Epistola accurtationis by Pseudo-Ramon Llull, 1478
Contents
The letter is attributed to Ramon Llull (c. 1232-c. 1315), a polymath of great fame who paved to way to subsequent knowledge in many fields such as mathematics, logic, and theology. Several texts have been falsely attributed to Llull and started to circulate under his name from the 14th century; many of these texts concern alchemy. This particular letter deals with the process of shortening (accurtatio) the processes needed in order to obtain the philosopher's stone. It is addressed to a King Robert of England.
It is introduced by a rubric (f. 8r): Incipit epistola accurtationis Raymundi Lulli celeberrimi philosophi ad regem Rubertum transmissa.
The text begins on f. 8r with the words [C]UM EGO RAYMUNDUS de insula maioricarum iam preteritis temporibus plures libros secretos in arte transmutationum composuissem. It ends on f. 23v with the words Non puto accurtationes esse quas iam ista cedula parva non declarat. Elige ergo ex ea intentum laudans deum per infinita secula seculorum. Amen.
It is followed by a rubric (f. 23v): Explicit epistola accurtationis lapidis benedicti magistri Raymundi Lulli philosophi.
Dates
- Creation: 1478
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
6 folios
Bibliography
Pereira, Michela. The Alchemical Corpus Attributed to Raymond Llull, Warburg Institute Surveys and Texts 18. London: The Warburg Institute (University of London), 1989, 71 [erroneously quoted as MS 141].
Singer, Dorothea Waley. Catalogue of Latin and Vernacular Alchemical Manuscripts in Great Britain and Ireland. Dating from before the XVI Century, vol. 1. Brussels: Maurice Lamertin, 1928, vol. 1, p. 232, n. 250.iii (erroneously quoted as MS 141).
Thorndike, Lynn, and Pearl Kibre. A catalogue of incipits of Mediaeval scientific writings in Latin. London: William Clowes and Sons, 1963, col. 296.
Creator
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
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Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
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