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MS 130: Astronomical collection, 15th century

 Item
Identifier: MS 130

Scope and Contents

Collection of astronomical texts in German.

Kalendar: starts on f. 1v. It contains lunary and planetary tables combined. Saint particulalrly linked with Germany appear in the Kalendar: 6 January – The Three Kings (Cologne); 7 January – Saint Valentine Bishop (Passau and Apostle of Rhoetia); 15 June – Saint Vitus Martyr; 13 October –: Saint Kolman Martyr.

Küngsperger: starts on f. 13v. A series of tables, one for each of the twelve months.

Taffel der Würzell des Mitteln Läuffs der Plonetten ('Table of the root of the middle orbit of the planets'): starts on f. 16v.

Taffel des Läuffs der halben züsamfügüng der Sün und des Mons ('Table of the orbit of the half confluence of the sun and the moon'): on f. 17v.

Table of Golden Numbers: starts on f. 18r.

Taffel der Anschauung der Zeichen ('Table of the images of the signs'): on f. 20r.

Taffel wan gütt lossen ist ('Table of when one should refrain from doing things'): starts on f. 20v.

Den Newen Mon zü winden und in was Tags Stünd und Minütten ('To find the New Moon and in which hours and minutes of the day'): on f. 23r.

Sigill der 12 Zeichen des Himmels ('Illustration of the 12 signs of the Zodiac'): on f. 23v.

Rotae of the Planets, Sun and Moon: start on f. 26r.

Dij hernach geschriben Taffeln sagen von allerley Sachen ('The tables that are written hereafter tell of various things'): starts on f. 29r.

Von den 12 Monnatten und wij man sich darinn halten soll ('Of the 12 months and how one ought to conduct oneself therein'): starts on f. 36r.

On the 12 Signs and their effect on those born under each: starts on f. 38v.

Hernach volgt kürzlich begriffen welcher Plonett gütt oder poes ist ('Hereafter follows a brief understanding of which planets are good or bad'): starts on f. 41r.

Hijnach volgtt dij nigenschaft der Zwölf himelzeichen und von den Zwölff Monatten und Planetten (Prose and Verse) ('Hereafter follow the properties of the twelve signs of the Zodiac and of the twelve months and planets'): starts on f. 46r.

Hijnach sindt geschriben glich nigenschaft der Siben Plonetten ('Hereafter are written similarly the properties of the seven planets'): starts on f. 51v.

Die pild hernach geschriben des Maisters Bartholomeus soil man machen in starckem zeichen als hernach geschriben ist ('The pictures hereafter written of the Master Bartholomeus ought to be produced in a strong manner as is written hereafter'): starts on f. 54r.

Hernach stett geschriben von den zwölff zeichen und von irrer nattür und nigenschaft die sii an in selbst haben ('Hereafter is written of the twelve signs and of their nature and properties that they have in themselves'): starts on f. 54v.

The Nature of the Orbit of the Moon: starts on f. 59v.

Information as to what may or may not be done on each day throughout the year according to traditional astronomical calculations: starts on f. 68r.

Writing

Written by two hands, both fairly good, with rubrics and red capitals.

Illumination

The treatise on the Signs of the Zodiac (ff. 54v-59r) is illustrated by small square pen and water-colour pictures of a rough kind.

Dates

  • Creation: 15th century

Language of Materials

Middle German.

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 Kalendar contains a large number of saints connected with Germany. The variety of names is so great that it is difficult to determine any particular locality (see the contents section for more details).

There is one mark of ownership on f. 1, Das puech ist mir Hansen Apfelbeckh geschenkht vorden ('The book has been given to me by Hansen Apfelbeckh'), with a shield very roughly sketched quartered one and four, three planets; two and three, a star of six points (16th or 17th century).

Previous reference

D.b.V.19

Physical Facet

Material: Paper and vellum.

Binding: Modern, lettered Almanac cum Tabulis Planetarum. Damaged: front cover detached.

Collation: a11, b12, c7, d4, e16-i16, k8, l8 = 130.

Dimensions

22.86 cm x 16.51 cm

General

Secundo folio: Januarius.

Foliation and number of lines to a page: ff. 130, c. 36 lines to a page.

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