Manuscript Content
The two fragments contain commentaries to Psalms 17-19 and 31-33. This is
an abridged version, and not all verses are included.
The text begins at 1549, 4 a (2) right column: Psalm 17, 30-35. The first
initial is a green Q, which marks Psalm 17, 30: Quoniam in te eripiar a
te[ntatione]: (for in You I will be delivered from temptation) The rest
of the verse is left out, and then comes the comment: non in me. In me
enim infirmus, in te fortis sum ([In You I will be delivered, he says],
not in me. Because in me I am weak, but in You I am strong) and so on.
Red D: Psalm 17, 31: Deus meus impolluta via eius. Green D: Psalm 17,
33: Deus qui precinxit me. Red Q: Psalm 17, 35: Qui docet manus meas ad
prelium.
1549, 4a (1) left column: Psalm 17, 36-39. The top text is the first
half of Psalm 17, 36, followed by the second half: Green E: Psalm 17,
36: Et disciplina tua correxit me in finem. Red D: Psalm 17, 37:
Dilatasti gressus meos subtus me. Red P: Psalm 17, 38: Persequar
inimicos meos, et com[prehendar illos].
1549, 4b (2) right column: Psalm 17, 41-46 and Psalm 18, 6-11. The first,
concentrated paragraph contains the last words of Psalm 17, 39,
proceeding with 41, 42, 43, and 46. Then follows Psalm 18, 6 before the
first initial. The green A with red decoration is the first initial for
Psalm 18, even though the text more or less glides from Psalm 17 to 18
in the preceding paragraph. Green A: Psalm 18, 7: A summo celo egressio
eius. Red L: Psalm 18,8: Lex domini immaculata convertens animas.
1549, 4b (1) left column: Psalm 18, 13-15 and Psalm 19, 2-6. The text
begins with the end of Psalm 18, 13, and continues with the first part
of 18, 14 without initial, continuing with the second part: Red S: Psalm
18, 14: Si mei non fuerint do[minati]. Green D: Psalm 18, 15: Domine,
adiutor meus. The initial marking Psalm 19 is a plain one. The first
verse is not included: Red E: Psalm 19, 2: Exaudiat te dominus. Green M:
Memor sit omnis sa[crificii] tui.
1549, 4 b (1) right column: Psalm 31, 2-11 and Psalm 32, 1-5. The green
E (Exultate) with red decoration marks the beginning of Psalm 32,
Exultate iusti in domino.
1549, 4b (2) left column: Psalm 32, 17 and Psalm 33, 2-15. Green F:
Psalm 32, 17: Fallax equus ad salutem. Red B: Psalm 33, 2: Bene[dicam
dominum in omni tempore]. Green A: Psalm 33, 6: Accedite ad eum. Green
P: Psalm 33, 14: P[rohibe] linguam tuam. Red D: Psalm 33, 15: Declina a
malo.
1549, 4a (1) right column: Psalm 33, 16-19 and Psalm 34, 1-6. The plain
red A is for Psalm 34, 2, and comes directly after the ending of the
comment to Psalm 33, 19. This is another example of the first initial in
a new Psalm not having penned decoration. The top text is the commentary
to Psalm 33, 16. Green I: Psalm 33, 19: Iuxta est dominus his qui
tri[bulati] sunt corde. Red A: Psalm 34, 2: Apprehende arma. Red F:
Psalm 34, 6: Fiat via illorum.
1549, 4a (2) left column: Psalm 34, 13-28. Green E: Psalm 34, 27:
Exultent et letentur.
Parchment, two cropped bifolia, ca 14,5 x 19,5
cm
Lay-out: The two cropped bifolia, which together make two whole folia and
two half folia, were probably the two outer bifolia of the second quire
(f.1-2+7-8). Each page has been ca >15 x 12 cm. One column per page,
>13,5 x 9,5 cm, with >30 lines. Very fine, hardly visible dry point
ruling.
Script: A very small and fine informal protogothic script with a frequent
use of abbreviations. The presence of occasional juncture between round
letters pushes the date of origin to the second half of the 12th century. The tironian
et-sign is
uncrossed. No rubrics.
Initials: Mainly small, plain initials alternating in red and green (one
line high), marking the beginning of a new verse. Two of the green
letters, both marking the beginning of a new psalm (i.e. not only a new
verse), have penned decorations in red.
Condition: The fragments have large, darker spots, probably from glue, as
well as traces of paper. The only holes are from their original binding.
Their size and condition suggest that they have been glued to the inside
of the front and back panels of an octavo bookbinding.
Based on the script the fragments have been dated to the 12th century
(date supplied by prof. Ludwig Bieler, Dublin, in note from 6/7
1964). The junctures in the script may suggest the second half of
the century. At the international fragment workshop in Bergen 2005, this was narrowed down to
the third quarter of the 12th century. The place of origin was believed to be Northern France or the Low Countries.
The fragments have been used in the binding of an octavo book. The
margin of 1549, 4a recto has the inscription "NB Herremag 117 dr in
specie". Whether or not the manuscript was in Norway in the middle
ages and has been re-used here, is unknown.
No information.
Tveitane, Mattias et. al.: Bergen University Library Manuscript
Catalogue [unpublished]