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Life of the Virgin [Liber de laudibus beate Marie Virginis], 13th century

 part
Identifier: MS 21/ff. 1r-96v

Scope and Contents

The Liber de laudibus beate Marie Virginis ('Book of the praises of the Virgin Mary') has been attributed to the Dominican friar Vincent de Beauvais (died c. 1264).

Prologue: on f. 1r. It is introduced by the rubricated words Incipit prologue in librum sequentem, begins with Quoniam de gestis beatissime Virginis Dei genetricis ad modum pauca in evangelica reperiuntur hystoria, and ends with totum opus per capitula subiecta distinxi.

Chapter headings: start on f. 1r. A list of the chapters in which the text is divided, written in two columns with rubricated Roman numerals in the margins (1 to 140). The first heading is De laudibus virginis matris, the last Oratio ad filium pariter et ad matrem.

Life of the Virgin: starts on f. 3r. It is introduced with the rubricated words Incipit de beata virgine maria libellus totus ex dictis autenticis contextus. Jeronimus in sermone de assumptionis beate marie. De laudibus virginis matris. The stains in the vellum make it difficult to read the rubricated letter. The text begins with the words Si deum ore prophetico iubemur in sanctis suis laudare; the scribe has left small rectangular blanks for a rubricated or historiated initials, but these have never been inserted. It ends on f. 96v with the words ut in eternum psallat tota substantia mea. Amen.

In laude Beate Virginis Marie ('In praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary') by Petrus Comestor:: on f. 96v. It begins with the words Si fieri possed quod harene pulvis et unde and ends with Que tu sit pietas nec littera nec dabis etas.

Dates

  • Creation: 13th 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

96 folios

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379