MS 101: Dialogi de Miraculis Sanctorum Patrum by Gregory I, also known as Dialogi, 12th century
Contents
This manuscript contains the Dialogi (Dialogues) by pope Gregory I (c. 540–604), also known as Saint Gregory the Great. He was an influential statesman and prolific religious writer, considered doctor and father of the Church, and revered as saint by several Christian traditions. The Dialogi are a collection of miracles and astounding deeds done by saints and other holy people. The text is divided in four books of which the second is devoted to the life of Benedict of Nursia.
The title on f. 1r reads: Incipit liber primus dialogorum Beati Gregorii pape urbis rome de miraculis sanctorum patrum. The text starts on f. 1r with the following words: Quadam die nimiis. And ends on f. 105v with the following words: hostia ipsi fuerimus. Explicit liber dialogorum beati Gregorii pape urbis rome de miraculis sanctorum patrum.
It is written in a clear, good 12th century hand, with rubrics and coloured capitals, the small capitals alternately blue and red, the book initials blue and red, the first clause of each book in black half uncials touched with red. The book has suffered very sadly from mice, the lower corners being entirely nibbled away, but fortunately the contents have not suffered.
Dates
- Creation: 12th century
Creator
- Gregory I, Pope, approximately 540-604 (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
1 bound MS volume
Custodial History
The only mark of ownership is the inscription on f. 106, Liber Sancte Marie de Dulci Corde qui alienaverit anathema sit (Book of Saint Mary of Sweet Heart, anyone who would take it away will be anathema), written in a large Gothic hand of the 15th century, repeated in court hand of the same period on the verso of this leaf. The manuscript is, however, of too early a date to have been written at Sweetheart Abbey, which was founded in 1275, so that its original provenance is undetermined. Bound in with it, at the beginning and end, are two interesting fragments. This is another of Lord Alva's books.
At the beginning, a leaf from a noted Antiphoner of the 14th century, of York Use, containing almost the whole of the service of the Translation of Saint Martin (4 July). At the end, two leaves from a French 15th century manuscript containing, on the recto of the first and verso of the second, part of a sermon or theological treatise on the Will, written apparently in Picard dialect; and, on the verso of the first and recto of the second, part of the Breviary Services for Trinity Sunday (Use undetermined).
Previous reference
D. b. IV. 7.
Physical Facet
Material: Vellum
Binding: Modern. Rebound in red morocco and repaired by Cockerell in 1938. 2 metal clasps. The titles ‘GREGORII DIALOGI DE MIRACULIS SANCTORUM PATRUM' and ‘SAEC. XII’ are stamped on the outer cover spine upright.
Collation: a8, b8, c12, d12, e8, f8, g10, h10, i12, k10, l8=106.
Dimensions
23.81 cm x 15.88 cm
General
Secundo folio: revocatur. Quorum
Foliation and number of lines to a page: ff. 106 (+4 vellum fly-leaves), 25 lines to a page.
Creator
- Gregory I, Pope, approximately 540-604 (Author, Person)
Source
- Erskine, James, 1722-1796 (Lord Barjarg and Alva | Scottish lawyer) (Former owner, 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