'Compendium Theologicae Veritatis' (Compendium of Theological Truth) by Egidius of Rome. But certain people have ascribed it to the blessed Thomas Aquinas, others to Thomas Theutonicus, and even others to Albertus Magnus. It was finished by me, priest Franciscus Captaneus of Placentia in the benedictine monastery of Polirone in a cell called after Saint Justina, at my instruction and consolation, for the honour of God and the most blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God and for all the saints. 1477, October 10".