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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Bibliomania in the Middle Ages + +Author: Frederick Somner Merryweather + +Release Date: May 28, 2007 [EBook #21630] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIBLIOMANIA IN THE MIDDLE AGES *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii"></a>[<a href="./images/iii.png">iii</a>]</span></p> + + + + +<h1>BIBLIOMANIA</h1> + +<h4><span class="smcap">in</span></h4> + +<h2>THE MIDDLE AGES</h2> + +<h4><span class="smcap">by</span></h4> + +<h3>F. SOMNER MERRYWEATHER</h3> + +<h4><i>With an Introduction by</i></h4> +<h3>CHARLES ORR</h3> +<h4>Librarian of Case Library</h4> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-1.jpg" alt="Publisher's Mark" title="Publisher's Mark" /></p> + + +<h4>NEW YORK</h4> +<h4>MEYER BROTHERS & COMPANY</h4> +<h5>1900</h5> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv"></a>[<a href="./images/iv.png">iv</a>]</span></p> + +<hr /> + +<h4>Copyright, 1900</h4> +<h3>By Meyer Bros. & Co.</h3> + +<p>Louis Weiss & Co.</p> +<p>Printers....</p> +<p>118 Fulton Street</p> +<p>... New York</p> +<hr class ="full" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v"></a>[<a href="./images/v.png">v</a>]</span></p> + +<h2>Bibliomania in the Middle Ages</h2> + +<h4><span class="smcap">or</span></h4> + +<h3>SKETCHES OF BOOKWORMS, COLLECTORS, +BIBLE STUDENTS, SCRIBES AND ILLUMINATORS</h3> + +<h4><i>From the Anglo-Saxon and Norman Periods to the Introduction of Printing</i></h4> +<h4><i>into England, with Anecdotes Illustrating the History of the</i></h4> +<h4><i>Monastic Libraries of Great Britain in the Olden Time</i></h4> +<h4><i>by</i> <span class="smcap">F. Somner Merryweather</span>, <i>with</i></h4> +<h4><i>an Introduction by</i> <span class="smcap">Charles Orr</span>,</h4> +<h4><i>Librarian of Case Library.</i></h4> + +<hr class ="full" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi"></a>[<a href="./images/vi.png">vi</a>]</span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<div class="centered"><table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><th align="right"> </th><th align="right"><span class="smcap">page</span></th></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#INTRODUCTION"><span class="smcap">INTRODUCTION</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_vii">vii</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER I</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER II</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER III</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_27">27</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER IV</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER V</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_93">93</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER VI</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_135">135</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER VII</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_151">151</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER VIII</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_157">157</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER IX</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_205">205</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER X</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER XI</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER XII</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_287">287</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><span class="smcap">CHAPTER XIII</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_305">305</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><a href="#INDEX"><span class="smcap">INDEX</span></a></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_315">315</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii"></a>[<a href="./images/vii.png">vii</a>]</span></p> + + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-2.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION</h2> + + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-3.jpg" alt="I" title="I" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">n</span> every century for more than two +thousand years, many men have +owed their chief enjoyment of life +to books. The bibliomaniac of +today had his prototype in ancient +Rome, where book collecting was +fashionable as early as the first century of the +Christian era. Four centuries earlier there was an +active trade in books at Athens, then the center of +the book production of the world. This center +of literary activity shifted to Alexandria during +the third century <span class="smcap">b. c.</span> through the patronage of +Ptolemy Soter, the founder of the Alexandrian +Museum, and of his son, Ptolemy Philadelphus; +and later to Rome, where it remained for many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii"></a>[<a href="./images/viii.png">viii</a>]</span> +centuries, and where bibliophiles and bibliomaniacs +were gradually evolved, and from whence in time +other countries were invaded.</p> + +<p>For the purposes of the present work the middle +ages cover the period beginning with the seventh +century and ending with the time of the invention +of printing, or about seven hundred years, though +they are more accurately bounded by the years 500 +and 1500 <span class="smcap">a. d.</span> It matters little, however, since +there is no attempt at chronological arrangement.</p> + +<p>About the middle of the present century there +began to be a disposition to grant to mediæval +times their proper place in the history of the preservation +and dissemination of books, and Merryweather's +<i>Bibliomania in the Middle Ages</i> was one +of the earliest works in English devoted to the +subject. Previous to that time, those ten centuries +lying between the fall of the Roman Empire and +the revival of learning were generally referred to +as the Dark Ages, and historians and other writers +were wont to treat them as having been without +learning or scholarship of any kind.</p> + +<p>Even Mr. Hallam,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> with all that judicial temperament +and patient research to which we owe so +much, could find no good to say of the Church or +its institutions, characterizing the early university<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix"></a>[<a href="./images/ix.png">ix</a>]</span> +as the abode of "indigent vagabonds withdrawn +from usual labor," and all monks as positive enemies +of learning.</p> + +<p>The gloomy survey of Mr. Hallam, clouded no +doubt by his antipathy to all things ecclesiastical, +served, however, to arouse the interest of the period, +which led to other studies with different results, +and later writers were able to discern below the +surface of religious fanaticism and superstition so +characteristic of those centuries, much of interest +in the history of literature; to show that every age +produced learned and inquisitive men by whom +books were highly prized and industriously collected +for their own sakes; in short, to rescue the +period from the stigma of absolute illiteracy.</p> + +<p>If the reader cares to pursue the subject further, +after going through the fervid defense of the love +of books in the middle ages, of which this is the +introduction, he will find outside of its chapters +abundant evidence that the production and care of +books was a matter of great concern. In the +pages of <i>Mores Catholici; or Ages of Faith</i>, by +Mr. Kenelm Digby,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> or of <i>The Dark Ages</i>, by Dr. +S. R. Maitland,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> or of that great work of recent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x"></a>[<a href="./images/x.png">x</a>]</span> +years, <i>Books and their Makers during the Middle +Ages</i>, by Mr. George Haven Putnam,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> he will see +vivid and interesting portraits of a great multitude +of mediæval worthies who were almost lifelong +lovers of learning and books, and zealous laborers +in preserving, increasing and transmitting them. +And though little of the mass that has come down +to us was worthy of preservation on its own account +as literature, it is exceedingly interesting as a +record of centuries of industry in the face of such +difficulties that to workers of a later period might +have seemed insurmountable.</p> + +<p>A further fact worthy of mention is that book +production was from the art point of view fully +abreast of the other arts during the period, as must +be apparent to any one who examines the collections +in some of the libraries of Europe. Much of +this beauty was wrought for the love of the art +itself. In the earlier centuries religious institutions +absorbed nearly all the social intellectual movements +as well as the possession of material riches +and land. Kings and princes were occupied with +distant wars which impoverished them and deprived +literature and art of that patronage accorded to it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi"></a>[<a href="./images/xi.png">xi</a>]</span> +in later times. There is occasional mention, however, +of wealthy laymen, whose religious zeal induced +them to give large sums of money for the +copying and ornamentation of books; and there +were in the abbeys and convents lay brothers whose +fervent spirits, burning with poetical imagination, +sought in these monastic retreats and the labor of +writing, redemption from their past sins. These +men of faith were happy to consecrate their whole +existence to the ornamentation of a single sacred +book, dedicated to the community, which gave +them in exchange the necessaries of life.</p></div> + +<p>The labor of transcribing was held, in the +monasteries, to be a full equivalent of manual +labor in the field. The rule of St. Ferreol, written +in the sixth century, says that, "He who does not +turn up the earth with the plough ought to write +the parchment with his fingers."</p> + +<p>Mention has been made of the difficulties under +which books were produced; and this is a matter +which we who enjoy the conveniences of modern +writing and printing can little understand. The +hardships of the <i>scriptorium</i> were greatest, of +course, in winter. There were no fires in the often +damp and ill-lighted cells, and the cold in some of +the parts of Europe where books were produced +must have been very severe. Parchment, the material +generally used for writing upon after the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii"></a>[<a href="./images/xii.png">xii</a>]</span> +seventh century, was at some periods so scarce that +copyists were compelled to resort to the expedient +of effacing the writing on old and less esteemed +manuscripts.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> The form of writing was stiff and +regular and therefore exceedingly slow and irksome.</p> + +<p>In some of the monasteries the <i>scriptorium</i> was +at least at a later period, conducted more as a matter +of commerce, and making of books became in time +very profitable. The Church continued to hold +the keys of knowledge and to control the means of +productions; but the cloistered cell, where the monk +or the layman, who had a penance to work off for a +grave sin, had worked in solitude, gave way to the +apartment specially set aside, where many persons +could work together, usually under the direction of +a <i>librarius</i> or chief scribe. In the more carefully +constructed monasteries this apartment was so +placed as to adjoin the calefactory, which allowed +the introduction of hot air, when needed.</p> + +<p>The seriousness with which the business of +copying was considered is well illustrated by the +consecration of the <i>scriptorium</i> which was often<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii"></a>[<a href="./images/xiii.png">xiii</a>]</span> +done in words which may be thus translated: +"Vouchsafe, O Lord, to bless this work-room of +thy servants, that all which they write therein may +be comprehended by their intelligence and realized +in their work."</p> + +<p>While the work of the scribes was largely that +of copying the scriptures, gospels, and books of +devotion required for the service of the church, +there was a considerable trade in books of a more +secular kind. Particularly was this so in England. +The large measure of attention given to the production +of books of legends and romances was +a distinguishing feature of the literature of England +at least three centuries previous to the invention +of printing. At about the twelfth century +and after, there was a very large production and +sale of books under such headings as chronicles, +satires, sermons, works of science and medicine, +treatises on style, prose romances and epics in +verse. Of course a large proportion of these +were written in or translated from the Latin, the +former indicating a pretty general knowledge of +that language among those who could buy or +read books at all. That this familiarity with +the Latin tongue was not confined to any particular +country is abundantly shown by various +authorities.</p> + +<p>Mr. Merryweather, whose book, as has been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv"></a>[<a href="./images/xiv.png">xiv</a>]</span> +intimated, is only a defense of bibliomania itself as it +actually existed in the middle ages, gives the reader +but scant information as to processes of book-making +at that time. But thanks to the painstaking +research of others, these details are now +a part of the general knowledge of the development +of the book. The following, taken from Mr. +Theodore De Vinne's <i>Invention of Printing</i>, will, +we think, be found interesting:</p> + +<p>"The size most in fashion was that now known +as the demy folio, of which the leaf is about ten +inches wide and fifteen inches long, but smaller +sizes were often made. The space to be occupied +by the written text was mapped out with faint +lines, so that the writer could keep his letters on a +line, at even distance from each other and within +the prescribed margin. Each letter was carefully +drawn, and filled in or painted with repeated +touches of the pen. With good taste, black ink +was most frequently selected for the text; red ink +was used only for the more prominent words, and +the catch-letters, then known as the rubricated letters. +Sometimes texts were written in blue, green, +purple, gold or silver inks, but it was soon discovered +that texts in bright color were not so +readable as texts in black.</p> + +<p>"When the copyist had finished his sheet he +passed it to the designer, who sketched the border,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv"></a>[<a href="./images/xv.png">xv</a>]</span> +pictures and initials. The sheet was then given to +the illuminator, who painted it. The ornamentation +of a mediæval book of the first class is beyond +description by words or by wood cuts. Every inch +of space was used. Its broad margins were filled +with quaint ornaments, sometimes of high merit, +admirably painted in vivid colors. Grotesque initials, +which, with their flourishes, often spanned +the full height of the page, or broad bands of +floriated tracery that occupied its entire width, +were the only indications of changes of chapter or +subject. In printer's phrase the composition was +"close-up and solid" to the extreme degree of compactness. +The uncommonly free use of red ink for +the smaller initials was not altogether a matter of +taste; if the page had been written entirely in black +ink it would have been unreadable through its +blackness. This nicety in writing consumed much +time, but the mediæval copyist was seldom governed +by considerations of time or expense. It was of +little consequence whether the book he transcribed +would be finished in one or in ten years. It was +required only that he should keep at his work +steadily and do his best. His skill is more to be +commended than his taste. Many of his initials +and borders were outrageously inappropriate for +the text for which they were designed. The gravest +truths were hedged in the most childish conceits.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi"></a>[<a href="./images/xvi.png">xvi</a>]</span> +Angels, butterflies, goblins, clowns, birds, snails and +monkeys, sometimes in artistic, but much oftener +in grotesque and sometimes in highly offensive +positions are to be found in the illuminated borders +of copies of the gospels and writings of the fathers.</p> + +<p>"The book was bound by the forwarder, who +sewed the leaves and put them in a cover of leather +or velvet; by the finisher, who ornamented the +cover with gilding and enamel. The illustration +of book binding, published by Amman in his Book +of Trades, puts before us many of the implements +still in use. The forwarder, with his customary +apron of leather, is in the foreground, making use +of a plow-knife for trimming the edges of a book. +The lying press, which rests obliquely against the +block before him, contains a book that has received +the operation of backing-up from a queer shaped +hammer lying upon the floor. The workman at +the end of the room is sewing together the sections +of a book, for sewing was properly regarded as a +man's work, and a scientific operation altogether +beyond the capacity of the raw seamstress. The +work of the finisher is not represented, but the +brushes, the burnishers, the sprinklers and the wheel-shaped +gilding tools hanging against the wall +leave us no doubt as to their use. There is an air +of antiquity about everything connected with this +bookbindery which suggests the thought that its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii"></a>[<a href="./images/xvii.png">xvii</a>]</span> +tools and usages are much older than those of +printing. Chevillier says that seventeen professional +bookbinders found regular employment in +making up books for the University of Paris, as +early as 1292. Wherever books were produced in +quantities, bookbinding was set apart as a business +distinct from that of copying.</p> + +<p>"The poor students who copied books for their +own use were also obliged to bind them, which +they did in a simple but efficient manner by sewing +together the folded sheets, attaching them to narrow +parchment bands, the ends of which were made +to pass through a cover of stout parchment at the +joint near the back. The ends of the bands were +then pasted down under the stiffening sheet of the +cover, and the book was pressed. Sometimes the +cover was made flexible by the omission of the stiffening +sheet; sometimes the edges of the leaves +were protected by flexible and overhanging flaps +which were made to project over the covers; or by +the insertion in the covers of stout leather strings +with which the two covers were tied together. +Ornamentation was entirely neglected, for a book +of this character was made for use and not for +show. These methods of binding were mostly +applied to small books intended for the pocket; +the workmanship was rough, but the binding was +strong and serviceable."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii"></a>[<a href="./images/xviii.png">xviii</a>]</span></p> + +<p>The book of Mr. Merryweather, here reprinted, +is thought worthy of preservation in a series designed +for the library of the booklover. Its publication +followed shortly after that of the works of +Digby and Maitland, but shows much original +research and familiarity with early authorities; and +it is much more than either of these, or of any book +with which we are acquainted, a plea in defense of +bibliomania in the middle ages. Indeed the charm +of the book may be said to rest largely upon the +earnestness with which he takes up his self-imposed +task. One may fancy that after all he found it +not an easy one; in fact his "Conclusion" is a kind +of apology for not having made out a better case. +But this he believes he has proven, "that with all +their superstition, with all their ignorance, their +blindness to philosophic light—the monks of old +were hearty lovers of books; that they encouraged +learning, fostered it, and transcribed repeatedly the +books which they had rescued from the destruction +of war and time; and so kindly cherished and husbanded +them as intellectual food for posterity. +Such being the case, let our hearts look charitably +upon them; and whilst we pity them for their +superstition, or blame them for their pious frauds, +love them as brother men and workers in the mines +of literature."</p> + +<p>Of the author himself little can be learned. A<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix"></a>[<a href="./images/xix.png">xix</a>]</span> +diligent search revealed little more than the entry +in the London directory which, in various years from +1840 to 1850, gives his occupation as that of +bookseller, at 14 King Street, Holborn. Indeed +this is shown by the imprint of the title-page of +<i>Bibliomania</i>, which was published in 1849. He +published during the same year <i>Dies Dominicæ</i>, +and in 1850 <i>Glimmerings in the Dark</i>, and <i>Lives +and Anecdotes of Misers</i>. The latter has been +immortalized by Charles Dickens as one of the +books bought at the bookseller's shop by Boffin, +the Golden Dustman, and which was read to him +by the redoubtable Silas Wegg during Sunday +evenings at "Boffin's Bower."<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-4.jpg" alt="Footer" title="Footer" /></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Hallam, Henry. "Introduction to the Literature of Europe." +4 vols. London.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Digby, Kenelm. "Mores Catholici; or Ages of Faith." +3 vols. London, 1848.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Maitland, S. R. "The Dark Ages; a Series of Essays Intended +to Illustrate the State of Religion and Literature in the Ninth, Tenth, +Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries." London, 1845.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Putnam, George Haven. "Books and their Makers during +the Middle Ages; a Study of the Conditions of the Production +and Distribution of Literature from the Fall of the Roman Empire +to the Close of the Seventeenth Century."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Lacroix, Paul. "Arts of the Middle Ages." Our author, +however (<i>vide</i> page 58, <i>note</i>), quotes the accounts of the Church of +Norwich to show that parchments sold late in the thirteenth century +at about 1 d. per sheet; but Putnam and other writers state that up +to that time it was a very costly commodity.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Dickens's Mutual Friend.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx"></a>[<a href="./images/xx.png">xx</a>]</span></p> +<p> </p> +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a>[<a href="./images/1.png">1</a>]</span></p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-5.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Introductory Remarks—Monachism—Book Destroyers—Effects +of the Reformation on +Monkish Learning, etc.</i></p></div> +<hr /> + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-3.jpg" alt="I" title="I" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">n</span> recent times, in spite of all those +outcries which have been so repeatedly +raised against the illiterate +state of the dark ages, many and +valuable efforts have been made +towards a just elucidation of those +monkish days. These labors have produced evidence +of what few anticipated, and some even now +deny, viz., that here and there great glimmerings +of learning are perceivable; and although debased,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a>[<a href="./images/2.png">2</a>]</span> +and often barbarous too, they were not quite so +bad as historians have usually proclaimed them. It +may surprise some, however, that an attempt should +be made to prove that, in the olden time in "merrie +Englande," a passion which Dibdin has christened +Bibliomania, existed then, and that there were many +cloistered bibliophiles as warm and enthusiastic in +book collecting as the Doctor himself. But I must +here crave the patience of the reader, and ask him +to refrain from denouncing what he may deem a +rash and futile attempt, till he has perused the +volume and thought well upon the many facts +contained therein. I am aware that many of these +facts are known to all, but some, I believe, are +familiar only to the antiquary—the lover of musty +parchments and the cobwebbed chronicles of a +monastic age. I have endeavored to bring these +facts together—to connect and string them into a +continuous narrative, and to extract from them +some light to guide us in forming an opinion on the +state of literature in those ages of darkness and +obscurity; and here let it be understood that I +merely wish to give a fact as history records it. I +will not commence by saying the Middle Ages were +dark and miserably ignorant, and search for some +poor isolated circumstance to prove it; I will not +affirm that this was pre-eminently the age in which +real piety flourished and literature was fondly cherished, +and strive to find all those facts which show +its learning, purposely neglecting those which display +its unlettered ignorance: nor let it be deemed +ostentation when I say that the literary anecdotes +and bookish memoranda now submitted to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a>[<a href="./images/3.png">3</a>]</span> +reader have been taken, where such a course was +practicable, from the original sources, and the references +to the authorities from whence they are derived +have been personally consulted and compared.</p></div> + +<p>That the learning of the Middle Ages has been +carelessly represented there can be little doubt: +our finest writers in the paths of history have employed +their pens in denouncing it; some have +allowed difference of opinion as regards ecclesiastical +policy to influence their conclusions; and +because the poor scribes were monks, the most +licentious principles, the most dismal ignorance and +the most repulsive crimes have been attributed to +them. If the monks deserved such reproaches from +posterity, they have received no quarter; if they +possessed virtues as christians, and honorable sentiments +as men, they have met with no reward in +the praise or respect of this liberal age: they were +monks! superstitious priests and followers of Rome! +What good could come of them? It cannot be +denied that there were crimes perpetrated by men +aspiring to a state of holy sanctity; there are +instances to be met with of priests violating the +rules of decorum and morality; of monks revelling +in the dissipating pleasures of sensual enjoyments, +and of nuns whose frail humanity could not maintain +the purity of their virgin vows. But these +instances are too rare to warrant the slanders and +scurrility that historians have heaped upon them. +And when we talk of the sensuality of the monks, +of their gross indulgences and corporeal ease, we +surely do so without discrimination; for when we +speak of the middle ages thus, our thoughts are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a>[<a href="./images/4.png">4</a>]</span> +dwelling on the sixteenth century, its mocking piety +and superstitious absurdity; but in the olden time of +monastic rule, before monachism had burst its ancient +boundaries, there was surely nothing physically attractive +in the austere and dull monotony of a +cloistered life. Look at the monk; mark his hard, +dry studies, and his midnight prayers, his painful +fasting and mortifying of the flesh; what can we +find in this to tempt the epicure or the lover of +indolence and sloth? They were fanatics, blind and +credulous—I grant it. They read gross legends, +and put faith in traditionary lies—I grant it; but do +not say, for history will not prove it, that in the +middle ages the monks were wine bibbers and +slothful gluttons. But let not the Protestant reader +be too hastily shocked. I am not defending the +monastic system, or the corruption of the cloister—far +from it. I would see the usefulness of man +made manifest to the world; but the measure of my +faith teaches charity and forgiveness, and I can find +in the functions of the monk much that must have +been useful in those dark days of feudal tyranny +and lordly despotism. We much mistake the influence +of the monks by mistaking their position; we +regard them as a class, but forget from whence they +sprang; there was nothing aristocratic about them, +as their constituent parts sufficiently testify; they +were, perhaps, the best representatives of the people +that could be named, being derived from all classes +of society. Thus Offa, the Saxon king, and Cædman, +the rustic herdsman, were both monks. These are +examples by no means rare, and could easily be +multiplied. Such being the case, could not the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a>[<a href="./images/5.png">5</a>]</span> +monks more readily feel and sympathize with all, +and more clearly discern the frailties of their brother +man, and by kind admonition or stern reproof, +mellow down the ferocity of a Saxon nature, or the +proud heart of a Norman tyrant? But our object is +not to analyze the social influence of Monachism in +the middle ages: much might be said against it, and +many evils traced to the sad workings of its evil +spirit, but still withal something may be said in +favor of it, and those who regard its influence in +<i>those days alone</i> may find more to admire and defend +than they expected, or their Protestant prejudices +like to own.</p> + +<p>But, leaving these things, I have only to deal +with such remains as relate to the love of books in +those times. I would show the means then in +existence of acquiring knowledge, the scarcity or +plentitude of books, the extent of their libraries, +and the rules regulating them; and bring forward +those facts which tend to display the general +routine of a literary monk, or the prevalence of +Bibliomania in those days.</p> + +<p>It is well known that the great national and +private libraries of Europe possess immense collections +of manuscripts, which were produced and +transcribed in the monasteries, during the middle +ages, thousands there are in the rich alcoves of the +Vatican at Rome, unknown save to a choice and +favored few; thousands there are in the royal +library of France, and thousands too reposing on +the dusty shelves of the Bodleian and Cottonian +libraries in England; and yet, these numbers are +but a small portion—a mere relic—of the intel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a>[<a href="./images/6.png">6</a>]</span>lectual +productions of a past and obscure age.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> +The barbarians, who so frequently convulsed the +more civilized portions of Europe, found a morbid +pleasure in destroying those works which bore +evidence to the mental superiority of their enemies. +In England, the Saxons, the Danes, and the +Normans were each successively the destroyers of +literary productions. The Saxon Chronicle, that +invaluable repository of the events of so many years, +bears ample testimony to numerous instances of the +loss of libraries and works of art, from fire, or by +the malice of designing foes. At some periods, so +general was this destruction, so unquenchable the +rapacity of those who caused it, that instead of +feeling surprised at the manuscripts of those ages +being so few and scanty, we have cause rather to +wonder that so many have been preserved. For +even the numbers which escaped the hands of the +early and unlettered barbarians met with an equally +ignominious fate from those for whom it would be +impossible to hold up the darkness of their age +as a plausible excuse for the commission of this +egregious folly. These men over whose sad deeds +the bibliophile sighs with mournful regret, were +those who carried out the Reformation, so glorious +in its results; but the righteousness of the means +by which those results were effected are very +equivocal indeed. When men form themselves into +a faction and strive for the accomplishment of one +purpose, criminal deeds are perpetrated with im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a>[<a href="./images/7.png">7</a>]</span>punity, +which, individually they would blush and +scorn to do; they feel no direct responsibility, no +personal restraint; and, such as possess fierce +passions, under the cloak of an organized body, +give them vent and gratification; and those whose +better feelings lead them to contemplate upon these +things content themselves with the conclusion, that +out of evil cometh good.</p> + +<p>The noble art of printing was unable, with all +its rapid movements, to rescue from destruction the +treasures of the monkish age; the advocates of the +Reformation eagerly sought for and as eagerly +destroyed those old popish volumes, doubtless +there was much folly, much exaggerated superstition +pervading them; but there was also some truth, +a few facts worth knowing, and perhaps a little +true piety also, and it would have been no difficult +matter to have discriminated between the good and +the bad. But the careless grants of a licentious +monarch conferred a monastery on a court favorite +or political partizan without one thought for the +preservation of its contents. It is true a few years +after the dissolution of these houses, the industrious +Leland was appointed to search and rummage over +their libraries and to preserve any relic worthy of +such an honor; but it was too late, less learned +hands had rifled those parchment collections long +ago, mutilated their finest volumes by cutting out +with childish pleasure the illuminations with which +they were adorned; tearing off the bindings for the +gold claps which protected the treasures within,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a>[<a href="./images/8.png">8</a>]</span> +and chopping up huge folios as fuel for their blazing +hearths, and immense collections were sold as waste +paper. Bale, a strenuous opponent of the monks, +thus deplores the loss of their books: "Never had +we bene offended for the losse of our lybraryes +beynge so many in nombre and in so desolate +places for the moste parte, yf the chief monuments +and moste notable workes of our excellent wryters +had bene reserved, yf there had bene in every shyre +of Englande but one solemyne library to the preservacyon +of those noble workers, and preferrement +of good learnynges in oure posteryte it had bene +yet somewhat. But to destroye all without consyderacion, +is and wyll be unto Englande for ever a +most horryble infamy amonge the grave senyours +of other nations. A grete nombre of them whych +purchased those superstycyose mansyons reserved +of those lybrarye bokes, some to serve theyr jakes, +some to scoure theyr candelstyckes, and some to +rubbe theyr bootes; some they solde to the grossers +and sope sellers, and some they sent over see to the +bokebynders,<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> not in small nombre, but at tymes +<i>whole shippes ful</i>. I know a merchant man, whyche<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>[<a href="./images/9.png">9</a>]</span> +shall at thys tyme be nameless, that boughte the +contents of two noble lybraryes for xl shyllyngs +pryce, a shame is it to be spoken. Thys stuffe hathe +he occupyed in the stide of graye paper for the +space of more than these ten years, and yet hath +store ynough for as many years to come. A prodyguose +example is this, and to be abhorred of all +men who love theyr natyon as they shoulde do."<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p> + +<p>However pernicious the Roman religion might +have been in its practice, it argues little to the +honor of the reformers to have used such means as +this to effect its cure; had they merely destroyed +those productions connected with the controversies +of the day, we might perhaps have excused it, on +the score of party feeling; but those who were commissioned +to visit the public libraries of the kingdom +were often men of prejudiced intellects and shortsighted +wisdom, and it frequently happened that an +ignorant and excited mob became the executioners +of whole collections.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> It would be impossible now +to estimate the loss. Manuscripts of ancient and +classic date would in their hands receive no more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>[<a href="./images/10.png">10</a>]</span> +respect than some dry husky folio on ecclesiastical +policy; indeed, they often destroyed the works of +their own party through sheer ignorance. In a +letter sent by Dr. Cox to William Paget, Secretary, +he writes that the proclamation for burning books +had been the occasion of much hurt. "For New +Testaments and Bibles (not condemned by proclamation) +have been burned, and that, out of parish +churches and good men's houses. They have burned +innumerable of the king's majesties books concerning +our religion lately set forth."<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> The ignorant +thus delighted to destroy that which they did not +understand, and the factional spirit of the more +enlightened would not allow them to make one +effort for the preservation of those valuable relics +of early English literature, which crowded the +shelves of the monastic libraries; the sign of the +cross, the use of red letters on the title page, the +illuminations representing saints, or the diagrams +and circles of a mathematical nature, were at all +times deemed sufficient evidence of their popish +origin and fitness for the flames.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p> + +<p>When we consider the immense number of MSS. +thus destroyed, we cannot help suspecting that, if +they had been carefully preserved and examined, +many valuable and original records would have been +discovered. The catalogues of old monastic establishments, +although containing a great proportion +of works on divine and ecclesiastical learning, testify<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>[<a href="./images/11.png">11</a>]</span> +that the monks did not confine their studies exclusively +to legendary tales or superstitious missals, +but that they also cultivated a taste for classical and +general learning. Doubtless, in the ruin of the +sixteenth century, many original works of monkish +authors perished, and the splendor of the transcript +rendered it still more liable to destruction; but I +confess, as old Fuller quaintly says, that "there +were many volumes full fraught with superstition +which, notwithstanding, might be useful to learned +men, except any will deny apothecaries the privilege +of keeping poison in their shops, when they can +make antidotes of them. But besides this, what +beautiful bibles! Rare fathers! Subtle schoolmen! +Useful historians! Ancient! Middle! Modern! +What painful comments were here amongst them! +What monuments of mathematics all massacred +together!"<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<p>More than a cart load of manuscripts were taken +away from Merton College and destroyed, and a +vast number from the Baliol and New Colleges, +Oxford;<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> but these instances might be infinitely +multiplied, so terrible were those intemperate outrages. +All this tends to enforce upon us the +necessity of using considerable caution in forming +an opinion of the nature and extent of learning +prevalent during those ages which preceded the +discovery of the art of printing.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> The sad page in the Annals of Literary History recording the +destruction of books and MSS. fully prove this assertion. In France, +in the year 1790, 4,194,000 volumes were burnt belonging to the +suppressed monasteries, about 25,000 of these were manuscripts.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> "About this time (Feb. 25, 1550) the Council book mentions +the king's sending a letter for the purging his library at Westminster. +The persons are not named, but the business was to cull out all +superstitious books, as missals, legends, and such like, and to deliver +the garniture of the books, being either gold or silver, to Sir Anthony +Aucher. These books were many of them plated with gold and +silver and curiously embossed. This, as far as we can collect, was +the superstition that destroyed them. Here avarice had a very thin +disguise, and the courtiers discovered of what spirit they were to a +remarkable degree."—Collier's Eccle. History, vol. ii. p. 307.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Any one who can inspect a library of ancient books will find +proof of this. A collection of vellum scraps which I have derived +from these sources are very exciting to a bibliomaniac, a choice line +so abruptly broken, a monkish or classical verse so cruelly mutilated! +render an inspection of this odd collection, a tantalizing amusement.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Bale's Leland's Laboryouse Journey, Preface.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> The works of the Schoolmen, viz.: of P. Lombard, T. Aquinas, +Scotus and his followers and critics also, and such that had popish +scholars in them they cast out of all college libraries and private +studies.—<i>Wood's Hist. Oxon.</i>, vol. i. b. 1. p. 108. And "least +their impiety and foolishness in this act should be further wanting, +they brought it to pass that certain rude young men should carry +this great spoil of books about the city on biers, which being so done, +to set them down in the common market place, and then burn them, +to the sorrow of many, as well as of the Protestants as of the other +party. This was by them styled 'the funeral of Scotus the Scotists.' +So that at this time and all this king's reign was seldom seen anything +in the universities but books of poetry, grammar, idle songs, +and frivolous stuff."—<i>Ibid., Wood is referring to the reign of +Edward VI.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Wood's Hist. Oxon, b. i. p. 81.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> "Gutch has printed in his 'Collectiana' an order from the +Queen's commissioners to destroy all capes, vestments, albes, missals, +books, crosses, and such other idolatrous and superstitious monuments +whatsoever.'—vol. ii. p. 280."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Fuller's Church History, b. vi. p. 335.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Wood's Oxon, vol. i. b. i. p. 107</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>[<a href="./images/12.png">12</a>]</span></p> +<p> </p> +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>[<a href="./images/13.png">13</a>]</span></p> +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-6.jpg" alt="Header 3" title="Header 3" /></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Duties of the monkish librarian.—Rules of the +library.—Lending books.—Books allowed the +monks for private reading.—Ridiculous signs for +books.—How the libraries were supported.—A +monkish blessing on books, etc.</i></p></div> + +<hr /> + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-3.jpg" alt="I" title="I" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">n</span> this chapter I shall proceed to inquire +into the duties of the monkish +amanuensis, and show by what laws +and regulations the monastic libraries +were governed. The monotonous +habits of a cloistered bibliophile +will, perhaps, appear dry and fastidious, but +still it is curious and interesting to observe how +carefully the monks regarded their vellum tomes, +how indefatigably they worked to increase their +stores, and how eagerly they sought for books. +But besides being regarded as a literary curiosity, +the subject derives importance by the light it throws +on the state of learning in those dark and "bookless" +days, and the illustrations gleaned in this way +fully compensate for the tediousness of the research.</p> + +<p>As a bibliophile it is somewhat pleasing to trace<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a>[<a href="./images/14.png">14</a>]</span> +a deep book passion growing up in the barrenness +of the cloister, and to find in some cowled monk a +bibliomaniac as warm and enthusiastic in his way +as the renowned "Atticus," or the noble Roxburghe, +of more recent times. It is true we can draw no +comparison between the result of their respective +labors. The hundreds, which in the old time were +deemed a respectable if not an extensive collection, +would look insignificant beside the ostentatious +array of modern libraries.</p></div> + +<p>But the very tenor of a monastic life compelled +the monk to seek the sweet yet silent companionship +of books; the rules of his order and the regulations +of his fraternity enforced the strictest silence +in the execution of his daily and never-ceasing +duties. Attending mass, singing psalms, and midnight +prayers, were succeeded by mass, psalms and +prayers in one long undeviating round of yearly +obligations; the hours intervening between these +holy exercises were dull and tediously insupportable +if unoccupied. Conversation forbidden, secular +amusements denounced, yet idleness reproached, +what could the poor monk seek as a relief in this +distress but the friendly book; the willing and +obedient companion of every one doomed to lonely +hours and dismal solitude?</p> + +<p>The pride and glory of a monastery was a well +stored library, which was committed to the care of +the armarian, and with him rested all the responsibility +of its preservation. According to the Consuetudines +Canonicorum Regularium, it was his duty +to have all the books of the monastery in his keeping +catalogued and separately marked with their proper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>[<a href="./images/15.png">15</a>]</span> +names.<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> Some of these old catalogues have been +preserved, and, viewed as bibliographical remains +of the middle ages, are of considerable importance; +indeed, we cannot form a correct idea of the literature +of those remote times without them. Many +productions of authors are recorded in these brief +catalogues whose former existence is only known +to us by these means. There is one circumstance +in connexion with them that must not be forgotten: +instead of enumerating all the works which each +volume contained, they merely specified the first, +so that a catalogue of fifty or a hundred volumes +might probably have contained nearly double that +number of distinct works. I have seen MSS. formerly +belonging to monasteries, which have been +catalogued in this way, containing four or five +others, besides the one mentioned. Designed rather +to identify the book than to describe the contents +of each volume, they wrote down the first word or +two of the second leaf—this was the most prevalent +usage; but they often adopted other means, sometimes +giving a slight notice of the works which a +volume contained; others took the precaution of +noting down the last word of the last leaf but one,<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> +a great advantage, as the monkish student could +more easily detect at a glance whether the volume +was perfect. The armarian was, moreover, particularly +enjoined to inspect with scrupulous care +the more ancient volumes, lest the moth-worms +should have got at them, or they had become cor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a>[<a href="./images/16.png">16</a>]</span>rupt +or mutilated, and, if such were the case, he +was with great care to restore them. Probably the +armarian was also the bookbinder to the monastery +in ordinary cases, for he is here directed to cover +the volumes with tablets of wood, that the inside +may be preserved from moisture, and the parchment +from the injurious effects of dampness. The +different orders of books were to be kept separate +from one another, and conveniently arranged; not +squeezed too tight, lest it should injure or confuse +them, but so placed that they might be easily distinguished, +and those who sought them might find +them without delay or impediment.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> Bibliomaniacs +have not been remarkable for their memory or +punctuality, and in the early times the borrower +was often forgetful to return the volume within the +specified time. To guard against this, many rules +were framed, nor was the armarian allowed to lend +the books, even to neighboring monasteries, unless +he received a bond or promise to restore them +within a certain time, and if the person was entirely +unknown, a book of equal value was required as a +security for its safe return. In all cases the armarian +was instructed to make a short memorandum of the +name of the book which he had lent or received. +The "great and precious books" were subject to +still more stringent rules, and although under the +conservation of the librarian, he had not the privilege +of lending them to any one without the distinct +permission of the abbot.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> This was, doubtless,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>[<a href="./images/17.png">17</a>]</span> +practised by all the monastic libraries, for all generously +lent one another their books. In a collection +of chapter orders of the prior and convent of +Durham, bearing date 1235, it is evident that a +similar rule was observed there, which they were +not to depart from except at the desire of the +bishop.<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> According to the constitutions for the +government of the Abingdon monastery, the library +was under the care of the Cantor, and all the writings +of the church were consigned to his keeping. +He was not allowed to part with the books or lend +them without a sufficient deposit as a pledge for +their safe return, except to persons of consequence +and repute.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> This was the practice at a much later +period. When that renowned bibliomaniac, Richard +de Bury, wrote his delightful little book called +<i>Philobiblon</i>, the same rules were strictly in force. +With respect to the lending of books, his own +directions are that, if any one apply for a particular +volume, the librarian was to carefully consider +whether the library contained another copy of it; +if so, he was at liberty to lend the book, taking +care, however, that he obtained a security which +was to exceed the value of the loan; they were at +the same time to make a memorandum in writing +of the name of the book, and the nature of the +security deposited for it, with the name of the +party to whom it was lent, with that of the officer +or librarian who delivered it.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p> + +<p>We learn by the canons before referred to, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>[<a href="./images/18.png">18</a>]</span> +the superintendence of all the writing and transcribing, +whether in or out of the monastery, belonged +to the office of the armarian, and that it was +his duty to provide the scribes with parchment and +all things necessary for their work, and to agree +upon the price with those whom he employed. The +monks who were appointed to write in the cloisters +he supplied with copies for transcription; and that +no time might be wasted, he was to see that a +good supply was kept up. No one was to give to +another what he himself had been ordered to +write, or presume to do anything by his own will +or inclination. Nor was it seemly that the armarian +even should give any orders for transcripts +to be made without first receiving the permission +of his superior.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p> + +<p>We here catch a glimpse of the quiet life of a +monkish student, who labored with this monotonous +regularity to amass his little library. If we +dwell on these scraps of information, we shall discover +some marks of a love of learning among +them, and the liberality they displayed in lending +their books to each other is a pleasing trait to +dwell upon. They unhesitatingly imparted to +others the knowledge they acquired by their own +study with a brotherly frankness and generosity +well becoming the spirit of a student. This they +did by extensive correspondence and the temporary +exchange of their books. The system of loan,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>[<a href="./images/19.png">19</a>]</span> +which they in this manner carried on to a considerable +extent, is an important feature in connection +with our subject; innumerable and interesting +instances of this may be found in the +monastic registers, and the private letters of the +times. The cheapness of literary productions of +the present age render it an absolute waste of +time to transcribe a whole volume, and except with +books of great scarcity we seldom think of borrowing +or lending one; having finished its perusal +we place it on the shelf and in future regard it as +a book of reference; but in those days one volume +did the work of twenty. It was lent to a neighboring +monastery, and this constituted its publication; +for each monastery thus favored, by the aid +perhaps of some half dozen scribes, added a copy +to their own library, and it was often stipulated +that on the return of the original a correct duplicate +should accompany it, as a remuneration to its +author. Nor was the volume allowed to remain +unread; it was recited aloud at meals, or when +otherwise met together, to the whole community. +We shall do well to bear this in mind, and not +hastily judge of the number of students by a comparison +with the number of their books. But it +was not always a mere single volume that the +monks lent from their library. Hunter has printed<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> +a list of books lent by the Convent of Henton, +<span class="smcap">a. d.</span> 1343, to a neighboring monastery, containing +twenty volumes. The engagement to restore these +books was formally drawn up and sealed.</p> + +<p>In the monasteries the first consideration was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>[<a href="./images/20.png">20</a>]</span> +to see that the library was well stored with those +books necessary for the performance of the various +offices of the church, but besides these the library +ought, according to established rules, to contain for +the "edification of the brothers" such as were fit and +needful to be consulted in common study. The +Bible and great expositors; <i>Bibliothecæ et majores +expositores</i>, books of martyrs, lives of saints, homilies, +etc.;<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> these and other large books the monks +were allowed to take and study in private, but the +smaller ones they could only study in the library, +lest they should be lost or mislaid. This was also +the case with respect to the rare and choice +volumes. When the armarian gave out books to +the monks he made a note of their nature, and +took an exact account of their number, so that he +might know in a moment which of the brothers +had it for perusal.<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> Those who studied together +were to receive what books they choose; but when +they had satisfied themselves, they were particularly +directed to restore them to their assigned +places; and when they at any time received from +the armarian a book for their private reading, they +were not allowed to lend it to any one else, or to +use it in common, but to reserve it especially for +his own private reading. The same rule extended +to the singers, who if they required books for their +studies, were to apply to the abbot.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> The sick +brothers were also entitled to the privilege of +receiving from the armarian books for their solace<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>[<a href="./images/21.png">21</a>]</span> +and comfort; but as soon as the lamps were lighted +in the infirmary the books were put away till the +morning, and if not finished, were again given out +from the library.<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> In the more ancient monasteries +a similar case was observed with respect to +their books. The rule of St. Pacome directed +that the utmost attention should be paid to their +preservation, and that when the monks went to the +refectory they were not to leave their books open, +but to carefully close and put them in their assigned +places. The monastery of St. Pacome contained +a vast number of monks; every house, says +Mabillon, was composed of not less than forty +monks, and the monastery embraced thirty or forty +houses. Each monk, he adds, possessed his book, +and few rested without forming a library; by which +we may infer that the number of books was considerable.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> +Indeed, it was quite a common practice +in those days, scarce as books were, to allow +each of the monks one or more for his private +study, besides granting them access to the library. +The constitutions of Lanfranc, in the year 1072, +directed the librarian, at the commencement of +Lent, to deliver a book to each of the monks for +their private reading, allowing them a whole year +for its perusal.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> There is one circumstance connected +with the affairs of the library quite characteristic +of monkish superstition, and bearing painful +testimony to their mistaken ideas of what consti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>[<a href="./images/22.png">22</a>]</span>tuted +"good works." In Martene's book there is a +chapter, <i>De Scientia et Signis</i>—degrading and sad; +there is something withal curious to be found in it. +After enjoining the most scrupulous silence in the +church, in the refectory, in the cloister, and in the +dormitory, at all times, and in all seasons; transforming +those men into perpetual mutes, and even +when "actually necessary," permitting only a whisper +to be articulated "in a low voice in the ear," +<i>submissa voce in aure</i>, it then proceeds to describe +a series of fantastic grimaces which the monks +were to perform on applying to the armarian for +books. The general sign for a book, <i>generali signi +libri</i>, was to "extend the hand and make a movement +as if turning over the leaves of a book." For +a missal the monk was to make a similar movement +with a sign of the cross; for the gospels the sign +of the cross on the forehead; for an antiphon or +book of responses he was to strike the thumb and +little finger of the other hand together; for a book +of offices or gradale to make the sign of a cross +and kiss the fingers; for a tract lay the hand on +the abdomen and apply the other hand to the +mouth; for a capitulary make the general sign +and extend the clasped hands to heaven; for a +psalter place the hands upon the head in the form +of a crown, such as the king is wont to wear.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> +Religious intolerance was rampant when this rule +was framed; hot and rancorous denunciation was +lavished with amazing prodigality against works of +loose morality or heathen origin; nor did the +monks feel much compassion—although they loved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>[<a href="./images/23.png">23</a>]</span> +to read them—for the old authors of antiquity. +Pagans they were, and therefore fit only to be +named as infidels and dogs, so the monk was +directed for a secular book, "which some pagan +wrote after making the general sign to scratch his +ear with his hand, just as a dog itching would do +with his feet, because infidels are not unjustly +compared to such creatures—<i>quia nec immerito +infideles tali animanti contparantur</i>.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> Wretched +bigotry and puny malice! Yet what a sad reflection +it is, that with all the foul and heartburning +examples which those dark ages of the monks +afford, posterity have failed to profit by them—religious +intolerance, with all its vain-glory and +malice, flourishes still, the cankering worm of +many a Christian blossom! Besides the duties +which we have enumerated, there were others +which it was the province of the armarian to fulfil. +He was particularly to inspect and collate those +books which, according to the decrees of the church, +it was unlawful to possess different from the authorized +copies; these were the bible, the gospels, missals, +epistles, collects graduales, antiphons, hymns, psalters, +lessions, and the monastic rules; these were +always to be alike even in the most minute point.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> +He was moreover directed to prepare for the use of +the brothers short tables respecting the times mentioned +in the capitulary for the various offices of +the church, to make notes upon the matins, the +mass, and upon the different orders.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> In fact, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>[<a href="./images/24.png">24</a>]</span> +monkish amanuensis was expected to undertake all +those matters which required care and learning +combined. He wrote the letters of the monastery, +and often filled the office of secretary to my Lord +Abbot. In the monasteries of course the services +of the librarian were unrequited by any pecuniary +remuneration, but in the cathedral libraries a certain +salary was sometimes allowed them. Thus we learn +that the amanuensis of the conventual church of +Ely received in the year 1372 forty-three shillings +and fourpence for his annual duties;<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> and Oswald, +Bishop of Worcester, in the tenth century, gave +considerable landed possessions to a monk of that +church as a recompense for his services as librarian.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> +In some monasteries, in the twelfth century, if not +earlier, they levied a tax on all the members of the +community, who paid a yearly sum to the librarian +for binding, preserving, and purchasing copies for +the library. One of these rules, bearing date 1145, +was made by Udon, Abbot of St. Père en Vallée à +Chantres, and that it might be more plausibly +received, he taxed himself as well as all the members +of his own house.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> The librarian sometimes, +in addition to his regular duties, combined the +office of precentor to the monastery.<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> Some of +their account-books have been preserved, and by +an inspection of them, we may occasionally gather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>[<a href="./images/25.png">25</a>]</span> +some interesting and curious hints, as to the cost +of books and writing materials in those times. +As may be supposed, the monkish librarians often +became great bibliophiles, for being in constant +communication with choice manuscripts, they soon +acquired a great mania for them. Posterity are +also particularly indebted to the pens of these book +conservators of the middle ages; for some of the +best chroniclers and writers of those times were +humble librarians to some religious house.</p> + +<p>Not only did the bibliophiles of old exercise +the utmost care in the preservation of their darling +books, but the religious basis of their education +and learning prompted them to supplicate the +blessing of God upon their goodly tomes. Although +I might easily produce other instances, one +will suffice to give an idea of their nature: "O +Lord, send the virtue of thy Holy Spirit upon +these our books; that cleansing them from all +earthly things, by thy holy blessing, they may +mercifully enlighten our hearts and give us true +understanding; and grant that by thy teaching, +they may brightly preserve and make full an abundance +of good works according to thy will."<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Cap. xxi. Martene de Antiquis Ecclesiæ Ritibus, tom. iii. +p. 262.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> See Catalogue of Hulne Abbey, Library MS. Harleian. No. +3897.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Martene de Antiq. Eccle. Rit., tom. iii. p. 263.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i> Ingulphus tells us that the same rule was observed in +Croyland Abbey.—<i>Apud Gale</i>, p. 104.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Marked b. iv. 26. Surtee Publications, vol. i. p. 121.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Const. admiss. Abbat, et <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'gubernnatione'">gubernatione</ins> Monast. Abendum +Cottonian M.S. Claudius, b. vi. p. 194.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Philobiblon, 4to. <i>Oxon</i>, 1599, chap. xix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Martene de Ant. Eccl. Ribibus, tom. iii. p. 263. For an inattention +to this the Council of Soissons, in 1121, ordered some +transcripts of Abelard's works to be burnt, and severely reproved the +author for his unpardonable neglect.—<i>Histoire Littéraire de la +France</i>, tom. ix. p. 28.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Catalogues of Monastic Libraries, pp. 16, 17.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Const. Canon. Reg. ap. Martene, tom. iii. p. 263.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, tom. iii. cap. xxxvi. pp. 269, 270.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Martene, tom. iii. p. 331. For a list of some books applied to +their use, see MS. Cot. Galba, c. iv. fo. 128.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Mabillon, Traité des Etudes Monastiques, 4to. <i>Paris</i> 1691, cap. +vi. p. 34.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Wilkin's Concil. tom. i. p. 332.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Stat. pro Reform. ordin. Grandimont. ap. Martene cap. x.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, tom. iv. pp. 289, 339.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Const. Canon. Reg. ap. Martene, tom. iii. p. 263.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, cap. xxi. p. 263.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Stevenson's Supple. to Bentham's Hist. of the Church of +Ely, p. 51.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Thomas' Survey of the Church of Worcester, p. 45.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Mabillon. Annal. tom. vi. pp. 651 and 652. Hist. Litt. de la +France, ix. p. 140.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> They managed the pecuniary matters of the fraternity. +William of Malmsbury was precentor as well as librarian to his +monastery.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Martene de Antiq. Eccl. Ritibus ii. p. 302.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>[<a href="./images/26.png">26</a>]</span></p> +<p> </p> +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a>[<a href="./images/27.png">27</a>]</span></p> +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-7.jpg" alt="Header 4" title="Header 4" /></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Scriptoria and the Scribes.—Care in copying.—Bible +reading among the monks.—Booksellers in the +middle ages.—Circulating libraries.—Calligraphic +art, etc.</i></p></div> + +<hr /> +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-8.jpg" alt="A" title="A" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">s</span> the monasteries were the schools +of learning, so their occupants were +the preservers of literature, and, as +Herault observes, had they not +taken the trouble to transcribe +books, the ancients had been lost +to us for ever; to them, therefore, we owe much. +But there are many, however, who suppose that +the monastic establishments were hotbeds of superstition +and fanaticism, from whence nothing of a +useful or elevated nature could possibly emanate. +They are too apt to suppose that the human intellect +must be altogether weak and impotent when +confined within such narrow limits; but truth and +knowledge can exist even in the dark cells of a +gloomy cloister, and inspire the soul with a fire +that can shed a light far beyond its narrow pre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a>[<a href="./images/28.png">28</a>]</span>cincts. +Indeed, I scarce know whether to regret, +as some appear to do, that the literature and +learning of those rude times was preserved and +fostered by the Christian church; it is said, that +their strict devotion and religious zeal prompted +them to disregard all things but a knowledge of +those divine, but such is not the case; at least, I +have not found it so; it is true, as churchmen, they +were principally devoted to the study of divine and +ecclesiastical lore; but it is also certain that in that +capacity they gradually infused the mild spirit of +their Master among the darkened society over +which they presided, and among whom they shone +as beacons of light in a dreary desert. But the +church did more than this. She preserved to posterity +the profane learnings of Old Greece and +Rome; copied it, multiplied it, and spread it. She +recorded to after generations in plain, simple +language, the ecclesiastical and civil events of the +past, for it is from the terse chronicles of the +monkish churchmen that we learn now the history +of what happened then. Much as we may +dislike the monastic system, the cold, heartless, +gloomy ascetic atmosphere of the cloister, and +much as we may deplore the mental dissipation of +man's best attributes, which the system of those +old monks engendered, we must exercise a cool +and impartial judgment, and remember that what +now would be intolerable and monstrously inconsistent +with our present state of intellectuality, +might at some remote period, in the ages of darkness +and comparative barbarism, have had its virtues +and beneficial influences. As for myself, it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a>[<a href="./images/29.png">29</a>]</span> +would be difficult to convince me, with all those +fine relics of their deeds before me, those beauteous +fanes dedicated to piety and God, those libraries +so crowded with their vellum tomes, so gorgeously +adorned, and the abundant evidence which history +bears to their known charity and hospitable love, +that these monks and their system was a scheme +of dismal barbarism; it may be so, but my reading +has taught me different; but, on the other hand, +although the monks possessed many excellent +qualities, being the encouragers of literature, the +preservers of books, and promulgators of civilization, +we must not hide their numerous and palpable +faults, or overlook the poison which their +system of monachism <i>ultimately</i> infused into the +very vitals of society. In the early centuries, +before the absurdities of Romanism were introduced, +the influence of the monastic orders was +highly beneficial to our Saxon ancestors, but in +after ages the Church of England was degraded +by the influence of the fast growing abominations +of Popedom. She drank copiously of the deadly +potion, and became the blighted and ghostly +shadow of her former self. Forgetting the humility +of her divine Lord, she sought rather to +imitate the worldly splendor and arrogance of her +Sovereign Pontiff. The evils too obviously existed +to be overlooked; but it is not my place to further +expose them; a more pleasing duty guides my pen; +others have done all this, lashing them painfully +for their oft-told sins. Frail humanity glories in +chastizing the frailty of brother man. But we will +not denounce them here, for did not the day of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a>[<a href="./images/30.png">30</a>]</span> +retribution come? And was not justice satisfied? +Having made these few preliminary remarks, let +us, in a brief manner, inquire into the system observed +in the cloisters by the monks for the preservation +and transcription of manuscripts. Let +us peep into the quiet cells of those old monks, +and see whether history warrants the unqualified +contempt which their efforts in this department +have met with.</p></div> + +<p>In most monasteries there were two kinds of +Scriptoria, or writing offices; for in addition to the +large and general apartment used for the transcription +of church books and manuscripts for the +library, there were also several smaller ones occupied +by the superiors and the more learned members +of the community, as closets for private +devotion and study. Thus we read, that in the +Cistercian orders there were places set apart for +the transcription of books called Scriptoria, or +cells assigned to the scribes, "separate from each +other," where the books might be transcribed in +the strictest silence, according to the holy rules of +their founders.<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> These little cells were usually +situated in the most retired part of the monastery, +and were probably incapable of accommodating +more than one or two persons;<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> dull and comfortless +places, no doubt, yet they were deemed great +luxuries, and the use of them only granted to such +as became distinguished for their piety, or erudition. +We read that when David went to the Isle of +Wight, to Paulinus, to receive his education, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a>[<a href="./images/31.png">31</a>]</span> +used to sup in the Refectory, but had a Scriptorium, +or study, in his cell, being a famous scribe.<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> +The aged monks, who often lived in these little +offices, separate from the rest of the scribes, were +not expected to work so arduously as the rest. +Their employment was comparatively easy; nor +were they compelled to work so long as those in +the cloister.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> There is a curious passage in Tangmar's +Life of St. Bernward, which would lead us +to suspect that private individuals possessed Scriptoria; +for, says he, there are Scriptoria, not only +in the monasteries, but in other places, in which +are conceived books equal to the divine works of +the philosophers.<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> The Scriptorium of the monastery +in which the general business of a literary +nature was transacted, was an apartment far more +extensive and commodious, fitted up with forms and +desks methodically arranged, so as to contain conveniently +a great number of copyists. In some of +the monasteries and cathedrals, they had long +ranges of seats one after another, at which were +seated the scribes, one well versed in the subject +on which the book treated, recited from the copy +whilst they wrote; so that, on a word being given +out by him, it was copied by all.<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> The multiplication +of manuscripts, under such a system as this, +must have been immense; but they did not always<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>[<a href="./images/32.png">32</a>]</span> +make books, <i>fecit libros</i>, as they called it, in this +wholesale manner, but each monk diligently labored +at the transcription of a separate work.</p> + +<p>The amount of labor carried on in the Scriptorium, +of course, in many cases depended upon +the revenues of the abbey, and the disposition of +the abbot; but this was not always the case, as in +some monasteries they undertook the transcription +of books as a matter of commerce, and added broad +lands to their house by the industry of their pens. +But the Scriptorium was frequently supported by +resources solely applicable to its use. Laymen, +who had a taste for literature, or who entertained +an esteem for it in others, often at their death +bequeathed estates for the support of the monastic +Scriptoria. Robert, one of the Norman leaders, +gave two parts of the tythes of Hatfield, and the +tythes of Redburn, for the support of the Scriptorium +of St. Alban's.<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> The one belonging to the +monastery of St. Edmundsbury was endowed with +two mills,<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> and in the church of Ely there is a +charter of Bishof Nigellus, granting to the Scriptorium +of the monastery the tythes of Wythessey +and Impitor, two parts of the tythes of the Lordship +of Pampesward, with 2s. 2d., and a messuage +in Ely <i>ad faciendos et emandandos libros</i>.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a></p> + +<p>The abbot superintended the management of +the Scriptorium, and decided upon the hours for +their labor, during which time they were ordered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a>[<a href="./images/33.png">33</a>]</span> +to work with unremitting diligence, "not leaving +to go and wander in idleness," but to attend solely +to the business of transcribing. To prevent detraction +or interruption, no one was allowed to +enter except the abbot, the prior, the sub-prior, +and the armarian,<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> as the latter took charge of all +the materials and implements used by the transcribers, +it was his duty to prepare and give them +out when required; he made the ink and cut the +parchment ready for use. He was strictly enjoined, +however, to exercise the greatest economy in supplying +these precious materials, and not to give +more copies "nec artavos, nec cultellos, nec scarpellæ, +nec membranes," than was actually necessary, +or than he had computed as sufficient for the work; +and what the armarian gave them the monks were +to receive without contradiction or contention.<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a></p> + +<p>The utmost silence prevailed in the Scriptorium; +rules were framed, and written admonitions hung +on the walls, to enforce the greatest care and +diligence in copying exactly from the originals. In +Alcuin's works we find one of these preserved; it is +a piece inscribed "<i>Ad Musæum libros scribentium</i>;" +the lines are as follows:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Hic sideant sacræ scribentes famina legis,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Nec non sanctorum dicta sacrata Patrum,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hæc interserere caveant sua frivola verbis,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Frivola nec propter erret et ipsa manus:<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Correctosque sibi quærant studiose libellos,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Tramite quo recto penna volantis eat.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Per cola distinquant proprios, et commata sensus,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Et punctos ponant ordine quosque suo.<br /></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>[<a href="./images/34.png">34</a>]</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Ne vel falsa legat, taceat vel forte repente,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ante pios fratres, lector in Ecclesia.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Est opus egregium sacros jam scribete libros,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Nec mercede sua scriptor et ipse caret.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Fodere quam vites, melius est scribere libros,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Ille suo ventri serviet, iste animæ.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vel nova, vel vetera poterit proferre magister<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Plurima, quisque legit dicta sacrata Patrum."<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Other means were resorted to besides these to +preserve the text of their books immaculate, it was +a common practice for the scribe at the end of his +copy, to adjure all who transcribed from it to use +the greatest care, and to refrain from the least +alteration of word or sense. Authors more especially +followed this course, thus at the end of some +we find such injunctions as this.</p> + +<p>"I adjure you who shall transcribe this book, +by our Lord Jesus Christ and by his glorious +coming, who will come to judge the quick and the +dead, that you compare what you transcribe and +diligently correct it by the copy from which you +transcribe it—this adjuration also—and insert it in +your copy."<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a></p> + +<p>The Consuetudines Canonicorum, before referred +to, also particularly impressed this upon the +monks, and directed that all the brothers who were +engaged as scribes, were not to alter any writing, +although in their own mind they might think it +proper, without first receiving the sanction of the +abbot, "<i>on no account were they to commit so great +a presumption</i>."<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> But notwithstanding that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a>[<a href="./images/35.png">35</a>]</span> +scribes were thus enjoined to use the utmost care +in copying books, doubtless an occasional error +crept in, which many causes might have produced, +such as bad light, haste, a little drowsiness, imperfect +sight, or even a flickering lamp was sufficient +to produce some trivial error; but in works of +importance the smallest error is of consequence, as +some future scribe puzzled by the blunder, might, +in an attempt to correct, still more augment the +imperfection; to guard against this, with respect to +the Scriptures, the most critical care was enforced. +Monks advanced in age were alone allowed to +transcribe them, and after their completion they +were read—revised—and reread again, and it is by +that means that so uniform a reading has been +preserved, and although slight differences may here +and there occur, there are no books which have +traversed through the shadows of the dark ages, +that preserve their original text so pure and uncorrupt +as the copies of the Scriptures, the fathers +of the church, and the ancient writings of the classic +authors; sometimes, it is true, a manuscript of the +last order is discovered possessing a very different +reading in some particular passage; but these appear +rather as futile emendations or interpolations of the +scribe than as the result of a downright blunder, +and are easily perceivable, for when the monkish +churchmen tampered with ancient copies, it generally +originated in a desire to smooth over the +indecencies of the heathen authors, and so render +them less liable to corrupt the holy contemplations +of the devotee; and while we blame the pious fraud, +we cannot but respect the motive that dictated it.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a>[<a href="./images/36.png">36</a>]</span></p> +<p>But as regards the Scriptures, we talk of the +carelessness of the monks and the interpolations +of the scribes as if these were faults peculiar to the +monastic ages alone; alas! the history of Biblical +transmission tells us differently, the gross perversions, +omissions, and errors wrought in the +holy text, proclaim how prevalent these same +faults have been in the ages of <i>printed literature</i>, +and which appear more palpable by being produced +amidst deep scholars, and surrounded with all the +critical acumen of a learned age. Five or six +thousand of these gross blunders, or these wilful +mutilations, protest the unpleasant fact, and show +how much of human grossness it has acquired, +and how besmeared with corruption those sacred +pages have become in passing through the hands +of man, and the "revisings" of sectarian minds. I +am tempted to illustrate this by an anecdote related +by Sir Nicholas L'Estrange of Hunstanton, +and preserved in a MS. in the Harlein collection.—"Dr. +Usher, Bish. of Armath, being to preach +at Paules Crosse and passing hastily by one of the +stationers, called for a Bible, and had a little one +of the London edition given him out, but when he +came to looke for his text, that very verse was +omitted in the print: which gave the first occasion +of complaint to the king of the insufferable negligence, +and insufficience of the London printers +and presse, and bredde that great contest that +followed, betwixt the univers. of Cambridge and +London stationers, about printing of the Bibles."<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>[<a href="./images/37.png">37</a>]</span> +Gross and numerous indeed were the errors of the +corrupt bible text of that age, and far exceeding +even the blunders of monkish pens, and certainly +much less excusable, for in those times they seldom +had a large collection of codices to compare, so +that by studying their various readings, they could +arrive at a more certain and authentic version. +The paucity of the sacred volume, if it rendered +their pens more liable to err, served to enforce +upon them the necessity of still greater scrutiny. +On looking over a monastic catalogue, the first +volume that I search for is the Bible; and, I feel +far more disappointment if I find it not there, than +I do at the absence of Horace or Ovid—there is +something so desolate in the idea of a Christian +priest without the Book of Life—of a minister of +God without the fountain of truth—that however +favorably we may be prone to regard them, a +thought will arise that the absence of this sacred +book may perhaps be referred to the indolence of +the monkish pen, or to the laxity of priestly piety. +But such I am glad to say was not often the case; +the Bible it is true was an expensive book, but can +scarcely be regarded as a rare one; the monastery +was indeed poor that had it not, and when once +obtained the monks took care to speedily transcribe +it. Sometimes they only possessed detached +portions, but when this was the case they generally +borrowed of some neighboring and more fortunate +monastery, the missing parts to transcribe, and so +complete their own copies. But all this did not +make the Bible less loved among them, or less +anxiously and ardently studied, they devoted their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>[<a href="./images/38.png">38</a>]</span> +days, and the long hours of the night, to the +perusal of those pages of inspired truth,<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> and it is +a calumny without a shadow of foundation to declare +that the monks were careless of scripture +reading; it is true they did not apply that vigor +of thought, and unrestrained reflection upon it +which mark the labors of the more modern student, +nor did they often venture to interpret the +hidden meaning of the holy mysteries by the +powers of their own mind, but were guided in this +important matter by the works of the fathers. But +hence arose a circumstance which gave full exercise +to their mental powers and compelled the +monk in spite of his timidity to think a little for +himself. Unfortunately the fathers, venerable and +venerated as they were, after all were but men, +with many of the frailties and all the fallabilities +of poor human nature; the pope might canonize +them, and the priesthood bow submissively to +their spiritual guidance, still they remained for all +that but mortals of dust and clay, and their bulky +tomes yet retain the swarthiness of the tomb about +them, the withering impress of humanity. Such +being the case we, who do not regard them quite +so infallible, feel no surprise at a circumstance +which sorely perplexed the monks of old, they unchained +and unclasped their cumbrous "Works of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a>[<a href="./images/39.png">39</a>]</span> +the Fathers," and pored over those massy expositions +with increasing wonder; surrounded by +these holy guides, these fathers of infallibility, +they were like strangers in a foreign land, did they +follow this holy saint they seemed about to forsake +the spiritual direction of one having equal +claims to their obedience and respect; alas! for +poor old weak tradition, those fabrications of man's +faulty reason were found, with all their orthodoxy, +to clash woefully in scriptural interpretation. Here +was a dilemma for the monkish student! whose +vow of obedience to patristical guidance was thus +sorely perplexed; he read and re-read, analyzed +passage after passage, interpreted word after word; +and yet, poor man, his laborious study was fruitless +and unprofitable! What bible student can refrain +from sympathizing with him amidst these torturing +doubts and this crowd of contradiction, but after +all we cannot regret this, for we owe to it more +than my feeble pen can write, so immeasurable +have been the fruits of this little unheeded circumstance. +It gave birth to many a bright independent +declaration, involving pure lines of scripture +interpretation, which appear in the darkness of +those times like fixed stars before us; to this, in +Saxon days, we are indebted for the labors of +Ælfric and his anti-Roman doctrines, whose soul +also sympathized with a later age by translating +portions of the Bible into the vulgar tongue, thus +making it accessible to all classes of the people. +To this we are indebted for all the good that resulted +from those various heterodoxies and heresies, +which sometimes disturbed the church during the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>[<a href="./images/40.png">40</a>]</span> +dark ages; but which wrought much ultimate +good by compelling the thoughts of men to dwell +on these important matters. Indeed, to the instability +of the fathers, as a sure guide, we may +trace the origin of all those efforts of the human +mind, which cleared the way for the Reformation, +and relieved man from the shackles of these spiritual +guides of the monks.</p> + +<p>But there were many cloistered Christians who +studied the bible undisturbed by these shadows +and doubts, and who, heedless of patristical lore +and saintly wisdom, devoured the spiritual food +in its pure and uncontaminating simplicity—such +students, humble, patient, devoted, will be +found crowding the monastic annals, and yielding +good evidence of the same by the holy tenor +of their sinless lives, their Christian charity and +love.</p> + +<p>But while so many obtained the good title of +an "<i>Amator Scripturarum</i>," as the bible student +was called in those monkish days, I do not pretend +to say that the Bible was a common book among +them, or that every monk possessed one—far different +indeed was the case—a copy of the Old +and New Testament often supplied the wants of +an entire monastery, and in others, as I have said +before, only some detached portions were to be +found in their libraries. Sometimes they were +more plentiful, and the monastery could boast of +two or three copies, besides a few separate portions, +and occasionally I have met with instances +where besides several <i>Biblia Optima</i>, they enjoyed +Hebrew codices and translations, with numerous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a>[<a href="./images/41.png">41</a>]</span> +copies of the gospels. We must not forget, however, +that the transcription of a Bible was a work +of time, and required the outlay of much industry +and wealth. "Brother Tedynton," a monk of Ely, +commenced a Bible in 1396, and was several years +before he completed it. The magnitude of the +undertaking can scarcely be imagined by those +unpractised in the art of copying, but when the +monk saw the long labor of his pen before him, +and looked upon the well bound strong clasped +volumes, with their clean vellum folios and fine +illuminations, he seemed well repaid for his years +of toil and tedious labor, and felt a glow of pious +pleasure as he contemplated his happy acquisition, +and the comfort and solace which he should hereafter +derive from its holy pages! We are not +surprised then, that a Bible in those days should +be esteemed so valuable, and capable of realizing a +considerable sum. The monk, independent of its +spiritual value, regarded it as a great possession, +worthy of being bestowed at his death, with all the +solemnity of a testamentary process, and of being +gratefully acknowledged by the fervent prayers of +the monkish brethren. Kings and nobles offered +it as an appropriate and generous gift, and bishops +were deemed benefactors to their church by adding +it to the library. On its covers were written +earnest exhortations to the Bible student, admonishing +the greatest care in its use, and leveling +anathemas and excommunications upon any one +who should dare to purloin it. For its greater +security it was frequently chained to a reading +desk, and if a duplicate copy was lent to a neigh<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a>[<a href="./images/42.png">42</a>]</span>boring +monastery they required a large deposit, or +a formal bond for its safe return.<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> These facts, +while they show its value, also prove how highly +it was esteemed among them, and how much the +monks loved the Book of Life.</p> + +<p>But how different is the picture now—how opposite +all this appears to the aspect of bible propagation +in our own time. Thanks to the printing-press, +to bible societies, and to the benevolence of God, +we cannot enter the humblest cottage of the poorest +peasant without observing the Scriptures on his +little shelf—not always read, it is true—nor always +held in veneration as in the old days before us—its +very plentitude and cheapness takes off its attraction +to irreligious and indifferent readers, but to poor +and needy Christians what words can express the +fulness of the blessing. Yet while we thank God +for this great boon, let us refrain from casting uncharitable +reflections upon the monks for its comparative +paucity among them. If its possession was +not so easily acquired, they were nevertheless true +lovers of the Bible, and preserved and multiplied it +in dark and troublous times.</p> + +<p>Our remarks have hitherto applied to the monastic +scribes alone; but it is necessary here to speak +of the secular copyists, who were an important class +during the middle ages, and supplied the functions +of the bibliopole of the ancients. But the transcribing +trade numbered three or four distinct bran<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a>[<a href="./images/43.png">43</a>]</span>ches. +There were the Librarii Antiquarii, Notarii, +and the Illuminators—occasionally these professions +were all united in one—where perseverance or talent +had acquired a knowledge of these various arts. +There appears to have been considerable competition +between these contending bodies. The notarii were +jealous of the librarii, and the librarii in their turn +were envious of the antiquarii, who devoted their +ingenuity to the transcription and repairing of old +books especially, rewriting such parts as were +defective or erased, and restoring the dilapidations +of the binding. Being learned in old writings they +corrected and revised the copies of ancient codices; +of this class we find mention as far back as the time +of Cassiodorus and Isidore.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> "They deprived," +says Astle, "the poor librarii, or common scriptores, +of great part of their business, so that they found it +difficult to gain a subsistence for themselves and +their families. This put them about finding out +more expeditious methods of transcribing books. +They formed the letters smaller, and made use of +more conjugations and abbreviations than had been +usual. They proceeded in this manner till the +letters became exceedingly small and extremely +difficult to be read."<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> The fact of there existing a +class of men, whose fixed employment or profession +was solely confined to the transcription of ancient +writings and to the repairing of tattered copies, in +contradistinction to the common scribes, and depending +entirely upon the exercise of their art as a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a>[<a href="./images/44.png">44</a>]</span> +means of obtaining a subsistence, leads us to the +conclusion that ancient manuscripts were by no +means so very scarce in those days; for how absurd +and useless it would have been for men to qualify +themselves for transcribing these antiquated and +venerable codices, if there had been no probability +of obtaining them to transcribe. The fact too of its +becoming the subject of so much competition proves +how great was the demand for their labor.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p> + +<p>We are unable, with any positive result, to discover +the exact origin of the secular scribes, though +their existence may probably be referred to a very +remote period. The monks seem to have monopolized +for some ages the "<i>Commercium Librorum</i>,"<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> +and sold and bartered copies to a considerable +extent among each other. We may with some +reasonable grounds, however, conjecture that the +profession was flourishing in Saxon times; for we +find several eminent names in the seventh and +eighth centuries who, in their epistolary correspondence, +beg their friends to procure transcripts +for them. Benedict, Bishop of Wearmouth, purchased +most of his book treasures at Rome, which +was even at that early period probably a famous +mart for such luxuries, as he appears to have +journeyed there for that express purpose. Some of +the books which he collected were presents from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a>[<a href="./images/45.png">45</a>]</span> +his foreign friends; but most of them, as Bede tells +us, were <i>bought</i> by himself, or in accordance with +his instructions, by his friends.<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> Boniface, the +Saxon missionary, continually writes for books to +his associates in all parts of Europe. At a subsequent +period the extent and importance of the +profession grew amazingly; and in Italy its followers +were particularly numerous in the tenth century, as +we learn from the letters of Gerbert, afterwards +Silvester II., who constantly writes, with the cravings +of a bibliomaniac, to his friends for books, and begs +them to get the scribes, who, he adds, in one of his +letters, may be found in all parts of Italy,<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> both in +town and in the country, to make transcripts of +certain books for him, and he promises to reimburse +his correspondent all that he expends for the same.</p> + +<p>These public scribes derived their principal employment +from the monks and the lawyers; from +the former in transcribing their manuscripts, and +by the latter in drawing up their legal instruments. +They carried on their avocation at their own homes +like other artisans; but sometimes when employed +by the monks executed their transcripts within the +cloister, where they were boarded, lodged, and +received their wages till their work was done. This +was especially the case when some great book was +to be copied, of rarity and price; thus we read of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a>[<a href="./images/46.png">46</a>]</span> +Paulinus, of St. Albans, sending into distant parts +to obtain proficient workmen, who were paid so +much per diem for their labor; their wages were +generously supplied by the Lord of Redburn.<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></p> + +<p>The increase of knowledge and the foundation +of the universities gave birth to the booksellers. +Their occupation as a distinct trade originated at a +period coeval with the foundation of these public +seminaries, although the first mention that I am +aware of is made by Peter of Blois, about the year +1170. I shall have occasion to speak more hereafter +of this celebrated scholar, but I may be excused for +giving the anecdote here, as it is so applicable to +my subject. It appears, then, that whilst remaining +in Paris to transact some important matter for the +King of England, he entered the shop of "a public +dealer in books"—for be it known that the archdeacon +was always on the search, and seldom missed +an opportunity of adding to his library—the bookseller, +Peter tells us, offered him a tempting collection +on Jurisprudence; but although his knowledge +of such matters was so great that he did not require +them for his own use, he thought they might be +serviceable to his nephew, and after bargaining a +little about the price he counted down the money +agreed upon and left the stall; but no sooner was +his back turned than the Provost of Sexeburgh +came in to look over the literary stores of the +stationer, and his eye meeting the recently sold +volume, he became inspired with a wish to possess +it; nor could he, on hearing it was bought and +paid for by another, suppress his anxiety to obtain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>[<a href="./images/47.png">47</a>]</span> +the treasure; but, offering more money, actually +took the volume away by force. As may be supposed, +Archdeacon Peter was sorely annoyed at +this behavior; and "To his dearest companion +and friend Master Arnold of Blois, Peter of Blois +Archdeacon of Bath sent greeting," a long and +learned letter, displaying his great knowledge of +civil law, and maintaining the illegality of the provost's +conduct.<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> The casual way in which this is +mentioned make it evident that the "<i>publico mangone +Librorum</i>" was no unusual personage in those +days, but belonged to a common and recognized +profession.</p> + +<p>The vast number of students who, by the foundation +of universities, were congregated together, +generated of course a proportionate demand for +books, which necessity or luxury prompted them +eagerly to purchase: but there were poor as well +as rich students educated in these great seminaries +of learning, whose pecuniary means debarred them +from the acquisition of such costly luxuries; and +for this and other cogent reasons the universities +deemed it advantageous, and perhaps expedient, to +frame a code of laws and regulations to provide +alike for the literary wants of all classes and degrees. +To effect this they obtained royal sanction +to take the trade entirely under their protection,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a>[<a href="./images/48.png">48</a>]</span> +and eventually monopolized a sole legislative power +over the <i>Librarii</i>.</p> + +<p>In the college of Navarre a great quantity of +ancient documents are preserved, many of which +relate to this curious subject. They were deposited +there by M. Jean Aubert in 1623, accompanied by +an inventory of them, divided into four parts by +the first four letters of the alphabet. In the +fourth, under D. 18, there is a chapter entitled +"Des Libraires Appretiateurs, Jurez et Enlumineurs," +which contains much interesting matter relating +to the early history of bookselling.<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a> These +ancient statutes, collected and printed by the University +in the year 1652,<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> made at various times, +and ranging between the years 1275 and 1403, +give us a clear insight into the matter.</p> + +<p>The nature of a bookseller's business in those +days required no ordinary capacity, and no shallow +store of critical acumen; the purchasing of manuscripts, +the work of transcription, the careful revisal, +the preparation of materials, the tasteful illuminations, +and the process of binding, were each employments +requiring some talent and discrimination, +and we are not surprised, therefore, that the avocation +of a dealer and fabricator of these treasures<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>[<a href="./images/49.png">49</a>]</span> +should be highly regarded, and dignified into a +profession, whose followers were invested with all +the privileges, freedoms and exemptions, which the +masters and students of the university enjoyed.<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> +But it required these conciliations to render the +restrictive and somewhat severe measures, which +she imposed on the bookselling trade, to be received +with any degree of favor or submission. For whilst +the University of Paris, by whom these statutes +were framed, encouraged and elevated the profession +of the librarii, she required, on the other hand, +a guarantee of their wealth and mental capacity, +to maintain and to appreciate these important concessions; +the bookseller was expected indeed to be +well versed in all branches of science, and to be +thoroughly imbued with a knowledge of those subjects +and works of which he undertook to produce +transcripts.<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> She moreover required of him testimonials +to his good character, and efficient security, +ratified by a solemn oath of allegiance,<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> and a promise +to observe and submit to all the present and +future laws and regulations of the university. In +some cases, it appears that she restricted the number +of librarii, though this fell into disuse as the +wants of the students increased. Twenty-four seems +to have been the original number,<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> which is sufficiently +great to lead to the conclusion that bookselling +was a flourishing trade in those old days.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>[<a href="./images/50.png">50</a>]</span> +By the statutes of the university, the bookseller +was not allowed to expose his transcripts for sale, +without first submitting them to the inspection +of certain officers appointed by the university, and +if an error was discovered, the copies were ordered +to be burnt or a fine levied on them, proportionate +to their inaccuracy. Harsh and stringent +as this may appear at first sight, we shall modify +our opinion, on recollecting that the student was +in a great degree dependent upon the care of the +transcribers for the fidelity of his copies, which +rendered a rule of this nature almost indispensable; +nor should we forget the great service it bestowed +in maintaining the primitive accuracy of ancient +writers, and in transmitting them to us through +those ages in their original purity.<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a></p> + +<p>In these times of free trade and unrestrained +commercial policy, we shall regard less favorably a +regulation which they enforced at Paris, depriving +the bookseller of the power of fixing a price upon +his own goods. Four booksellers were appointed +and sworn in to superintend this department, and +when a new transcript was finished, it was brought +by the bookseller, and they discussed its merits and +fixed its value, which formed the amount the bookseller +was compelled to ask for it; if he demanded +of his customer a larger sum, it was deemed a +fraudulent imposition, and punishable as such. +Moreover, as an advantage to the students, the +bookseller was expected to make a considerable +reduction in his profits in supplying them with +books; by one of the laws of the university, his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a>[<a href="./images/51.png">51</a>]</span> +profit on each volume was confined to four deniers +to student, and six deniers to a common purchaser. +The librarii were still further restricted in the economy +of their trade, by a rule which forbade any +one of them to dispose of his entire stock of books +without the consent of the university; but this, I +suspect, implied the disposal of the stock and trade +together, and was intended to intimate that the introduction +of the purchaser would not be allowed, +without the cognizance and sanction of the university.<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> +Nor was the bookseller able to purchase +books without her consent, lest they should be of +an immoral or heretical tendency; and they were +absolutely forbidden to buy any of the students, +without the permission of the rector.</p> + +<p>But restricted as they thus were, the book merchants +nevertheless grew opulent, and transacted +an important and extensive trade; sometimes they +purchased parts and sometimes they had whole +libraries to sell.<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> Their dealings were conducted +with unusual care, and when a volume of peculiar +rarity or interest was to be sold, a deed of conveyance +was drawn up with legal precision, in the presence +of authorized witnesses.</p> + +<p>In those days of high prices and book scarcity, +the poor student was sorely impeded in his progress; +to provide against these disadvantages, they +framed a law in 1342, at Paris, compelling all +public booksellers to keep books to lend out on +hire. The reader will be surprised at the idea of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a>[<a href="./images/52.png">52</a>]</span> +a circulating library in the middle ages! but there +can be no doubt of the fact, they were established +at Paris, Toulouse, Vienna, and Bologne. These +public librarians, too, were obliged to write out regular +catalogues of their books and hang them up +in their shops, with the prices affixed, so that the +student might know beforehand what he had to +pay for reading them. I am tempted to give a few +extracts from these lists:</p> + + +<ul><li>St. Gregory's Commentaries upon Job, for reading 100 pages, 8 sous.</li> +<li>St. Gregory's Book of Homilies, 28 pages for 12 deniers.</li> +<li>Isidore's De Summa bona, 24 pages, 12 deniers.</li> +<li>Anselm's De Veritate de Libertate Arbitrii, 40 pages, 2 sous.</li> +<li>Peter Lombard's Book of Sentences, 3 sous.</li> +<li>Scholastic History, 3 sous.</li> +<li>Augustine's Confessions, 21 pages, 4 deniers.</li> +<li>Gloss on Matthew, by brother Thomas Aquinas, 57 pages, 3 sous.</li> +<li>Bible Concordance, 9 sous.</li> +<li>Bible, 10 sous.<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></li> +</ul> + +<p>This rate of charge was also fixed by the +university, and the students borrowing these books +were privileged to transcribe them if they chose; +if any of them proved imperfect or faulty, they +were denounced by the university, and a fine imposed +upon the bookseller who had lent out the +volume.</p> + +<p>This potent influence exercised by the universities +over booksellers became, in time, much +abused, and in addition to these commercial +restraints, they assumed a still less warrantable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>[<a href="./images/53.png">53</a>]</span> +power over the original productions of authors; +and became virtually the public censors of books, +and had the power of burning or prohibiting any +work of questionable orthodoxy. In the time of +Henry the Second, a book was published by being +read over for two or three successive days, before +one of the universities, and if they approved of its +doctrines and bestowed upon it their approbation, +it was allowed to be copied extensively for sale.</p> + +<p>Stringent as the university rules were, as +regards the bookselling trade, they were, nevertheless, +sometimes disregarded or infringed; some +ventured to take more for a book than the sum +allowed, and, by prevarication and secret contracts, +eluded the vigilance of the laws.<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> Some were +still bolder, and openly practised the art of a scribe +and the profession of a bookseller, without knowledge +or sanction of the university. This gave +rise to much jealousy, and in the University of +Oxford, in the year 1373, they made a decree +forbidding any person exposing books for sale +without her licence.<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a></p> + +<p>Now, considering all these usages of early bookselling, +their numbers, their opulence, and above +all, the circulating libraries which the librarii +established, can we still retain the opinion that +books were so inaccessible in those ante-printing +days, when we know that for a few sous the booklover +could obtain good and authenticated copies +to peruse, or transcribe? It may be advanced that +these facts solely relate to universities, and were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>[<a href="./images/54.png">54</a>]</span> +intended merely to insure a supply of the necessary +books in constant requisition by the students, +but such was not the case; the librarii were +essentially public <i>Librorum Venditores</i>, and were +glad to dispose of their goods to any who could +pay for them. Indeed, the early bibliomaniacs +usually flocked to these book marts to rummage +over the stalls, and to collect their choice volumes. +Richard de Bury obtained many in this way, both +at Paris and at Rome.</p> + +<p>Of the exact pecuniary value of books during +the middle ages, we have no means of judging. +The few instances that have accidentally been +recorded are totally inadequate to enable us to +form an opinion. The extravagant estimate given +by some as to the value of books in those days is +merely conjectural, as it necessarily must be, when +we remember that the price was guided by the +accuracy of the transcription, the splendor of the +binding, which was often gorgeous to excess, and +by the beauty and richness of the illuminations.<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> +Many of the manuscripts of the middle ages are +magnificent in the extreme. Sometimes they +inscribed the gospels and the venerated writings of +the fathers with liquid gold, on parchment of the +richest purple,<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> and adorned its brilliant pages +with illuminations of exquisite workmanship.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a>[<a href="./images/55.png">55</a>]</span></p><p>The first specimens we have of an attempt to +embellish manuscripts are Egyptian. It was a +common practice among them at first to color the +initial letter of each chapter or division of their +work, and afterwards to introduce objects of various +kinds into the body of the manuscript.</p> + +<p>The splendor of the ancient calligraphical productions +of Greece,<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> and the still later ones of +Rome, bear repeated testimony that the practice of +this art had spread during the sixth century, if not +earlier, to these powerful empires. England was +not tardy in embracing this elegant art. We have +many relics of remote antiquity and exquisite workmanship +existing now, which prove the talent and +assiduity of our early Saxon forefathers.</p> + +<p>In Ireland the illuminating art was profusely +practised at a period as early as the commencement +of the seventh century, and in the eighth we find it +holding forth eminent claims to our respect by the +beauty of their workmanship, and the chastity of +their designs. Those well versed in the study of +these ancient manuscripts have been enabled, by +extensive but minute observation, to point out their +different characteristics in various ages, and even +to decide upon the school in which a particular +manuscript was produced.</p> + +<p>These illuminations, which render the early +manuscripts of the monkish ages so attractive,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>[<a href="./images/56.png">56</a>]</span> +generally exemplify the rude ideas and tastes of +the time. In perspective they are wofully deficient, +and manifest but little idea of the picturesque or +sublime; but here and there we find quite a gem of +art, and, it must be owned, we are seldom tired by +monotony of coloring, or paucity of invention. A +study of these parchment illustrations afford considerable +instruction. Not only do they indicate +the state of the pictorial art in the middle ages, +but also give us a comprehensive insight into the +scriptural ideas entertained in those times; and the +bible student may learn much from pondering on +these glittering pages; to the historical student, +and to the lover of antiquities, they offer a verdant +field of research, and he may obtain in this way +many a glimpse of the manners and customs of +those old times which the pages of the monkish +chroniclers have failed to record.</p> + +<p>But all this prodigal decoration greatly enhanced +the price of books, and enabled them to +produce a sum, which now to us sounds enormously +extravagant. Moreover, it is supposed that the +scarcity of parchment limited the number of books +materially, and prevented their increase to any +extent; but I am prone to doubt this assertion, for +my own observations do not help to prove it. Mr. +Hallam says, that in consequence of this, "an unfortunate +practice gained ground of erasing a manuscript +in order to substitute another on the same +skin. This occasioned, probably, the loss of many +ancient authors who have made way for the legends +of saints, or other ecclesiastical rubbish."<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> But we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a>[<a href="./images/57.png">57</a>]</span> +may reasonably question this opinion, when we +consider the value of books in the middle ages, and +with what esteem the monks regarded, in spite of +all their paganism, those "heathen dogs" of the +ancient world. A doubt has often forced itself upon +my mind when turning over the "crackling leaves" +of many ancient MSS., whether the peculiarity +mentioned by Montfaucon, and described as parchment +from which former writing had been erased, +may not be owing, in many cases, to its mode of +preparation. It is true, a great proportion of the +membrane on which the writings of the middle ages +are inscribed, appear rough and uneven, but I could +not detect, through many manuscripts of a hundred +folios—all of which evinced this roughness—the unobliterated +remains of a single letter. And when I +have met with instances, they appear to have been +short writings—perhaps epistles; for the monks +were great correspondents, and, I suspect, kept +economy in view, and often carried on an epistolary +intercourse, for a considerable time, with a very +limited amount of parchment, by erasing the letter +to make room for the answer. This, probably, was +usual where the matter of their correspondence +was of no especial importance; so that, what our +modern critics, being emboldened by these faint +traces of former writing, have declared to possess +the classic appearance of hoary antiquity, may be +nothing more than a complimentary note, or the +worthless accounts of some monastic expenditure. +But, careful as they were, what would these monks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>[<a href="./images/58.png">58</a>]</span> +have thought of "paper-sparing Pope," who wrote +his Iliad on small pieces of refuse paper? One of +the finest passages in that translation, which describes +the parting of Hector and Andromache, is +written on part of a letter which Addison had +franked, and is now preserved in the British +Museum. Surely he could afford, these old monks +would have said, to expend some few shillings for +paper, on which to inscribe that for which he was +to receive his thousand pounds.</p> + +<p>But far from the monastic manuscripts displaying +a scantiness of parchment, we almost invariably find +an abundant margin, and a space between each line +almost amounting to prodigality; and to say that +the "vellum was considered more precious than the +genius of the author,"<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> is absurd, when we know +that, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, a +dozen skins of parchment could be bought for sixpence; +whilst that quantity written upon, if the +subject possessed any interest at all, would fetch +considerably more, there always being a demand +and ready sale for books.<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> The supposition, therefore, +that the monastic scribes erased <i>classical</i> +manuscripts for the sake of the material, seems +altogether improbable, and certainly destitute of +proof. It is true, many of the classics, as we have +them now, are but mere fragments of the original<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>[<a href="./images/59.png">59</a>]</span> +work. For this, however, we have not to blame +the monks, but barbarous invaders, ravaging flames, +and the petty animosities of civil and religious +warfare for the loss of many valuable works of the +classics. By these means, one hundred and five +books of Livy have been lost to us, probably forever. +For the thirty which have been preserved, our +thanks are certainly due to the monks. It was from +their unpretending and long-forgotten libraries that +many such treasures were brought forth at the +revival of learning, in the fifteenth century, to +receive the admiration of the curious, and the study +of the erudite scholar. In this way Poggio Bracciolini +discovered many inestimable manuscripts. +Leonardo Aretino writes in rapturous terms on +Poggio's discovery of a perfect copy of Quintillian. +"What a precious acquisition!" he exclaims, "what +unthought of pleasure to behold Quintillian perfect +and entire!"<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> In the same letter we learn that +Poggio had discovered Asconius and Flaccus in the +monastery of St. Gall, whose inhabitants regarded +them without much esteem. In the monastery of +Langres, his researches were rewarded by a copy of +Cicero's Oration for Cæcina. With the assistance +of Bartolomeo di Montepulciano, he discovered +Silius Italicus, Lactantius, Vegetius, Nonius Marcellus, +Ammianus Marcellus, Lucretius, and Columella, +and he found in a monastery at Rome a +complete copy of Turtullian.<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> In the fine old +monastery of Casino, so renowned for its classical +library in former days, he met with Julius Frontinus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a>[<a href="./images/60.png">60</a>]</span> +and Firmicus, and transcribed them with his own +hand. At Cologne he obtained a copy of Petronius +Arbiter. But to these we may add Calpurnius's +Bucolic,<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> Manilius, Lucius Septimus, Coper, Eutychius, +and Probus. He had anxious hopes of +adding a perfect Livy to the list, which he had been +told then existed in a Cistercian Monastery in +Hungary, but, unfortunately, he did not prosecute +his researches in this instance with his usual energy. +The scholar has equally to regret the loss of a +perfect Tacitus, which Poggio had expectations of +from the hands of a German monk. We may still +more deplore this, as there is every probability that +the monks actually possessed the precious volume.<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> +Nicolas of Treves, a contemporary and friend of +Poggio's, and who was infected, though in a slight +degree, with the same passionate ardor for collecting +ancient manuscripts, discovered, whilst exploring +the German monasteries, twelve comedies +of Plautus, and a fragment of Aulus Gellius.<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> Had +it not been for the timely aid of these great men, +many would have been irretrievably lost in the many +revolutions and contentions that followed; and, had +such been the case, the monks, of course, would +have received the odium, and on their heads the +spleen of the disappointed student would have been +prodigally showered.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> Martene Thesaurus novus Anecdot. tom. iv. col. 1462.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> See Du Cange in Voc., vol. vi. p. 264.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Anglia Sacra, ii. 635. Fosbrooke Brit. Monach., p. 15.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Martene Thes. Nov. Anec. tom. iv. col. 1462. Stat. Ord. +Cistere, anni 1278, they were allowed for "<i>Studendum vel recreandum</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Hildesh. episc apud Leibuit., tom. i. Script. Brunsvic, p. 444. +I am indebted to Du Cange for this reference.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> King's Munimenta Antiqua. Stevenson's Suppl. to Bentham, +p. 64.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Matt Paris, p. 51.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> Warton's Hist. Eng. Poetry, p. cxiv. Regest. Nig. St. Edmund. +Abbat.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Stevenson's Sup. to Bentham's Church of Norwich, 4to. 1817, +p. 51.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> Martene de Ant. Eccl. Ritib., cap. xxi. tom. iii. p. 263.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Alcuini Opera, tom. ii. vol. i. p. 211. Carmin xvii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Preface to Ælfric's Homilies MS. Lansdowne, No. 373, vol. iv. +in the British Museum.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> Const. Can. Reg. ap. Martene, tom. iii. p. 263.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> MS. Harl. 6395, anecdote 348.—I am indebted to D'Israeli for +the reference, but not for the extract.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> The monks were strictly enjoined by the monastic rules to +study the Bible unceasingly. The Statutes of the Dominican order +are particularly impressive on this point, and enforce a constant +reading and critical study of the sacred volume, so as to fortify themselves +for disputation; they were to peruse it continually, and apply +to it before all other reading <i>semper ante aliam lectionem</i>. <i>Martene +Thesan. Nov. Anecdot.</i>, tom. iv. col. 1932. See also cols. 1789, +1836, 1912, 1917, 1934.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> About the year 1225 Roger de Insula, Dean of York, gave +several copies of the bible to the University of Oxford, and ordered +that those who borrowed them for perusal should deposit property +of equal value as a security for their safe return.—<i>Wood's Hist. +Antiq. Oxon.</i> ii. 48.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Muratori Dissert. Quadragesima tertia, vol. iii. column 849.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> Astle's Origin of Writing, p. 193.—See also Montfaucon +Palæographia Græca, lib. iv. p. 263 et 319.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> In the year 1300 the pay of a common scribe was about one +half-penny a day, see Stevenson's Supple. to Bentham's Hist. of the +Church of Ely. p. 51.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> In some orders the monks were not allowed to sell their books +without the express permission of their superiors. According to a +statute of the year 1264 the Dominicans were strictly prohibited from +selling their books or the rules of their order.—<i>Martene Thesaur. +Nov. Anecdot.</i> tom. iv. col. 1741, et col. 1918.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> Vita Abbat. Wear. Ed. Ware, p. 26. His fine copy of the Cosmographers +he bought at Rome.—<i>Roma Benedictus emerat.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> Nosti quot Scriptores in Urbibus aut in Agris Italiæ passim +habeantur.—Ep. cxxx. See also Ep. xliv. where he speaks of having +purchased books in Italy, Germany and Belgium, at considerable +cost. It is the most interesting Bibliomanical letter in the whole +collection.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> Cottonian MS. in the Brit. Mus.—<i>Claudius</i>, E. iv. fo. 105, b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Epist. lxxi. p. 124, Edit. 4to. His words are—"Cum Dominus +Rex Anglorum me nuper ad Dominum Regum Francorum nuntium +distinasset, libri Legum venales Parisius oblati sunt mihi ab illo +B. publico mangone librorum: qui cum ad opus cujusdam mei nepotis +idoner viderentur conveni cum eo de pretio et eos apud venditorem +dismittens, ei pretium numeravi; superveniente vero C. Sexburgensi +Præposito sicut audini, plus oblulit et licitatione vincens libros de +domo venditories per violentiam absportauit."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> Chevillier, Origines de l'Imprimerie de Paris, 4to. 1694, p. 301.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> "Actes concernant le pouvoir et la direction de l'Université +de Paris sur les Ecrivains de Livres et les Imprimeurs qui leur ont +succédé comme aussi sur les Libraires Relieurs et Enlumineurs," 4to. +1652, p. 44. It is very rare, a copy was in Biblioth. Teller, No. +132, p. 428. A statute of 1275 is given by Lambecii Comment. de +Augus. Biblioth. Cæsarea Vendobon, vol. ii. pp. 252-267. The +booksellers are called "Stationarii or Librarii;" <i>de Stationariis, sive +Librariis ut Stationarus, qui vulgo appellantur</i>, etc. See also <i>Du +Cange</i>, vol. vi. col. 716.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> Chevillier, p. 301, to whom I am deeply indebted in this branch +of my inquiry.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Hist. Lit. de la France, tom. ix. p. 84. Chevillier, p. 302.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> The form of oath is given in full in the statute of 1323, and in +that of 1342, Chevillier.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> Du Breuil, Le Théâtre des Antiq. de Paris, 4to. 1612, p. 608.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, Hist. Lit. de la France, tom. ix. p. 84.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> Chevillier, p. 303.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> Martene Anecd. tom. i. p. 502. Hist. Lit. de la France, ix. p. +142.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> Chevillier, 319, who gives a long list, printed from an old +register of the University.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> Chevillier, 303.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> Vet. Stat. Universit. Oxoniæ, D. fol. 75. Archiv. Bodl.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> The Church of Norwich paid £22, 9s. for illuminating a +Graduale and Consuetudinary in 1374.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> Isidore Orig., cap. ii.—Jerome, in his Preface to Job, writes, +"<i>Habeant qui volunt veteres libros, vel in membranes purpurus auro +argentique colore purpuros aurum liquiscit in literis.</i>" Eddius +Stephanus in his Life of St. Wilfrid, cap xvi., speaks of "Quatuor +Evangeliæ de auro purissimo in membranis de purpuratis coloratis +pro animæ suæ remidis scribere jusset." Du Cange, vol. iv. p. 654. +See also Mabillon Act. Sanct., tom. v. p. 110, who is of opinion that +these purple MSS. were only designed for princes; see Nouveau +Traité de Diplomatique, and Montfaucon Palæog. Græc., pp. 45, +218, 226, for more on this subject.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> See a Fragment in the Brit. Mus. engraved in Shaw's Illuminated +Ornaments, plate 1.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> Middle Ages, vol. ii. p. 437. Mr. Maitland, in his "Dark +Ages," enters into a consideration of this matter with much critical +learning and ingenuity.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> D'Israeli Amenities of Lit., vol. i. p. 358.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> The Precentor's accounts of the Church of Norwich contain +the following items:—1300, 5 <i>dozen parchment</i>, 2<i>s.</i> 6<i>d.</i>, 40 lbs. of +ink, 4<i>s.</i> 4<i>d.</i>, 1 gallon of vini decrili, 3<i>s.</i>, 4 lbs. of corporase, 4 lbs. of +galls, 2 lbs. of gum arab, 3<i>s.</i> 4<i>d.</i>, to make ink. I dismiss these facts +with the simple question they naturally excite: that if parchment +was so <i>very scarce</i>, what on earth did the monk want with all this ink?</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> Leonardi Aretini Epist. 1. iv. ep. v.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> Mehi Præfatio ad vit Ambrosii Traversarii, p. xxxix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> Mehi Præf., pp. xlviii.—xlix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> A MS. containing five books of Tacitus which had been +deemed lost was found in Germany during the pontificate of Leo X., +and deposited in the Laurentian library at Florence.—<i>Mehi Præf.</i> p. +xlvii. See Shepard's Life of Poggio, p. 104, to whom I am much +indebted for these curious facts.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> Shepard's Life of Poggio, p. 101.</p></div> +</div> + +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>[<a href="./images/61.png">61</a>]</span></p> +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-9.jpg" alt="Header 5" title="Header 5" /></p> + + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Canterbury Monastery.—Theodore of Tarsus.—Tatwine.—Nothelm.—St. +Dunstan.—Ælfric.—Lanfranc.—Anselm.—St. +Augustine's books.—Henry +de Estria and his Catalogue.—Chiclely.—Sellinge.—Rochester.—Gundulph, +a Bible Student.—Radulphus.—Ascelin +of Dover.—Glanvill, etc.</i></p></div> +<hr /> + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-3.jpg" alt="I" title="I" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">n</span> the foregoing chapters I have endeavored +to give the reader an insight into the means by +which the monks multiplied their books, the opportunities +they had of obtaining them, the rules of +their libraries and scriptoria, and the duties of a +monkish librarian. I now proceed to notice some +of the English monastic libraries of the middle +ages, and by early records and old manuscripts +inquire into their extent, and revel for a time +among the bibliomaniacs of the cloisters. On the +spot where Christianity—more than twelve hundred +years ago—first obtained a permanent footing in +Britain, stands the proud metropolitan cathedral of +Canterbury—a venerable and lasting monument of +ancient piety and monkish zeal. St. Augustine, +who brought over the glad tidings of the Christian +faith in the year 596, founded that noble structure<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>[<a href="./images/62.png">62</a>]</span> +on the remains of a church which Roman Christians +in remote times had built there. To write the +literary history of its old monastery would spread +over more pages than this volume contains, so +many learned and bookish abbots are mentioned in +its monkish annals. Such, however, is beyond the +scope of my present design, and I have only to turn +over those ancient chronicles to find how the love +of books flourished in monkish days; so that, whilst +I may here and there pass unnoticed some ingenious +author, or only casually remark upon his talents, +all that relate to libraries or book-collecting, to +bibliophiles or scribes, I shall carefully record; and, +I think, from the notes now lying before me, and +which I am about to arrange in something like +order, the reader will form a very different idea of +monkish libraries than he previously entertained.</p></div> + +<p>The name that first attracts our attention in the +early history of Canterbury Church is that of +Theodore of Tarsus, the father of Anglo-Saxon +literature, and certainly the first who introduced +bibliomania into this island; for when he came on +his mission from Rome in the year 668 he brought +with him an extensive library, containing many +Greek and Latin authors, in a knowledge of which +he was thoroughly initiated. Bede tells us that +he was well skilled in metrical art, astronomy, arithmetic, +church music, and the Greek and Latin +languages.<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> At his death<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> the library of Christ<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a>[<a href="./images/63.png">63</a>]</span> +Church Monastery was enriched by his valuable +books, and in the time of old Lambarde some of +them still remained. He says, in his quaint way, +"The Reverend Father Mathew, nowe Archbishop +of Canterburie, whose care for the conservation of +learned monuments can never be sufficiently commended, +shewed me, not long since, the Psalter of +David, and sundrie homilies in Greek; Homer also +and some other Greeke authors beautifully wrytten +on thicke paper, with the name of this Theodore +prefixed in the fronte, to whose librarie he reasonably +thought, being thereto led by shew of great +antiquitie that they sometimes belonged."<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a></p> + +<p>Tatwine was a great book lover, if not a bibliomaniac. +"He was renowned for religious wisdom, +and notably learned in Sacred Writ."<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> If he wrote +the many pieces attributed to him, his pen must +have been prolific and his reading curious and +diversified. He is said to have composed on profane +and sacred subjects, but his works were unfortunately +destroyed by the Danish invaders, and a book +of poems and one of enigmas are all that have +escaped their ravages. The latter work, preserved +in our National Library, contains many curious +hints, illustrative of the manners of those remote +days.<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a></p> + +<p>Nothelm, or the Bold Helm, succeeded this +interesting author; he was a learned and pious +priest of London. The bibliomaniac will somewhat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a>[<a href="./images/64.png">64</a>]</span> +envy the avocation of this worthy monk whilst +searching over the rich treasures of the Roman +archives, from whence he gleaned much valuable +information to aid Bede in compiling his history of +the English Church.<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> Not only was he an industrious +scribe but also a talented author, if we are to +believe Pits, who ascribes to him several works, +with a Life of St. Augustine.<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a></p> + +<p>It is well known that St. Dunstan was an ingenious +scribe, and so passionately fond of books, that +we may unhesitatingly proclaim him a bibliomaniac. +He was a native of Wessex, and resided with his +father near Glastonbury Abbey, which holy spot +many a legendary tale rendered dear to his youthful +heart. He entered the Abbey, and devoted his +whole time to reading the wondrous lives and +miracles of ascetic men till his mind became excited +to a state of insanity by the many marvels and +prodigies which they unfolded; so that he acquired +among the simple monks the reputation of one +holding constant and familiar intercourse with the +beings of another world. On his presentation to +the king, which was effected by the influence of +his uncle Athelm, Archbishop of Canterbury, he +soon became a great favorite, but excited so much +jealousy there, that evil reports were industriously +spread respecting him. He was accused of +practising magical arts and intriguing with the +devil. This induced him to retire again into the +seclusion of a monastic cell, which he constructed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>[<a href="./images/65.png">65</a>]</span> +so low that he could scarcely stand upright in +it. It was large enough, however, to hold his +forge and other apparatus, for he was a proficient +worker in metals, and made ornaments, and bells +for his church. He was very fond of music, +and played with exquisite skill upon the harp.<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> +But what is more to our purpose, his biographer +tells us that he was remarkably skilful in writing +and illuminating, and transcribed many books, +adorning them with beautiful paintings, whilst in +this little cell.<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> One of them is preserved in the +Bodleian Library at Oxford. On the front is a +painting of St. Dunstan kneeling before our Saviour, +and at the top is written "<i>Pictura et Scriptura +hujus pagine subtas visi est de propria manu sei +Dunstani</i>."<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a> But in the midst of these ingenious +pursuits he did not forget to devote many hours to +the study of the Holy Scriptures, as also to the +diligent transcription and correction of copies of +them,<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> and thus arming himself with the sacred +word, he was enabled to withstand the numerous +temptations which surrounded him. Sometimes +the devil appeared as a man, and at other times he +was still more severely tempted by the visitations +of a beautiful woman, who strove by the most +alluring blandishments to draw that holy man from +the paths of Christian rectitude. In the tenth +century such eminent virtues could not pass un<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a>[<a href="./images/66.png">66</a>]</span>rewarded, +and he was advanced to the Archbishopric +of Canterbury in the year 961, but his after life +is that of a saintly politician, and displays nothing +that need be mentioned here.</p> + +<p>In the year 969,<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> Ælfric, abbot of St. Alban's, +was elected archbishop of Canterbury. His identity +is involved in considerable doubt by the many +contemporaries who bore that name, some of +whom, like him, were celebrated for their talent +and erudition; but, leaving the solution of this +difficulty to the antiquarian, we are justified in +saying that he was of noble family, and received +his education under Ethelwold, at Abingdon, about +the year 960. He accompanied his master to Winchester, +and Elphegus, bishop of that see, entertained +so high an opinion of Ælfric's learning +and capacity, that he sent him to superintend the +recently founded monastery of Cerne, in Devonshire. +He there spent all his hours, unoccupied +by the duties of his abbatical office, in the transcription +of books and the nobler avocations of an +author. He composed a Latin Grammar, a work +which has won for him the title of "<i>The Grammarian</i>," +and he greatly helped to maintain the +purity of the Christian church by composing a +large collection of homilies, which became exceedingly +popular during the succeeding century, and +are yet in existence. The preface to these homilies +contain several very curious passages illustrative of +the mode of publication resorted to by the monkish +authors, and on that account I am tempted to make +the following extracts:</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a>[<a href="./images/67.png">67</a>]</span></p> +<p>"I, Ælfric, the scholar of Ethelwold, to the courteous +and venerable Bishop Sigeric, in the Lord.</p> + +<p>"Although it may appear to be an attempt of +some rashness and presumption, yet have I ventured +to translate this book out of the Latin writers, especially +those of the 'Holy Scriptures,' into our common +language; for the edification of the ignorant, +who only understand this language when it is either +read or heard. Wherefore I have not used obscure +or unintelligible words, but given the plain English. +By which means the hearts, both of the readers and +of the hearers, may be reached more easily; because +they are incapable of being otherwise instructed, +than in their native tongue. Indeed, in our translation, +we have not ever been so studious to render +word for word, as to give the true sense and +meaning of our authors. Nevertheless, we have +used all diligent caution against deceitful errors, +that we may not be found seduced by any heresy, +nor blinded by any deceit. For we have followed +these authors in this translation, namely, St. Austin +of Hippo, St. Jerome, Bede, Gregory, Smaragdus, +and sometimes Haymo, whose authority is admitted +to be of great weight with all the faithful. Nor +have we only expounded the treatise of the gospels;... +but have also described the passions and +lives of the saints, for the use of the unlearned of +this nation. We have placed forty discourses in +this volume, believing this will be sufficient for one +year, if they be recited entirely to the faithful, by +the ministers of the Lord. But the other book +which we have now taken in hand to compose +will contain those passions or treatises which are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>[<a href="./images/68.png">68</a>]</span> +omitted in this volume." ... "Now, if any one find +fault with our translation, that we have not always +given word for word, or that this translation is not +so full as the treatise of the authors themselves, or +that in handling of the gospels we have run them +over in a method not exactly conformable to the +order appointed in the church, let him compose a +book of his own; by an interpretation of deeper +learning, as shall best agree with his understanding, +this only I beseech him, that he may not pervert +this version of mine, which I hope, by the grace of +God, without any boasting, I have, according to +the best of my skill, performed with all diligence. +Now, I most earnestly entreat your goodness, my +most gentle father Sigeric, that you will vouchsafe +to correct, by your care, whatever blemishes of +malignant heresy, or of dark deceit, you shall meet +with in my translation, and then permit this little +book to be ascribed to your authority, and not +to the meanness of a person of my unworthy +character. Farewell in the Almighty God continually. +Amen."<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a></p> + +<p>I have before alluded to the care observed by +the scribes in copying their manuscripts, and the +moderns may deem themselves fortunate that they +did so; for although many interpolations, or emendations, +as they called them, occur in monkish transcripts, +on the whole, their integrity, in this respect, +forms a redeeming quality in connexion with their +learning. In another preface, affixed to the second +collection of his homilies, Ælfric thus explains his +design in translating them:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a>[<a href="./images/69.png">69</a>]</span></p> + +<p>"Ælfric, a monk and priest, although a man of +less abilities than are requisite for one in such +orders, was sent, in the days of King Æthelred, +from Alphege, the bishop and successor of Æthelwold, +to a monastery which is called Cernel, at the +desire of Æthelmer, the Thane, whose noble birth +and goodness is everywhere known. Then ran it +in my mind, I trust, through the grace of God, +that I ought to translate this book out of the +Latin tongue into the English language not upon +presumption of great learning, but because I saw +and heard much error in many English books, +which ignorant men, through their simplicity, esteemed +great wisdom, and because it grieved me +that they neither knew, nor had the gospel learning +in their writing, except from those men that understood +Latin, and those books which are to be had +of King Alfred's, which he skilfully translated from +Latin into English."<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a></p> + +<p>From these extracts we may gain some idea of +the state of learning in those days, and they would +seem, in some measure, to justify the opinion, that +the laity paid but little attention to such matters, +and I more anxiously present the reader with these +scraps, because they depict the state of literature +in those times far better than a volume of conjecture +could do. It is not consistent with my design +to enter into an analysis of these homilies. Let +the reader, however, draw some idea of their nature +from the one written for Easter Sunday, which has +been deemed sufficient proof that the Saxon Church +ever denied the Romish doctrine of transubstanti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>[<a href="./images/70.png">70</a>]</span>ation; +for he there expressly states, in terms so +plain that all the sophistry of the Roman Catholic +writers cannot pervert its obvious meaning, that +the bread and wine is only typical of the body and +blood of our Saviour.</p> + +<p>To one who has spent much time in reading +the lives and writings of the monkish theologians, +how refreshing is such a character as that of Ælfric's. +Often, indeed, will the student close the volumes +of those old monastic writers with a sad, depressed, +and almost broken heart; so often will he find men +who seem capable of better things, who here and +there breathe forth all the warm aspirations of a +devout and Christian heart, bowed down and +grovelling in the dust, as it were, to prove their +blind submission to the Pope, thinking, poor fellows!—for +from my very heart I pity them—that +by so doing they were preaching that humility so +acceptable to the Lord.</p> + +<p>Cheering then, to the heart it is to find this +monotony broken by such an instance, and although +we find Ælfric occasionally diverging into the paths +of papistical error, he spreads a ray of light over +the gloom of those Saxon days, and offers pleasing +evidence that Christ never forsook his church; +that even amidst the peril and darkness of those +monkish ages there were some who mourned, +though it might have been in a monastery, submissive +to a Roman Pontiff, the depravity and corruption +with which the heart of man had marred it.</p> + +<p>To still better maintain the discipline of the +church, he wrote a set of canons, which he addressed +to Wulfin, or Wulfsine, bishop of Sher<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a>[<a href="./images/71.png">71</a>]</span>bourne. +With many of the doctrines advocated +therein, the protestant will not agree; but the +bibliophile will admit that he gave an indication of +his love of books by the 21st Canon, which directs +that, "Before a priest can be ordained, he must be +armed with the sacred books, for the spiritual +battle, namely, a Psalter, Book of Epistles, Book of +Gospels, the Missal Book, Books of Hymns, the +Manual, or Euchiridion, the Gerim, the Passional, +the Pænitential, and the Lectionary, or Reading +Book; these the diligent priest requires, and let +him be careful that they are all accurately written, +and free from faults."<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a></p> + +<p>About the same time, Ælfric wrote a treatise +on the Old and New Testaments, and in it we find +an account of his labors in Biblical Literature. He +did more in laying open the holy mysteries of the +gospel to the perusal of the laity, by translating +them into the Saxon tongue, than any other before +him. He gave them, in a vernacular version, the +Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, Esther, Job, Judith, +two Books of Maccabees, and a portion of the +Book of Kings, and it is for these labors, above +all others, that the bible student will venerate his +name, but he will look, perhaps, anxiously, hopefully, +to these early attempts at Bible propagation, +and expect to observe the ecclesiastical orders, at +least, shake off a little of their absurd dependence +on secondary sources for biblical instruction. But, +no; they still sadly clung to traditional interpretation; +they read the Word of God mystified by +the fathers, good men, many of them, devout<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a>[<a href="./images/72.png">72</a>]</span> +and holy saints, but why approach God through +man, when we have His own prescription, in sweet +encouraging words, to come, however humble or +lowly we may be, to His throne, and ask with our +own lips for those blessings so needful for the soul. +Ælfric, in a letter addressed to Sigwerd, prefixed +to his Treatise on the Old and New Testament, +thus speaks of his biblical labors:</p> + +<p>"Abbot Elfricke greeteth friendly, Sigwerd at +last Heolon. True it is I tell thee that very wise is +he who speaketh by his doings; and well proceedeth +he doth with God and the world who furnisheth +himselfe with good works. And very plaine it is +in holy scripture, that holy men employed in well +doing were in this world held in good reputation, +and as saints now enjoy the kingdom of heaven, +and the remembrance of them continueth for ever, +because of their consent with God and relying on +him, carelesse men who lead their life in all idleness +and so end it, the memory of them is forgotten in +holy writ, saving that the Old Testament records +their ill deeds and how they were therefore comdemned. +Thou hast oft entreated me for English +Scripture .... and when I was with thee great mone +thou madest that thou couldst get none of my +writings. Now will I that thou have at least this +little, since knowledge is so acceptable to thee, and +thou wilt have it rather than be altogether without +my books...... God bestoweth sevenfold grace on +mankind, (whereof I have already written in another +English Treatise,) as the prophet Isaiah hath +recorded in the book of his prophesie." In speaking +of the remaining books of the Pentateuch, he does<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>[<a href="./images/73.png">73</a>]</span> +so in a cursory manner, and excuses himself because +he had "written thereof more at large." +"The book which Moses wrote, called the book of +Joshua, sheweth how he went with the people of +Israel unto Abraham's country, and how he won it, +and how the sun stood still while he got the victory, +and how he divided the land; this book also I +turned into English for prince Ethelverd, wherein +a man may behold the great wonders of God really +fulfilled." ...... "After him known it is that there were +in the land certaine judges over Israel, who guided +the people as it is written in the book of Judges ..... +of this whoso hath desire to hear further, may read +it in that English book which I translated concerning +the same." ..... "Of the book of Kings, I +have translated also some part into English," "the +book of Esther, I briefly after my manner translated +into English," and "The Widow Judith who +overcame Holophernes, the Syrian General, hath +her book also, among these, concerning her own +victory and <i>Englished according to my skill for +your example</i>, that ye men may also defend your +country by force of arms, against the invasion of a +foreign host." "Two books of Machabeus, to the +glory of God, I have turned also into English, and +so read them, you may if you please, for your instruction." +And at the end we find him again admonishing +the scribes to use the pen with faithfulness. +"Whosoever," says he, "shall write out this +book, let him write it according to the copy, and +for God's love correct it, that it be not faulty, less +he thereby be discredited, and I shent."<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a>[<a href="./images/74.png">74</a>]</span></p> +<p>This learned prelate died on the 16th of November, +1006, after a life spent thus in the service of +Christ and the cause of learning; by his will he +bequeathed to the Abbey of St. Alban's, besides +some landed possessions, his little library of books;<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> +he was honorably buried at Abingdon, but during +the reign of Canute, his bones were removed to +Canterbury.</p> + +<p>Passing on a few years, we come to that period +when a new light shone upon the lethargy of the +Saxons; the learning and erudition which had been +fostering in the snug monasteries of Normandy, +hitherto silent—buried as it were—but yet fast +growing to maturity, accompanied the sword of the +Norman duke, and added to the glory of the conquering +hero, by their splendid intellectual endowments. +All this emulated and roused the Saxons +from their slumber; and, rubbing their laziness +away, they again grasped the pen with the full nerve +and energy of their nature; a reaction ensued, +literature was respected, learning prospered, and +copious work flowed in upon the scribes; the crackling +of parchment, and the din of controversy +bespoke the presence of this revival in the cloisters +of the English monasteries; books, the weapons +spiritual of the monks, libraries, the magazines of +the church militant were preserved, amassed, and at +last deemed indispensable.<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a> Such was the effect on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>[<a href="./images/75.png">75</a>]</span> +our national literature of that gushing in of the +Norman conquerors, so deeply imbued with learning, +so polished, and withal so armed with classical +and patristic lore were they.</p> + +<p>Foremost in the rank we find the learned Lanfranc, +that patron of literature, that indefatigable +scribe and anxious book collector, who was endowed +with an erudition far more deep and comprehensive +than any other of his day. He was born at Pavia, +in 1005, and received there the first elements of his +education;<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> he afterwards went to Bologna, and from +thence to Avranches, where he undertook the education +of many celebrated scholars of that century, +and instructed them in sacred and secular learning, +<i>in sacris et secularibus erudivi literis</i>.<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a> Whilst proceeding +on a journey to Rome he was attacked by +some robbers, who maltreated and left him almost +dead; in this condition he was found by some +peasants who conveyed him to the monastery of +Bec; the monks with their usual hospitable charity +tended and so assiduously nourished him in his +sickness, that on his recovery he became one of +their fraternity. A few years after, he was appointed +prior and founded a school there, which did +immense service to literature and science; he also +collected a great library which was renowned +and esteemed in his day,<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a> and he increased their +value by a critical revisal of their text. He was +well aware that in works so voluminous as those of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>[<a href="./images/76.png">76</a>]</span> +the fathers, the scribes through so many generations +could not be expected to observe an unanimous +infallibility; but knowing too that even the most +essential doctrines of the holy and catholic church +were founded on patristical authority, he was deeply +impressed with the necessity of keeping their writings +in all their primitive integrity; an end so +desirable, well repaid the tediousness of the undertaking, +and he cheerfully spent much time in collecting +and comparing codices, in studying their +various readings or erasing the spurious interpolations, +engendered by the carelessness or the +pious frauds of monkish scribes.<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> He lavished his +care in a similar manner on the Bible: considering +the far distant period from which that holy volume +has descended to us, it is astounding that the vicissitudes, +the perils, the darkness of near eighteen +hundred years, have failed to mar the divinity of +that sacred book; not all the blunders of nodding +scribes could do it, not all the monkish interpolations, +or the cunning of sectarian pens could do it, +for in all times the faithful church of Christ watched +over it with a jealous care, supplied each erasure +and expelled each false addition. Lanfranc was +one of the most vigilant of these Scripture guards, +and his own industry blest his church with the bible +text, purified from the gross handmarks of human +meddling. I learn, from the Benedictines of St. +Maur, that there is still preserved in the Abbey of +St. Martin de Sécz, the first ten conferences of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a>[<a href="./images/77.png">77</a>]</span> +Cassian corrected by the efficient hand of this great +critical student, at the end of the manuscript these +words are written, "<i>Hucusque ago Lanfrancus correxi</i>."<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a> +The works of St. Ambrose, on which he +bestowed similar care, are preserved in the library +of St. Vincent du Mans.<a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a></p> + +<p>When he was promoted to the See of Canterbury, +he brought with him a copious supply of +books, and spread the influence of his learning over +the English monasteries; but with all the cares +inseparably connected with the dignity of Primate +of England, he still found time to gratify his bookloving +propensities, and to continue his critical +labors; indeed he worked day and night in the +service of the church, <i>servitio Ecclesiæ</i>, and in correcting +the books which the scribes had written.<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a> +From the profusion of his library he was enabled +to lend many volumes to the monks, so that by +making transcripts, they might add to their own +stores—thus we know that he lent to Paulen, Abbot +of St. Albans, a great number, who kept his scribes +hard at work transcribing them, and built a scriptorium +for the transaction of these pleasing labors; +but more of this hereafter.</p> + +<p>Anselm, too, was a renowned and book-loving +prelate, and if his pride and haughtiness wrought +warm dissensions and ruptures in the church, he +often stole away to forget them in the pages of his +book. At an early age he acquired this fondness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>[<a href="./images/78.png">78</a>]</span> +for reading, and whilst engaged as a monkish +student, he applied his mind to the perusal of +books with wonderful perseverance, and when some +favorite volume absorbed his attention, he could +scarce leave it night or day.<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> Industry so indefatigable +ensured a certain success, and he became +eminent for his deep and comprehensive learning; +his epistles bear ample testimony to his extensive +reading and intimate acquaintance with the authors +of antiquity;<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> in one of his letters he praises a +monk named Maurice, for his success in study, +who was learning <i>Virgil</i> and some other old writers, +under Arnulph the grammarian.</p> + +<p>All day long Anselm was occupied in giving +wise counsel to those that needed it; and a great +part of the night <i>pars maxima noctis</i> he spent in +correcting his darling volumes, and freeing them +from the inaccuracies of the scribes.<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> The oil in +the lamp burnt low, still that bibliomaniac studiously +pursued his favorite avocation. So great +was the love of book-collecting engrafted into his +mind, that he omitted no opportunity of obtaining +them—numerous instances occur in his epistles of +his begging the loan of some volume for transcription;<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> +in more than one, I think, he asks for portions +of the Holy Scriptures which he was always +anxious to obtain to compare their various readings, +and to enable him with greater confidence to correct +his own copies.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a>[<a href="./images/79.png">79</a>]</span></p><p>In the early part of the twelfth century, the +monks of Canterbury transcribed a vast number of +valuable manuscripts, in which they were greatly +assisted by monk Edwine, who had arrived at considerable +proficiency in the calligraphical art, as a +volume of his transcribing, in Trinity college, Cambridge, +informs us;<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> it is a Latin Psalter, with a +Saxon gloss, beautifully illuminated in gold and +colors; at the end appears the figure of the monkish +scribe, holding the pen in his hand to indicate his +avocation, and an inscription extols his ingenuity +in the art.<a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a></p> + +<p>Succeeding archbishops greatly enriched the +library at Canterbury. Hubert Walter, who was +appointed primate in 1191, gave the proceeds of +the church of Halgast to furnish books for the +library;<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> and Robert Kildwardly, archbishop in +1272, a man of great learning and wisdom, a +remarkable orator and grammarian, wrote a great +number of books, and was passionately fond of +collecting them.<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a></p> + +<p>I learn from Wanley, that there is a large folio +manuscript in the library of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, +written about the time of Henry V. by a monk of +St. Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury, containing the +history of Christ Church; this volume proves its +author to have been something of a bibliophile, +and that is why I mention it, for he gives an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>[<a href="./images/80.png">80</a>]</span> +account of some books then preserved, which were +sent over by Pope Gregory to St. Augustine; these +precious volumes consisted of a Bible in two +volumes, called "Biblia Gregorian," beautifully +written, with some of the leaves tinted with purple +and rose-color, and the capital letters rubricated. +This interesting and venerable MS. so immediately +connected with the first ages of the Christian +church of Britain, was in existence in the time of +James I., as we learn by a passage in a scarce tract +entitled "A Petition Apologetical," addressed by +the Catholics to his majesty, where, as a proof that +we derive our knowledge of Scripture originally +from the church of Rome; they say, "The very +original Bible, the self-same <i>Numero</i> which St. +Gregory sent in with our apostle, St. Augustine, +being as yet reserved by God's special providence, +as testimony that what Scriptures we have, we had +them from Rome.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_121_121" id="FNanchor_121_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_121_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a></p> + +<p>He next mentions two Psalters, one of which I +have seen; it is among the manuscripts in the Cotton +collection,<a name="FNanchor_122_122" id="FNanchor_122_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_122_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a> and bears full evidence of its great +antiquity. This early gem of biblical literature +numbers 160 folios; it contains the Roman Psalter, +with a Saxon interlinear translation, written on +stout vellum, in a clear, bold hand. On opening +the volume, we find the first page enriched with a +dazzling specimen of monkish skill—it is a painting +of our Saviour pointing with his right hand to +heaven, and in his left holding the sacred book; +the corners are occupied with figures of animals,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a>[<a href="./images/81.png">81</a>]</span> +and the whole wrought on a glittering ground +work, is rendered still more gorgeous by the contrast +which the purple robes of Jesus display; on +the reverse of this fine illumination there is a beautiful +tesselated ornament, interwoven with animals, +flowers, and grotesque figures, around which are +miniatures of our Saviour, David, and some of the +apostles. In a line at the bottom the word <span class="smcap">Catvsvir</span> +is inscribed. Very much inferior to this in point of +art is the illumination, at folio 31, representing +David playing his harp, surrounded by a musical +coterie; it is probably the workmanship of a more +modern, but less skilful scribe of the Saxon school. +The smaller ornaments and initial letters throughout +the manuscript display great intricacy of +design.</p> + +<p>The writer next describes two copies of the +Gospels, both now in the Bodleian Collection at +Oxford. A Passionarium Sanctorum, a book for +the altar, on one side of which was the image of +our Saviour wrought in gold, and lastly, an exposition +of the Epistles and Gospels; the monkish +bookworm tells us that these membraneous treasures +were the most ancient books in all the +churches of England.<a name="FNanchor_123_123" id="FNanchor_123_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_123_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a></p> + +<p>A good and liberal monk, named Henry De +Estria, who was elected prior in the year 1285, devoted +both his time and wealth to the interests of +his monastery, and is said to have expended £900 +in repairing the choir and chapter-house.<a name="FNanchor_124_124" id="FNanchor_124_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_124_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a>[<a href="./images/82.png">82</a>]</span> +wrote a book beginning, "<i>Memoriale Henerici +Prioris Monasteri Xpi Cantuariæ</i>,"<a name="FNanchor_125_125" id="FNanchor_125_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_125_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a> now preserved +in the Cotton collection; it contains the most +extensive monastic catalogue I had ever seen, and +sufficiently proves how Bibliomania flourished in +that noble monastery. It occupies no less than +thirty-eight treble-columned folio pages, and contains +the titles of more than three thousand works. +To attempt to convey to the reader an idea of this +curious and sumptuous library, without transcribing +a large proportion of its catalogue, I am afraid +will be a futile labor; but as that would occupy +too much space, and to many of my readers be, +after all, dry and uninteresting, I shall merely give +the names of some of the most conspicuous. Years +indeed it must have required to have amassed a +collection so brilliant and superb in those days of +book scarcity. Surprise and wonder almost surpass +the admiration we feel at beholding this proud +testimonial of monkish industry and early bibliomania. +Many a choice scribe, and many an <i>Amator +Librorum</i> must have devoted his pen and purse to +effect so noble an acquisition. Like most of the +monastic libraries, it possessed a great proportion +of biblical literature—copies of the Bible whole +and in parts, commentaries on the same, and numerous +glossaries and concordances show how +much care the monks bestowed on the sacred +writings, and how deeply they were studied in +those old days. In patristic learning the library +was unusually rich, embracing the most eminent +and valuable writings of the Fathers, as may be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a>[<a href="./images/83.png">83</a>]</span> +seen by the following names, of whose works the +catalogue enumerates many volumes:</p> + + +<ul><li>Augustine.</li> +<li>Ambroise.</li> +<li>Anselm.</li> +<li>Alcuin.</li> +<li>Aldelm.</li> +<li>Benedict.</li> +<li>Bernard.</li> +<li>Bede.</li> +<li>Beranger.</li> +<li>Chrysostom.</li> +<li>Eusebius.</li> +<li>Fulgentius.</li> +<li>Gregory.</li> +<li>Hillarius.</li> +<li>Isidore.</li> +<li>Jerome.</li> +<li>Lanfranc.</li> +<li>Origen.</li> +</ul> + +<p>Much as we may respect them for all this, our +gratitude will materially increase when we learn +how serviceable the monks of Canterbury were in +preserving the old dead authors of Greece and +Rome. We do not, from the very nature of their +lives being so devoted to religion and piety, expect +this; and knowing, too, what "heathen dogs" the +monks thought these authors of idolatry, combined +with our notion, that they, far from being +the conservers, were the destroyers, of classic +MSS., for the sake, as some tell us, of the parchment +on which they were inscribed, we are somewhat +staggered in our opinion to find in their +library the following brilliant array of the wise +men of the ancient world:</p> + + +<ul><li>Aristotle,</li> +<li>Boethius,</li> +<li>Cicero,</li> +<li>Cassiodorus,</li> +<li>Donatus,</li> +<li>Euclid,</li> +<li>Galen,</li> +<li>Justin,</li> +<li>Josephus,</li> +<li>Lucan,</li> +<li>Martial,</li> +<li>Marcianus,</li> +<li>Macrobius,</li> +<li>Orosius,</li> +<li>Plato,</li> +<li>Priscian,</li> +<li>Prosper,</li> +<li>Prudentius,</li> +<li>Suetonius,</li> +<li>Sedulus,</li> +<li>Seneca,</li> +<li>Terence,</li> +<li>Virgil,</li> +<li>Etc., etc.</li> +</ul> + +<p>Nor were they mere fragments of these authors, +but, in many cases, considerable collections; of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>[<a href="./images/84.png">84</a>]</span> +Aristotle, for instance, they possessed numerous +works, with many commentaries upon him. Of +Seneca a still more extensive and valuable one; +and in the works of the eloquent Tully, they were +also equally rich. Of his <i>Paradoxa, de Senectute, +de Amiticia</i>, etc., and <i>his Offices</i>, they had more +copies than one, a proof of the respect and esteem +with which he was regarded. In miscellaneous +literature, and in the productions of the middle +age writers, the catalogue teems with an abundant +supply, and includes:</p> + + +<ul><li>Rabanus Maurus,</li> +<li>Thomas Aquinas,</li> +<li>Peter Lombard,</li> +<li>Athelard,</li> +<li>William of Malmsbury,</li> +<li>John of Salisbury,</li> +<li>Girald Barry,</li> +<li>Thomas Baldwin,</li> +<li>Brutus,</li> +<li>Robert Grosetete,</li> +<li>Gerlandus,</li> +<li>Gregory Nazianzen,</li> +<li>History of England,</li> +<li>Gesti Alexandri Magni,</li> +<li>Hystoria Longobardos,</li> +<li>Hystoriæ Scholasticæ,</li> +<li>Chronicles <i>Latine et Anglice</i>,</li> +<li>Chronographia Necephori.</li> +</ul> + +<p>But I trust the reader will not rest satisfied with +these few samples of the goodly store, but inspect +the catalogue for himself. It would occupy, as I +said before, too much space to enumerate even a +small proportion of its many treasures, which treat +of all branches of literature and science, natural +history, medicine, ethics, philosophy, rhetoric, grammar, +poetry, and music; each shared the studious +attention of the monks, and a curious "<i>Liber de +Astronomia</i>" taught them the rudiments of that +sublime science, but which they were too apt to +confound with its offspring, astrology, as we may +infer, was the case with the monks of Canterbury,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a>[<a href="./images/85.png">85</a>]</span> +for their library contained a "<i>Liber de Astrolœbus</i>," +and the "Prophesies of Merlin."</p> + +<p>Many hints connected with the literary portion +of a monastic life may sometimes be found in these +catalogues. It was evidently usual at Christ Church +Monastery to keep apart a number of books for +the private study of the monks in the cloister, +which I imagine they were at liberty to use at any +time.<a name="FNanchor_126_126" id="FNanchor_126_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_126_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a></p> + +<p>A portion of the catalogue of monk Henry is +headed "<i>Lib. de Armariole Claustre</i>,"<a name="FNanchor_127_127" id="FNanchor_127_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_127_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> under which it +is pleasing to observe a Bible, in two volumes, specified +as for the use of the infirmary, with devotional +books, lives of the fathers, a history of England, +the works of Bede, Isidore, Boethius, Rabanus +Maurus, Cassiodorus, and many others of equal +celebrity. In another portion of the manuscript, +we find a list of their church books, written at the +same time;<a name="FNanchor_128_128" id="FNanchor_128_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_128_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> it affords a brilliant proof of the plentitude +of the gospels among them; for no less than +twenty-five copies are described. We may judge +to what height the art of bookbinding had arrived +by the account here given of these precious volumes. +Some were in a splendid coopertoria of gold and +silver, and others exquisitely ornamented with +figures of our Saviour and the four Evangelists.<a name="FNanchor_129_129" id="FNanchor_129_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_129_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a> +But this extravagant costliness rendered them attractive +objects to pilfering hands, and somewhat +accounts for the lament of the industrious Somner,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a>[<a href="./images/86.png">86</a>]</span> +who says that the library was "shamefully robbed +and spoiled of them all."<a name="FNanchor_130_130" id="FNanchor_130_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_130_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a></p> + +<p>Our remarks on the monastic library at Canterbury +are drawing to a close. Henry <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Chicleley'">Chiclely</ins>, +archbishop in 1413, an excellent man, and a great +promoter of learning, rebuilt the library of the +church, and furnished it with many a choice tome.<a name="FNanchor_131_131" id="FNanchor_131_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_131_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a> +His esteem for literature was so great, that he built +two colleges at Oxford.<a name="FNanchor_132_132" id="FNanchor_132_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_132_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> William Sellinge, who +was a man of erudition, and deeply imbued with +the book-loving mania, was elected prior in 1472. +He is said to have studied at Bonania, in Italy; +and, during his travels, he gathered together "all +the ancient authors, both Greek and Latine, he +could get," and returned laden with them to his own +country. Many of them were of great rarity, and +it is said that a Tully <i>de Republica</i> was among +them. Unfortunately, they were all burnt by a +fire in the monastery.<a name="FNanchor_133_133" id="FNanchor_133_133"></a><a href="#Footnote_133_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a></p> + +<p>I have said enough, I think, to show that books +were eagerly sought after, and deeply appreciated, +in Canterbury cloisters during the middle ages, and +when the reader considers that these facts have +been preserved from sheer accident, and, therefore, +only enable us to obtain a partial glimpse of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a>[<a href="./images/87.png">87</a>]</span> +actual state of their library, he will be ready to +admit that bibliomania existed then, and will feel +thankful, too, that it did, for to its influence, surely, +we are indebted for the preservation of much that +is valuable and instructive in history and general +literature.<a name="FNanchor_134_134" id="FNanchor_134_134"></a><a href="#Footnote_134_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a></p> + +<p>We can scarcely leave Kent without a word or +two respecting the church of the Rochester monks. +It was founded by King Ethelbert, who conferred +upon it the dignities of an episcopal see, in the +year 600; and, dedicating it to St. Andrew, completed +the good work by many donations and +emoluments. The revenues of the see were always +limited, and it is said that its poverty caused it to +be treated with kind forbearance by the ecclesiastical +commissioners at the period of the Reformation.</p> + +<p>I have not been able to meet with any catalogue +of its monastic library, and the only hints I +can obtain relative to their books are such as may +be gathered from the recorded donations of its +learned prelates and monks. In the year 1077, +Gundulph, a Norman bishop, who is justly celebrated +for his architectural talents, rebuilt the +cathedral, and considerable remains of this structure +are still to be seen in the nave and west front, +and display that profuse decoration united with +ponderous stability, for which the Norman buildings +are so remarkable. This munificent prelate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a>[<a href="./images/88.png">88</a>]</span> +also enriched the church with numerous and costly +ornaments; the encouragement he gave to learning +calls for some notice here. Trained in one of the +most flourishing of the Norman schools, we are not +surprised that in his early youth he was so studious +and inquisitive after knowledge as to merit the +especial commendation of his biographer.<a name="FNanchor_135_135" id="FNanchor_135_135"></a><a href="#Footnote_135_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a> William +of Malmsbury, too, highly extols him "for his +abundant piety," and tells us that he was not inexperienced +in literary avocations; he was polished +and courageous in the management of judicial +affairs, and a close, devoted student of the divine +writings;<a name="FNanchor_136_136" id="FNanchor_136_136"></a><a href="#Footnote_136_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a> as a scribe he was industrious and critical, +and the great purpose to which he applied his +patience and erudition was a careful revisal of the +Holy Scriptures. He purged the sacred volume of +the inadvertencies of the scribes, and restored the +purity of the text; for transcribing after transcribing +had caused some errors and diversity of readings +to occur, between the English and foreign +codices, in spite of all the pious care of the monastic +copyists; this was perplexing, an uniformity was +essential and he undertook the task;<a name="FNanchor_137_137" id="FNanchor_137_137"></a><a href="#Footnote_137_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a> labors so +valuable deserve the highest praise, and we bestow +it more liberally upon him for this good work than +we should have done had he been the compiler of +crude homilies or the marvellous legends of saints. +The high veneration in which Gundulph held the +patristic writings induced him to bestow his attention +in a similar manner upon them, he compared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a>[<a href="./images/89.png">89</a>]</span> +copies, studied their various readings and set to +work to correct them. The books necessary for +these critical researches he obtained from the +libraries of his former master, Bishop Lanfranc, +St. Anselm, his schoolfellow, and many others who +were studying at Bec, but besides this, he corrected +many other authors, and by comparing them with +ancient manuscripts, restored them to their primitive +beauty. Fabricius<a name="FNanchor_138_138" id="FNanchor_138_138"></a><a href="#Footnote_138_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a> notices a fine volume, which +bore ample testimony to his critical erudition and +dexterity as a scribe. It is described as a large +Bible on parchment, written in most beautiful +characters, it was proved to be his work by this +inscription on its title page, "<i>Prima pars Bibliæ +per bona memoriæ Gundulphum Rossensem Episcopum</i>." +This interesting manuscript, formerly in +the library of the monks of Rochester, was regarded +as one of their most precious volumes. An +idea of the great value of a Bible in those times +may be derived from the curious fact that the bishop +made a decree directing "excommunication to be +pronounced against whosoever should take away or +conceal this volume, or who should even dare to +conceal the inscription on the front, which indicated +the volume to be the property of the church of +Rochester." But we must bear in mind that this was +no ordinary copy, it was transcribed by Gundulph's +own pen, and rendered pure in its text by his +critical labors. But the time came when anathemas +availed nought, and excommunication was divested +of all terror. "Henry the Eighth," the "Defender +of the Faith," frowned destruction upon the monks,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>[<a href="./images/90.png">90</a>]</span> +and in the tumult that ensued, this treasure was +carried away, anathema and all. Somehow or +other it got to Amsterdam, perhaps sent over in +one of those "shippes full," to the bookbinders, +and having passed through many hands, at last +found its way into the possession of Herman Van +de Wal, Burgomaster of Amsterdam; since then it +was sold by public auction, but has now I believe +been lost sight of.<a name="FNanchor_139_139" id="FNanchor_139_139"></a><a href="#Footnote_139_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a> Among the numerous +treasures which Gundulph gave to his church, he +included a copy of the Gospels, two missals and a +book of Epistles.<a name="FNanchor_140_140" id="FNanchor_140_140"></a><a href="#Footnote_140_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a> Similar books were given by +succeeding prelates; Radolphus, a Norman bishop +in 1108, gave the monks several copies of the gospels +beautifully adorned.<a name="FNanchor_141_141" id="FNanchor_141_141"></a><a href="#Footnote_141_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a> Earnulphus, in the year +1115, was likewise a benefactor in this way; he +bestowed upon them, besides many gold and silver +utensils for the church, a copy of the gospels, +lessons for the principal days, a benedictional, or +book of blessings, a missal, handsomely bound, and +a capitular.<a name="FNanchor_142_142" id="FNanchor_142_142"></a><a href="#Footnote_142_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a> Ascelin, formerly prior of Dover, +and made bishop of Rochester, in the year 1142, +gave them a Psalter and the Epistles of St. Paul, +with a gloss.<a name="FNanchor_143_143" id="FNanchor_143_143"></a><a href="#Footnote_143_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a> He was a learned man, and excessively +fond of books; a passion which he had +acquired no doubt in his monastery of Dover which +possessed a library of no mean extent.<a name="FNanchor_144_144" id="FNanchor_144_144"></a><a href="#Footnote_144_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a> He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>[<a href="./images/91.png">91</a>]</span> +wrote a commentary on Isaiah, and gave it to the +monastery; Walter, archdeacon of Canterbury, +who succeeded Ascelin, gave a copy of the gospels +bound in gold, to the church;<a name="FNanchor_145_145" id="FNanchor_145_145"></a><a href="#Footnote_145_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a> and Waleran, +elected bishop in the year 1182, presented them +with a glossed Psalter, the Epistles of Paul, and +the Sermons of Peter.<a name="FNanchor_146_146" id="FNanchor_146_146"></a><a href="#Footnote_146_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a></p> + +<p>Glanvill, bishop in the year 1184, endeavored +to deprive the monks of the land which Gundulph +had bestowed upon them; this gave to rise to many +quarrels<a name="FNanchor_147_147" id="FNanchor_147_147"></a><a href="#Footnote_147_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a> which the monks never forgave; it is +said that he died without regret, and was buried +without ceremony; yet the curious may still inspect +his tomb on the north side of the altar, with +his effigies and mitre lying at length upon it.<a name="FNanchor_148_148" id="FNanchor_148_148"></a><a href="#Footnote_148_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a> +Glanvill probably repented of his conduct, and he +strove to banish all animosity by many donations; +and among other treasures, he gave the monks the +five books of Moses and other volumes.<a name="FNanchor_149_149" id="FNanchor_149_149"></a><a href="#Footnote_149_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a></p> + +<p>Osbern of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Shebey'">Shepey</ins>, who was prior in the year +1189, was a great scribe and wrote many volumes +for the library; he finished the Commentary of +Ascelin, transcribed a history of Peter, a Breviary +for the chapel, a book called <i>De Claustra animæ</i>, +and wrote the great Psalter which is chained to +the choir and window of St. Peter's altar<ins title="Transcriber's Note: removed superfluous quotation mark">.</ins><a name="FNanchor_150_150" id="FNanchor_150_150"></a><a href="#Footnote_150_150" class="fnanchor">[150]</a> +Ralph de Ross, and Heymer de Tunebregge,<a name="FNanchor_151_151" id="FNanchor_151_151"></a><a href="#Footnote_151_151" class="fnanchor">[151]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>[<a href="./images/92.png">92</a>]</span> +also bestowed gifts of a similar nature upon the +monks; but the book anecdotes connected with +this monastic fraternity are remarkably few, barren +of interest, and present no very exalted idea of +their learning.<a name="FNanchor_152_152" id="FNanchor_152_152"></a><a href="#Footnote_152_152" class="fnanchor">[152]</a></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> Bede, iv. cap. ii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> He died in 690, and was succeeded by Bertwold, Abbot of +Reculver, <i>Saxon Chronicle, Ingram</i>, p. 57. Bede speaks of Bertwold +as "well learned in Scripture and Ecclesiastical Literature."—<i>Eccl. +Hist.</i> b. v. c. viii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> Preambulation of Kent, 4to. 1576, p. 233. Parker's Ant. Brit. +p. 80.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> He was consecrated on the 10th of June, 731, Bede, v. c. xxiii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> M.S. Reg. 12, c. xxiii. I know of no other copy. Leland says +that he saw a copy at Glastonbury.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> Bede's Eccl. Hist. Prologue.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> Pitseus Angliæ Scrip. 1619, p. 141. Dart's Hist. Canterbury, +p. 102.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> Cottonian MS. Cleopatra, B. xiii. fo. 70.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> W. Malm, de Vita, Dunst. ap. Leland, Script. tom. 1. p. 162. +Cotton. MS. Fanstin, B. 13.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> Strutt's Saxon. Antiq. vol. 1, p. 105, plate xviii. See also +Hicke's Saxon Grammar, p. 104.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> MS. Cotton., Cleop. b. xiii. fo. 69. Mabd. Acta Sancto. vii. 663.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> Saxon Chron. by Ingram, 171.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> Landsdowne MS. in Brit. Mus. 373, vol. iv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> Landsdowne MS. in Brit. Mus. 373, vol. iv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> Can. 21, p. 577, vol. i.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> Lisle's Divers Ancient Monuments in the Saxon Tongue, 4to. +Lond. 1638, p. 43.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> MS. Cottonian Claudius, b. vi. p. 103; Dart's Hist. of Cant. +p. 112.; Dugdale's Monast., vol. i. p. 517.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> There was an old saying, and a true one, prevalent in those +days, that a monastery without a library was like a castle without an +armory, <i>Clastrum sine armario, quasi castrum sine armamentario</i>. +See letter of Gaufredi of St. Barbary to Peter Mangot, <i>Martene +Thes. Nov. Anecd.</i>, tom. i. col. 511.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> Mabillon, Act. S., tom. ix. p. 659.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> Ep. i. ad Papæ Alex.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> Vita Lanfr., c. vi. "<i>Effulsit eo majistro, obedientia coactu, +philosophicarum ac divinarum litterarum bibliotheca, etc.</i>" Opera +p. 8. Edit. folio, 1648.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_109_109" id="Footnote_109_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_109"><span class="label">[109]</span></a> "Et quia scripturæ scriptorum vitio erant ninium corruptæ, +omnes tam Veteris, quam Novi Testamenti libros; necnon etiam +scriptæ sanctorum patrum secundum orthodoxam fidem studuit corrigere." +Vita Lanfr. cap. 15, ap. Opera, p. 15.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_110_110" id="Footnote_110_110"></a><a href="#FNanchor_110_110"><span class="label">[110]</span></a> Hist. Litt. de la France, vol. vii. p. 117.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_111_111" id="Footnote_111_111"></a><a href="#FNanchor_111_111"><span class="label">[111]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i> "Il rendit de même service à trois écrits de S. Ambrose +l'Hexameron, l'apologie de David et le traité des Sacrements, +tels qu'on les voit à la bibliothèque de St. Vincent du Mans."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_112_112" id="Footnote_112_112"></a><a href="#FNanchor_112_112"><span class="label">[112]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_113_113" id="Footnote_113_113"></a><a href="#FNanchor_113_113"><span class="label">[113]</span></a> Malmsb. de Gest. Pontif. b. i. p. 216.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_114_114" id="Footnote_114_114"></a><a href="#FNanchor_114_114"><span class="label">[114]</span></a> See Epist. 16. Lib. i.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_115_115" id="Footnote_115_115"></a><a href="#FNanchor_115_115"><span class="label">[115]</span></a> Edmer. Vit. Anselm, apud Anselm Opera.—<i>Edit. Benedict</i>, +1721, b. i. p. 4.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_116_116" id="Footnote_116_116"></a><a href="#FNanchor_116_116"><span class="label">[116]</span></a> Epp. 10-20, lib. i. and 24 b. ii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_117_117" id="Footnote_117_117"></a><a href="#FNanchor_117_117"><span class="label">[117]</span></a> Codic. fol. first class, a dextr. Sc. Med. 5.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_118_118" id="Footnote_118_118"></a><a href="#FNanchor_118_118"><span class="label">[118]</span></a> Warton's Hist. Eng. Poetry. Dissert, ii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_119_119" id="Footnote_119_119"></a><a href="#FNanchor_119_119"><span class="label">[119]</span></a> Dart's Canterb. p. 132. Dugdale's Monast. vol. i. p. 85.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_120_120" id="Footnote_120_120"></a><a href="#FNanchor_120_120"><span class="label">[120]</span></a> There is, or was, in St. Peter's college, Cambridge, a MS. +volume of 21 books, which formerly belonged to this worthy Bibliophile.—<i>Dart</i>, +p. 137.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_121_121" id="Footnote_121_121"></a><a href="#FNanchor_121_121"><span class="label">[121]</span></a> Petition Apol. 4to. 1604, p. 17.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_122_122" id="Footnote_122_122"></a><a href="#FNanchor_122_122"><span class="label">[122]</span></a> Brit. Mus. Vesp. A. i.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_123_123" id="Footnote_123_123"></a><a href="#FNanchor_123_123"><span class="label">[123]</span></a> Wanley Librorum Vett Septentrionalium fol. Oxon, 1705, +p. 172.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_124_124" id="Footnote_124_124"></a><a href="#FNanchor_124_124"><span class="label">[124]</span></a> Dugdale's Monast. Angl. vol. i. p. 112.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_125_125" id="Footnote_125_125"></a><a href="#FNanchor_125_125"><span class="label">[125]</span></a> MS. Cot. Galba. E. iv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_126_126" id="Footnote_126_126"></a><a href="#FNanchor_126_126"><span class="label">[126]</span></a> See what has been said on this subject in the previous chapter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_127_127" id="Footnote_127_127"></a><a href="#FNanchor_127_127"><span class="label">[127]</span></a> MS. Galla, E. iv. fol. 133.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_128_128" id="Footnote_128_128"></a><a href="#FNanchor_128_128"><span class="label">[128]</span></a> MS. fol. 122.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_129_129" id="Footnote_129_129"></a><a href="#FNanchor_129_129"><span class="label">[129]</span></a> <i>Textus Magnus auro coopertus et gemmis ornatus, cum majistate +in media, et 4 Evangelistis in 4 Angulis. Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_130_130" id="Footnote_130_130"></a><a href="#FNanchor_130_130"><span class="label">[130]</span></a> Somner Antiq. Cant. 4to. 1640, p. 174, he is speaking of +books in general.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_131_131" id="Footnote_131_131"></a><a href="#FNanchor_131_131"><span class="label">[131]</span></a> Duck Vita Chich. p. 104.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_132_132" id="Footnote_132_132"></a><a href="#FNanchor_132_132"><span class="label">[132]</span></a> Dugdale, vol. i. p. 86. Dart, p. 158, and Somner Ant. +Cant. 174.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_133_133" id="Footnote_133_133"></a><a href="#FNanchor_133_133"><span class="label">[133]</span></a> Somner, 294 and 295; see also Leland Scriptor. He was well +versed in the Greek language, and his monument bears the following +line: +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Doctor theologus Selling Græca atque Latina,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Linqua perdoctus."—See Warton's Hist. Poet., ii. p. 425.<br /></span> +</div></div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_134_134" id="Footnote_134_134"></a><a href="#FNanchor_134_134"><span class="label">[134]</span></a> There is a catalogue written in the sixteenth century, preserved +among the Cotton MS., containing the titles of seventy books belonging +to <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Catherbury'">Canterbury</ins> Library. It is printed in Leland Collect. vol. iv. +p. 120, and in Dart's Hist. Cant. Cath.; but they differ slightly from +the Cott. MS. Julius, c. vi. 4, fol. 99.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_135_135" id="Footnote_135_135"></a><a href="#FNanchor_135_135"><span class="label">[135]</span></a> Monachus Roffensis de Vita Gundulphi, 274.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_136_136" id="Footnote_136_136"></a><a href="#FNanchor_136_136"><span class="label">[136]</span></a> Will. Malms. de Gest. Pont. Ang. ap Rerum. Ang. Script, 133.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_137_137" id="Footnote_137_137"></a><a href="#FNanchor_137_137"><span class="label">[137]</span></a> Histoire Littéraire de Fr., tom. vii. p. 118.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_138_138" id="Footnote_138_138"></a><a href="#FNanchor_138_138"><span class="label">[138]</span></a> Biblioth. Latine, b. vii. p. 519.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_139_139" id="Footnote_139_139"></a><a href="#FNanchor_139_139"><span class="label">[139]</span></a> Hist. Litt. de Fr., tom. ix. p. 373.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_140_140" id="Footnote_140_140"></a><a href="#FNanchor_140_140"><span class="label">[140]</span></a> Thorpe Regist. Roffens, fol. 1769, p. 118.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_141_141" id="Footnote_141_141"></a><a href="#FNanchor_141_141"><span class="label">[141]</span></a> Wharton Angl. Sacr., tom. 1, p. 342.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_142_142" id="Footnote_142_142"></a><a href="#FNanchor_142_142"><span class="label">[142]</span></a> Thorpe Regist. Rof., p. 120. Dugdale's Monast., vol. 1, p. 157.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_143_143" id="Footnote_143_143"></a><a href="#FNanchor_143_143"><span class="label">[143]</span></a> Thorpe Reg. Rof., p. 121.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_144_144" id="Footnote_144_144"></a><a href="#FNanchor_144_144"><span class="label">[144]</span></a> A catalogue of this library is preserved among the Bodleian +MSS. No. 920, containing many fine old volumes. I am not aware +that it has been ever printed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_145_145" id="Footnote_145_145"></a><a href="#FNanchor_145_145"><span class="label">[145]</span></a> "Textum Evangeliorum aureum." Reg. Rof., p. 121.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_146_146" id="Footnote_146_146"></a><a href="#FNanchor_146_146"><span class="label">[146]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, p. 121.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_147_147" id="Footnote_147_147"></a><a href="#FNanchor_147_147"><span class="label">[147]</span></a> Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. 1, p. 156.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_148_148" id="Footnote_148_148"></a><a href="#FNanchor_148_148"><span class="label">[148]</span></a> Wharton's Ang. Sac, tom. 1, p. 346.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_149_149" id="Footnote_149_149"></a><a href="#FNanchor_149_149"><span class="label">[149]</span></a> Thorpe Reg. Rof., p. 121.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_150_150" id="Footnote_150_150"></a><a href="#FNanchor_150_150"><span class="label">[150]</span></a> Thorpe Reg. Rof., 121. Dugdale's Monast., vol. i. p. 158.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_151_151" id="Footnote_151_151"></a><a href="#FNanchor_151_151"><span class="label">[151]</span></a> Reg. Rof., pp. 122, 123.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_152_152" id="Footnote_152_152"></a><a href="#FNanchor_152_152"><span class="label">[152]</span></a> In a long list of gifts by Robert de Hecham, I find "librum +Ysidore ethimologiarum possuit in armarium claustri et alia plura +fecit."—<i>Thorpe Reg. Rof.</i>, p. 123.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a>[<a href="./images/93.png">93</a>]</span></p> +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-10.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Lindesfarne.—St. Cuthbert's Gospels.—Destruction +of the Monastery.—Alcuin's Letter on the +occasion.—Removal to Durham.—Carelepho.—Catalogue +of Durham Library.—Hugh de +Pusar.—Anthony Bek.—Richard de Bury +and his Philobiblon, etc.</i></p></div> + +<hr /> +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-11.jpg" alt="T" title="T" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">he</span> Benedictine monastery of Lindesfarne, +or the Holy Island, as +it was called, was founded through +the instrumentality of Oswald, the +son of Ethelfrith, king of Northumberland, +who was anxious for +the promulgation of the Christian faith within +his dominions. Aidan, the first bishop of whom +we have any distinct account, was appointed about +the year 635. Bede tells us that he used frequently +to retire to the Isle of Farne, that he +might pray in private and be undisturbed.<a name="FNanchor_153_153" id="FNanchor_153_153"></a><a href="#Footnote_153_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a> This +small island, distant about nine miles from the +church of Lindesfarne, obtained great celebrity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>[<a href="./images/94.png">94</a>]</span> +from St. Cuthbert, who sought that quiet spot and +led there a lonely existence in great continence +of mind and body.<a name="FNanchor_154_154" id="FNanchor_154_154"></a><a href="#Footnote_154_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a> In 685 he was appointed to the +see of Lindesfarne, where, by his pious example +and regular life, he instructed many in their religious +duties. The name of this illustrious saint is +intimately connected with a most magnificent specimen +of calligraphical art of the eighth century, +preserved in the British Museum,<a name="FNanchor_155_155" id="FNanchor_155_155"></a><a href="#Footnote_155_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> and well known +by the name of the Durham Book, or Saint +Cuthbert's Gospels; it was written some years after +the death of that Saint, in honor of his memory, +by Egfrith, a monk of Lindesfarne, who was made +bishop of that see in the year 698. At Egfrith's +death in 721, his successor, Æthilwald, most beautifully +bound it in gold and precious stones, and +Bilfrid, a hermit, richly illuminated it by prefixing +to each gospel a beautiful painting representing +one of the Evangelists, and a tesselated cross, +executed in a most elaborate manner. He also +displayed great skill by illuminating the large capital +letters at the commencement of each gospel.<a name="FNanchor_156_156" id="FNanchor_156_156"></a><a href="#Footnote_156_156" class="fnanchor">[156]</a> +Doubtless, the hermit Bilfrid was an eminent +artist in his day. Aldred, the Glossator, a priest +of Durham, about the year 950, still more enriched +this precious volume by interlining it with a Saxon +Gloss, or version of the Latin text of St. Jerome, +of which the original manuscript is a copy.<a name="FNanchor_157_157" id="FNanchor_157_157"></a><a href="#Footnote_157_157" class="fnanchor">[157]</a> It is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>[<a href="./images/95.png">95</a>]</span> +therefore, one of the most venerable of those early +attempts to render the holy scriptures into the +vernacular tongue, and is on that account an interesting +relic to the Christian reader, and, no doubt, +formed the choicest volume in the library of +Lindesfarne.<a name="FNanchor_158_158" id="FNanchor_158_158"></a><a href="#Footnote_158_158" class="fnanchor">[158]</a></p></div> + +<p>But imperfectly, indeed, have I described the +splendid manuscript which is now lying, in all its +charms, before me. And as I mark its fine old +illuminations, so bright in color, and so chaste in +execution, the accuracy of its transcription, and +the uniform beauty of its calligraphy, my imagination +carries me back to the quiet cloister of +the old Saxon scribe who wrote it, and I can +see in Egfrith, a bibliomaniac, of no mean pretensions, +and in Bilfrid, a monkish illuminator, +well initiated in the mysteries of his art. The +manuscript contains 258 double columned folio +pages, and the paintings of the Evangelists each +occupy an entire page. We learn the history +of its production from a very long note at the +end of the manuscript, written by the hand of the +glossator.<a name="FNanchor_159_159" id="FNanchor_159_159"></a><a href="#Footnote_159_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a></p> + +<p>But sad misfortunes were in store for the holy +monks, for about 793, or a little earlier, when +Highbald was abbot, the Danes burnt down the +monastery and murdered the ecclesiastics; "most<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a>[<a href="./images/96.png">96</a>]</span> +dreadful lightnings and other prodigies," says +Simeon of Durham, "are said to have portended +the impending ruin of this place; on the 7th of +June they came to the church of Lindesfarne, +miserably plundered all places, overthrew the +altars, and carried away all the treasures of the +church, some of the monks they slew, some they carried +away captives, some they drowned in the sea, +and others much afflicted and abused they turned +away naked."<a name="FNanchor_160_160" id="FNanchor_160_160"></a><a href="#Footnote_160_160" class="fnanchor">[160]</a> Fortunately some of the poor +monks escaped, and after a short time returned +to their old spot, and with religious zeal set about +repairing the damage which the sacred edifice had +sustained; after its restoration they continued comparatively +quiet till the time of Eardulfus, when +the Danes in the year 875, again invaded England +and burned down the monastery of Lindesfarne. +The monks obtained some knowledge of their +coming and managed to effect their escape, taking +with them the body of St. Cuthbert, which they +highly venerated, with many other honored relics; +they then set out with the bishop Eardulfus and +the abbot Eadrid at their head on a sort of pilgrimage +to discover some suitable resting place +for the remains of their saint; but finding no safe +locality, and becoming fatigued by the irksomeness +of the journey, they as a last resource resolved +to pass over to Ireland. For this purpose they +proceeded to the sea, but no sooner were they on +board the ship than a terrific storm arose, and had +it not been for the fond care of their patron saint, +a watery grave would have been forever their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a>[<a href="./images/97.png">97</a>]</span> +resting place; but, as it was, their lives were spared, +and the holy bones preserved to bless mankind, +and work wondrous miracles in the old church +of the Saxon monks. Nevertheless, considerable +damage was sustained, and the fury of the angry +waves forced them back again to the shore. The +monks deeming this an indication of God's will +that they should remain, decided upon doing so, +and leaving the ship, they agreed to proceed on +their way rejoicing, and place still greater trust +in the mercy of God and the miraculous influence +of St. Cuthbert's holy bones; but some whose +reliance on Divine providence appears not so conspicuous, +became dissatisfied, and separated from +the rest till at last only seven monks were left +besides their bishop and abbot. Their relics were +too numerous and too cumbersome to be conveyed +by so small a number, and they knew not how to +proceed; but one of the seven whose name was +Hanred had a vision, wherein he was told that +they should repair to the sea, where they would +find a book of Gospels adorned with gold and +precious stones, which had been lost out of the +ship when they were in the storm; and that after +that he should see a bridle hanging on a tree, +which he should take down and put upon a horse +that would come to him, which horse he should +put to a cart he would also find, to carry the holy +body, which would be an ease to them. All these +things happening accordingly, they travelled with +more comfort, following the horse, which way +soever he should lead. The book above mentioned +was no ways damaged by the water, and is still<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a>[<a href="./images/98.png">98</a>]</span> +preserved in the library at Durham,<a name="FNanchor_161_161" id="FNanchor_161_161"></a><a href="#Footnote_161_161" class="fnanchor">[161]</a> where it +remained till the Reformation, when it was stript +of its jewelled covering, and after passing through +many hands, ultimately came into the possession +of Sir Robert Cotton, in whose collection, as we +have said before, it is now preserved in the British +Museum.</p> + +<p>I cannot refrain, even at the risk of incurring +some blame for my digression, presenting the +reader with a part of a letter full of fraternal love, +which Alcuin addressed to the monks of Lindesfarne +on this sad occasion.</p> + +<p>"Your dearest fraternity," says he, "was wont +to afford me much joy. But now how different! +though absent, I deeply lament the more your +tribulations and calamities; the manner in which +the Pagans contaminate the sanctuaries of God, +and shed the blood of saints around the altar, +devastating the joy of our house, and trampling on +the bodies of holy men in the temple of God, as +though they were treading on a dunghill in the +street. But of what effect is our wailing unless we +come before the altars of Christ and cry, 'Spare +me, O Lord! spare thy people, and take not thine +inheritance from them;' nor let the Pagans say, +'Where is the God of the Christians?' Besides +who is to pacify the churches of Britain, if +St. Cuthbert cannot defend them with so great a +number of saints? Nevertheless do not trouble +the mind about these things, for God chasteneth +all the sons whom he receiveth, and therefore +perhaps afflicts you the more, because he the more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>[<a href="./images/99.png">99</a>]</span> +loveth you. Jerusalem, the delightful city of God, +was lost by the Chaldean scourge; and Rome, the +city of the holy Apostles and innumerable martyrs, +was surrounded by the Pagans and devastated. +Well nigh the whole of Europe is evacuated by +the scourging sword of the Goths or the Huns. +But in the same manner in which God preserved +the stars to illuminate the heavens, so will He +preserve the churches to ornament, and in their +office to strengthen and increase the Christian +religion."<a name="FNanchor_162_162" id="FNanchor_162_162"></a><a href="#Footnote_162_162" class="fnanchor">[162]</a></p> + +<p>Thus it came to pass that Eardulphus was the +last bishop of Lindesfarne and the first of Cunecacestre, +or Chester-upon-the-Street, to which place +his see was removed previous to its final settlement +at Durham.</p> + +<p>After a succession of many bishops, some recorded +as learned and bookish by monkish annalists, +and nearly all benefactors in some way to +their church, we arrive at the period when Aldwine +was consecrated bishop of that see in the year +990. The commotions of his time made his presidency +a troubled and harassing one. Sweyn, king +of Denmark, and Olauis, king of Norway, invaded +England, and spreading themselves in bodies over +the kingdom, committed many and cruel depredations; +a strong body of these infested the +northern coast, and approached the vicinity of +Chester-on-the-Street. This so alarmed Aldwine, +that he resolved to quit his church—for the great +riches and numerous relics of that holy place were +attractive objects to the plundering propensities of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>[<a href="./images/100.png">100</a>]</span> +the invaders. Carrying, therefore, the bones of +St. Cuthbert with them—for that box of mortal +dust was ever precious in the sight of those old +monks—and the costly treasures of the church, not +forgetting their books, the monks fled to Ripon, +and the see, which after similar adversities their +predecessors one hundred and thirteen years ago +had settled at Chester, was forever removed. It +is true three or four months after, as Symeon of +Durham tells us, they attempted to return, but +when they reached a place called Werdelan, "on +the east and near unto Durham," they could not +move the bier on which the body of St. Cuthbert +was carried, although they applied their united +strength to effect it. The superstition, or perhaps +simplicity, of the monks instantly interpreted this +into a manifestation of divine interference, and +they resolved not to return again to their old spot. +And we are further told that after three days' +fasting and prayer, the Lord vouchsafed to reveal +to them that they should bear the saintly burden +to Durham, a command which they piously and +cheerfully obeyed. Having arrived there, they +fixed on a wild and uncultivated site, and making +a simple oratory of wattles for the temporary reception +of their relics, they set zealously to work—for +these old monks well knew what labor was—to +cut down wood, to clear the ground, and build an +habitation for themselves. Shortly after, in the +wilderness of that neglected spot, the worthy +bishop Aldwine erected a goodly church of stone +to the honor of God, and as a humble tribute of +gratitude and love; and so it was that Aldwine,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a>[<a href="./images/101.png">101</a>]</span> +the last bishop of Chester-on-the-Street, was the +first of Durham.</p> + +<p>When William Carelepho, a Norman monk, +was consecrated bishop, the church had so increased +in wealth and usefulness, that fresh wants +arose, more space was requisite, and a grander +structure would be preferable; the bishop thereupon +pulled the old church of Aldwine down and +commenced the erection of a more magnificent one +in its place, as the beauty of Durham cathedral +sufficiently testifies even now; and will not the +lover of artistic beauty award his praise to the +Norman bishop—those massive columns and stupendous +arches excite the admiring wonder of all; +built on a rocky eminence and surrounded by all +the charms of a romantic scenery, it is one of the +finest specimens of architecture which the enthusiasm +of monkish days dedicated to piety and to +God. Its liberal founder however did not live to +see it finished, for he died in the year 1095, two +years after laying its foundation stone. His bookloving +propensities have been honorably recorded, +and not only was he fond of reading, but kept the +pens of the scribes in constant motion, and used +himself to superintend the transcription of manuscripts, +as the colophon of a folio volume in Durham +library fully proves.<a name="FNanchor_163_163" id="FNanchor_163_163"></a><a href="#Footnote_163_163" class="fnanchor">[163]</a> The monkish bibliophiles +of his church received from him a precious +gift of about 40 volumes, containing among other +valuable books Prosper, Pompeii, Tertullian, and a +great Bible in two volumes.<a name="FNanchor_164_164" id="FNanchor_164_164"></a><a href="#Footnote_164_164" class="fnanchor">[164]</a></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a>[<a href="./images/102.png">102</a>]</span></p><p>It would have been difficult perhaps to have +found in those days a body of monks so "bookish" +as those of Durham; not only did they transcribe +with astonishing rapidity, proving that there was +no want of vellum there, but they must have +bought or otherwise collected a great number of +books; for the see of Durham, in the early part of +the 12th century, could show a library embracing +nearly 300 volumes.<a name="FNanchor_165_165" id="FNanchor_165_165"></a><a href="#Footnote_165_165" class="fnanchor">[165]</a></p> + +<p>Nor let the reader imagine that the collection +possessed no merit in a literary point of view, or +that the monks cared for little else save legends of +saints or the literature of the church; the catalogue +proves them to have enjoyed a more liberal and a +more refined taste, and again display the cloistered +students of the middle ages as the preservers of +classic learning. This is a point worth observing +on looking over the old parchment catalogues of +the monks; for as by their Epistles we obtain a +knowledge of their intimacy with the old writers, +and the use they made of them, so by their catalogues +we catch a glimpse of the means they possessed +of becoming personally acquainted with +their beauties; by the process much light may be +thrown on the gloom of those long past times, and +perhaps we shall gain too a better view of the state +of learning existing then. But that the reader +may judge for himself, I extract the names of some +of the writers whom the monks of Durham preserved +and read:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a>[<a href="./images/103.png">103</a>]</span></p> +<ul><li>Alcuin.</li> +<li>Ambrose.</li> +<li>Aratores.</li> +<li>Anselm.</li> +<li>Augustine.</li> +<li>Aviany.</li> +<li>Bede.</li> +<li>Boethius.</li> +<li>Bernard.</li> +<li>Cassian.</li> +<li>Cassiodorus.</li> +<li>Claudius.</li> +<li>Cyprian.</li> +<li>Donatus.</li> +<li>Esop.</li> +<li>Eutropius.</li> +<li>Galen.</li> +<li>Gregory.</li> +<li>Haimo.</li> +<li>Horace.</li> +<li>Homer.</li> +<li>Hugo.</li> +<li>Juvenal.</li> +<li>Isidore.</li> +<li>Josephus.</li> +<li>Lucan.</li> +<li>Marcianus.</li> +<li>Maximian.</li> +<li>Orosius.</li> +<li>Ovid.</li> +<li>Prudentius.</li> +<li>Prosper.</li> +<li>Persius.</li> +<li>Priscian.</li> +<li>Peter Lombard.</li> +<li>Plato.</li> +<li>Pompeius Trogus.</li> +<li>Quintilian.</li> +<li>Rabanus.</li> +<li>Solinus.</li> +<li>Servius.</li> +<li>Statius.</li> +<li>Terence.</li> +<li>Tully.</li> +<li>Theodulus.</li> +<li>Virgil.</li> +<li>Gesta Anglorum.</li> +<li>Gesta Normanorum.</li> +</ul> + +<p>Hugh de Pussar,<a name="FNanchor_166_166" id="FNanchor_166_166"></a><a href="#Footnote_166_166" class="fnanchor">[166]</a> consecrated bishop in 1153, +is the next who attracts our attention by his bibliomanical +renown. He possessed perhaps the finest +copy of the Holy Scriptures of any private collector; +and he doubtless regarded his "<i>unam Bibliam in</i> +iv. <i>magnis voluminibus</i>," with the veneration of a +divine and the fondness of a student. He collected +what in those times was deemed a respectable +library, and bequeathed no less than sixty or +seventy volumes to the Durham monks, including +his great Bible, which has ever since been preserved +with religious care; from a catalogue of them we +learn his partiality for classical literature; a Tully, +Sedulus, Priscian, and Claudius, are mentioned +among them.<a name="FNanchor_167_167" id="FNanchor_167_167"></a><a href="#Footnote_167_167" class="fnanchor">[167]</a></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a>[<a href="./images/104.png">104</a>]</span></p><p>Anthony Bek, who was appointed to the see in +the year 1283, was a most ambitious and haughty +prelate, and caused great dissensions in his church. +History proves how little he was adapted for the +responsible duties of a bishop, and points to the +field of battle or civil pomp as most congenial to +his disposition. He ostentatiously displayed the +splendor of a Palatine Prince, when he contributed +his powerful aid to the cause of his sovereign, in +the Scottish war, by a retinue of 500 horse, 1000 +foot, 140 knights, and 26 standard bearers,<a name="FNanchor_168_168" id="FNanchor_168_168"></a><a href="#Footnote_168_168" class="fnanchor">[168]</a> rendered +doubly imposing in those days of saintly +worship and credulity, by the patronage of St. +Cuthbert, under whole holy banner they marched +against a brave and noble foe. His arbitrary +temper caused sad quarrels in the cloister, which +ultimately gave rise to a tedious law proceeding +between him and the prior about the year 1300;<a name="FNanchor_169_169" id="FNanchor_169_169"></a><a href="#Footnote_169_169" class="fnanchor">[169]</a> +from a record of this affair we learn that the bishop +had borrowed some books from the library which +afterwards he refused to return; there was among +them a Decretal, a history of England, a Missal, +and a volume called "The book of St. Cuthbert, +in which the secrets of the monastery are written," +which was alone valued at £200,<a name="FNanchor_170_170" id="FNanchor_170_170"></a><a href="#Footnote_170_170" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> probably in consideration +of the important and delicate matters +contained therein.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>[<a href="./images/105.png">105</a>]</span></p><p>These proceedings were instituted by prior +Hoton, who was fond of books, and had a great +esteem for learning; he founded a college at Oxford +for the monkish students of his church.<a name="FNanchor_171_171" id="FNanchor_171_171"></a><a href="#Footnote_171_171" class="fnanchor">[171]</a> On +more than one occasion he sent parcels of books +to Oxford; in a list of an early date it appears that +the monks of Durham sent at one time twenty +volumes, and shortly after fifteen more, consisting +principally of church books and lives of saints.<a name="FNanchor_172_172" id="FNanchor_172_172"></a><a href="#Footnote_172_172" class="fnanchor">[172]</a> +The numbers thus taken from their library the +monks, with that love of learning for which they +were so remarkable, anxiously replaced, by purchasing +about twenty volumes, many of which contained +a great number of small but choice pieces.<a name="FNanchor_173_173" id="FNanchor_173_173"></a><a href="#Footnote_173_173" class="fnanchor">[173]</a></p> + +<p>Robert de Graystane, a monk of Durham, was +elected bishop by the prior and chapter, and confirmed +on the 10th of November, 1333, but the +king, Edward III., wishing to advance his treasurer +to that see, refused his sanction to the proceeding; +monk Robert was accordingly deposed, and +Richard Angraville received the mitre in his stead. +He was consecrated on the 19th of December in +the same year, by John Stratford, archbishop of +Canterbury, and installed by proxy on the 10th of +January, 1334.</p> + +<p>Angraville, Aungerville, or as he is more commonly +called Richard de Bury, is a name which +every bibliophile will honor and esteem; he was +indeed a bibliomaniac of the first order, and a +sketch of his life is not only indispensable here,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a>[<a href="./images/106.png">106</a>]</span> +but cannot fail to interest the book-loving reader. +But before entering more at large into his bookish +propensities and talents, it will be necessary to say +something of his early days and the illustrious +career which attended his political and ecclesiastical +life. Richard de Bury, the son of Sir Richard +Angraville, was born, as his name implies, at Bury +St. Edmunds, in Suffolk, in the year 1287.<a name="FNanchor_174_174" id="FNanchor_174_174"></a><a href="#Footnote_174_174" class="fnanchor">[174]</a></p> + +<p>Great attention was paid to the instruction of +his youthful mind by his maternal uncle, John de +Willowby, a priest, previous to his removal to Oxford. +At the university he obtained honorable +distinction, as much for his erudition and love of +books as for the moral rectitude of his behavior. +These pleasing traits were the stepping stones to +his future greatness, and on the strength of them +he was selected as one fully competent to undertake +the education of Edward Prince of Wales, +afterwards the third king of that name; and to +Richard de Bury "may be traced the love for literature +and the arts displayed by his pupil when on +the throne. He was rewarded with the lucrative +appointment of treasurer of Gascony."<a name="FNanchor_175_175" id="FNanchor_175_175"></a><a href="#Footnote_175_175" class="fnanchor">[175]</a></p> + +<p>When Edward, the prince of Wales, was sent +to Paris to assume the dominion of Guienne, which +the king had resigned in his favor, he was accompanied +by queen Isabella, his mother, whose criminal +frailty, and afterwards conspiracy, with Mortimer, +aroused the just indignation of her royal husband; +and commenced those civil dissensions which ren<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a>[<a href="./images/107.png">107</a>]</span>dered +the reign of Edward II. so disastrous and +turbulent. It was during these commotions that +Richard de Bury became a zealous partizan of the +queen, to whom he fled, and ventured to supply +her pecuniary necessities from the royal revenues; +for this, however, he was surrounded with imminent +danger; for the king, instituting an inquiry into +these proceedings, attempted his capture, which he +narrowly escaped by secreting himself in the belfry +of the convent of Brothers Minor at Paris.<a name="FNanchor_176_176" id="FNanchor_176_176"></a><a href="#Footnote_176_176" class="fnanchor">[176]</a></p> + +<p>When the "most invincible and most magnificent +king" Edward III. was firmly seated upon the +throne, dignity and power was lavishly bestowed +on this early bibliomaniac. In an almost incredible +space of time he was appointed cofferer to the +king, treasurer of the wardrobe, archdeacon of +Northampton, prebendary of Lincoln, Sarum, Litchfield, +and shortly afterwards keeper of the privy +seal, which office he held for five years. During +this time he twice undertook a visit to Italy, on a +mission to the supreme pontiff, John XXII., who +not only entertained him with honor and distinction, +but appointed him chaplain to his principal +chapel, and gave him a bull, nominating him to the +first vacant see in England.</p> + +<p>He acquired whilst there an honor which reflected +more credit than even the smiles of his holiness—the +brightest of the Italian poets, Petrarch +of never dying fame—bestowed upon him his +acquaintance and lasting friendship. De Bury +entered Avignon for the first time in the same<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a>[<a href="./images/108.png">108</a>]</span> +year that Petrarch took up his residence there, in +the house of Colonna, bishop of Lombes: two such +enlightened scholars and indefatigable book collectors, +sojourning in the same city, soon formed +an intimacy.<a name="FNanchor_177_177" id="FNanchor_177_177"></a><a href="#Footnote_177_177" class="fnanchor">[177]</a> How interesting must their friendly +meetings have been, and how delightful the hours +spent in Petrarch's library, which was one of great +extent and rarity; and it is probable too that De +Bury obtained from the poet a few treasures to +enrich his own stores; for the generosity of Petrarch +was so excessive, that he could scarcely withhold +what he knew was so dearly coveted. His benevolence +on one occasion deprived him and posterity +of an inestimable volume; he lent some manuscripts +of the classics to his old master, who, needing +pecuniary aid, pawned them, and Cicero's books, +<i>De Gloria</i>, were in this manner irrecoverably lost.<a name="FNanchor_178_178" id="FNanchor_178_178"></a><a href="#Footnote_178_178" class="fnanchor">[178]</a> +Petrarch acted like a true lover of learning; for +when the shadows of old age approached, he +presented his library, full of rare and ancient +manuscripts, many of them enriched by his own +notes, to the Venetian Senate, and thus laid the +foundation of the library of Saint-Marc; he always +employed a number of transcribers, who invariably +accompanied him on his journeys, and he kept +horses to carry his books.<a name="FNanchor_179_179" id="FNanchor_179_179"></a><a href="#Footnote_179_179" class="fnanchor">[179]</a> His love of reading +was intense. "Whether," he writes in one of his +epistles, "I am being shaved, or having my hair +cut, whether I am riding on horseback or taking +my meals, I either read myself or get some one to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>[<a href="./images/109.png">109</a>]</span> +read to me; on the table where I dine, and by the +side of my bed, I have all the materials for writing.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_180_180" id="FNanchor_180_180"></a><a href="#Footnote_180_180" class="fnanchor">[180]</a> +With the friendship of such a student, how charming +must have been the visit of the English ambassador, +and how much valuable and interesting +information must he have gleaned by his intercourse +with Petrarch and his books. At Rome +Richard de Bury obtained many choice volumes +and rare old manuscripts of the classics; for at +Rome indeed, at that time, books had become an +important article of commerce, and many foreign +collectors besides the English bibliomaniac resorted +there for these treasures: to such an extend was +this carried on, that the jealousy of Petrarch was +aroused, who, in addressing the Romans, exclaims: +"Are you not ashamed that the wrecks of your +ancient grandeur, spared by the inundation of the +barbarians, are daily sold by your miscalculating +avarice to foreigners? And that Rome is no where +less known and less loved than at Rome?"<a name="FNanchor_181_181" id="FNanchor_181_181"></a><a href="#Footnote_181_181" class="fnanchor">[181]</a></p> + +<p>The immense ecclesiastical and civil revenues +which Aungraville enjoyed, enabled him whilst in +Italy to maintain a most costly and sumptuous +establishment: in his last visit alone he is said to +have expended 5,000 marks, and he never appeared +in public without a numerous retinue of twenty +clerks and thirty-six esquires; an appearance which +better became the dignity of his civil office, than +the Christian humility of his ecclesiastical functions. +On his return from this distinguished sojourn, +he was appointed, as we have said before,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a>[<a href="./images/110.png">110</a>]</span> +through the instrumentality of Edward III., to the +bishopric of Durham. But not content with these +high preferments, his royal master advanced him to +still greater honor, and on the 28th of September, +1334, he was made Lord Chancellor of England, +which office he filled till the 5th of June, 1335, when +he exchanged it for that of high treasurer. He +was twice appointed ambassador to the king of +France, respecting the claims of Edward of England +to the crown of that country. De Bury, +whilst negociating this affair, visited Antwerp and +Brabant for the furtherance of the object of his +mission, and he fully embraced this rare opportunity +of adding to his literary stores, and returned +to his fatherland well laden with many choice and +costly manuscripts; for in all his perilous missions +he carried about with him, as he tells us, that love +of books which many waters could not extinguish, +but which greatly sweetened the bitterness of +peregrination. Whilst at Paris he was especially +assiduous in collecting, and he relates with intense +rapture, how many choice libraries he found there +full of all kinds of books, which tempted him to +spend his money freely; and with a gladsome heart +he gave his dirty lucre for treasures so inestimable +to the bibliomaniac.</p> + +<p>Before the commencement of the war which +arose from the disputed claims of Edward, Richard +de Bury returned to enjoy in sweet seclusion his +bibliomanical propensities. The modern bibliophiles +who know what it is to revel in the enjoyment +of a goodly library, luxuriant in costly bindings +and rich in bibliographical rarities, who are<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>[<a href="./images/111.png">111</a>]</span> +fully susceptible to the delights and exquisite sensibilities +of that sweet madness called bibliomania, +will readily comprehend the multiplied pleasures +of that early and illustrious bibliophile in the seclusion +of Auckland Palace; he there ardently applied +his energies and wealth to the accumulation of +books; and whilst engaged in this pleasing avocation, +let us endeavor to catch a glimpse of him. +Chambre, to whom we are indebted for many of +the above particulars, tells us that Richard de Bury +was learned in the governing of his house, hospitable +to strangers, of great charity, and fond of +disputation with the learned, but he principally +delighted in a multitude of books, <i>Iste summe delectabatur +multitudine librorum</i>,<a name="FNanchor_182_182" id="FNanchor_182_182"></a><a href="#Footnote_182_182" class="fnanchor">[182]</a> and possessed more +books than all the bishops put together, an assertion +which requires some modification, and must +not be too strictly regarded, for book collecting at +that time was becoming a favorite pursuit; still the +language of Chambre is expressive, and clearly +proves how extensive must have been his libraries, +one of which he formed in each of his various +palaces, <i>diversis maneriis</i>. So engrossed was that +worthy bishop with the passion of book collecting, +that his dormitory was strewed <i>jucebant</i> with them, +in every nook and corner choice volumes were +scattered, so that it was almost impossible for any +person to enter without placing his feet upon some +book.<a name="FNanchor_183_183" id="FNanchor_183_183"></a><a href="#Footnote_183_183" class="fnanchor">[183]</a> He kept in regular employment no small +assemblage of antiquaries, scribes, bookbinders, +correctors, illuminators, and all such persons who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a>[<a href="./images/112.png">112</a>]</span> +were capable of being useful in the service of +books, <i>librorum servitiis utiliter</i>.<a name="FNanchor_184_184" id="FNanchor_184_184"></a><a href="#Footnote_184_184" class="fnanchor">[184]</a></p> + +<p>During his retirement he wrote a book, from +the perusal of which the bibliomaniac will obtain a +full measure of delight and instruction. It is a faithful +record of the life and experience of this bibliophile +of the olden time. He tells us how he collected +his vellum treasures—his "crackling tomes" +so rich in illuminations and calligraphic art!—how +he preserved them, and how he would have others +read them. Costly indeed must have been the +book gems he amassed together; for foreign countries, +as well as the scribes at home, yielded ample +means to augment his stores, and were incessantly +employed in searching for rarities which his heart +yearned to possess. He completed his Philobiblon +at his palace at Auckland on the 24th of January, +1344.<a name="FNanchor_185_185" id="FNanchor_185_185"></a><a href="#Footnote_185_185" class="fnanchor">[185]</a></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>[<a href="./images/113.png">113</a>]</span></p> +<p>We learn from the prologue to this rare and +charming little volume how true and genuine a +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'biblomaniac'">bibliomaniac</ins> was Richard de Bury, for he tells us +there, that a vehement love <i>amor excitet</i> of books +had so powerfully seized all the faculties of his +mind, that dismissing all other avocations, he had +applied the ardor of his thoughts to the acquisition +of books. Expense to him was quite an afterthought, +and he begrudged no amount to possess +a volume of rarity or antiquity. Wisdom, he says, +is an infinite treasure <i>infinitus thesaurus</i>, the value +of which, in his opinion, was beyond all things; for +how, he asks, can the sum be too great which purchases +such vast delight. We cannot admire the +purity of his Latin so much as the enthusiasm +which pervades it; but in the eyes of the bibliophile +this will amply compensate for his minor imperfections. +When expatiating on the value of his +books he appears to unbosom, as it were, all the +inward rapture of love. A very <i>helluo librorum</i>—a +very Maliabechi of a collector, yet he encouraged +no selfish feeling to alloy his pleasure or to mingle +bitterness with the sweets of his avocation. His +knowledge he freely imparted to others, and his +books he gladly lent. This is apparent in the +Philobiblon; and his generous spirit warms his diction—not +always chaste—into a fluent eloquence. +His composition overflows with figurative expressions, +yet the rude, ungainly form on which they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a>[<a href="./images/114.png">114</a>]</span> +are moulded deprive them of all claim to elegance +or chastity; but while the homeliness of his diction +fails to impress us with an idea of his versatility as +a writer, his chatty anecdotal style rivets and keeps +the mind amused, so that we rise from the little +book with the consciousness of having obtained +much profit and satisfaction from its perusal. Nor +is it only the bibliomaniac who may hope to taste +this pleasure in devouring the sweet contents of +the Philobiblon; for there are many hints, many +wise sayings, and many singular ideas scattered +over its pages, which will amuse or instruct the +general reader and the lover of olden literature. +We observe too that Richard de Bury, as a +writer, was far in advance of his age, and his work +manifests an unusual freedom and independence +of mind in its author; for although living in +monkish days, when the ecclesiastics were almost +supreme in power and wealth, he was fully sensible +of the vile corruptions and abominations +which were spreading about that time so fearfully +among some of the cloistered devotees—the spotless +purity of the primitive times was scarce known +then—and the dark periods of the middle ages were +bright and holy, when compared with the looseness +and carnality of those turbulent days. Richard de +Bury dipped his pen in gall when he spoke of these +sad things, and doubtless many a revelling monk +winced under the lashing words he applied to them; +not only does he upbraid them for their carelessness +in religion, but severely reprimands their inattention +to literature and learning. "The monks," he +says, "in the present day seem to be occupied in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>[<a href="./images/115.png">115</a>]</span> +emptying cups, not in correcting codices, <i>Calicibus +epotandis, non codicibus emendandis</i>, which they +mingle with the lascivious music of Timotheus, and +emulate his immodest manners, so that the sportive +song <i>cantus ludentis</i>, and not the plaintive hymn, +proceeds from the cells of the monks. Flocks and +fleeces, grain and granaries, gardens and olives, +potions and goblets, are in this day lessons and +studies of the monks, except some chosen few.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_186_186" id="FNanchor_186_186"></a><a href="#Footnote_186_186" class="fnanchor">[186]</a> He +speaks in equally harsh terms of the religious mendicants. +He accuses them of forgetting the words +and admonitions of their holy founder, who was a +great lover of books. He wishes them to imitate the +ancient members of that fraternity, who were poor +in spirit, but most rich in faith. But it must be remembered, +that about this time the mendicant friars +were treated with undeserved contempt, and much +ill feeling rose against them among the clergy, but +the clergy were somewhat prejudiced in their judgment. +The order of St. Dominic, which a century +before gloried in the approbation of the pope, and +in the enjoyment of his potential bulls, now winced +under gloomy and foreboding frowns. The sovereign +Pontiff Honorius III. gratefully embraced the +service of these friars, and confirmed their order +with important privileges. His successor, Gregory +IX., ratified these favors to gain their useful aid in +propping up the papal power, and commanded the +ecclesiastics by a bull to receive these "well-beloved +children and preaching friars" of his, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a>[<a href="./images/116.png">116</a>]</span> +hospitality and respect. Thus established, they +were able to bear the tossings to and fro which succeeding +years produced; but in Richard de Bury's +time darker clouds were gathering—great men had +severely chastized them with their pens and denounced +them in their preachings. Soon after a +host of others sprang up—among the most remarkable +of whom were Johannes Poliaco, and Fitzralph, +Archbishop of Armagh, who was a dear +friend and chaplain of Richard de Bury's and many +learned disputations were carried on between them.<a name="FNanchor_187_187" id="FNanchor_187_187"></a><a href="#Footnote_187_187" class="fnanchor">[187]</a> +The celebrated oration of Fitzralph's, cited in the +presence of the pope, was a powerful blow to the +mendicant friars—an examination of the matter has +rather perplexed than cleared the subject, and I +find it difficult which side to favor, the clergy +seem to denounce the begging friars more from +envy and interested motives, for they looked with +extreme jealousy at the encroachments they had +made upon their ecclesiastical functions of confession, +absolution, etc., so profitable to the church in +those days. In these matters the church had +hitherto reserved a sole monopoly, and the clergy +now determined to protect it with all the powers of +oratorial denunciation; but, looking beyond this +veil of prejudice, I am prone to regard them favorably, +for their intense love of books, which +they sought for and bought up with passionate +eagerness. Fitzralph, quite unintentionally, bestows +a bright compliment upon them, and as it bears +upon our subject and illustrates the learning of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a>[<a href="./images/117.png">117</a>]</span> +the time, I am tempted to give a few extracts; he +sorely laments the decrease of the number of students +in the university of Oxford; "So," says he, +"that yet in my tyme, in the universitie of Oxenford, +were thirty thousand Scolers at ones; and +now beth unnethe<a name="FNanchor_188_188" id="FNanchor_188_188"></a><a href="#Footnote_188_188" class="fnanchor">[188]</a> sixe thousand."<a name="FNanchor_189_189" id="FNanchor_189_189"></a><a href="#Footnote_189_189" class="fnanchor">[189]</a> All the +blame of this he lays to the friars, and accuses them +of doing "more grete damage to learning." "For +these orders of beggers, for endeless wynnynges +that thei geteth by beggyng of the forseide pryvyleges +of schriftes and sepultures and othere, thei +beth now so multiplyed in conventes and in persons. +That many men tellith that in general studies unnethe, +is it founde to sillynge a profitable book of +ye faculte of art, of dyvynyte, of lawe canon, of +phisik, other of lawe civil, but alle bookes beth +y-bougt of Freres, so that en ech convent of Freres +is a noble librarye and a grete,<a name="FNanchor_190_190" id="FNanchor_190_190"></a><a href="#Footnote_190_190" class="fnanchor">[190]</a> and so that ene +rech Frere that hath state in scole, siche as thei beth +nowe, hath an hughe librarye. And also y-sent of +my Sugettes<a name="FNanchor_191_191" id="FNanchor_191_191"></a><a href="#Footnote_191_191" class="fnanchor">[191]</a> to scole thre other foure persons, +and hit is said me that some of them beth come +home azen for thei myst nougt<a name="FNanchor_192_192" id="FNanchor_192_192"></a><a href="#Footnote_192_192" class="fnanchor">[192]</a> finde to selle ovn +goode Bible; nother othere couenable<a name="FNanchor_193_193" id="FNanchor_193_193"></a><a href="#Footnote_193_193" class="fnanchor">[193]</a> books." +This strange accusation proves how industriously +the friars collected books, and we cannot help +regarding them with much esteem for doing so. +Richard de Bury fully admits his obligations to the +mendicants, from whom he obtained many choice +transcripts. "When indeed," says he, "we hap<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a>[<a href="./images/118.png">118</a>]</span>pened +to turn aside to the towns and places where +the aforesaid paupers had convents, we were not +slack in visiting their chests and other repositories +of books, for there, amidst the deepest poverty, we +found the most exalted riches treasured up; there, +in their satchells and baskets, we discovered not +only the crumbs that fell from the master's table +for the little dogs, but indeed the shew bread without +leaven, the bread of angels, containing in itself +all that is delectable;<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins> and moreover, he says, that +he found these friars "not selfish hoarders, but +meet professors of enlightened knowledge."<a name="FNanchor_194_194" id="FNanchor_194_194"></a><a href="#Footnote_194_194" class="fnanchor">[194]</a></p> + +<p>In the seventh chapter of his work, he deplores +the sad destruction of books by war and fire, and +laments the loss of the 700,000 volumes, which +happened in the Alexandrian expedition; but the +eighth chapter is the one which the bibliomaniac +will regard with the greatest interest, for Richard +de Bury tells us there how he collected together +his rich and ample library. "For although," he +writes, "from our youth we have ever been delighted +to hold special and social communion with literary +men and lovers of books, yet prosperity attending +us, having obtained the notice of his majesty the +king, and being received into his own family, we +acquired a most ample facility of visiting at pleasure +and of hunting, as it were, some of the most delightful +covers, the public and private libraries <i>privatas +tum communes</i>, both of the regulars and seculars. +Indeed, while we performed the duties of Chancellor +and Treasurer of the most invincible and ever +magnificently triumphant king of England, Ed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>[<a href="./images/119.png">119</a>]</span>ward +III., of that name after the conquest, whose +days may the Most High long and tranquilly deign +to preserve. After first inquiring into the things +that concerned his court, and then the public affairs +of his kingdom, an easy opening was afforded us, +under the countenance of royal favor, for freely +searching the hiding places of books. For the +flying fame of our love had already spread in all +directions, and it was reported not only that we had +a longing desire for books, and <i>especially for old +ones</i>, but that any one could more easily obtain our +favors by quartos than by money.<a name="FNanchor_195_195" id="FNanchor_195_195"></a><a href="#Footnote_195_195" class="fnanchor">[195]</a> Wherefore, +when supported by the bounty of the aforesaid +prince of worthy memory, we were enabled to +oppose or advance, to appoint or discharge; crazy +quartos and tottering folios, precious however in +our sight as well as in our affections, flowed in most +rapidly from the great and the small, instead of new +year's gift and remunerations, and instead of presents +and jewels. Then the cabinets of the most +noble monasteries <i>tunc nobilissimos monasterios</i> +were opened, cases were unlocked, caskets were +unclasped and sleeping volumes <i>soporata volumina</i> +which had slumbered for long ages in their sepulchres +were roused up, and those that lay hid in +dark places <i>in locis tenebrosis</i> were overwhelmed +with the rays of a new light. Books heretofore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a>[<a href="./images/120.png">120</a>]</span> +most delicate now become corrupted and abominable, +lay lifeless, covered indeed with the excrements +of mice and pierced through with the gnawing +of worms; and those that were formerly clothed +with purple and fine linen were now seen reposing +in dust and ashes, given over to oblivion and the +abode of moths. Amongst these, nevertheless, as +time served, we sat down more voluptuously than +the delicate physician could do amidst his stores of +aromatics, and where we found an object of love, +we found also an assuagement. Thus the sacred +vessel of science came into the power of our disposal, +some being given, some sold, and not a few +lent for a time. Without doubt many who perceived +us to be contented with gifts of this kind, +studied to contribute these things freely to our use, +which they could most conveniently do without themselves. +We took care, however, to conduct the business +of such so favorably, that the profit might accrue +to them; justice suffered therefore no detriment." +Of this, however, a doubt will intrude itself upon +our minds, in defiance of the affirmation of my Lord +Chancellor; indeed, the paragraph altogether is unfavorable +to the character of so great a man, and +fully proves the laxity of opinion, in those days of +monkish supremacy, on judicial matters; but we +must be generous, and allow something for the +corrupt usages of the age, but I cannot omit a +circumstance clearly illustrative of this point, which +occurred between the bibliomanical Chancellor and +the abbot of St. Alban's, the affair is recorded in +the chronicle of the abbey, and transpired during +the time Richard de Bury held the privy seal; in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>[<a href="./images/121.png">121</a>]</span> +that office he appears to have favored the monks +of the abbey in their disputes with the townspeople +of St. Alban's respecting some possessions to which +the monks tenaciously adhered and defended as +their rightful property. Richard de Wallingford, +who was then abbot, convoked the elder monks +<i>convocatis senioribus</i>, and discussed with them, as to +the most effectual way to obtain the goodwill and +favor of de Bury; after due consideration it was +decided that no gift was likely to prove so acceptable +to that father of English bibliomania as a present +of some of their choice books, and it was at last +agreed to send four volumes, "that is to say Terence, +a Virgil, a Quintilian, and Jerome against Ruffinus," +and to sell him many others from their library; this +they sent him intimation of, and a purchase was +ultimately agreed upon between them. The monks +sold to that rare collector, thirty-two choice tomes +<i>triginta duos libros</i>, for the sum of fifty pounds of +silver <i>quinginta libris argenti</i>.<a name="FNanchor_196_196" id="FNanchor_196_196"></a><a href="#Footnote_196_196" class="fnanchor">[196]</a> But there were other +bibliophiles and bookworms than Richard de Bury +in old England then; for many of the brothers of +St. Alban's who had nothing to do with this transaction, +cried out loudly against it, and denounced +rather openly the policy of sacrificing their mental +treasures for the acquisition of pecuniary gain, but +fortunately the loss was only a temporary one, for +on the death of Richard de Bury many of these +volumes were restored to the monks, who in return<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a>[<a href="./images/122.png">122</a>]</span> +became the purchasers from his executors of many +a rare old volume from the bishop's library.<a name="FNanchor_197_197" id="FNanchor_197_197"></a><a href="#Footnote_197_197" class="fnanchor">[197]</a> To +resume our extracts from the Philobiblon, De Bury +proceeds to further particulars relative to his book-collecting +career, and becomes quite eloquent in +detailing these circumstances; but from the eighth +chapter we shall content ourselves with one more +paragraph. "Moreover," says he, "if we could +have amassed cups of gold and silver, excellent +horses, or no mean sums of money, we could in +those days have laid up abundance of wealth for +ourselves. But we regarded books not pounds, +and valued codices more than florens, and preferred +paltry pamphlets to pampered palfreys.<a name="FNanchor_198_198" id="FNanchor_198_198"></a><a href="#Footnote_198_198" class="fnanchor">[198]</a> In addition +to this we were charged with frequent embassies +of the said prince of everlasting memory, +and owing to the multiplicity of state affairs, we +were sent first to the Roman chair, then to the +court of France, then to the various other kingdoms +of the world, on tedious embassies and in +perilous times, carrying about with us that fondness +for books, which many waters could not extinguish."<a name="FNanchor_199_199" id="FNanchor_199_199"></a><a href="#Footnote_199_199" class="fnanchor">[199]</a> +The booksellers found Richard de Bury +a generous and profitable customer, and those<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a>[<a href="./images/123.png">123</a>]</span> +residing abroad received commissions constantly +from him. "Besides the opportunities," he writes, +"already touched upon, we easily acquired the +notice of the stationers and librarians, not only +within the provinces of our native soil, but of those +dispersed over the kingdoms of France, Germany, +and Italy."<a name="FNanchor_200_200" id="FNanchor_200_200"></a><a href="#Footnote_200_200" class="fnanchor">[200]</a></p> + +<p>Such was bibliomania five hundred years ago! +and does not the reader behold in it the very type +and personification of its existence now? does he +not see in Richard de Bury the prototype of a +much honored and agreeable bibliophile of our own +time? Nor has the renowned "Maister Dibdin" +described his book-hunting tours with more enthusiasm +or delight; with what a thrill of rapture +would that worthy doctor have explored those +monastic treasures which De Bury found hid in +<i>locis tenebrosis</i>, antique Bibles, rare Fathers, rich +Classics or gems of monkish lore, enough to fire +the brain of the most lymphatic bibliophile, were +within the grasp of the industrious and eager +Richard de Bury—that old "Amator Librorum," +like his imitators of the present day, cared not +whither he went to collect his books—dust and +dirt were no barriers to him; at every nook and +corner where a stationer's stall<a name="FNanchor_201_201" id="FNanchor_201_201"></a><a href="#Footnote_201_201" class="fnanchor">[201]</a> appeared, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a>[<a href="./images/124.png">124</a>]</span> +would doubtless tarry in defiance of the cold winds +or scorching sun, exploring the ancient tomes +reposing there. Nor did he neglect the houses +of the country rectors; and even the humble +habitations of the rustics were diligently ransacked +to increase his collections, and from these sources +he gleaned many rude but pleasing volumes, perhaps +full of old popular poetry! or the wild +Romances of Chivalry which enlivened the halls +and cots of our forefathers in Gothic days.</p> + +<p>We must not overlook the fact that this +Treatise on the Love of Books was written as an +accompaniment to a noble and generous gift. +Many of the parchment volumes which De Bury +had collected in his "<i>perilous embassies</i>," he gave, +with the spirit of a true lover of learning, to the +Durham College at Oxford, for the use of the +Students of his Church. I cannot but regret that +the names of these books, <i>of which he had made a +catalogue</i>,<a name="FNanchor_202_202" id="FNanchor_202_202"></a><a href="#Footnote_202_202" class="fnanchor">[202]</a> have not been preserved; perhaps the +document may yet be discovered among the vast +collections of manuscripts in the Oxonian libraries; +but the book, being written for this purpose, the +author thought it consistent that full directions +should be given for the preservation and regulation +of the library, and we find the last chapter devoted +to this matter; but we must not close the Philobiblon +without noticing his admonitions to the +students, some of whom he upbraids for the care<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a>[<a href="./images/125.png">125</a>]</span>lessness +and disrespect which they manifest in perusing +books. "Let there," says he, with all the +veneration of a passionate booklover, "be a modest +decorum in opening and closing of volumes, that +they may neither be unclasped with precipitous +haste, nor thrown aside after inspection without +being duly closed."<a name="FNanchor_203_203" id="FNanchor_203_203"></a><a href="#Footnote_203_203" class="fnanchor">[203]</a> Loving and venerating a +book as De Bury did, it was agony to see a volume +suffering under the indignities of the ignorant or +thoughtless student whom he thus keenly satirizes: +"You will perhaps see a stiffnecked youth lounging +sluggishly in his study, while the frost pinches him +in winter time; oppressed with cold his watery +nose drops, nor does he take the trouble to wipe it +with his handkerchief till it has moistened the book +beneath it with its vile dew;" nor is he "ashamed +to eat fruit and cheese over an open book, or to +transfer his empty cup from side to side; he reclines +his elbow on the volume, turns down the +leaves, and puts bits of straw to denote the place +he is reading; he stuffs the book with leaves and +flowers, and so pollutes it with filth and dust." +With this our extracts from the Philobiblon must +close; enough has been said and transcribed to +place the Lord Chancellor of the puissant King +Edward III. among the foremost of the bibliomaniacs +of the past, and to show how valuable +were his efforts to literature and learning; indeed, +like Petrarch in Italy was Richard De Bury in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a>[<a href="./images/126.png">126</a>]</span> +England: both enthusiastic collectors and preservers +of ancient manuscripts, and both pioneers of +that revival of European literature which soon +afterwards followed. In the fourteenth century +we cannot imagine a more useful or more essential +person than the bibliomaniac, for that surely was +the harvest day for the gathering in of that food +on which the mind of future generations were to +subsist. And who reaped so laboriously or gleaned +so carefully as those two illustrious scholars?</p> + +<p>Richard de Bury was no unsocial bookworm; +for whilst he loved to seek the intercourse of the +learned dead, he was far from being regardless of +the living. Next to his clasped vellum tomes, +nothing afforded him so much delight as an erudite +disputation with his chaplains, who were mostly +men of acknowledged learning and talent; among +them were "Thomas Bradwardyn, afterwards +Archbishop of Canterbury; and Richard Fitz-Raufe, +afterwards Archbishop of Armagh; Walter +Burley, John Maudyt, Robert Holcote, Richard of +Kilwington, all Doctors in Theology, <i>omnes Doctores +in Theologia</i>; Richard Benworth, afterwards +Bishop of London, and Walter Segraffe, afterwards +Bishop of Chester;"<a name="FNanchor_204_204" id="FNanchor_204_204"></a><a href="#Footnote_204_204" class="fnanchor">[204]</a> with these congenial spirits +Richard de Bury held long and pleasing conversations, +doubtless full of old bookwisdom and quaint +Gothic lore, derived from still quainter volumes; +and after meals I dare say they discussed the choice +volume which had been read during their repast, as +was the pious custom of those old days, and which +was not neglected by De Bury, for "his manner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a>[<a href="./images/127.png">127</a>]</span> +was at dinner and supper time to have some good +booke read unto him."<a name="FNanchor_205_205" id="FNanchor_205_205"></a><a href="#Footnote_205_205" class="fnanchor">[205]</a></p> + +<p>And now in bidding farewell to the illustrious +Aungraville—for little more is known of his biography—let +me not forget to pay a passing tribute +of respect to his private character, which is right +worthy of a cherished remembrance, and derives its +principal lustre from the eminent degree in which +he was endowed with the greatest of Christian virtues, +and which, when practised with sincerity, covereth +a multitude of sins; his charity, indeed, forms +a delightful trait in the character of that great man; +every week he distributed food to the poor; eight +quarters of wheat <i>octo quarteria frumenti</i>, and the +fragments from his own table comforted the indigent +of his church; and always when he journeyed from +Newcastle to Durham, he distributed twelve marks +in relieving the distresses of the poor; from Durham +to Stockton eight marks; and from the same +place to his palace at Aukeland five marks; and +and when he rode from Durham to Middleham he +gave away one hundred shillings.<a name="FNanchor_206_206" id="FNanchor_206_206"></a><a href="#Footnote_206_206" class="fnanchor">[206]</a> Living in troublous +times, we do not find his name coupled with +any great achievement in the political sphere; his +talents were not the most propitious for a statesman +among the fierce barons of the fourteenth +century; his spirit loved converse with the departed +great, and shone more to advantage in the quite +closet of the bibliomaniac, or in fulfilling the benevolent +duties of a bishop. Yet he was successful +in all that the ambition of a statesman could desire,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a>[<a href="./images/128.png">128</a>]</span> +the friend and confidant of his king; holding the +highest offices in the state compatible with his +ecclesiastical position, with wealth in abundance, +and blessed with the friendship of the learned and +the good, we find little in his earthly career to +darken the current of his existence, or to disturb +the last hours of a life of near three score years. +He died lamented, honored, and esteemed, at +Aukeland palace, on the fourteenth of April, in the +year 1345, in the fifty-eighth year of his age, and +was buried with all due solemnity before the altar +of the blessed Mary Magdalene, at the south angle +of the church of Durham. His bones are now +mingled with the dust and gone, but his memory is +engraven on tablets of life; the hearts of all bibliomaniacs +love and esteem his name for the many +virtues with which it was adorned, and delight to +chat with his choice old spirit in the Philobiblon, +so congenial to their bookish souls. No doubt the +illustrious example of Richard de Bury tended +materially to spread far and wide the spirit of bibliomania. +It certainly operated powerfully on the +monks of Durham, who not only by transcribing, but +at the cost of considerable sums of money, greatly +increased their library. A catalogue of the collection, +taken some forty years after the death of De +Bury, is preserved to this day at Durham, and +shows how considerably they augmented it during +a space of two hundred years, or from the time +when the former list was written. If the bibliomaniac +can obtain a sight of this ancient catalogue, +he will dwell over it with astonishment and delight—immaculate +volumes of Scripture—fathers and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>[<a href="./images/129.png">129</a>]</span> +classics bespeak its richness and extent, and Robert +of Langchester, the librarian who wrote it, with +pious preference places first on the list the magnificent +Bible which bishop Hugo gave them many +years before. This rare biblical treasure, then +the pride and glory of the collection, is now in the +Durham Library; but to look upon that fair manuscript +will make the blood run cold—barbarous +desecration has been committed by some bibliopegistical +hand; the splendid illuminations so rich +and spirited, which adorned the beauteous tomes, +dazzled an ignorant mind, who cut them out and +robbed it of half its interest and value.</p> + +<p>From near 600 volumes which the list enumerates, +I cannot refrain from naming two or three. +I have searched over its biblical department in vain +to discover mention of the celebrated "Saint Cuthbert's +Gospels." It is surprising they should have +forgotten so rich a gem, for although four copies of +the Gospels appear, not one of them answers to its +description; two are specified as "<i>non glos</i>;" it +could not have been either of those, another, the +most interesting of the whole, is recorded as the +venerable Bede's own copy! What bibliophile can +look unmoved upon those time-honored pages, +without indeed all the warmth of his booklove +kindling forth into a very frenzy of rapture and +veneration! So fairly written, and so accurately +transcribed, it is one of the most precious of the +many gems which now crowd the shelves of the +Durham Library, and is well worth a pilgrimage to +view it.<a name="FNanchor_207_207" id="FNanchor_207_207"></a><a href="#Footnote_207_207" class="fnanchor">[207]</a> But this cannot be St. Cuthbert's Gospels,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a>[<a href="./images/130.png">130</a>]</span> +and the remaining copy is mentioned as "<i>Quarteur +Evangelum</i>," fol. ii. "<i>se levantem</i>;" now I have +looked at the splendid volume in the British +Museum, to see if the catchword answered to this +description, but it does not; so it cannot be this, +which I might have imagined without the trouble +of a research, for if it was, they surely would not +have forgotten to mention its celebrated coopertoria.</p> + +<p>Passing a splendid array of Scriptures whole +and in parts, for there was no paucity of sacred +volumes in that old monkish library, and fathers, +doctors of the Church, schoolmen, lives of saints, +chronicles, profane writers, philosophical and logical +treatises, medical works, grammars, and books +of devotion, we are particularly struck with the +appearance of so many fine classical authors. +Works of Virgil (including the Æneid), Pompeius +Trogus, Claudius, Juvenal, Terence, Ovid, Prudentius, +Quintilian, Cicero, Bœthius, and a host of +others are in abundance, and form a catalogue +rendered doubly exciting to the bibliophile by the +insertion of an occasional note, which tells of its +antiquity,<a name="FNanchor_208_208" id="FNanchor_208_208"></a><a href="#Footnote_208_208" class="fnanchor">[208]</a> rarity, or value. In some of the volumes +a curious inscription was inserted, thundering +a curse upon any who would dare to pilfer it +from the library, and for so sacrilegious a crime, +calling down upon them the maledictions of Saints +Maria, Oswald, Cuthbert, and Benedict.<a name="FNanchor_209_209" id="FNanchor_209_209"></a><a href="#Footnote_209_209" class="fnanchor">[209]</a> A volume<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a>[<a href="./images/131.png">131</a>]</span> +containing the lives of St. Cuthbert, St. Oswald, +and St. Aydani, is described as "<i>Liber speciales et +preciosus cum signaculo deaurato</i>."</p> + +<p>Thomas Langley, who was chancellor of England +and bishop of Durham in the year 1406, collected +many choice books, and left some of them to +the library of Durham church; among them a copy +of Lyra's Commentaries stands conspicuous; he also +bequeathed a number of volumes to many of his +private friends.</p> + +<p>There are few monastic libraries whose progress +we can trace with so much satisfaction as the one +now under consideration, for we have another catalogue +compiled during the librarianship of John +Tyshbourne, in the year 1416,<a name="FNanchor_210_210" id="FNanchor_210_210"></a><a href="#Footnote_210_210" class="fnanchor">[210]</a> in which many +errors appearing in the former ones are carefully +corrected; books which subsequent to that time +had been lost or stolen are here accounted for; +many had been sent to the students at Oxford, and +others have notes appended, implying to whom the +volume had been lent; thus to a "<i>Flores Bernardi</i>," +occurs "<i>Prior debit, I Kempe Episcopi +Londoni</i>." It is, next to Monk Henry's of Canterbury, +one of the best of all the monkish catalogues +I have seen; not so much for its extent, as that +here and there it fully partakes of the character of +a catalogue <i>raisonné</i>; for terse sentences are +affixed to some of the more remarkable volumes, +briefly descriptive of their value; a circumstance +seldom observable in these early attempts at +bibliography.</p> + +<p>In taking leave of Durham library, need I say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a>[<a href="./images/132.png">132</a>]</span> +that the bibliomaniacs who flourished there in the +olden time, not only collected their books with so +much industry, but knew well how to use them too. +The reader is doubtless aware how many learned +men dwelled in monkish time within those ancient +walls; and if he is inquisitive about such things has +often enjoyed a few hours of pleasant chat over +the historic pages of Symeon of Durham,<a name="FNanchor_211_211" id="FNanchor_211_211"></a><a href="#Footnote_211_211" class="fnanchor">[211]</a> Turgot +and Wessington,<a name="FNanchor_212_212" id="FNanchor_212_212"></a><a href="#Footnote_212_212" class="fnanchor">[212]</a> and has often heard of brothers +Lawrence,<a name="FNanchor_213_213" id="FNanchor_213_213"></a><a href="#Footnote_213_213" class="fnanchor">[213]</a> Reginald,<a name="FNanchor_214_214" id="FNanchor_214_214"></a><a href="#Footnote_214_214" class="fnanchor">[214]</a> and Bolton; but although +unheeded now, many a monkish bookworm, glorying +in the strict observance of Christian humility, +and so unknown to fame, lies buried beneath that +splendid edifice, as many monuments and funeral +tablets testify and speak in high favor of the great +men of Durham. If the reader should perchance +to wander near that place, his eye will be attracted +by many of these memorials of the dead; and a +few hours spent in exploring them will serve to +gain many additional facts to his antiquarian lore, +and perhaps even something better too. For I +know not a more suitable place, as far as outward +circumstances are concerned, than an old sanctuary +of God to prepare the mind and lead it to think +of death and immortality. We read the names of +great men long gone; of wealthy worldlings, whose +fortunes have long been spent; of ambitious states<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a>[<a href="./images/133.png">133</a>]</span>men +and doughty warriors, whose glory is fast fading +as their costly mausoleums crumble in the +hands of time, and whose stone tablets, green with +the lichens' hue, manifest how futile it is to hope to +gain immortality from stone, or purchase fame by +the cold marble trophies of pompous grief; not +that on their glassy surface the truth is always +faithfully mirrored forth, even when the thoughts +of holy men composed the eulogy; the tombs of old +knew as well how to lie as now, and even ascetic +monks could become too warm in their praises of +departed worth; for whilst they blamed the great +man living, with Christian charity they thought +only of his virtues when they had nothing but his +body left, and murmured long prayers, said tedious +masses, and kept midnight vigils for his soul. For +had he not shown his love to God by his munificence +to His Church on earth? <i>Benedicite</i>, saith +the monks.</p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-12.jpg" alt="Footer" title="Footer" /></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_153_153" id="Footnote_153_153"></a><a href="#FNanchor_153_153"><span class="label">[153]</span></a> Bede's Eccles. Hist., B. iii. c. xvi.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_154_154" id="Footnote_154_154"></a><a href="#FNanchor_154_154"><span class="label">[154]</span></a> Bede, B. iv. c. xxvii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_155_155" id="Footnote_155_155"></a><a href="#FNanchor_155_155"><span class="label">[155]</span></a> Marked Nero, D. iv. in the Cottonian collection.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_156_156" id="Footnote_156_156"></a><a href="#FNanchor_156_156"><span class="label">[156]</span></a> The illuminations are engraved in Strutt's <i>Horda</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_157_157" id="Footnote_157_157"></a><a href="#FNanchor_157_157"><span class="label">[157]</span></a> There is prologue to the Canons and Prefaces of St. Jerome +and Eusebius, and also a beautiful calendar written in compartments, +elaborately finished in an architectural style.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_158_158" id="Footnote_158_158"></a><a href="#FNanchor_158_158"><span class="label">[158]</span></a> He also transcribed the Durham Ritual, recently printed by +the Surtee Society; when Alfred wrote this volume he was with bishop +Alfsige, p. 185, 8vo. <i>Lond.</i> 1840.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_159_159" id="Footnote_159_159"></a><a href="#FNanchor_159_159"><span class="label">[159]</span></a> For an account of this rare gem of Saxon art, see <i>Selden +Præf. ad. Hist. Angl.</i> p. 25. <i>Marshall Observat. in Vers. Sax. +Evang.</i>, 491. <i>Dibdin's Decameron, p.</i> lii. <i>Smith's Bibl. Cotton. +Hist. et Synop.</i>, p. 33.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_160_160" id="Footnote_160_160"></a><a href="#FNanchor_160_160"><span class="label">[160]</span></a> Simeon of Durham translated by Stevens, p. 87.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_161_161" id="Footnote_161_161"></a><a href="#FNanchor_161_161"><span class="label">[161]</span></a> Simeon of Durham, by Stevens.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_162_162" id="Footnote_162_162"></a><a href="#FNanchor_162_162"><span class="label">[162]</span></a> Ep. viii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_163_163" id="Footnote_163_163"></a><a href="#FNanchor_163_163"><span class="label">[163]</span></a> Tertia Quinquagina Augustini, marked B. ii. 14.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_164_164" id="Footnote_164_164"></a><a href="#FNanchor_164_164"><span class="label">[164]</span></a> Surtee publications, vol. i. p. 117.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_165_165" id="Footnote_165_165"></a><a href="#FNanchor_165_165"><span class="label">[165]</span></a> This catalogue is preserved at Durham, in the library of the +Dean and Chapter, marked B. iv. 24. It is printed in the Surtee +publications, vol. i. p. 1.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_166_166" id="Footnote_166_166"></a><a href="#FNanchor_166_166"><span class="label">[166]</span></a> "King Stephen was vncle vnto him."—<i>Godwin's Cat. of +Bishops</i>, 511.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_167_167" id="Footnote_167_167"></a><a href="#FNanchor_167_167"><span class="label">[167]</span></a> He died in 1195.—Godwin, p. 735. He gave them also +another Bible in two volumes; a list of the whole is printed in the +Surtee publications, vol. i. p. 118.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_168_168" id="Footnote_168_168"></a><a href="#FNanchor_168_168"><span class="label">[168]</span></a> Surtee's Hist, of Durham, vol. i. p. xxxii. "He was wonderfull +rich, not onely in ready money but in lands also, and temporall +revenues. For he might dispend yeerely 5000 marks."—<i>Godwin's +Cat. Eng. Bish.</i> 4to. 1601, p. 520.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_169_169" id="Footnote_169_169"></a><a href="#FNanchor_169_169"><span class="label">[169]</span></a> Robert de Graystane's ap. Wharton's Angl. Sacr. p. 748, tom. i.—<i>Hutchinson's +Durham</i>, vol. i. p. 244.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_170_170" id="Footnote_170_170"></a><a href="#FNanchor_170_170"><span class="label">[170]</span></a> Surtee publ. vol. i. p. 121.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_171_171" id="Footnote_171_171"></a><a href="#FNanchor_171_171"><span class="label">[171]</span></a> Raine's North Durham, p. 85.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_172_172" id="Footnote_172_172"></a><a href="#FNanchor_172_172"><span class="label">[172]</span></a> Surtee public. vol. 1. p. 39-40.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_173_173" id="Footnote_173_173"></a><a href="#FNanchor_173_173"><span class="label">[173]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i>, vol. i. p. 41.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_174_174" id="Footnote_174_174"></a><a href="#FNanchor_174_174"><span class="label">[174]</span></a> Chambre Contin. Hist. Dunelm. apud Wharton Angliæ +Sacra, tom. i. p. 765.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_175_175" id="Footnote_175_175"></a><a href="#FNanchor_175_175"><span class="label">[175]</span></a> Lord Campbell's Lives of the Lord Chancellors, vol. i. p. 219.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_176_176" id="Footnote_176_176"></a><a href="#FNanchor_176_176"><span class="label">[176]</span></a> Absconditus est in Campanili fratrum minorum.—<i>Chambre +ap. Wharton</i>, tom. i. p. 765.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_177_177" id="Footnote_177_177"></a><a href="#FNanchor_177_177"><span class="label">[177]</span></a> In one of his letters Petrarch speaks of De Bury as <i>Virum +ardentis ingenii</i>, Pet. ep. 1-3.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_178_178" id="Footnote_178_178"></a><a href="#FNanchor_178_178"><span class="label">[178]</span></a> Epist. Seniles, lib. xvi. ep. 1.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_179_179" id="Footnote_179_179"></a><a href="#FNanchor_179_179"><span class="label">[179]</span></a> Foscolo's Essays on Petrarch, p. 151.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_180_180" id="Footnote_180_180"></a><a href="#FNanchor_180_180"><span class="label">[180]</span></a> Foscolo's Essays on Petrarch, p. 156. Famil. ep. lxxii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_181_181" id="Footnote_181_181"></a><a href="#FNanchor_181_181"><span class="label">[181]</span></a> Hortatio ad Nicol. Laurent Petrar., Op. vol. i. p. 596.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_182_182" id="Footnote_182_182"></a><a href="#FNanchor_182_182"><span class="label">[182]</span></a> <i>Apud Wharton Ang. Sac.</i> tom. i. p. 765.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_183_183" id="Footnote_183_183"></a><a href="#FNanchor_183_183"><span class="label">[183]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_184_184" id="Footnote_184_184"></a><a href="#FNanchor_184_184"><span class="label">[184]</span></a> MS. Harleian, No. 3224, fo. 89, b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_185_185" id="Footnote_185_185"></a><a href="#FNanchor_185_185"><span class="label">[185]</span></a> There are two MSS. of the Philobiblon in the British Museum, +which I quote in giving my Latin Extracts. The first is in the +Cotton collection, marked Appendix iv. fol. 103. At the end are +these lines, <i>Ric. de Aungervile cognominato de Bury, Dunelm. +Episc. Philobiblon completum in Manerio de Auckland, d. 24 Jan. +1344</i>, fol. 119, b. The other is in the Harleian Collection, No. 3224, +both are in fine preservation. The first printed edition appeared at +Cologne, 1473, in 4to., without pagination, signatures, or catchwords, +with 48 leaves, 26 lines on a full page; for some time, on account of +its excessive rarity, which kept it from the eyes of book-lovers, +bibliographers confused it with the second edition printed by John +and Conrad Hüst, at Spires, in 1483, 4to. which, like the first, is +without pagination, signatures, or catchwords, but it has only 39 pages, +with 31 lines on a full page. Two editions were printed in 1500, 4to. +at Paris, but I have only seen one of them. A fifth edition was +printed at Oxford by T. J(ames), 4to. 1599. In 1614 it was published +by Goldastus in 8vo. at Frankfort, with a <i>Philologicarium Epistolarum +Centuria una</i>. Another edition of this same book was printed +in 1674, 8vo. at Leipsic, and a still better edition appeared in 1703 +by Schmidt, in 4to. The Philobiblon has recently been translated +by Inglis, 8vo. <i>Lond.</i> 1834, with much accuracy and spirit, and I +have in many cases availed myself of this edition, though I do not +always exactly follow it.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_186_186" id="Footnote_186_186"></a><a href="#FNanchor_186_186"><span class="label">[186]</span></a> "Greges et Vellera, Fruges et honea, Porri et Olera, Potus et +Patera rectiones sunt hodie et studio monachorum."—MS. Harl. 2324, +fol. 79, a; MS. Cot. ap. iv. fo. 108, a.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_187_187" id="Footnote_187_187"></a><a href="#FNanchor_187_187"><span class="label">[187]</span></a> Wharton Ang. Sac., tom. i. p. 766, he is called <i>Ricardus Fitz-Rause +postomodum Archiepiscopus Armachanus</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_188_188" id="Footnote_188_188"></a><a href="#FNanchor_188_188"><span class="label">[188]</span></a> Scarcely.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_189_189" id="Footnote_189_189"></a><a href="#FNanchor_189_189"><span class="label">[189]</span></a> Translated by Trevisa, MS. Harleian, No. 1900, fol. 11, b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_190_190" id="Footnote_190_190"></a><a href="#FNanchor_190_190"><span class="label">[190]</span></a> The original is <i>grandis et nobilis libraria</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_191_191" id="Footnote_191_191"></a><a href="#FNanchor_191_191"><span class="label">[191]</span></a> Chaplain.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_192_192" id="Footnote_192_192"></a><a href="#FNanchor_192_192"><span class="label">[192]</span></a> Could not.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_193_193" id="Footnote_193_193"></a><a href="#FNanchor_193_193"><span class="label">[193]</span></a> Profitable.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_194_194" id="Footnote_194_194"></a><a href="#FNanchor_194_194"><span class="label">[194]</span></a> Philobiblon, transl. by Inglis, p. 56.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_195_195" id="Footnote_195_195"></a><a href="#FNanchor_195_195"><span class="label">[195]</span></a> "Curiam deinde vero Rem. publicam Regni sui Cacellarii, +viz.: est ac Thesaurii fugeremur officiis, patescebat nobis aditus +faciles regal favoris intuitu, ad libros latebras libere perscruta tandas +amoris quippe nostri fama volatitis jam ubiqs. percreluit tam qs. libros +<i>et maxime veterum</i> ferabatur cupidite las vestere posse vero quemlibet +nostrum per quaternos facilius quam per pecuniam adipisa favorem."—MS. +Harl. fo. 85, a. MS. Cott. 110, b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_196_196" id="Footnote_196_196"></a><a href="#FNanchor_196_196"><span class="label">[196]</span></a> MS. Cottonian Claudius, E. iv. fol. 203, b. <i>Warton's Hist. +of Poetry, Dissert. ii.</i>; and <i>Hallam's</i> Middle Ages, vol. ii. p. 611. +Both notice this circumstance as a proof of the scarcity of books in +De Bury's time.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_197_197" id="Footnote_197_197"></a><a href="#FNanchor_197_197"><span class="label">[197]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i> Among the MSS. in the Royal Library, there is a copy +of John of Salisbury's <i>Ententicus</i> which contains the following note, +"Hunc librum fecit dominus Symon abbas S. Albani, quem postea +venditum domino <i>Ricardo</i> de Bury. Episcope Dunelmensi emit +Michael abbas S. Albani ab executoribus prædicti episcopi, <span class="smcap">a. d.</span> +1345." Marked 13 D. iv. 3. The same abbot expended a large sum +in buying books for the library, but we shall speak more of Michael +de Wentmore by and bye.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_198_198" id="Footnote_198_198"></a><a href="#FNanchor_198_198"><span class="label">[198]</span></a> "Sed revera libros non libras maluimus, Codicesque plus +quam florenos, ac pampletos exiguos incrussatis prœtulimus palafridis."—MS. +Harl. fo. 86, a. MS. Cott. fo. 111, a.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_199_199" id="Footnote_199_199"></a><a href="#FNanchor_199_199"><span class="label">[199]</span></a> Inglis's Translation, p. 53.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_200_200" id="Footnote_200_200"></a><a href="#FNanchor_200_200"><span class="label">[200]</span></a> Inglis's Translation, p. 58.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_201_201" id="Footnote_201_201"></a><a href="#FNanchor_201_201"><span class="label">[201]</span></a> The Stationers or Booksellers carried on their business on open +Stalls.—<i>Hallam, Lit. Europe</i>, vol. i. p. 339. It is pleasing to think +that the same temptations which allure the bookworm now, in his +perambulations, can claim such great antiquity, and that through so +many centuries, bibliophiles and bibliopoles remain unaltered in their +habits and singularities; but alas! this worthy relic of the middle +ages I fear is passing into oblivion. Plate-glass fronts and bulky +expensive catalogues form the bookseller's pride in these days of +speed and progress, and offer more splendid temptations to the +collector, but sad obstacles to the hungry student and black-letter +bargain hunters.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_202_202" id="Footnote_202_202"></a><a href="#FNanchor_202_202"><span class="label">[202]</span></a> <i>Philob.</i> xix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_203_203" id="Footnote_203_203"></a><a href="#FNanchor_203_203"><span class="label">[203]</span></a> Inglis, p. 96. "In primis quidam circa claudenda et apienda +volumina, sit matura modestia; ut nec præcipiti festinatione solvantur, +nec inspectione finita, sina clausura debita dimittantur." +<i>MS. Harl.</i> fol. 103.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_204_204" id="Footnote_204_204"></a><a href="#FNanchor_204_204"><span class="label">[204]</span></a> <i>Chambre ap. Wharton</i>, tom. i. p. 766.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_205_205" id="Footnote_205_205"></a><a href="#FNanchor_205_205"><span class="label">[205]</span></a> Godwin Cat. of Bish. 525.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_206_206" id="Footnote_206_206"></a><a href="#FNanchor_206_206"><span class="label">[206]</span></a> <i>Chambre ap. Wharton</i>, tom. i. p. 766.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_207_207" id="Footnote_207_207"></a><a href="#FNanchor_207_207"><span class="label">[207]</span></a> It is marked A, ii. 16, and described in the old MS. catalogue +as <i>De manus Bedæ</i>, ii. fol. <i>Baptizatus</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_208_208" id="Footnote_208_208"></a><a href="#FNanchor_208_208"><span class="label">[208]</span></a> The attractive words "<i>Est vetus Liber</i>" often occur.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_209_209" id="Footnote_209_209"></a><a href="#FNanchor_209_209"><span class="label">[209]</span></a> From a volume of Thomas Aquinas, the following is transcribed: +"Lib. Sti. Cuthberti de Dunelm, ex procuratione fratis Roberti +de Graystane quem qui aliena verit maledictionem Sanctorum +Mariæ, Oswaldi, Cuthberti et Benedicti incurrat." See <i>Surtee publications</i>, +vol. i. p. 35, where other instances are given.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_210_210" id="Footnote_210_210"></a><a href="#FNanchor_210_210"><span class="label">[210]</span></a> Surtee publ. vol. i. p. 85.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_211_211" id="Footnote_211_211"></a><a href="#FNanchor_211_211"><span class="label">[211]</span></a> He wrote The Chronicle of Durham Monastery in 1130.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_212_212" id="Footnote_212_212"></a><a href="#FNanchor_212_212"><span class="label">[212]</span></a> His book on the Rights and Privileges of Durham Church is +in the Cottonian Library, marked <i>Vitellius</i>, A, 9.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_213_213" id="Footnote_213_213"></a><a href="#FNanchor_213_213"><span class="label">[213]</span></a> Lawrence was elected prior in 1149, "a man of singular prudence +and learning, as the many books he writ manifest." <i>Dugdale's +Monast.</i> vol. 1. p. 230.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_214_214" id="Footnote_214_214"></a><a href="#FNanchor_214_214"><span class="label">[214]</span></a> Wrote the Life and Miracles of St. Cuthbert, the original +book is in the Durham Library.</p></div> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>[<a href="./images/134.png">134</a>]</span></p> +<p> </p> +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a>[<a href="./images/135.png">135</a>]</span></p> +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-13.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Croyland Monastery.—Its Library increased by +Egebric.—Destroyed by Fire.—Peterborough.—Destroyed +by the Danes.—Benedict and his books.—Anecdotes +of Collectors.—Catalogue of the Library +of the Abbey of Peterborough.—Leicester +Library, etc.</i></p></div> +<hr /> + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-11.jpg" alt="T" title="T" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">he</span> low marshy fens of Lincolnshire +are particularly rich in +monastic remains; but none prove +so attractive to the antiquary as +the ruins of the splendid abbey of +Croyland. The pen of Ingulphus +has made the affairs of that old +monastery familiar to us; he has told us of its prospering +and its misfortunes, and we may learn moreover +from the pages of the monk how many wise +and virtuous men, of Saxon and Norman days, +were connected with this ancient fabric, receiving +education there, or devoting their lives to piety +within its walls. It was here that Guthlac, a Saxon +warrior, disgusted with the world, sought solitude<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>[<a href="./images/136.png">136</a>]</span> +and repose; and for ten long years he led a hermit's +life in that damp and marshy fen; in prayer and fasting, +working miracles, and leading hearts to God, +he spent his lonely days, all which was rewarded by +a happy and peaceful death, and a sanctifying of +his corporeal remains—for many wondrous miracles +were wrought by those holy relics.</p> + +<p>Croyland abbey was founded on the site of +Guthlac's hermitage, by Ethelred, king of Mercia. +Many years before, when he was striving for the +crown of that kingdom, his cousin, Crobrid, who +then enjoyed it, pursued him with unremitting +enmity; and worn out, spiritless and exhausted, the +royal wanderer sought refuge in the hermit's cell. +The holy man comforted him with every assurance +of success; and prophesied that he would soon obtain +his rights without battle or without bloodshed;<a name="FNanchor_215_215" id="FNanchor_215_215"></a><a href="#Footnote_215_215" class="fnanchor">[215]</a> +in return for these brighter prospects, and these +kind wishes, Ethelred promised to found a monastery +on that very spot in honor of God and St. +Guthlac, which promise he faithfully fulfilled in the +year 716, and "thus the wooden oratory was followed +by a church of stone." Succeeding benefactors +endowed, and succeeding abbots enriched it +with their learning; and as years rolled by so it +grew and flourished till it became great in wealth +and powerful in its influence. But a gloomy day +approached—the Danes destroyed that noble structure, +devastating it by fire, and besmearing its holy +altars with the blood of its hapless inmates. But +zealous piety and monkish perseverance again +restored it, with new and additional lustre; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>[<a href="./images/137.png">137</a>]</span> +besides adding to the splendor of the edifice, augmented +its internal comforts by forming a library +of considerable importance and value. We may +judge how dearly they valued a <i>Bibliotheca</i> in those +old days by the contribution of one benevolent +book-lover—Egebric, the second abbot of that +name, a man whom Ingulphus says was "far more +devoted to sacred learning and to the perusal of +books than skilled in secular matters,"<a name="FNanchor_216_216" id="FNanchor_216_216"></a><a href="#Footnote_216_216" class="fnanchor">[216]</a> gladdened +the hearts of the monks with a handsome library, +consisting of forty original volumes in various +branches of learning, and more than one hundred +volumes of different tracts and histories,<a name="FNanchor_217_217" id="FNanchor_217_217"></a><a href="#Footnote_217_217" class="fnanchor">[217]</a> besides +eighteen books for the use of the divine offices +of the church. Honor to the monk who, in the +land of dearth, could amass so bountiful a provision +for the intellect to feed upon; and who encouraged +our early literature—when feeble and +trembling by the renewed attacks of rapacious +invaders—by such fostering care.</p></div> + +<p>In the eleventh century Croyland monastery +was doomed to fresh misfortunes; a calamitous fire, +accidental in its origin, laid the fine monastery +in a heap of ruins, and scattered its library in +blackened ashes to the winds.<a name="FNanchor_218_218" id="FNanchor_218_218"></a><a href="#Footnote_218_218" class="fnanchor">[218]</a> A sad and irre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>[<a href="./images/138.png">138</a>]</span>parable +loss was that to the Norman monks and +to the students of Saxon history in modern times; +for besides four hundred Saxon charters, deeds, etc., +many of the highest historical interest and value +beautifully illuminated in gold (<i>aureis pictures</i>) +and written in Saxon characters,<a name="FNanchor_219_219" id="FNanchor_219_219"></a><a href="#Footnote_219_219" class="fnanchor">[219]</a> the whole of +the choice and ample library was burnt, containing +seven hundred volumes, besides the books of divine +offices—the Antiphons and Grailes. I will not +agonize the bibliophile by expatiating further on +the sad work of destruction; but is he not somewhat +surprised that in those bookless days seven +hundred volumes should have been amassed together, +besides a lot of church books and Saxon +times?</p> + +<p>Ingulphus, who has so graphically described the +destruction of Croyland monastery by the Danes +in 870, has also given the particulars of their proceedings +at the monastery of Peterborough, anciently +called <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Madeshamsted'">Medeshamstede</ins>, to which they immediately +afterwards bent their steps. The monks, +on hearing of their approach, took the precaution +to guard the monastery by all the means in their +power; but the quiet habits of monastic life were +ill suited to inspire them with a warlike spirit, and +after a feeble resistance, their cruel enemies (whom +the monks speak of in no gentle terms, as the +reader may imagine), soon effected an entrance; +in the contest however Tulla, the brother of +Hulda, the Danish leader, was slain by a stone +thrown by one of the monks from the walls; this +tended to kindle the fury of the besiegers, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a>[<a href="./images/139.png">139</a>]</span> +so exasperated Hulda that it is said he killed with +his own hand the whole of the poor defenceless +monks, including their venerable abbot. The sacred +edifice, completely in their hands, was soon laid +waste; they broke down the altars, destroyed the +monuments, and—much will the bibliophile deplore +it—set fire to their immense library "<i>ingens bibliotheca</i>," +maliciously tearing into pieces all their +valuable and numerous charters, evidences, and +writings. The monastery, says the historian, continued +burning for fifteen days.<a name="FNanchor_220_220" id="FNanchor_220_220"></a><a href="#Footnote_220_220" class="fnanchor">[220]</a> This seat of Saxon +learning was left buried in its ruins for near one +hundred years, when Athelwold, bishop of Winchester, +in the year 966, restored it; but in the course +of time, after a century of peaceful repose, fresh +troubles sprang up. When Turoldus, a Norman, +who had been appointed by William the Conqueror, +was abbot, the Danes again paid them a visit of +destruction. Hareward de Wake having joined a +Danish force, proceeded to the town of Peterborough; +fortunately the monks obtained some +intelligence of their coming, which gave Turoldus +time to repair to Stamford with his retinue. Taurus, +the Sacrist, also managed to get away, carrying with +him some of their treasures, and among them a +text of the Gospels, which he conveyed to his superior +at Stamford, and by that means preserved +them. On the arrival of the Danes, the remaining +monks were prepared to offer a somewhat stern +resistance, but without effect; for setting fire to the +buildings, the Danes entered through the flames +and smoke, and pillaged the monastery of all its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a>[<a href="./images/140.png">140</a>]</span> +valuable contents; and that which they could not +carry away, they destroyed: not even sparing the +shrines of holy saints, or the miracle-working dust +contained therein. The monks possessed a great +cross of a most costly nature, which the invaders +endeavored to take away, but could not on account +of its weight and size; however, they broke +off the gold crown from the head of the crucifix, +and the footstool under its feet, which was made of +pure gold and gems; they also carried away two +golden biers, on which the monks carried the relics +of their saints; with nine silver ones. There was +certainly no monachal poverty here, for their +wealth must have been profuse; besides the above +treasures, they took twelve crosses, made of gold +and silver; they also went up to the tower and +took away a table of large size and value, which +the monks had hid there, trusting it might escape +their search; it was a splendid affair, made of gold +and silver and precious stones, and was usually +placed before the altar. But besides all this, they +robbed them of that which those poor monkish bibliophiles +loved more than all. Their library, which +they had collected with much care, and which contained +many volumes, was carried away, "with +many other precious things, the like of which were +not to be found in all England."<a name="FNanchor_221_221" id="FNanchor_221_221"></a><a href="#Footnote_221_221" class="fnanchor">[221]</a> The abbot and +those monks who fortunately escaped, afterwards +returned, sad and sorrowful no doubt; but trusting +in their Divine Master and patron Saint, they ultimately +succeeded in making their old house habitable +again, and well fortified it with a strong wall,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a>[<a href="./images/141.png">141</a>]</span> +so that formerly it used to be remarked that this +building looked more like a military establishment +than a house of God.</p> + +<p>Eminently productive was the monastery of +Peterborough in Saxon bibliomaniacs. Its ancient +annals prove how enthusiastically they collected +and transcribed books. There were few indeed of +its abbots who did not help in some way or other +to increase their library. Kenulfus, who was abbot +in the year 992, was a learned and eloquent student +in divine and secular learning. He much improved +his monastery, and greatly added to its literary +treasures.<a name="FNanchor_222_222" id="FNanchor_222_222"></a><a href="#Footnote_222_222" class="fnanchor">[222]</a> But the benefactors of this place are +too numerous to be minutely specified here. Hugo +Candidus tells us, that Kinfernus, Archbishop of +York, in 1056, gave them many valuable ornaments; +and among them a fine copy of the Gospels, +beautifully adorned with gold. This puts us in +mind of Leofricus, a monk of the abbey, who was +made abbot in the year 1057. He is said to have +been related to the royal family, a circumstance +which may account for his great riches. He was a +sad pluralist, and held at one time no less than five +monasteries, viz. Burton, Coventy, Croyland, +Thorney, and Peterborough.<a name="FNanchor_223_223" id="FNanchor_223_223"></a><a href="#Footnote_223_223" class="fnanchor">[223]</a> He gave to the +church of Peterborough many and valuable utensils +of gold, silver, and precious stones, and a copy +of the Gospels bound in gold.<a name="FNanchor_224_224" id="FNanchor_224_224"></a><a href="#Footnote_224_224" class="fnanchor">[224]</a></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a>[<a href="./images/142.png">142</a>]</span></p><p>But in all lights, whether regarded as an author +or a bibliophile, great indeed was Benedict, formerly +prior of Canterbury, and secretary to Thomas à +Becket,<a name="FNanchor_225_225" id="FNanchor_225_225"></a><a href="#Footnote_225_225" class="fnanchor">[225]</a> of whom it is supposed he wrote a life. +He was made abbot of Peterborough in the year +1177; he compiled a history of Henry II. and king +Richard I.;<a name="FNanchor_226_226" id="FNanchor_226_226"></a><a href="#Footnote_226_226" class="fnanchor">[226]</a> he is spoken of in the highest terms +of praise by Robert Swapham for his profound +wisdom and great erudition in secular matters.<a name="FNanchor_227_227" id="FNanchor_227_227"></a><a href="#Footnote_227_227" class="fnanchor">[227]</a> +There can be no doubt of his book-loving passion; +for during the time he was abbot he transcribed +himself, and ordered others to transcribe, a great +number of books. Swapham has preserved a catalogue +of them, which is so interesting that I have +transcribed it entire. The list is entitled:</p> + +<h3><span class="smcap">de libris ejus.</span></h3> + +<ul><li>Plurimos quoque libros 3 scribere fecit, quorum nomina subnotantur.</li> +<li>Vetus et Novum Testamentum in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Vetus et Novum Testamentum in 4 volumina.</li> +<li>Quinque libri Moysi glosati in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Sexdecim Prophetæ glosati in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Duodecim minores glosati Prophetæ in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Liber Regum glosatus, paralipomenon glosatus. Job, Parabolæ Solomonis et Ecclesiastes, Cantica Canticorum glosati in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Liber Ecclesiasticus et Liber Sapientiæ glosatus in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Tobyas, Judith, Ester et Esdras, glosati in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Liber Judicum glosatus.</li> +<li>Scholastica hystoria.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a>[<a href="./images/143.png">143</a>]</span></li> +<li>Psalterium glosatum.</li> +<li>Item non glosatum.</li> +<li>Item Psalterium.</li> +<li>Quatuor Evangelia glosata in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Item Mathæus et Marcus in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Johannes et Lucas in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Epistolæ Pauli glosatæ Apocalypsis et Epistolæ Canonicæ glosata in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Sententiæ Petri Lombardi.</li> +<li>Item Sententiæ ejusdem.</li> +<li>Sermones Bernardi Abbatis Clarevallensis.</li> +<li>Decreta Gratiani.</li> +<li>Item Decreta Gratiani.</li> +<li>Summa Ruffini de Decretis.</li> +<li>Summa Johannes Fuguntini de Decretis.</li> +<li>Decretales Epistolæ.</li> +<li>Item Decretales Epistolæ.</li> +<li>Item Decretales Epistolæ cum summa sic incipiente; Olim. Institutiones Justiniani cum autenticis et Infortiatio Digestum vetus.</li> +<li>Tres partes cum digesto novo.</li> +<li>Summa Placentini.</li> +<li>Totum Corpus Juris in duobus voluminibus.</li> +<li>Arismetica.</li> +<li>Epistolæ Senecæ cum aliis Senecis in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Martialis totus et Terentius in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Morale dogma philosophorum.</li> +<li>Gesta Alexandri et Liber Claudii et Claudiani.</li> +<li>Summa Petri Heylæ de Grammatica, cum multis allis rebus in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Gesta Regis Henrica secunda et Genealogiæ ejus.</li> +<li>Interpretatione Hebraicorum nominum.</li> +<li>Libellus de incarnatione verbi. Liber Bernardi Abbatis ad Eugenium papam.</li> +<li>Missale.</li> +<li>Vitæ Sancti Thomæ Martyris.<a name="FNanchor_228_228" id="FNanchor_228_228"></a><a href="#Footnote_228_228" class="fnanchor">[228]</a></li> +<li>Miracula ejusdem in quinque voluminibus.</li> +<li>Liber Richardi Plutonis, qui dicitur, unde Malum Meditationes Anselmi.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a>[<a href="./images/144.png">144</a>]</span></li> +<li>Practica Bartholomæi cum multis allis rebus in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Ars Physicæ Pantegni, et practica ipsius in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Almazor et Diascoridis de virtutibus herbarum.</li> +<li>Liber Dinamidiorum et aliorum multorum in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Libellus de Compoto.</li> +</ul> + +<p>Sixty volumes! perhaps containing near 100 +separate works, and all added to the library in the +time of one abbot; surely this is enough to controvert +the opinion that the monks cared nothing for +books or learning, and let not the Justin, Seneca, +Martial, Terence, and Claudian escape the eye of +the reader, those monkish bookworms did care a +little, it would appear, for classical literature. But +what will he say to the fine Bibles that crown and +adorn the list? The two complete copies of the +<i>Vetus et Novum Testamentum</i>, and the many +glossed portions of the sacred writ, reflect honor +upon the Christian monk, and placed him conspicuously +among the bible students of the middle +ages; proving too, that while he could esteem the +wisdom of Seneca, and the vivacity of Terence, and +feel a deep interest in the secular history of his own +times, he did not lose sight of the fountain of all +knowledge, but gave to the Bible his first care, and +the most prominent place on his library shelf. Besides +the books which the abbots collected for the +monastery, they often possessed a private selection +for their own use; there are instances in which +these collections were of great extent; some of +which we shall notice, but generally speaking they +seldom numbered many volumes. Thus Robert of +Lyndeshye, who was abbot of Peterborough in +1214, only possessed six volumes, which were such<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>[<a href="./images/145.png">145</a>]</span> +as he constantly required for reference or devotion; +they consisted of a Numerale Majestri W. de Montibus +cum alliis rebus; Tropi Majestri Petri cum +diversis summis; Sententiæ Petri Pretanensis; +Psalterium Glossatum; Aurora; Psalterium;<a name="FNanchor_229_229" id="FNanchor_229_229"></a><a href="#Footnote_229_229" class="fnanchor">[229]</a> Historiale. +These were books continually in requisition, +and which he possessed to save the trouble of +constantly referring to the library. His successor, +abbot Holdernesse, possessed also twelve volumes,<a name="FNanchor_230_230" id="FNanchor_230_230"></a><a href="#Footnote_230_230" class="fnanchor">[230]</a> +and Walter of St. Edmundsbury Abbot, in +1233, had eighteen books, and among them a fine +copy of the Bible for his private study. Robert of +Sutton in 1262, also abbot of Peterborough, possessed +a similar number, containing a copy of the +Liber Naturalium Anstotelis; and his successor, +Richard of London, among ten books which formed +his private library, had the Consolation of Philosophy, +a great favorite in the monasteries. In the +year 1295 William of Wodeforde, collected twenty +volumes, but less than that number constituted the +library of Adam de Botheby, who was abbot of +Peterborough many years afterwards, but among +them I notice a Seneca, with thirty-six others contained +in the same volume.<a name="FNanchor_231_231" id="FNanchor_231_231"></a><a href="#Footnote_231_231" class="fnanchor">[231]</a></p> + +<p>Abbot Godfrey, elected in the year 1299, was a +great benefactor to the church, as we learn from +Walter de Whytlesse, who gives a long list of donations +made by him; among a vast quantity of +valuables, "he gave to the church <i>two Bibles</i>, one +of which was written in France," with about twenty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a>[<a href="./images/146.png">146</a>]</span> +other volumes. In the war which occurred during +his abbacy, between John Baliol of Scotland and +Edward I. of England, the Scots applied to the +pope for his aid and council; his holiness deemed +it his province to interfere, and directed letters to +the king of England, asserting that the kingdom of +Scotland appertained to the Church of Rome; in +these letters he attempt to prove that it was +opposed to justice, and, what he deemed of still +greater importance, to the interests of the holy see, +that the king of England should not have dominion +over the kingdom of Scotland. The pope's messengers +on this occasion were received by abbot +Godfrey; Walter says that "He honorably received +two cardinals at Peterborough with their retinues, +who were sent by the pope to make peace +between the English and the Scotch, and besides +cheerfully entertaining them with food and drink, +gave them divers presents; to one of the cardinals, +named Gaucelin, he gave a certain psalter, beautifully +written in letters of gold and purple, and +marvellously illuminated, <i>literis aureis et assuris +scriptum et mirabiliter luminatum</i>.<a name="FNanchor_232_232" id="FNanchor_232_232"></a><a href="#Footnote_232_232" class="fnanchor">[232]</a> I give this +anecdote to show how splendidly the monks inscribed +those volumes designed for the service of the holy +church. I ought to have mentioned before that +Wulstan, archbishop of York, gave many rare and +precious ornaments to Peterborough, nor should I +omit a curious little book anecdote related of him. +He was born at Jceritune in Warwickshire, and was +sent by his parents to Evesham, and afterwards to +Peterborough, where he gave great indications of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>[<a href="./images/147.png">147</a>]</span> +learning. His schoolmaster, who was an Anglo-Saxon +named Erventus, was a clever calligraphist, +and is said to have been highly proficient in the art +of illuminating; he instructed Wulstan in these +accomplishments, who wrote under his direction a +sacramentary and a psalter, and illuminated the +capitals with many pictures painted in gold and +colors; they were executed with so much taste +that his master presented the sacramentary to +Canute, and the psalter to his queen.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_233_233" id="FNanchor_233_233"></a><a href="#Footnote_233_233" class="fnanchor">[233]</a></p> + +<p>From these few facts relative to Peterborough +Monastery, the reader will readily perceive how +earnestly books were collected by the monks there, +and will be somewhat prepared to learn that a +catalogue of 1,680 volumes is preserved, which +formerly constituted the library of that fraternity +of bibliophiles. This fine old catalogue, printed +by Gunton in his history of the abbey, covers +fifty folio pages; it presents a faithful mirror of +the literature of its day, and speaks well for the +bibliomanical spirit of the monks of Peterborough. +Volumes of patristic eloquence and pious erudition +crowd the list; chronicles, poetry, and philosophical +treatises are mingled with the titles of an abundant +collection of classic works, full of the lore of the +ancient world. Although the names may be similar +to those which I have extracted from other catalogues, +I must not omit to give a few of them; +I find works of—</p> + +<ul><li>Augustine.</li> +<li>Ambrose.</li> +<li>Albinus.</li> +<li>Cassiodorus.</li> +<li>Gregory.</li> +<li>Cyprian.</li> +<li>Seneca.</li> +<li>Prosper.</li> +<li>Tully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a>[<a href="./images/148.png">148</a>]</span></li> +<li>Bede.</li> +<li>Basil.</li> +<li>Lanfranc.</li> +<li>Chrysostom.</li> +<li>Jerome.</li> +<li>Eusebius.</li> +<li>Bœthius.</li> +<li>Isidore.</li> +<li>Origin.</li> +<li>Dionysius.</li> +<li>Cassian.</li> +<li>Bernard.</li> +<li>Anselm.</li> +<li>Alcuinus.</li> +<li>Honorius.</li> +<li>Donatus.</li> +<li>Macer.</li> +<li>Persius.</li> +<li>Virgil.</li> +<li>Isagoge of Porphry.</li> +<li>Aristotle.</li> +<li>Entyci Grammatica.</li> +<li>Socrates.</li> +<li>Ovid.</li> +<li>Priscian.</li> +<li>Hippocrates.</li> +<li>Horace.</li> +<li>Sedulus.</li> +<li>Theodulus.</li> +<li>Sallust.</li> +<li>Macrobius.</li> +<li>Cato.</li> +<li>Prudentius.</li></ul> + + +<p>But although they possessed these fine authors +and many others equally choice, I am not able +to say much for the biblical department of their +library, I should have anticipated a goodly store of +the Holy Scriptures, but in these necessary volumes +they were unusually poor. But I suspect the catalogue +to have been compiled during the fifteenth +century, and I fear too, that in that age the monks +were growing careless of Scripture reading, or at +least relaxing somewhat in the diligence of their +studies; perhaps they devoured the attractive pages +of Ovid, and loved to read his amorous tales more +than became the holiness of their priestly calling.<a name="FNanchor_234_234" id="FNanchor_234_234"></a><a href="#Footnote_234_234" class="fnanchor">[234]</a> +At any rate we may observe a marked change as +regards the prevalence of the Bible in monastic +libraries between the twelfth and the fifteenth +century. It is true we often find them in those of +the later age; but sometimes they are entirely +without, and frequently only in detached portions.<a name="FNanchor_235_235" id="FNanchor_235_235"></a><a href="#Footnote_235_235" class="fnanchor">[235]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>[<a href="./images/149.png">149</a>]</span> +I may illustrate this by a reference to the library of +the Abbey of St. Mary de la Pré at Leicester, which +gloried in a collection of 600 volumes, of the choicest +and almost venerable writers. It was written in the +year 1477, by William Chartye,<a name="FNanchor_236_236" id="FNanchor_236_236"></a><a href="#Footnote_236_236" class="fnanchor">[236]</a> prior of the abbey, +and an old defective and worn out Bible, <i>Biblie +defect et usit</i>, with some detached portions, was all +that fine library contained of the Sacred Writ. +The bible <i>defect et usit</i> speaks volumes to the praise +of the ancient monks of that house, for it was by +their constant reading and study, that it had become +so thumbed and worn; but it stamps with disgrace +the affluent monks of the fifteenth century, who, +while they could afford to buy, in the year 1470,<a name="FNanchor_237_237" id="FNanchor_237_237"></a><a href="#Footnote_237_237" class="fnanchor">[237]</a> +some thirty volumes with a Seneca, Ovid, Claudian, +Macrobius, Æsop, etc., among them, and who found +time to transcribe twice as many more, thought not +of restoring their bible tomes, or adding one book +of the Holy Scripture to their crowded shelves. +But alas! monachal piety was waxing cool and +indifferent then, and it is rare to find the honorable +title of an <i>Amator Scripturarum</i> affixed to a +monkish name in the latter part of the fifteenth +century.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_215_215" id="Footnote_215_215"></a><a href="#FNanchor_215_215"><span class="label">[215]</span></a> Gough's Hist. Croyland in Bibl. Top. Brit. xi. p. 3.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_216_216" id="Footnote_216_216"></a><a href="#FNanchor_216_216"><span class="label">[216]</span></a> Inguph. in Gale's Script. tom. i. p. 53.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_217_217" id="Footnote_217_217"></a><a href="#FNanchor_217_217"><span class="label">[217]</span></a> <ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins>Debit iste Abbas Egebricus communi bibliothecæ clanstralium +monachorum magna volumina diversorum doctorum originalia numero +quadraginta; minora vero volumina de diversæ tractatibus et +historiis, quæ numerum centenarium excedibant." Ingul. p. 53.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_218_218" id="Footnote_218_218"></a><a href="#FNanchor_218_218"><span class="label">[218]</span></a> The fire occurred in 1091. Ingulphus relates with painful +minuteness the progress of the work of destruction, and enumerates +all the rich treasures which those angry flames consumed. I should +have given a longer account of this event had not the Rev. Mr. Maitland +already done so in his interesting work on the "<i>Dark Ages</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_219_219" id="Footnote_219_219"></a><a href="#FNanchor_219_219"><span class="label">[219]</span></a> Gale's Remin. Ang. Scrip. i. p. 98.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_220_220" id="Footnote_220_220"></a><a href="#FNanchor_220_220"><span class="label">[220]</span></a> Ingulph. ap. Gale i. p. 25.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_221_221" id="Footnote_221_221"></a><a href="#FNanchor_221_221"><span class="label">[221]</span></a> See Gunter's Peterborough, suppl. 263.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_222_222" id="Footnote_222_222"></a><a href="#FNanchor_222_222"><span class="label">[222]</span></a> Hugo Candid, p. 31; Tamer Bib. Brit. et Hib. p. 175. Candidus +says, "Flos literaris disciplina, torrens eloquentiæ, decus et +norma rerum divinarum et secularium."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_223_223" id="Footnote_223_223"></a><a href="#FNanchor_223_223"><span class="label">[223]</span></a> Hugo Candid. ap. Sparke, Hist. Ang. Scrip. p. 41. Gunter's +Peterboro, p. 15, ed. 1686.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_224_224" id="Footnote_224_224"></a><a href="#FNanchor_224_224"><span class="label">[224]</span></a> Hugo Candid. p. 42.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_225_225" id="Footnote_225_225"></a><a href="#FNanchor_225_225"><span class="label">[225]</span></a> Leland de Scrip. Brit. p. 217.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_226_226" id="Footnote_226_226"></a><a href="#FNanchor_226_226"><span class="label">[226]</span></a> Published by Hearne, 2 vol. 8vo. <i>Oxon.</i> 1735.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_227_227" id="Footnote_227_227"></a><a href="#FNanchor_227_227"><span class="label">[227]</span></a> Rt. Swap. ap. Sparke, p. 97. "Erat. enin literarum scientiæ +satis imbutus; regulari disciplina optime instructus; sapientia seculari +plenissime eruditus.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_228_228" id="Footnote_228_228"></a><a href="#FNanchor_228_228"><span class="label">[228]</span></a> Swapham calls this "Egregium volumen," p. 98.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_229_229" id="Footnote_229_229"></a><a href="#FNanchor_229_229"><span class="label">[229]</span></a> Now preserved in the library of the Society of Antiquaries.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_230_230" id="Footnote_230_230"></a><a href="#FNanchor_230_230"><span class="label">[230]</span></a> Gunter, Peterborough, p. 29.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_231_231" id="Footnote_231_231"></a><a href="#FNanchor_231_231"><span class="label">[231]</span></a> Ibid, p. 37.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_232_232" id="Footnote_232_232"></a><a href="#FNanchor_232_232"><span class="label">[232]</span></a> Walter de Whytlesse apud Sparke, p. 173.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_233_233" id="Footnote_233_233"></a><a href="#FNanchor_233_233"><span class="label">[233]</span></a> Gunter's Hist. of Peterborough, p. 259.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_234_234" id="Footnote_234_234"></a><a href="#FNanchor_234_234"><span class="label">[234]</span></a> At any rate, we find about thirty volumes of Ovid's works +enumerated, and several copies of "de Arte Amandi," and "de +Remedis Amoris."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_235_235" id="Footnote_235_235"></a><a href="#FNanchor_235_235"><span class="label">[235]</span></a> Let the reader examine Leland's Collect., and the Catalogues +printed in Hunter's Tract on Monastic Libraries. See also Catalogue +of Canterbury Library, MS. Cottonian Julius, c. iv. 4., in the British +Museum.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_236_236" id="Footnote_236_236"></a><a href="#FNanchor_236_236"><span class="label">[236]</span></a> Printed by Nichols, in Appendix to Hist. of Leicester, from a +MS. Register. It contains almost as fine a collection of the classics +and fathers as that at Peterborough, just noticed, Aristotle, Virgil, +Plato, Ovid, Cicero, Euclid, Socrates, Horace, Lucan, Seneca, etc., etc. +are among them, pp. 101 to 108. It is curious that Leland mentions +only six MSS. as forming the library at the time he visited the Abbey +of Leicester, all its fine old volumes were gone. He only arrived in +time to pick up the crumbs.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_237_237" id="Footnote_237_237"></a><a href="#FNanchor_237_237"><span class="label">[237]</span></a> At least during the time of William Charteys priorship. See +Nichols, p. 108.</p></div> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a>[<a href="./images/150.png">150</a>]</span></p> +<p> </p> +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>[<a href="./images/151.png">151</a>]</span></p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-14.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>King Alfred an "amator librorum" and an author.</i></p></div> + + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-11.jpg" alt="T" title="T" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">he</span> latter part of the tenth century +was a most memorable period in +the annals of monkish bibliomania, +and gave birth to one of +the brightest scholars that ever +shone in the dark days of our +Saxon forefathers. King Alfred, +in honor of whose talents posterity have gratefully +designated the Great, spread a fostering care over +the feeble remnant of native literature which the +Danes in their cruel depredations had left unmolested. +The noble aspirations of this royal student +and patron of learning had been instilled into his +mind by the tender care of a fond parent. It was +from the pages of a richly illuminated little volume +of Saxon poetry, given to him by the queen as a +reward for the facility with which he had mastered +its contents, that he first derived that intense love +of books which never forsook him, though the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a>[<a href="./images/152.png">152</a>]</span> +sterner duties of his after position frequently +required his thoughts and energies in another +channel. Having made himself acquainted with +this little volume, Alfred found a thirst for knowledge +grow upon him, and applied his youthful +mind to study with the most zealous ardor; but +his progress was considerably retarded, because he +could not, at that time, find a Grammaticus capable +of instructing him,<a name="FNanchor_238_238" id="FNanchor_238_238"></a><a href="#Footnote_238_238" class="fnanchor">[238]</a> although he searched the kingdom +of the West Saxons. Yet he soon acquired +the full knowledge of his own language, and the +Latin it is said he knew as well, and was able to +use with a fluency equal to his native tongue; he +could comprehend the meaning of the Greek, +although perhaps he was incapable of using it to +advantage. He was so passionately fond of books, +and so devoted to reading, that he constantly +carried about him some favorite volume which, as +a spare moment occurred, he perused with the +avidity of an <i>helluo librorum</i>. This pleasing anecdote +related by Asser<a name="FNanchor_239_239" id="FNanchor_239_239"></a><a href="#Footnote_239_239" class="fnanchor">[239]</a> is characteristic of his +natural perseverance.</p></div> + +<p>When he ascended the throne, he lavished +abundant favors upon all who were eminent for +their literary acquirements; and displayed in their +distribution the utmost liberality and <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'descrimination'">discrimination</ins>. +Asser, who afterwards became his biographer, +was during his life the companion and +associate of his studies, and it is from his pen we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a>[<a href="./images/153.png">153</a>]</span> +learn that, when an interval occurred inoccupied by +his princely duties, Alfred stole into the quietude of +his study to seek comfort and instruction from the +pages of those choice volumes, which comprised +his library. But Alfred was not a mere bookworm, +a devourer of knowledge without purpose or without +meditation of his own, he thought with a student's +soul well and deeply upon what he read, and drew +from his books those principles of philanthropy, and +those high resolves, which did such honor to the +Saxon monarch. He viewed with sorrow the +degradation of his country, and the intellectual +barrenness of his time; the warmest aspiration of +his soul was to diffuse among his people a love for +literature and science, to raise them above their +Saxon sloth, and lead them to think of loftier +matters than war and carnage. To effect this +noble aim, the highest to which the talents of a +monarch can be applied, he for a length of time +devoted his mind to the translation of Latin authors +into the vernacular tongue. In his preface to the +Pastoral of Gregory which he translated, he laments +the destruction of the old monastic libraries by the +Danes. "I saw," he writes, "before alle were +spoiled and burnt, how the churches throughout +Britain were filled with treasures and books,"<a name="FNanchor_240_240" id="FNanchor_240_240"></a><a href="#Footnote_240_240" class="fnanchor">[240]</a> +which must have presented a striking contrast to +the illiterate darkness which he tells us afterwards +spread over his dominions, for there were then +very few <i>paucissimi</i> who could translate a Latin +epistle into the Saxon language.</p> + +<p>When Alfred had completed the translation of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a>[<a href="./images/154.png">154</a>]</span> +Gregory's Pastoral, he sent a copy to each of his +bishops accompanied with a golden stylus or pen,<a name="FNanchor_241_241" id="FNanchor_241_241"></a><a href="#Footnote_241_241" class="fnanchor">[241]</a> +thus conveying to them the hint that it was their +duty to use it in the service of piety and learning. +Encouraged by the favorable impression which +this work immediately caused, he spared no pains +to follow up the good design, but patiently applied +himself to the translation of other valuable books +which he rendered into as pleasing and expressive a +version as the language of those rude times permitted. +Besides these literary labors he also wrote +many original volumes, and became a powerful +orator, a learned grammarian, an acute philosopher, +a profound mathematician, and the prince of +Saxon poesy; with these exalted talents he united +those of an historian, an architect, and an accomplished +musician. A copious list of his productions, +the length of which proves the fertility of his pen, +will be found in the Biographica Britannica,<a name="FNanchor_242_242" id="FNanchor_242_242"></a><a href="#Footnote_242_242" class="fnanchor">[242]</a> but +names of others not there enumerated may be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>[<a href="./images/155.png">155</a>]</span> +found in monkish chronicles; of his Manual, which +was in existence in the time of William of Malmsbury, +not a fragment has been found. The last of +his labors was probably an attempt to render the +psalms into the common language, and so unfold +that portion of the Holy Scriptures to our Saxon +ancestors.</p> + +<p>Alfred, with the assistance of the many learned +men whom he had called to his court, restored the +monasteries and schools of learning which the +Danes had desecrated, and it is said founded the +university of Oxford, where he built three halls, in +the name of the Holy Trinity; for the doctors of +divinity, philosophy, and grammar. The controversy +which this subject has given rise to among +the learned is too long to enter into here, although +the matter is one of great interest to the scholar +and to the antiquary.</p> + +<p>In the year 901, this royal bibliophile, "the +victorious prince, the studious provider for widows, +orphanes, and poore people, most perfect in Saxon +poetrie, most liberall endowed with wisdome, fortitude, +justice, and temperance, departed this life;"<a name="FNanchor_243_243" id="FNanchor_243_243"></a><a href="#Footnote_243_243" class="fnanchor">[243]</a> +and right well did he deserve this eulogy, for as an +old chronicle says, he was "a goode clerke and +rote many bokes, and a boke he made in Englysshe, +of adventures of kynges and bataylles that had +bene wne in the lande; and other bokes of gestes +he them wryte, that were of greate wisdome, and +of good learnynge, thrugh whych bokes many a +man may him amende, that well them rede, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>[<a href="./images/156.png">156</a>]</span> +upon them loke. And thys kynge Allured lyeth +at Wynchestre."<a name="FNanchor_244_244" id="FNanchor_244_244"></a><a href="#Footnote_244_244" class="fnanchor">[244]</a></p> + + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-15.jpg" alt="Footer" title="Footer" /></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_238_238" id="Footnote_238_238"></a><a href="#FNanchor_238_238"><span class="label">[238]</span></a> Flor. Vigorn. sub. anno. 871. Brompton's Chron. in Alferi, +p. 814.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_239_239" id="Footnote_239_239"></a><a href="#FNanchor_239_239"><span class="label">[239]</span></a> Asser de Alfredi Gestis., Edit. Camden i. p. 5. William +Malmsbury, b. ii. c. iv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_240_240" id="Footnote_240_240"></a><a href="#FNanchor_240_240"><span class="label">[240]</span></a> Preface to Pastoral.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_241_241" id="Footnote_241_241"></a><a href="#FNanchor_241_241"><span class="label">[241]</span></a> Much controversy has arisen as to the precise meaning of this +word. <i>Hearne</i> renders this passage "with certain macussus or +marks of gold the purest of his coin," which has led some to suppose +gold coinage was known among the Saxons. <i>William of Malmsbury</i> +calls it a golden style in which was a maucus of gold. "In +Alfred's Preface it is called an Æstel of fifty macuses.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins>—<i>V. Asser a +Wise</i>, 86 to 175; but the meaning of that word is uncertain. The +stylus properly speaking was a small instrument formerly used for +writing on waxen tablets, and made of iron or bone, see <i>Archæologia</i>, +vol. ii. p. 75. But waxen tablets were out of use in Alfred's time. +The Æstel or style was most probably an instrument used by the +scribes of the monasteries, if it was not actually a pen. I am more +strongly disposed to consider it so by the evidence of an ancient MS. +illumination of Eadwine, a monk of Canterbury, in Trinity Coll. +Camb.; at the end of this MS. the scribe is represented with a <i>metal +pen in his hand</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_242_242" id="Footnote_242_242"></a><a href="#FNanchor_242_242"><span class="label">[242]</span></a> Vol. i. pp. 54, 55.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_243_243" id="Footnote_243_243"></a><a href="#FNanchor_243_243"><span class="label">[243]</span></a> Stowe's Annals, 4to. 1615, p. 105.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_244_244" id="Footnote_244_244"></a><a href="#FNanchor_244_244"><span class="label">[244]</span></a> Cronycle of Englonde with the Fruyte of Tymes, 4to. 1515.</p></div> +</div> + +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>[<a href="./images/157.png">157</a>]</span></p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-16.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Benedict Biscop and his book tours.—Bede.—Ceolfrid.—Wilfrid.—Boniface +the Saxon Missionary—His +love of books.—Egbert of York.—Alcuin.—Whitby +Abbey.—Cædmon.—Classics in the +Library of Withby.—Rievall Library.—Coventry.—Worcester.—Evesham.—Thomas +of Marleberg, +etc.</i></p></div> + +<hr /> +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-11.jpg" alt="T" title="T" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">he</span> venerable Bede enables us to +show that in the early Saxon days +the monasteries of Wearmouth +and Jarrow possessed considerable +collections of books. Benedict +Biscop, the most enthusiastic bibliomaniac +of the age, founded the +monastery of Wearmouth in the year 674, in honor +of the "Most Holy Prince of the Apostles." His +whole soul was in the work, he spared neither pains +or expense to obtain artists of well known and +reputed talent to decorate the holy edifice; not finding +them at home, he journeyed to Gaul in search +of them, and returned accompanied by numerous +expert and ingenious workmen. Within a year the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>[<a href="./images/158.png">158</a>]</span> +building was sufficiently advanced to enable the +monks to celebrate divine service there. He +introduced glass windows and other ornaments into +his church, and furnished it with numerous books +of all descriptions, <i>innumerabilem librorum omnis +generis</i>. Benedict was so passionately fond of +books that he took five journeys to Rome for the +purpose of collecting them. In his third voyage +he gathered together a large quantity on divine +erudition; some of these he bought, or received +them as presents from his friends, <i>vel amicorum +dono largitos retulit</i>. When he arrived at Vienne +on his way home, he collected others which he had +commissioned his friends to purchase for him.<a name="FNanchor_245_245" id="FNanchor_245_245"></a><a href="#Footnote_245_245" class="fnanchor">[245]</a> +After the completion of his monastery he undertook +his fourth journey to Rome; he obtained from +the Pope many privileges for the abbey, and +returned in the year 680, bringing with him many +more valuable books; he was accompanied by John +the Chantor, who introduced into the English +churches the Roman method of singing. He was +also a great <i>amator librorum</i>, and left many choice +manuscripts to the monks, which Bede writes "were +still preserved in their library." It was about this +time that Ecgfrid<a name="FNanchor_246_246" id="FNanchor_246_246"></a><a href="#Footnote_246_246" class="fnanchor">[246]</a> gave Benedict a portion of land +on the other side of the river Wire, at a place +called Jarrow; and that enterprising and indus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>[<a href="./images/159.png">159</a>]</span>trious +abbot, in the year 684, built a monastery +thereon. No sooner was it completed, than he +went a fifth time to Rome to search for volumes to +gratify his darling passion. This was the last, but +perhaps the most successful of his foreign tours, +for he brought back with him a vast quantity of +sacred volumes and curious pictures.<a name="FNanchor_247_247" id="FNanchor_247_247"></a><a href="#Footnote_247_247" class="fnanchor">[247]</a> How deeply +is it to be regretted that the relation of the travels +which Ceolfrid his successor undertook, and which +it is said his own pen inscribed, has been lost to us +forever. He probably spoke much of Benedict in +the volume and recorded his book pilgrimages. +How dearly would the bibliomaniac revel over +those early annals of his science, could his eye +meet those venerable pages—perhaps describing +the choice tomes Benedict met with in his Italian +tours, and telling us how, and what, and where he +gleaned those fine collections; sweet indeed would +have been the perusal of that delectable little volume, +full of the book experience of a bibliophile +in Saxon days, near twelve hundred years ago! +But the ravages of time or the fury of the Danes +deprived us of this rare gem, and we are alone +dependent on Bede for the incidents connected with +the life of this great man; we learn from that +venerable author that Benedict was seized with the +palsy on his return, and that languishing a few +short years, he died in the year 690; but through +pain and suffering he often dwelt on the sweet +treasures of his library, and his solemn thoughts of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>[<a href="./images/160.png">160</a>]</span> +death and immortality were intermixed with many +a fond bookish recollection. <i>His most noble and +abundant library which he brought from Rome</i> he +constantly referred to, and gave strict injunctions +that the monks should apply the utmost care to +the preservation of that rich and costly treasure, in +the collection of which so many perils and anxious +years were spent.<a name="FNanchor_248_248" id="FNanchor_248_248"></a><a href="#Footnote_248_248" class="fnanchor">[248]</a></p></div> + +<p>We all know the force of example, and are not +surprised that the sweet mania which ruled so +potently over the mind of Benedict, spread itself +around the crowned head of royalty. Perhaps +book collecting was beginning to make "a stir," +and the rich and powerful among the Saxons were +regarding strange volumes with a curious eye. +Certain it is that Egfride, or Ælfride, the proud +king of Northumbria,<a name="FNanchor_249_249" id="FNanchor_249_249"></a><a href="#Footnote_249_249" class="fnanchor">[249]</a> fondly coveted a beautiful +copy of the geographer's (<i>codice mirandi operis</i>), +which Benedict numbered among his treasures; +and so eagerly too did he desire its possession, +that he gave in exchange a portion of eight hides +of land, near the river Fresca, for the volume; and +Ceolfrid, Benedict's successor, received it.</p> + +<p>How useful must Benedict's library have been in +ripening the mind that was to cast a halo of im<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a>[<a href="./images/161.png">161</a>]</span>mortality +around that old monastery, and to +generate a renown which was long to survive the +grey walls of that costly fane; for whilst we now +fruitlessly search for any vestiges of its former +being, we often peruse the living pages of Bede +the venerable with pleasure and instruction, and +we feel refreshed by the breath of piety and devotion +which they unfold; yet it must be owned the +superstition of Rome will sometimes mar a devout +prayer and the simplicity of a Christian thought. +But all honor to his manes and to his memory! for +how much that is admirable in the human character—how +much sweet and virtuous humility was hid +in him, in the strict retirement of the cloister. The +writings of that humble monk outlive the fame of +many a proud ecclesiastic or haughty baron of his +day; and well they might, for how homely does his +pen record the simple annals of that far distant age. +Much have the old monks been blamed for their +bad Latin and their humble style; but far from +upbraiding, I would admire them for it; for is not +the inelegance of diction which their unpretending +chronicles display, sufficiently compensated by their +charming simplicity. As for myself, I have sometimes +read them by the blaze of my cheerful hearth, +or among the ruins of some old monastic abbey,<a name="FNanchor_250_250" id="FNanchor_250_250"></a><a href="#Footnote_250_250" class="fnanchor">[250]</a> +till in imagination I beheld the events which they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a>[<a href="./images/162.png">162</a>]</span> +attempt to record, and could almost hear the voice +of the "<i>goode olde monke</i>" as he relates the deeds +of some holy man—in language so natural and +idiomatic are they written.</p> + +<p>But as we were saying, Bede made ample use of +Benedict's library; and the many Latin and Greek +books, which he refers to in the course of his writings, +were doubtless derived from that source.<a name="FNanchor_251_251" id="FNanchor_251_251"></a><a href="#Footnote_251_251" class="fnanchor">[251]</a> +Ceolfrid, the successor of Benedict, "a man of great +zeal, of acute wisdom, and bold in action," was a +great lover of books, and under his care the libraries +of Wearmouth and Jarrow became nearly doubled +in extent; of the nature of these additions we are +unable to judge, but probably they were not contemptible.<a name="FNanchor_252_252" id="FNanchor_252_252"></a><a href="#Footnote_252_252" class="fnanchor">[252]</a></p> + +<p>Wilfrid, bishop of Northumbria, was a dear and +intimate friend of Biscop's, and was the companion +of one of his pilgrimages to Rome. In his early +youth he gave visible signs of a heart full of religion +and piety, and he sought by a steady perusal of the +Holy Scriptures, in the little monastery of Lindesfarne, +to garnish his mind with that divine lore +with which he shone so brightly in the Saxon +church. It was at the court of Ercenbyrht, king<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>[<a href="./images/163.png">163</a>]</span> +of Kent, that he met with Benedict Biscop; and +the sympathy which their mutual learning engendered +gave rise to a warm and devoted friendship +between them. Both inspired with an ardent desire +to visit the apostolic see, they set out together for +Rome;<a name="FNanchor_253_253" id="FNanchor_253_253"></a><a href="#Footnote_253_253" class="fnanchor">[253]</a> and it was probably by the illustrious +example of his fellow student and companion, that +Wilfrid imbibed that book-loving passion which he +afterwards displayed on more than one occasion. +On his return from Rome, Alfred of Northumbria +bestowed upon him the monastery of Rhypum<a name="FNanchor_254_254" id="FNanchor_254_254"></a><a href="#Footnote_254_254" class="fnanchor">[254]</a> in +the year 661, and endowed it with certain lands. +Peter of Blois records, in his life of Wilfrid, that +this "man of God" gave the monastery a copy of +the gospels, a library, and many books of the Old +and New Testament, with certain tablets made with +marvellous ingenuity, and ornamented with gold +and precious stones.<a name="FNanchor_255_255" id="FNanchor_255_255"></a><a href="#Footnote_255_255" class="fnanchor">[255]</a> Wilfrid did not long remain +in the monastery of Ripon, but advanced to higher +honors, and took a more active part in the ecclesiastical +affairs of the time.<a name="FNanchor_256_256" id="FNanchor_256_256"></a><a href="#Footnote_256_256" class="fnanchor">[256]</a> But I am not about to +pursue his history, or to attempt to show how his +hot and imperious temper, or the pride and avarice +of his disposition, wrought many grievous animosities +in the Saxon church; or how by his prelatical +ambition he deservedly lost the friendship of his +King and his ecclesiastical honors.<a name="FNanchor_257_257" id="FNanchor_257_257"></a><a href="#Footnote_257_257" class="fnanchor">[257]</a></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a>[<a href="./images/164.png">164</a>]</span></p><p>About this time, and contemporary with Bede, +we must not omit one who appears as a bright star +in the early Christian church. Boniface,<a name="FNanchor_258_258" id="FNanchor_258_258"></a><a href="#Footnote_258_258" class="fnanchor">[258]</a> the +Saxon missionary, was remarked by his parents to +manifest at an early age signs of that talent which +in after years achieved so much, and advanced so +materially the interests of piety and the cause of +civilization. When scarcely four years old his +infant mind seemed prone to study, which growing +upon him as he increased in years, his parent +placed him in the monastery of Exeter. His stay +there was not of long duration, for he shortly after +removed to a monastery in Hampshire under the +care of Wybert. In seclusion and quietude he +there studied with indefatigable ardor, and fortified +his mind with that pious enthusiasm and profound +erudition, which enabled him in a far distant country +to render such service to the church. He was made +a teacher, and when arrived at the necessary age he +was ordained priest. In the year 710, a dispute +having occurred among the western church of the +Saxons, he was appointed to undertake a mission +to the archbishop of Canterbury on the subject. +Pleased perhaps with the variety and bustle of +travel, and inspired with a holy ambition, he determined +to attempt the conversion of the German<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>[<a href="./images/165.png">165</a>]</span> +people, who, although somewhat acquainted with +the gospel truths, had nevertheless deviated materially +from the true faith, and returned again to +their idolatry and paganism. Heedless of the +danger of the expedition, but looking forward only +to the consummation of his fond design, he started +on his missionary enterprise, accompanied by one +or two of his monkish brethren.</p> + +<p>He arrived at Friesland in the year 716, and +proceeded onwards to Utrecht; but disappointments +and failures awaited him. The revolt of the +Frieslanders and the persecution then raging there +against the Christians, dissipated his hopes of usefulness; +and with a heavy heart, no doubt, Boniface +retraced his steps, and re-embarked for his English +home. Yet hope had not deserted him—his philanthropic +resolutions were only delayed for a time; +for no sooner had the dark clouds of persecution +passed away than his adventurous spirit burst +forth afresh, and shone with additional lustre and +higher aspirations. After an interval of two years +we find him again starting on another Christian +mission. On reaching France he proceeded immediately +to Rome, and procured admission to the +Pope, who, ever anxious for the promulgation of +the faith and for the spiritual dominion of the +Roman church, highly approved of the designs of +Boniface, and gave him letters authorizing his +mission among the Thuringians; invested with +these powers and with the pontifical blessing, he +took his departure from the holy city, well stored +with the necessary ornaments and utensils for the +performance of the ecclesiastical rites, besides a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a>[<a href="./images/166.png">166</a>]</span> +number of books to instruct the heathens and to +solace his mind amidst the cares and anxieties of his +travels. After some few years the fruits of his +labor became manifest, and in 723 he had baptized +vast multitudes in the true faith. His success was +perhaps unparalleled in the early annals of the +church, and remind us of the more recent wonders +wrought by the Jesuit missionaries in India.<a name="FNanchor_259_259" id="FNanchor_259_259"></a><a href="#Footnote_259_259" class="fnanchor">[259]</a> +Elated with these happy results, far greater than +even his sanguine mind had anticipated, he sent a +messenger to the Pope to acquaint his holiness of +these vast acquisitions to his flock, and soon after +he went himself to Rome to receive the congratulations +and thanks of the Pontiff; he was then made +bishop, and entrusted with the ecclesiastical direction +of the new church. After his return, he spent +many years in making fresh converts and maintaining +the discipline of the faithful. But all these +labors and these anxieties were terminated by a +cruel and unnatural death; on one of his expeditions +he was attacked by a body of pagans, who slew him +and nearly the whole of his companions, but it is not +here that a Christian must look for his reward—he +must rest his hopes on the benevolence and mercy +of his God in a distant and far better world. He +who would wish to trace more fully these events, +and so catch a glimpse of the various incidents<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a>[<a href="./images/167.png">167</a>]</span> +which touch upon the current of his life, must not +keep the monk constantly before his mind, he must +sometimes forget him in that capacity and regard +him as a <i>student</i>, and that too in the highest +acceptation of the term. His youthful studies, +which I have said before were pursued with unconquerable +energy, embraced grammar, poetry, rhetoric, +history, and the exposition of the Holy +Scriptures; the Bible, indeed, he read unceasingly, +and drew from it much of the vital truth with which +it is inspired; but he perhaps too much tainted it +with traditional interpretation and patristical logic. +A student's life is always interesting; like a rippling +stream, its unobtrusive gentle course is ever pleasing +to watch, and the book-worms seems to find in +it the counterpart of his own existence. Who can +read the life and letters of the eloquent Cicero, or +the benevolent Pliny, without the deepest interest; +or mark their anxious solicitude after books, without +sincere delight. Those elegant epistles reflect the +image of their private studies, and so to behold +Boniface in a student's garb, to behold his love of +books and passion for learning, we must alike have +recourse to his letters.</p> + +<p>The epistolary correspondence of the middle +ages is a mirror of those times, far more faithful as +regards their social condition than the old chronicles +and histories designed for posterity; written +in the reciprocity of friendly civilities, they contain +the outpourings of the heart, and enable us to peep +into the secret thoughts and motives of the writer; +"for out of the fulness of the hearth the mouth +speaketh." Turning over the letters of Boniface,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>[<a href="./images/168.png">168</a>]</span> +we cannot but be forcibly struck with his great +knowledge of Scripture; his mind seems to have +been quite a concordance in itself, and we meet +with epistles almost solely framed of quotations +from the sacred books, in substantiation of some +principle, or as grounds for some argument advanced. +These are pleasurable instances, and +convey a gentle hint that the greater plenitude of +the Bible has not, in all cases, emulated us to +study it with equal energy; there are few who +would now surpass the Saxon bishop in biblical +reading.</p> + +<p>Most students have felt, at some period or +other, a thirst after knowledge without the means +of assuaging it—have felt a craving after books +when their pecuniary circumstances would not +admit of their acquisition, such will sympathize +with Boniface, the student in the wilds of Germany, +who, far from monastic libraries, sorely +laments in some of his letters this great deprivation, +and entreats his friends, sometimes in most +piteous terms, to send him books. In writing to +Daniel, Bishop of Winchester, he asks for copies, +and begs him to send the book of the six prophets, +clearly and distinctly transcribed, and in large +letters because his sight he says was growing +weak; and because the book of the prophets was +much wanted in Germany, and could not be obtained +except written so obscurely, and the letters +so confusedly joined together, as to be scarcely +readable <i>ac connexas litteras discere non possum</i>.<a name="FNanchor_260_260" id="FNanchor_260_260"></a><a href="#Footnote_260_260" class="fnanchor">[260]</a> +To "Majestro Lul" he writes for the productions<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>[<a href="./images/169.png">169</a>]</span> +of bishop Aldhelm, and other works of prose, +poetry, and rhyme, to console him in his peregrinations +<i>ad consolationem peregrinationis meæ</i>.<a name="FNanchor_261_261" id="FNanchor_261_261"></a><a href="#Footnote_261_261" class="fnanchor">[261]</a> With +Abbess Eadburge he frequently corresponded, and +received from her many choice and valuable volumes, +transcribed by her nuns and sometimes by +her own hands; at one period he writes in glowing +terms and with a grateful pen for the books thus +sent him, and at another time he sends for a copy of +the Gospels. "Execute," says he, "a glittering +lamp for our hands, and so illuminate the hearts of +the Gentiles to a study of the Gospels and to the +glory of Christ; and intercede, I pray thee, with +your pious prayers for these pagans who are committed +by the apostles to our care, that by the +mercy of the Saviour of the world they may be +delivered from their idolatrous practices, and united +to the congregation of mother church, to the honor +of the Catholic faith, and to the praise and glory +of His name, who will have all men to be saved, +and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_262_262" id="FNanchor_262_262"></a><a href="#Footnote_262_262" class="fnanchor">[262]</a></p> + +<p>All this no doubt the good abbess faithfully +fulfilled; and stimulated by his friendship and these +encouraging epistles, she set all the pens in her +monastery industriously to work, and so gratified +the Saxon missionary with those book treasures, +which his soul so ardently loved; certain it is, that +we frequently find him thanking her for books, and +with famishing eagerness craving for more; one of +his letters,<a name="FNanchor_263_263" id="FNanchor_263_263"></a><a href="#Footnote_263_263" class="fnanchor">[263]</a> full of gratitude, he accompanies with +a present of a silver graphium, or writing instru<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>[<a href="./images/170.png">170</a>]</span>ment, +and soon after we find him thus addressing +her:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"To the most beloved sister, Abbess Eadburge, and all now +joined to her house and under her spiritual care. Boniface, the +meanest servant of God, wisheth eternal health in Christ."</p></div> + +<p>"My dearest sister, may your assistance be +abundantly rewarded hereafter in the mansions of +the angels and saints above, for the kind presents +of books which you have transmitted to me. Germany +rejoices in their spiritual light and consolation, +because they have spread lustre into, the dark +hearts of the German people; for except we have +a lamp to guide our feet, we may, in the words of +the Lord, fall into the snares of death. Moreover, +through thy gifts I earnestly hope to be more +diligent, so that my country may be honored, my +sins forgiven, and myself protected from the perils +of the sea and the violence of the tempest; and +that He who dwells on high may lightly regard my +transgression, and give utterance to the words of +my mouth, that the Gospel may have free course, +and be glorified among men to the honor of +Christ."<a name="FNanchor_264_264" id="FNanchor_264_264"></a><a href="#Footnote_264_264" class="fnanchor">[264]</a></p> + +<p>Writing to Egbert, Archbishop of York, of +whose bibliomaniacal character and fine library we +have yet to speak, Boniface thanks that illustrious +collector for the choice volumes he had kindly sent +him, and further entreats Egbert to procure for +him transcripts of the smaller works <i>opusculi</i> and +other tracts of Bede, "who, I hear," he writes, +"has, by the divine grace of the Holy Spirit, been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>[<a href="./images/171.png">171</a>]</span> +permitted to spread such lustre over your country."<a name="FNanchor_265_265" id="FNanchor_265_265"></a><a href="#Footnote_265_265" class="fnanchor">[265]</a> +These, that kind and benevolent prelate sent to +him with other books, and received a letter full of +gratitude in return, but with all the boldness of a +hungry student still asking for more! especially for +Bede's Commentary on the Parables of Solomon.<a name="FNanchor_266_266" id="FNanchor_266_266"></a><a href="#Footnote_266_266" class="fnanchor">[266]</a> +He sents to Archbishop Nothelm for a copy of the +Questions of St. Augustine to Pope Gregory, with +the answers of the pope, which he says he could +not obtain from Rome; and in writing to Cuthbert, +also Archbishop of Canterbury, imploring the aid +of his earnest prayers, he does not forget to ask for +books, but hopes that he may be speedily comforted +with the works of Bede, of whose writings he was +especially fond, and was constantly sending to his +friends for transcripts of them. In a letter to +Huetberth he writes for the "most sagacious dissertations +of the monk Bede,"<a name="FNanchor_267_267" id="FNanchor_267_267"></a><a href="#Footnote_267_267" class="fnanchor">[267]</a> and to the Abbot +Dudde he sends a begging message for the Commentaries +on the Epistles of Paul to the Romans +and to the Corinthians<a name="FNanchor_268_268" id="FNanchor_268_268"></a><a href="#Footnote_268_268" class="fnanchor">[268]</a> by the same. In a letter +to Lulla, Bishop of Coena, he deplores the want of +books on the phenomena and works of nature, +which, he says, were <i>omnio incognitum</i> there, and +asks for a book on Cosmography;<a name="FNanchor_269_269" id="FNanchor_269_269"></a><a href="#Footnote_269_269" class="fnanchor">[269]</a> and on another +occasion Lulla supplied Boniface with many portions +of the Holy Scriptures, and Commentaries +upon them.<a name="FNanchor_270_270" id="FNanchor_270_270"></a><a href="#Footnote_270_270" class="fnanchor">[270]</a> Many more of his epistles might be +quoted to illustrate the Saxon missionary as an +"<i>amator librorum</i>," and to display his profound<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a>[<a href="./images/172.png">172</a>]</span> +erudition. In one of his letters we find him referring +to nearly all the celebrated authors of the +church, and so aptly, that we conclude he must +have had their works on his desk, and was deeply +read in patristical theology. Boniface has been +fiercely denounced for his strong Roman principles, +and for his firm adherence to the interests of the +pope.<a name="FNanchor_271_271" id="FNanchor_271_271"></a><a href="#Footnote_271_271" class="fnanchor">[271]</a> Of his theological errors, or his faults as a +church disciplinarian, I have nothing here to do, +but leave that delicate question to the ecclesiastical +historian, having vindicated his character from the +charge of ignorance, and displayed some pleasing +traits which he evinced as a student and book-collector. +It only remains to be mentioned, that +many of the membranous treasures, which Boniface +had so eagerly searched for and collected from all +parts, were nearly lost forever. The pagans, who +murdered Boniface and his fellow-monks, on entering +their tents, discovered little to gratify their +avarice, save a few relics and a number of books, +which, with a barbarism corresponding with their +ignorance, they threw into the river as useless; but +fortunately, some of the monks, who had escaped +from their hands, observing the transaction, recovered +them and carried them away in safety with +the remains of the martyred missionary, who was +afterwards canonized Saint Boniface.</p> + +<p>The must remarkable book collector contemporary +with Boniface, was Egbert of York, between<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>[<a href="./images/173.png">173</a>]</span> +whom, as we have seen, a bookish correspondence +was maintained. This illustrious prelate was +brother to King Egbert, of Northumbria, and +received his education under Bishop Eata, at Hexham, +about the year 686. He afterwards went on +a visit to the Apostolic See, and on his return was +made Archbishop of York.<a name="FNanchor_272_272" id="FNanchor_272_272"></a><a href="#Footnote_272_272" class="fnanchor">[272]</a> He probably collected +at Rome many of the fine volumes which +comprised his library, and which was so celebrated +in those old Saxon days; and which will be ever +renowned in the annals of ancient bibliomania. The +immortal Alcuin sang the praises of this library in +a tedious lay; and what glorious tomes of antiquity +he there enumerates! But stay, my pen should +tarry whilst I introduce that worthy bibliomaniac +to my reader, and relate some necessary anecdotes +and facts connected with his early life and times.</p> + +<p>Alcuin was born in England, and probably in +the immediate vicinity of York; he was descended +from affluent and noble parents; but history is +especially barren on this subject, and we have no +information to instruct us respecting the antiquity +of his Saxon ancestry. But if obscurity hangs +around his birth, so soon as he steps into the paths +of learning and ranks with the students of his day, +we are no longer in doubt or perplexity; but are +able from that period to his death to trace the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a>[<a href="./images/174.png">174</a>]</span> +occurrences of his life with all the ease that a +searcher of monkish history can expect. He had +the good fortune to receive his education from +Egbert, and under his care he soon became +initiated into the mysteries of grammar, rhetoric, +and jurisprudence; which were relieved by the +more fascinating study of poetry, physics, and +astronomy.<a name="FNanchor_273_273" id="FNanchor_273_273"></a><a href="#Footnote_273_273" class="fnanchor">[273]</a> So much was he esteemed by his +master the archbishop, that he entrusted him with +a mission to Rome, to receive from the hands of +the Pope his pall; on his return he called at Parma, +where he had an interview with Charles the Great; +who was so captivated with his eloquence and erudition +that he eagerly entreated him to remain, and to +aid in diffusing throughout his kingdom the spirit +of that knowledge which he had so successfully acquired +in the Saxon monasteries. But Alcuin was +equally anxious for the advancement of literature +in his own country; and being then on a mission +connected with his church, he could do no more +than hold out a promise of consulting his superiors, +to whose decisions he considered himself bound to +submit.</p> + +<p>During the dominion of Charles, the ecclesiastical +as well as the political institutions of +France, were severely agitated by heresy and war: +the two great questions of the age—the Worship +of Images and the Nature of Christ—divided and +perplexed the members of a church which had +hitherto been permitted to slumber in peace and +quietude. The most prominent of the heretics +was Felix, Bishop of Urgel, who maintained in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>[<a href="./images/175.png">175</a>]</span> +letter to Elipand, Bishop of Toledo, that Christ +was only the Son of God by adoption. It was +about the time of the convocation of the Council +of Frankfort, assembled to consider this point, that +Alcuin returned to France at the earnest solicitation +of Charlemagne. When the business of the +council was terminated, and peace was somewhat +restored, Alcuin began to think of returning to his +native country; but England at that time was a +land of bloodshed and tribulation, in the midst of +which it would be vain to hope for retirement or +the blessings of study; after some deliberation, +therefore, Alcuin resolved to remain in France, +where there was at least a wide field for exertion +and usefulness. He communicates his intention in +a letter to Offa, King of Mercia. "I was prepared," +says he, "to come to you with the presents of King +Charles, and to return to my country; but it seemed +more advisable to me for the peace of my nation to +remain abroad; not knowing what I could have +done among those persons with whom no man can +be secure or able to proceed in any laudable +pursuit. See every holy place laid desolate by +pagans, the altars polluted by perjury, the monasteries +dishonored by adultery, the earth itself +stained with the blood of rulers and of princes."<a name="FNanchor_274_274" id="FNanchor_274_274"></a><a href="#Footnote_274_274" class="fnanchor">[274]</a></p> + +<p>After the elapse of many years spent in the +brilliant court of Charles, during which time it surpassed +in literary greatness any epoch that preceded +it, he was permitted to seek retirement within the +walls of the abbey of St. Martin's at Tours. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a>[<a href="./images/176.png">176</a>]</span> +in escaping from the bustle and intrigue of public +life he did not allow his days to pass away in an +inglorious obscurity; but sought to complete his +earthly career by inspiring the rising generation +with an honorable and christian ambition. His +cloistered solitude, far from weakening, seems to +have augmented the fertility of his genius, for it +was in the quiet seclusion of this monastery that +Alcuin composed the principal portion of his +works; nor are these writings an accumulation of +monastic trash, but the fruits of many a solitary +hour spent in studious meditation. His method is +perhaps fantastic and unnatural; but his style is +lively, and often elegant. His numerous quotations +and references give weight and interest to +his writings, and clearly proves what a fine old +library was at his command, and how well he knew +the use of it. But for the elucidation of his character +as a student, or a bibliomaniac, we naturally +turn to the huge mass of his epistles which have +been preserved; and in them we find a constant +reference to books which shew his intimacy with +the classics as well as the patristical lore of the +church. In biblical literature he doubtless possessed +many a choice and venerable tome; for an +indefatigable scripture reader was that great man. +In a curious little work of his called "<i>Interrogationes +et Responsiones sui Liber Questionorum in +Genesim</i>," we find an illustration of his usefulness +in spreading the knowledge he had gained in this +department of learning. It was written expressly +for his pupil and dearest brother (<i>carissime frater</i>), +Sigulf, as we learn from a letter which accompanies<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a>[<a href="./images/177.png">177</a>]</span> +it. He tells him that he had composed it "that he +might always have near him the means of refreshing +his memory when the more ponderous volumes of +the sacred Scriptures were not at his immediate +call."<a name="FNanchor_275_275" id="FNanchor_275_275"></a><a href="#Footnote_275_275" class="fnanchor">[275]</a> Perhaps of all his works this is the least +deserving of our praise; the good old monk was +apt to be prolix, if not tedious, when he found the +<i>stylus</i> in his hand and a clean skin of parchment +spread invitingly before him. But as this work was +intended as a manual to be consulted at any time, +he was compelled to curb this propensity, and to +reduce his explications to a few concise sentences. +Writing under this restraint, we find little bearing +the stamp of originality, not because he had nothing +original to say, but because he had not space to +write it in; I think it necessary to give this explanation, +as some critics upon the learning of that +remote age select these small and ill-digested writings +as fair specimens of the literary capacity of the +time, without considering why they were written or +compiled at all. But as a scribe how shall we +sufficiently praise that great man when we take +into consideration the fine Bible which he executed +for Charlemagne, and which is now fortunately +preserved in the British Museum. It is a superb +copy of St. Jerome's Latin version, freed from the +inaccuracies of the scribes; he commenced it about +the year 778, and did not complete it till the year +800, a circumstance which indicates the great care +he bestowed upon it. When finished he sent it to +Rome by his friend and disciple, Nathaniel, who +presented it to Charlemagne on the day of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a>[<a href="./images/178.png">178</a>]</span> +coronation: it was preserved by that illustrious +monarch to the last day of his life. Alcuin makes +frequent mention of this work being in progress, +and speaks of the labor he was bestowing upon it.<a name="FNanchor_276_276" id="FNanchor_276_276"></a><a href="#Footnote_276_276" class="fnanchor">[276]</a> +We, who blame the monks for the scarcity of the +Bible among them, fail to take into consideration +the immense labor attending the transcriptions of +so great a volume; plodding and patience were +necessary to complete it. The history of this +biblical gem is fraught with interest, and well +worth relating. It is supposed to have been given +to the monastery of Prum in Lorraine by Lothaire, +the grandson of Charlemagne, who became a monk +of that monastery. In the year 1576 this religious +house was dissolved, but the monks preserved the +manuscript, and carried it into Switzerland to the +abbey of Grandis Vallis, near Basle, where it +reposed till the year 1793, when, on the occupation +of the episcopal territory of Basle by the French, +all the property of the abbey was confiscated and +sold, and the MS. under consideration came into +the possession of M. Bennot, from whom, in 1822, +it was purchased by M. Speyr Passavant, who +brought it into general notice, and offered it for +sale to the French Government at the price of +60,000 francs; this they declined, and its proprietor +struck of nearly 20,000 francs from the amount; +still the sum was deemed exorbitant, and with all +their bibliomanical enthusiasm, the conservers of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>[<a href="./images/179.png">179</a>]</span> +the Royal Library allowed the treasure to escape. +M. Passavant subsequently brought it to England, +where it was submitted to the Duke of Sussex, still +without success. He also applied to the trustees +of the British Museum, and Sir F. Madden informs +us that "much correspondence took place; at first +he asked 12,000<i>l.</i> for it; then 8,000<i>l.</i>, and at last +6,500<i>l.</i>, which he declared an <i>immense sacrifice!!</i> +At length, finding he could not part with his MS. +on terms so absurd, he resolved to sell it if possible +by auction; and accordingly, on the 27th of April, +1836, the Bible was knocked down by Mr. Evans +for the sum of 1,500<i>l.</i>, but for the proprietor himself, +as there was not one real bidding for it. This +result having brought M. Speyr Passavant in some +measure to his senses, overtures were made to him +on the part of the trustees to the British Museum, +and the manuscript finally became the property of +the nation, for the comparatively small sum of 750<i>l.</i>" +There can be no doubt as to the authenticity of +this precious volume, the verses of Alcuin's, found +in the manuscript, sufficiently prove it, for he alone +could write—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Is Carolus qui jam Scribe jussit eum."<br /></span> +<span class="i0">. . . . . . .<br /></span> +<span class="i0">"Hæc Dator Æternus cunctorum Christe bonorum,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Munera de donis accipe sancta tuis,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quæ Pater Albinus devoto pectore supplex<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Nominus ad laudem obtulit ecce tui."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Other proofs are not wanting of Alcuin's industry +as a scribe, or his enthusiasm as an <i>amator librorum</i>. +Mark the rapture with which he describes the library +of York Cathedral, collected by Egbert:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>[<a href="./images/180.png">180</a>]</span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Illic invenies veterum vestigia Patrum,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quidquid habet pro se Latio Romanus in orbe,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Græcia vel quidquid transmisit Clara Latinis.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Hebraicus vel quod populus bibet imbre superno<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Africa lucifluo vel quidquid lumine sparsit.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quod Pater Hieronymus quod sensit Hilarius, atque<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Ambrosius Præsul simul Augustinus, et ipse<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Sanctus Athanasius, quod Orosius, edit avitus:<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quidquid Gregorius summus docet, et Leo Papa;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Basilius quidquid, Fulgentius atque coruscant<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Cassiodorus item, Chrysostomus atque Johannes:<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quidquid et Athelmus docuit, quid Beda Magister,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quæ Victorinus scripsêre, Boetius; atque<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Historici veteres, Pompeius, Plinius, ipse<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Acer Aristoteles, Rhetor quoque Tullius ingens;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quidquoque Sedulius, vel quid canit ipse Invencus,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Alcuinus, et Clemens, Prosper, Paulinus, Arator.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quid Fortunatus, vel quid Lactantius edunt;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quæ Maro Virgilius, Statius, Lucanus, et auctor<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Artis Grammaticæ, vel quid scripsêre magistri;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Quid Probus atque Focas, Donatus, Priscian usve,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Sevius, Euticius, Pompeius, Commenianus,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Invenies alios perplures, lector, ibidem<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Egregios studiis, arte et sermone magistros<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Plurima qui claro scripsêre volumina sensu:<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Nomina sed quorum præsenti in carmine scribi<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Longius est visum, quam plectri postulet usus."<a name="FNanchor_277_277" id="FNanchor_277_277"></a><a href="#Footnote_277_277" class="fnanchor">[277]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Often did Alcuin think of these goodly times with +a longing heart, and wish that he could revel +among them whilst in France. How deeply would +he have regretted, how many tears would he have +shed over the sad destruction of that fine library, +had he have known it; but his bones had mingled +with the dust when the Danes dispersed those rare +gems of ancient lore. If the reader should doubt +the ardor of Alcuin as a book-lover, let him read<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>[<a href="./images/181.png">181</a>]</span> +the following letter, addressed to Charlemagne, +which none but a bibliomaniac could pen.</p> + +<p>"I, your Flaccus, according to your admonitions +and good-will, administer to some in the house of +St. Martin, the sweets of the Holy Scriptures, +<i>Sanctarum mella Scripturarum</i>: others I inebriate +with the study of ancient wisdom; and others I fill +with the fruits of grammatical lore. Many I seek +to instruct in the order of the stars which illuminate +the glorious vault of heaven; so that they may be +made ornaments to the holy church of God and the +court of your imperial majesty; that the goodness +of God and your kindness may not be altogether +unproductive of good. But in doing this I discover +the want of much, especially those exquisite books +of scholastic learning, which I possessed in my own +country, through the industry of my good and most +devout master (Egbert). I therefore intreat your +Excellence to permit me to send into Britain some +of our youths to procure those books which we so +much desire, and thus transplant into France the +flowers of Britain, that they may fructify and perfume, +not only the garden at York, but also the +Paradise of Tours; and that we may say, in the +words of the song, '<i>Let my beloved come into his +garden and eat his pleasant fruit</i>;' and to the +young, '<i>Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink, abundantly, +O beloved</i>;' or exhort, in the words of the +prophet Isaiah, '<i>every one that thirsteth to come to +the waters, and ye that hath no money, come ye, buy +and eat: yea, come, buy wine and milk without +money and without price</i>.'</p> + +<p>"Your Majesty is not ignorant how earnestly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>[<a href="./images/182.png">182</a>]</span> +we are exhorted throughout the Holy Scriptures +to search after wisdom; nothing so tends to the +attainment of a happy life; nothing more delightful +or more powerful in resisting vice; nothing +more honorable to an exalted dignity; and, according +to philosophy, nothing more needful to +a just government of a people. Thus Solomon +exclaims, '<i>Wisdom is better than rubies, and all +the things that may be desired are not to be compared +to it</i>.' It exalteth the humble with sublime honors. +'<i>By wisdom kings reign and princes decree justice: +by me princes rule; and nobles, even all the judges +of the earth. Blessed are they that keep my ways, +and blessed is the man that heareth me.</i>' Continue, +then, my Lord King, to exhort the young in the +palaces of your highness to earnest pursuit in +acquiring wisdom; that they may be honored in +their old age, and ultimately enter into a blessed +immortality. I shall truly, according to my ability, +continue to sow in those parts the seeds of wisdom +among your servants; remembering the command, +'<i>In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening +withhold not thine hand.</i>' In my youth I sowed +the seeds of learning in the prosperous seminaries +of Britain; and now, in my old age, I am doing so +in France without ceasing, praying that the grace +of God may bless them in both countries."<a name="FNanchor_278_278" id="FNanchor_278_278"></a><a href="#Footnote_278_278" class="fnanchor">[278]</a></p> + +<p>Such was the enthusiasm, such the spirit of +bibliomania, which actuated the monks of those +<i>bookless</i> days; and which was fostered with such +zealous care by Alcuin, in the cloisters of St. Martin<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>[<a href="./images/183.png">183</a>]</span> +of Tours. He appropriated one of the apartments +of the monastery for the transcription of books, and +called it the <i>museum</i>, in which constantly were employed +a numerous body of industrious scribes: he +presided over them himself, and continually exhorted +them to diligence and care; to guard against the +inadvertencies of unskilful copyists, he wrote a +small work on orthography. We cannot estimate +the merits of this essay, for only a portion of it has +been preserved; but in the fragment printed among +his works, we can see much that might have been +useful to the scribes, and can believe that it must +have tended materially to preserve the purity of +ancient texts. It consists of a catalogue of words +closely resembling each other, and consequently +requiring the utmost care in transcribing.<a name="FNanchor_279_279" id="FNanchor_279_279"></a><a href="#Footnote_279_279" class="fnanchor">[279]</a></p> + +<p>In these pleasing labors Alcuin was assisted by +many of the most learned men of the time, and +especially by Arno, Archbishop of Salzburgh, in +writing to whom Alcuin exclaims, "O that I could +suddenly translate my <i>Abacus</i>, and with my own +hands quickly embrace your fraternity with that +warmth which cannot be compressed in books. +Nevertheless, because I cannot conveniently come, +I send more frequently my unpolished letters (<i>rusticitatis +meæ litteras</i>) to thee, that they may speak +for me instead of the words of my mouth." This +Arno, to whom he thus affectionately writes, was +no despicable scholar; he was a true lover of literature, +and proved himself something of an <i>amator</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>[<a href="./images/184.png">184</a>]</span> +<i>librorum</i>, by causing to be transcribed or bought +for his use, 150 volumes,<a name="FNanchor_280_280" id="FNanchor_280_280"></a><a href="#Footnote_280_280" class="fnanchor">[280]</a> but about this period +the bookloving mania spread far and wide—the +Emperor himself was touched with the enthusiasm; +for, besides his choice private collections,<a name="FNanchor_281_281" id="FNanchor_281_281"></a><a href="#Footnote_281_281" class="fnanchor">[281]</a> he +collected together the ponderous writings of the +holy fathers, amounting to upwards of 200 volumes, +bound in a most sumptuous manner, and commanded +them to be deposited in a public temple +and arranged in proper order, so that those who +could not purchase such treasures might be enabled +to feast on the lore of the ancients. Thus did +bibliomania flourish in the days of old.</p> + +<p>But I must not be tempted to remain longer in +France, though the names of many choice old book +collectors would entice me to do so. When I left +England, to follow the steps of Alcuin, I was +speaking of York, which puts me in mind of the +monastery of Whitby,<a name="FNanchor_282_282" id="FNanchor_282_282"></a><a href="#Footnote_282_282" class="fnanchor">[282]</a> in the same shire, on the +banks of the river Eske. It was founded by Hilda, +the virgin daughter of Hereric, nephew to King +Edwin, about the year 680, who was its first abbess. +Having put her monastery in regular order, Hilda +set an illustrious example of piety and virtue, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a>[<a href="./images/185.png">185</a>]</span> +particularly directed all under her care to a constant +reading of the holy Scriptures. After a long life +of usefulness and zeal she died deeply lamented by +the Saxon Church,<a name="FNanchor_283_283" id="FNanchor_283_283"></a><a href="#Footnote_283_283" class="fnanchor">[283]</a> an event which many powerful +miracles commemorated.</p> + +<p>In the old times of the Saxons the monastery of +Whitby was renowned for its learning; and many +of the celebrated ecclesiastics of the day received +their instruction within its walls. The most interesting +literary anecdote connected with the good +lady Hilda's abbacy, is the kind reception she gave +to the Saxon poet Cædmon, whose paraphrase of +the Book of Genesis has rendered his name immortal. +He was wont to make "pious and religious +verses, so that whatever was interpreted to him out +of Scripture, he soon after put the same into poetical +expression of much sweetness and humility in English, +which was his native language. By his verses +the minds of many were often excited to despise +the world and to aspire to heaven. Others after +him attempted in the English nation to compose +religious poems, but none could ever compare with +him, <i>for he did not learn the art of poetry from +man but from God</i>."<a name="FNanchor_284_284" id="FNanchor_284_284"></a><a href="#Footnote_284_284" class="fnanchor">[284]</a> He was indeed, as the +venerable Bede says, a poet of nature's own teaching: +originally a rustic herdsman, the sublime gift +was bestowed upon him by inspiration, or as it is recorded, +in a dream. As he slept an unknown being +appeared, and commanded him to sing. Cædmon +hesitated to make the attempt, but the apparition +retorted, "Nevertheless, thou shalt sing—sing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a>[<a href="./images/186.png">186</a>]</span> +the origin of things." Astonished and perplexed, +our poet found himself instantaneously in possession +of the pleasing art; and, when he awoke, his +vision and the words of his song were so impressed +upon his memory, that he easily repeated them to +his wondering companions.<a name="FNanchor_285_285" id="FNanchor_285_285"></a><a href="#Footnote_285_285" class="fnanchor">[285]</a> He hastened at day-break +to relate these marvels and to display his +new found talents to the monks of Whitby, by +whom he was joyfully received, and as they unfolded +the divine mysteries, "The good man," says +Bede, "listened like a clean animal ruminating; and +his song and his verse were so winsome to hear, +that his teachers wrote them down, and learned +from his mouth."<a name="FNanchor_286_286" id="FNanchor_286_286"></a><a href="#Footnote_286_286" class="fnanchor">[286]</a></p> + +<p>Some contend that an ancient manuscript in the +British Museum is the original of this celebrated +paraphrase.<a name="FNanchor_287_287" id="FNanchor_287_287"></a><a href="#Footnote_287_287" class="fnanchor">[287]</a> It is just one of those choice relics +which a bibliomaniac loves to handle, but scarcely +perhaps bears evidence of antiquity so remote. It +is described in the catalogue as, "The substance of +the Book of Genesis, with the Acts of Moses and +Joshua, with brief notes and annotations, part in +Latin and part in Saxon by Bede and others." +The notes, if by Bede, would tend to favor the +opinion that it is the original manuscript, or, at +any rate, coeval with the Saxon bard. The volume,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a>[<a href="./images/187.png">187</a>]</span> +as a specimen of calligraphic art, reflects honor +upon the age, and is right worthy of Lady Hilda's +monastery. There are 312<a name="FNanchor_288_288" id="FNanchor_288_288"></a><a href="#Footnote_288_288" class="fnanchor">[288]</a> fine velum pages in +this venerable and precious volume, nearly every +one of which dazzles with the talent of the skilful +illuminator. The initial letters are formed, with +singular taste and ingenuity, of birds, beasts, and +flowers. To give an idea of the nature of these pictorial +embellishments—which display more splendor +of coloring than accuracy of design—I may describe +the singular illumination adorning the sixth page, +which represents the birth of Eve. Adam is asleep, +reclining on the grass, which is depicted as so many +inverted cones; and, if we may judge from the +appearance of our venerable forefather, he could +not have enjoyed a very comfortable repose on that +memorable occasion, and the grass which grew in +the Garden of Paradise must have been of a very +stubborn nature when compared with the earth's +verdure of the present day; for the weight of +Adam alters not the position of the tender herb, +which supports his huge body on their extreme +summits. As he is lying on the left side Eve is +ascending from a circular aperture in his right; nor +would the original, if she bore any resemblance to +her monkish portraiture, excite the envy or the +admiration of the present age, or bear comparison +with her fair posterity. Her physiognomy is anything +but fascinating, and her figure is a repulsive +monstrosity, <i>adorned</i> with a profusion of luxurious +hair of a brilliant blue!</p> + +<p>It is foreign to our subject to enter into any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a>[<a href="./images/188.png">188</a>]</span> +analysis of the literary beauties of this poem; let +it suffice that Cædmon, the old Saxon herdsman, +has been compared to our immortal Milton; and +their names have been coupled together when +speaking of a poet's genius.<a name="FNanchor_289_289" id="FNanchor_289_289"></a><a href="#Footnote_289_289" class="fnanchor">[289]</a> But on other grounds +Cædmon claims a full measure of our praise. Not +only was he the "Father of Saxon poetry," but to +him also belongs the inestimable honor of being +the first who attempted to render into the vulgar +tongue the beauties and mysteries of the Holy +Scriptures; he unsealed what had hitherto been a +sealed book; his paraphrase is the first translation +of the holy writ on record. So let it not be forgotten +that to this Milton of old our Saxon ancestors +were indebted for this invaluable treasure. We are +unable to trace distinctly the formation of the +monastic library of Whitby. But of the time of +Richard, elected abbot in the year 1148, a good +monk, and formerly prior of Peterborough, we +have a catalogue of their books preserved. I would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a>[<a href="./images/189.png">189</a>]</span> +refer the reader to that curious list,<a name="FNanchor_290_290" id="FNanchor_290_290"></a><a href="#Footnote_290_290" class="fnanchor">[290]</a> and ask him +if it does not manifest by its contents the existence +of a more refined taste in the cloisters than he gave +the old monks credit for. It is true, the legends of +saints abound in it; but then look at the choice +tomes of a classic age, whose names grace that +humble catalogue, and remember that the studies +of the Whitby monks were divided between the +miraculous lives of holy men, and the more pleasing +pages of the "Pagan Homer," the eloquence of +Tully, and the wit of Juvenal, of whose subject +they seemed to have been fond; for they read also +the satires of Persius. I extract the names of some +of the authors contained in this monkish library:</p> + +<ul><li>Ambrose.</li> +<li>Hugo.</li> +<li>Theodolus.</li> +<li>Aratores.</li> +<li>Bernard.</li> +<li>Avianus.</li> +<li>Gratian.</li> +<li>Odo.</li> +<li>Gilda.</li> +<li>Maximianus.</li> +<li>Eusebius.</li> +<li>Plato.</li> +<li>Homer.</li> +<li>Cicero.</li> +<li>Juvenal.</li> +<li>Persius.</li> +<li>Statius.</li> +<li>Sedulus.</li> +<li>Prosper.</li> +<li>Prudentius.</li> +<li>Boethius.</li> +<li>Donatus.</li> +<li>Rabanus Maurus.</li> +<li>Origen.</li> +<li>Priscian.</li> +<li>Gregory Nazianzen.</li> +<li>Josephus.</li> +<li>Bede.</li> +<li>Gildas.</li> +<li>Isidore.</li> +<li>Ruffinus.</li> +<li>Guido on Music.</li> +<li>Diadema Monachorum.</li> +</ul> + +<p>Come, the monks evidently read something +besides their <i>Credo</i>, and transcribed something better +than "monastic trash." A little taste for literature +and learning we must allow they enjoyed, +when they formed their library of such volumes as +the above. I candidly admit, that when I commenced +these researches I had no expectations of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a>[<a href="./images/190.png">190</a>]</span> +finding a collection of a hundred volumes, embracing +so many choice works of old Greece and +Rome. It is pleasant, however, to trace these +workings of bibliomania in the monasteries; and +it is a surprise quite agreeable and delicious in +itself to meet with instances like the present.</p> + +<p>At a latter period the monastery of Rievall, in +Yorkshire, possessed an excellent library of 200 +volumes. This we know by a catalogue of them, +compiled by one of the monks about the middle of +the fourteenth century, and now preserved in the +library of Jesus College, Cambridge.<a name="FNanchor_291_291" id="FNanchor_291_291"></a><a href="#Footnote_291_291" class="fnanchor">[291]</a> A transcript +of this manuscript was made by Mr. Halliwell, and +published in his "Reliqua Antiqua,"<a name="FNanchor_292_292" id="FNanchor_292_292"></a><a href="#Footnote_292_292" class="fnanchor">[292]</a> from which +it may be seen that the Rievall monastery contained +at that time many choice and valuable works. The +numerous writings of Sts. Augustine, Bernard, Anselm, +Cyprian, Origin, Haimo, Gregory, Ambrose, +Isidore, Chrysostom, Bede, Aldhelm, Gregory Nazienzen, +Ailred, Josephus, Rabanus Maurus, Peter +Lombard, Orosius, Boethius, Justin, Seneca, with +histories of the church of Britain, of Jerusalem, of +King Henry, and many others equally interesting +and costly, prove how industriously they used their +pens, and how much they appreciated literature and +learning. But in the fourteenth century the inhabitants +of the monasteries were very industrious +in transcribing books at a period coeval with the +compilation of the Rievall catalogue, a monk of +Coventry church was plying his pen with unceasing +energy; John de Bruges wrote with his own hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>[<a href="./images/191.png">191</a>]</span> +thirty-two volumes for the library of the benedictine +priory of St. Mary.</p> + +<p>The reader will see that there is little among +them worthy of much observation. The MS. +begins, "These are the books which John of +Bruges, monk of Coventry, wrote for the Coventry +church. Any who shall take them away from the +church without the consent of the convent, let him +be anathema."<a name="FNanchor_293_293" id="FNanchor_293_293"></a><a href="#Footnote_293_293" class="fnanchor">[293]</a></p> + +<ul><li>In primis, ymnarium in grossa littera.</li> +<li>Halmo upon Isaiah.</li> +<li>A Missal for the Infirmary.</li> +<li>A Missal.</li> +<li>Duo missalia domini Prioris Rogeris, scilicet collectas cum secretis et postcommunione.</li> +<li>A Benedictional for the use of the same prior.</li> +<li>Another Benedictional for the use of the convent.</li> +<li>Librum cartarum.</li> +<li>Martyrologium, Rule of St. Benedict and Pastoral, in one volume.</li> +<li>Liber cartarum.</li> +<li>A Graduale, with a Tropario, and a Processional.</li> +<li>Psaltar for Prior Roger.</li> +<li>Palladium de Agricultura.</li> +<li>Librum experimentorum, in quo ligatur compotus Helprici.</li> +<li>A book containing Compotus manualis et Merlin, etc.</li> +<li>An Ordinal for the Choir.</li> +<li>Tables for the Martyrology.</li> +<li>Kalendarium mortuorum.</li> +<li>Ditto.</li> +<li>Table of Responses.</li> +<li>Capitular.</li> +<li>Capitular for Prior Roger.</li> +<li>A Reading Book.</li> +<li>A book of Decretals.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a>[<a href="./images/192.png">192</a>]</span></li> +<li>Psalter for the monks in the infirmary.</li> +<li>Generationes Veteris et Novi Testamenti; ante scholasticam hystoriam et ante Psalterium domini Anselmi.</li> +<li>Pater noster.</li> +<li>An Ordinal.</li> +<li>Tables for Peter Lombard's Sentences.</li> +<li>Tables for the Psalter.</li> +<li>Book of the Statutes of the Church.</li> +<li>Verses on the praise of the blessed Mary.</li> +</ul> + +<p>The priory of St. Mary's was founded by +Leofricke, the celebrated Earl of Mercia and his +good Lady Godiva, in the year 1042. "Hollingshead +says that this Earl Leofricke was a man of +great honor, wise, and discreet in all his doings. +His high wisdome and policie stood the realme in +great steed whilst he lived.... He had a noble ladie +to his wife named Gudwina, at whose earnest sute +he made the citie of Couentrie free of all manner +of toll except horsses, and to haue that toll laid +downe also, his foresaid wife rode naked through +the middest of the towne without other couerture, +saue onlie her haire. Moreouer partlie moued by +his owne deuotion and partlie by the persuasion of +his wife, he builded or beneficiallie augmented and +repared manie abbeies and churches as the saide +abbie or priorie at Couentrie—the abbeies of +Wenlocke, Worcester, Stone, Evesham, and Leot, +besides Hereford."</p> + +<p>The church of Worcester, which the good Earl +had thus "beneficiallie augmented," the Saxon King +Offa had endowed with princely munificence before +him. In the year 780, during the time of Abbot +Tilhere, or Gilhere, Offa gave to the church +Croppethorne, Netherton, Elmlege Cuddeshe,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a>[<a href="./images/193.png">193</a>]</span> +Cherton, and other lands, besides a "large Bible +with two clasps, made of the purest gold."<a name="FNanchor_294_294" id="FNanchor_294_294"></a><a href="#Footnote_294_294" class="fnanchor">[294]</a> In the +tenth century the library of Exeter Church was +sufficiently extensive to require the preserving care +of an amanuensis; for according to Dr. Thomas, +Bishop Oswald granted in the year 985 three hides +of land at Bredicot, one yardland at Ginenofra, and +seven acres of meadow at Tiberton, to Godinge a +monk, on condition of his fulfilling the duties of a +librarian to the see, and transcribing the registers +and writings of the church. It is said that the +scribe Godinge wrote many choice books for the +library.<a name="FNanchor_295_295" id="FNanchor_295_295"></a><a href="#Footnote_295_295" class="fnanchor">[295]</a> I do not find any remarkable book +donation, save now and then a volume or two, in +the annals of Worcester Church; nor have I been +able to discover any old parchment catalogue to +tell of the number or rarity of their books; for +although probably most monasteries had one +compiled, being enjoined to do so by the regulations +of their order, they have long ago been destroyed; +for when we know that fine old manuscripts +were used by the bookbinders after the +Reformation, we can easily imagine how little value +would be placed on a mere catalogue of names.</p> + +<p>But to return again to Godiva, that illustrious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a>[<a href="./images/194.png">194</a>]</span> +lady gave the monks, after the death of her lord, +many landed possessions, and bestowed upon them +the blessings of a library.<a name="FNanchor_296_296" id="FNanchor_296_296"></a><a href="#Footnote_296_296" class="fnanchor">[296]</a></p> + +<p>Thomas Cobham, who was consecrated Bishop +of Worcester in the year 1317, was a great +"<i>amator librorum</i>," and spent much time and +money in collecting books. He was the first who +projected the establishment of a public library at +Oxford, which he designed to form over the old +Congregation House in the churchyard of St. +Mary's, but dying soon after in the year 1327, the +project was forgotten till about forty years after, +when I suppose the example of the great bibliomaniac +Richard de Bury drew attention to the +matter; for his book treasures were then "deposited +there, and the scholars permitted to consult them +on certain conditions."<a name="FNanchor_297_297" id="FNanchor_297_297"></a><a href="#Footnote_297_297" class="fnanchor">[297]</a></p> + +<p>Bishop Carpenter built a library for the use of +the monastery of Exeter Church, in the year 1461, +over the charnal house; and endowed it with £10 +per annum as a salary for an amanuensis.<a name="FNanchor_298_298" id="FNanchor_298_298"></a><a href="#Footnote_298_298" class="fnanchor">[298]</a> But +the books deposited there were grievously destroyed +during the civil wars; for on the twenty-fourth of +September, 1642, when the army under the Earl of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a>[<a href="./images/195.png">195</a>]</span> +Essex came to Worcester, they set about "destroying +the organ, breaking in pieces divers beautiful +windows, wherein the foundation of the church +was lively historified with painted glass;" they also +"rifled the library, with the records and evidences +of the church, tore in pieces the Bibles and service +books pertaining to the quire."<a name="FNanchor_299_299" id="FNanchor_299_299"></a><a href="#Footnote_299_299" class="fnanchor">[299]</a> Sad desecration of +ancient literature! But the reader of history will +sigh over many such examples.</p> + +<p>The registers of Evesham Monastery, near +Worcester, speak of several monkish bibliophiles, +and the bookish anecdotes relating to them are +sufficiently interesting to demand some attention +here. Ailward, who was abbot in the year 1014, +gave the convent many relics and ornaments, and +what was still better a quantity of books.<a name="FNanchor_300_300" id="FNanchor_300_300"></a><a href="#Footnote_300_300" class="fnanchor">[300]</a> He was +afterwards promoted to the see of London, over +which he presided many years; but age and infirmity +growing upon him, he was anxious again to +retire to Evesham, but the monks from some cause +or other were unwilling to receive him back; at +this he took offence, and seeking in the monastery +of Ramsey the quietude denied him there, he demanded +back all the books he had given them.<a name="FNanchor_301_301" id="FNanchor_301_301"></a><a href="#Footnote_301_301" class="fnanchor">[301]</a> +His successor Mannius was celebrated for his skill +in the fine arts, and was an exquisite worker in +metals, besides an ingenious scribe and illuminator.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>[<a href="./images/196.png">196</a>]</span> +He wrote and illuminated with his own hand, for +the use of his monastery, a missal and a large +Psalter.<a name="FNanchor_302_302" id="FNanchor_302_302"></a><a href="#Footnote_302_302" class="fnanchor">[302]</a></p> + +<p>Walter, who was abbot in the year 1077, gave +also many books to the library,<a name="FNanchor_303_303" id="FNanchor_303_303"></a><a href="#Footnote_303_303" class="fnanchor">[303]</a> and among the +catalogue of sumptuous treasures with which Reginald, +a succeeding abbot, enriched the convent, a +great textus or gospels, with a multitude of other +books, <i>multa alia libros</i>, are particularly specified.<a name="FNanchor_304_304" id="FNanchor_304_304"></a><a href="#Footnote_304_304" class="fnanchor">[304]</a> +Almost equally liberal were the choice gifts bestowed +upon the monks by Adam (elected <span class="smcap">a. d.</span> +1161); but we find but little in our way among +them, except a fine copy of the "Old and New +Testament with a gloss." No mean gift I ween in +those old days; but one which amply compensated +for the deficiency of the donation in point of numbers. +But all these were greatly surpassed by a +monk whom it will be my duty now to introduce; +and to an account of whose life and bibliomanical +propensities, I shall devote a page or two. Like +many who spread a lustre around the little sphere +of their own, and did honor, humbly and quietly to +the sanctuary of the church in those Gothic days, +he is unknown to many; and might, perhaps, have +been entirely forgotten, had not time kindly spared +a document which testifies to his piety and book-collecting +industry. The reader will probably recollect +many who, by their shining piety and spotless +life, maintained the purity of the Christian faith in +a church surrounded by danger and ignorance, and +many a bright name, renowned for their virtue or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a>[<a href="./images/197.png">197</a>]</span> +their glory of arms, who flourished during the early +part of the thirteenth century; but few have heard +of a good and humble monk named Thomas of +Marleberg. Had circumstances designed him for a +higher sphere, had affairs of state, or weighty duties +of an ecclesiastical import, been guided by his hand, +his name would have been recorded with all the +flourish of monkish adulation; but the learning and +the prudence of that lowly monk was confined to +the little world of Evesham; and when his earthly +manes were buried beneath the cloisters within the +old convent walls, his name and good deeds were +forgotten by the world, save in the hearts of his +fraternity.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But past is all his fame. The very spot<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Where many a time he triumph'd, is forgot."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In a manuscript in the Cotton Library there is +a document called "The good deeds of Prior +Thomas," from which the following facts have +been extracted.<a name="FNanchor_305_305" id="FNanchor_305_305"></a><a href="#Footnote_305_305" class="fnanchor">[305]</a></p> + +<p>From this interesting memorial of his labors, +we learn that Thomas had acquired some repute +among the monks for his great knowledge of civil +and canon law; so that when any difficulty arose +respecting the claims or privileges of the monastery, +or when any important matter was to be transacted, +his advice was sought and received with deference +and respect. Thus three years after his admission +the bishop of Worcester intimated his intention of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a>[<a href="./images/198.png">198</a>]</span> +paying the monastery a visitation; a practice which +the bishops of that see had not enforced since the +days of abbot Alurie. The abbot and convent +however considered themselves free from the jurisdiction +of the bishop; and acting on the advice of +Thomas of Marleberg, they successfully repulsed +him. The affair was quite an event, and seems to +have caused much sensation among them at the +time; and is mentioned to show with what esteem +Thomas was regarded by his monkish brethren. +After a long enumeration of "good works" and +important benefactions, such as rebuilding the tower +and repairing the convent, we are told that "In the +second year of Randulp's abbacy, Thomas, then +dean, went with him to Rome to a general council, +where, by his prudence and advice, a new arrangement +in the business of the convent rents was confirmed, +and many other useful matters settled." +Here I am tempted to refer to the <i>arrangements</i>, +for they offer pleasing illustrations of the monk as +an "<i>amator librorum</i>." Mark how his thoughts +dwelt—even when surrounded by those high dignitaries +of the church, and in the midst of that important +council—on the library and the scriptorium +of his monastery.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>To the Prior belongs the tythes of Beningar the +both great and small, to defray the expenses of +procuring parchment, and to procure manuscripts +for transcription.</i>"</p></div> + +<p>And in another clause it is settled that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"<i>To the Office of the Precentor belongs the Manner +of Hampton, from which he will receive five</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a>[<a href="./images/199.png">199</a>]</span> +<i>shillings annually, besides ten and eightpence +from the tythes of Stokes and Alcester, with +which he is to find all the ink and parchment +for the Scribes of the Monastery, colours for +illuminating, and all that is necessary for binding +the books</i>."<a name="FNanchor_306_306" id="FNanchor_306_306"></a><a href="#Footnote_306_306" class="fnanchor">[306]</a></p></div> + +<p>Pleasing traits are these of his bookloving passion; +and doubtless under his guidance the convent +library grew and flourished amazingly. But let us +return to the account of his "good works."</p> + +<p>"Returning from Rome after two years he was +elected sacrist. He then made a reading-desk +behind the choir,<a name="FNanchor_307_307" id="FNanchor_307_307"></a><a href="#Footnote_307_307" class="fnanchor">[307]</a> which was much wanted in the +church, and appointed stated readings to be held +near the tomb of Saint Wilsius.... Leaving his +office thus rich in good works, he was then elected +prior. In this office he buried his predecessor, +Prior John, in a new mausoleum; and also John, +surnamed Dionysius; of the latter of whom Prior +Thomas was accustomed to say, 'that he had never +known any man who so perfectly performed every +kind of penance as he did for more than thirty +years, in fasting and in prayer; in tears and in +watchings; in cold and in corporeal inflictions; in +coarseness and roughness of clothing, and in denying +himself bodily comforts, far more than any other of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200"></a>[<a href="./images/200.png">200</a>]</span> +the brethren; all of which he rather dedicated in +good purposes and to the support of the poor."</p> + +<p>Thus did many an old monk live, practising all +this with punctilious care as the essence of a holy +life, and resting upon the fallacy that these cruel +mortifyings of the flesh would greatly facilitate the +acquisition of everlasting ease and joy in a better +world; as if God knew not, better than themselves, +what chastisements and afflictions were needful for +them. We may sigh with pain over such instances +of mistaken piety and fanatical zeal in all ages of +the church; yet with all their privations, and with +all their macerations of the flesh, there was a vast +amount of human pride mingled with their humiliation. +But He who sees into the hearts of all—looking +in his benevolence more at the intention +than the outward form, may perhaps sometimes +find in it the workings of a true christian piety, and +so reward it with his love. Let us trust so in the +charity of our faith, and proceed to notice that portion +of the old record which is more intimately +connected with our subject. We read that</p> + +<p>"Thomas had brought with him to the convent, +on his entering, many books, of both canon and +civil law; as well as the books by which he had +regulated the schools of Oxford and Exeter before +he became a monk. He likewise had one book of +Democritus; and the book of Antiparalenion, a +gradual book, according to Constantine; Isidore's +Divine Offices, and the Quadrimum of Isidore; +Tully's de Amicitia; Tully de Senectute et de +Paradoxis; Lucan, Juvenal, and many other authors, +<i>et multos alios auctores</i>, with a great number of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201"></a>[<a href="./images/201.png">201</a>]</span> +sermons, with many writings on theological questions; +on the art and rules of grammar and the +book of accents. After he was prior he made a +great breviary, better than any at that time in the +monastery, with Haimo, on the Apocalypse, and a +book containing the lives of the patrons of the +church of Evesham; with an account of the deeds +of all the good and bad monks belonging to the +church, in one volume. He also wrote and bound +up the same lives and acts in another volume +separately. He made also a great Psalter, <i>magnum +psalterium</i>, superior to any contained in the monastery, +except the glossed ones. He collected and +wrote all the necessary materials for four antiphoners, +with their musical notes, himself; except +what the brothers of the monastery transcribed for +him. He also finished many books that William +of Lith, of pious memory, commenced—the Marterologium, +the Exceptio Missæ, and some excellent +commentaries on the Psalter and Communion +of the Saints in the old antiphoners. He also +bought the four Gospels, with glosses, and Isaiah +and Ezekiel, also glossed;<a name="FNanchor_308_308" id="FNanchor_308_308"></a><a href="#Footnote_308_308" class="fnanchor">[308]</a> the Pistillæ upon Matthew; +some Allegories on the Old Testament; the +Lamentations of Jeremiah, with a gloss; the Exposition +of the Mass, according to Pope Innocent; +and the great book of Alexander Necham, which is +called <i>Corrogationes Promethea de partibus veteris +testamenti et novæ</i>.... He also caused to be transcribed +in large letters the book concerning the +offices of the abbey, from the Purification of St.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202"></a>[<a href="./images/202.png">202</a>]</span> +Mary to the Feast of Easter; the prelections respecting +Easter; Pentecost, and the blessings at the +baptismal fonts. He also caused a volume, containing +the same works, to be transcribed, but in a +smaller hand; all of which the convent had not +before. He made also the tablet for the locutory +in the chapel of St. Anne, towards the west. After +the altar of St. Mary in the crypts had been despoiled +by thieves of its books and ornaments, to +the value of ten pounds, he contributed to their +restoration."</p> + +<p>Thomas was equally liberal in other matters. +His whole time and wealth were spent in rebuilding +and repairing the monastery and adding to its +comforts and splendor. He had a great veneration +for antiquity, and was especially anxious to restore +those parts which were dilapidated by time; +the old inscriptions on the monuments and altars +he carefully re-inscribed. It is recorded that he renewed +the inscription on the great altar himself, +without the aid of a book, <i>sine libro</i>; which was +deemed a mark of profound learning in my lord +abbot by his monkish surbordinates.</p> + +<p>With this I conclude my remarks on Thomas +of Marleberg, leaving these extracts to speak for +him. It is pleasing to find that virtue so great, +and industry so useful met with its just reward; and +that the monks of Evesham proved how much they +appreciated such talents, by electing him their abbot, +in 1229, which, for seven years he held with +becoming piety and wisdom.</p> + +<p>The annals of the monastery<a name="FNanchor_309_309" id="FNanchor_309_309"></a><a href="#Footnote_309_309" class="fnanchor">[309]</a> testify that "In<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203"></a>[<a href="./images/203.png">203</a>]</span> +the year of our Lord one thousand three hundred +and ninety-two, and the fifteenth of the reign of +King Richard the Second, on the tenth calends of +May, died the venerable Prior Nicholas Hereford, +of pious memory, who, as prior of the church of +Evesham, lived a devout and religious life for +forty years." He held that office under three succeeding +abbots, and filled it with great honor and +industry. He was a dear lover of books, and spent +vast sums in collecting together his private library, +amounting to more than 100 volumes; some of +these he wrote with his own hand, but most of +them he bought <i>emit</i>. A list of these books is +given in the Harleian Register, and many of the +volumes are described as containing a number of +tracts, bound up in one, <i>cum aliis tractatibus in +eodem volumine</i>. Some of these display the industry +of his pen, and silently tell us of his Christian +piety. Among those remarkable for their bulk, it +is pleasurable to observe a copy of the Holy Scriptures, +which was doubtless a comfort to the venerable +prior in the last days of his green old age; +and which probably guided him in the even tenor +of that <i>devout and religious life</i>, for which he was +so esteemed by the monks of Evesham. He possessed +also some works of Bernard Augustin, and +Boethius, whose Consolation of Philosophy few +book-collectors of the middle ages were without. +To many of the books the prices he gave for them, +or at which they were then valued, are affixed: a +"<i>Summa Prædicantium</i>" is valued at eight marks, +and a "<i>Burley super Politices</i>" at seven marks. We +may suspect monk Nicholas of being rather a curi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204"></a>[<a href="./images/204.png">204</a>]</span>ous +collector in his way, for we find in his library +some interesting volumes of popular literature. +He probably found much pleasure in perusing his +copy of the marvelous tale of "Beufys of Hampton," +and the romantic "Mort d'Arthur," both +sufficiently interesting to relieve the monotonous +vigils of the monastery. But I must not dwell +longer on the monastic bibliophiles of Evesham, +other libraries and bookworms call for some notice +from my pen.</p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-17.jpg" alt="Footer" title="Footer" /></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_245_245" id="Footnote_245_245"></a><a href="#FNanchor_245_245"><span class="label">[245]</span></a> "Rediens autem, ubi Viennam pervenit, eruptitios sibi quos +apud amicos commendaverat, recepit." p. 26. <i>Vit. Abbat. Wear. +12mo. edit. Ware.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_246_246" id="Footnote_246_246"></a><a href="#FNanchor_246_246"><span class="label">[246]</span></a> The youngest son of Oswy, or Oswis, king of Northumbria, +who succeeded his father in the year 670, Alfred his elder brother +being for a time set aside on the grounds of his illegitimacy; yet +Alfred was a far more enlightened and talented prince than Ecgfrid, +and much praised in Saxon annals for his love of learning.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_247_247" id="Footnote_247_247"></a><a href="#FNanchor_247_247"><span class="label">[247]</span></a> "Magnâ quidem copiâ voluminum sacrorum; sed non minori +sicut et prius sanctorum imaginum numere detatus." <i>Vit. Abb.</i> +p. 38.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_248_248" id="Footnote_248_248"></a><a href="#FNanchor_248_248"><span class="label">[248]</span></a> "Bibliothecam, quam de Roma nobillissimam copiosessimanque +advenaret ad instructionem ecclesiæ necessariam sollicite servari integram, +nec per incuriam fœdari aut passim dissipari præcepit."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_249_249" id="Footnote_249_249"></a><a href="#FNanchor_249_249"><span class="label">[249]</span></a> Bede says that he was "learned in Holy Scriptures." Dr. Henry +mentions this anecdote in his <i>Hist. of England</i>, vol. ii. p. 287, 8vo. +ed. which has led many secondary compilers into a curious blunder, +by mistaking the king here alluded to for Alfred the Great: even +Didbin, in his Bibliomania, falls into the same error although he +suspected some mistake; he calls him <i>our immortal Alfrid</i>, p. 219, +and seems puzzled to account for the anachronism, but does not take +the trouble to enquire into the matter; Heylin's little Help to History +would have set him right, and shown that while Alfrede king of +Northumberland reigned in 680, Alfred king of England lived more +than two centuries afterwards, pp. 25 and 29.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_250_250" id="Footnote_250_250"></a><a href="#FNanchor_250_250"><span class="label">[250]</span></a> The reader may perhaps smile at this, but it has long been my +custom to carry some 8vo. edition of a monkish writer about me, when +time or opportunity allowed me to spend a few hours among the ruins +of the olden time. I recall with pleasure the recollection of many +such rambles, and especially my last—a visit to Netley Abbey. What +a sweet spot for contemplation; surrounded by all that is lovely in +nature, it drives our old prejudices away, and touches the heart with +piety and awe. Often have I explored its ruins and ascended its +crumbling parapets, admiring the taste of those Cistercian monks in +choosing so quiet, romantic, and choice a spot, and one so well suited +to lead man's thoughts to sacred things above.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_251_251" id="Footnote_251_251"></a><a href="#FNanchor_251_251"><span class="label">[251]</span></a> Bede, <i>Vit. Abb. Wear.</i> p. 46.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_252_252" id="Footnote_252_252"></a><a href="#FNanchor_252_252"><span class="label">[252]</span></a> The fine libraries thus assiduously collected were destroyed by +the Danes; that of Jarrow in the year 793, and that of Wearmouth +in 867.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_253_253" id="Footnote_253_253"></a><a href="#FNanchor_253_253"><span class="label">[253]</span></a> Emer, Vita. ap. Mab. Act. SS. tom. iii. 199.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_254_254" id="Footnote_254_254"></a><a href="#FNanchor_254_254"><span class="label">[254]</span></a> Bede's Eccles. Hist. b. iii. c. xxv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_255_255" id="Footnote_255_255"></a><a href="#FNanchor_255_255"><span class="label">[255]</span></a> "Idemque vir Dei quatuor Evangelica et Bibliothecam pluresque +libros Novi et Veteris Testamenti cum tabulis tectis auro purissimo +et pretiosis gemmis mirabili artificio fabricatis ad honorem Dei." +Dugdale's Monast. vol. ii. p. 133.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_256_256" id="Footnote_256_256"></a><a href="#FNanchor_256_256"><span class="label">[256]</span></a> In 665 he was raised to the episcopacy of all Northumbria.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_257_257" id="Footnote_257_257"></a><a href="#FNanchor_257_257"><span class="label">[257]</span></a> He was deprived of his bishopric in the year 678, and the see +was divided into those of York and Hexham. But for the particulars +of his conduct see <i>Soame's Anglo. Sax. Church</i>, p. 63, with <i>Dr. Lingard's +Ang. Sax. Church</i>, vol. i. p. 245; though without accusing +either of misrepresentation, I would advise the reader to search (if he +has the opportunity), the original authorities for himself, it is a delicate +matter for a Roman or an English churchman to handle with +impartiality.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_258_258" id="Footnote_258_258"></a><a href="#FNanchor_258_258"><span class="label">[258]</span></a> His Saxon name was Winfrid, or Wynfrith, but he is generally +called Boniface, Archbishop of Mentz.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_259_259" id="Footnote_259_259"></a><a href="#FNanchor_259_259"><span class="label">[259]</span></a> The mere act of baptizing constitutes "<i>conversion</i>" in Jesuitical +phraseology; and thousands were so converted in a few days by the +followers of Ignatius. A similar process was used in working out the +miracles of the Saxon missionary. He was rather too conciliating +and too anxious for a "converting miracle," to be over particular; +but it was all for the good of the church papal, to whom he was a +devoted servant; the church papal therefore could not see the fault.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_260_260" id="Footnote_260_260"></a><a href="#FNanchor_260_260"><span class="label">[260]</span></a> Ep. iii. p. 7, Ed. 4to.—<i>Moguntiæ</i>, 1629.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_261_261" id="Footnote_261_261"></a><a href="#FNanchor_261_261"><span class="label">[261]</span></a> Ep. iv. p. 8.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_262_262" id="Footnote_262_262"></a><a href="#FNanchor_262_262"><span class="label">[262]</span></a> Ep. xiii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_263_263" id="Footnote_263_263"></a><a href="#FNanchor_263_263"><span class="label">[263]</span></a> Ep. vii. p. 11.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_264_264" id="Footnote_264_264"></a><a href="#FNanchor_264_264"><span class="label">[264]</span></a> Ep. xiv. See also Ep. xxviii. p. 40.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_265_265" id="Footnote_265_265"></a><a href="#FNanchor_265_265"><span class="label">[265]</span></a> Ep. viii. p. 12.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_266_266" id="Footnote_266_266"></a><a href="#FNanchor_266_266"><span class="label">[266]</span></a> Ep. lxxxv. p. 119.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_267_267" id="Footnote_267_267"></a><a href="#FNanchor_267_267"><span class="label">[267]</span></a> Ep. ix. p. 13.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_268_268" id="Footnote_268_268"></a><a href="#FNanchor_268_268"><span class="label">[268]</span></a> Ep. xxii. p. 36.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_269_269" id="Footnote_269_269"></a><a href="#FNanchor_269_269"><span class="label">[269]</span></a> Ep. xcix. p. 135.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_270_270" id="Footnote_270_270"></a><a href="#FNanchor_270_270"><span class="label">[270]</span></a> Ep. cxi. p. 153.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_271_271" id="Footnote_271_271"></a><a href="#FNanchor_271_271"><span class="label">[271]</span></a> The accusation is not a groundless one. Foxe, in his <i>Acts +and Monuments</i>, warmly upbraids him; and Aikins in his <i>Biog. +Dict.</i>, has acted in a similar manner. But the best guides are his +letters—they display his faults and his virtues too.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_272_272" id="Footnote_272_272"></a><a href="#FNanchor_272_272"><span class="label">[272]</span></a> This was in the year 731. <i>Goodwin</i> says he "sate 36 years, +and died an. 767." He says, "This man by his owne wisedome, and +the authority of his brother, amended greatly the state of his church +and see. He procured the archiepiscopall pall to be restored to his +churche againe, and erected a famous library at York, which he +stored plentifully with an infinite number of excellent bookes." +p. 441.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_273_273" id="Footnote_273_273"></a><a href="#FNanchor_273_273"><span class="label">[273]</span></a> De Pontificibus et Sanctis Ecclesiæ Eboracensis.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_274_274" id="Footnote_274_274"></a><a href="#FNanchor_274_274"><span class="label">[274]</span></a> Alcuini Oper., tom. i. vol. 1, p. 57, translated in Sharpe's +William of Malmsbury, p. 73.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_275_275" id="Footnote_275_275"></a><a href="#FNanchor_275_275"><span class="label">[275]</span></a> Opera, tom. i. p. 305.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_276_276" id="Footnote_276_276"></a><a href="#FNanchor_276_276"><span class="label">[276]</span></a> In a letter to Gisla, sister to the emperor, he writes "Totius +forsitan evangelii Johannis expositionem direxissem vobis, si me non +occupasset Domini Regis præceptum in emendatione Veteri Novique +Testamenti."—<i>Opera</i>, tom. i. vol. 7, p. 591.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_277_277" id="Footnote_277_277"></a><a href="#FNanchor_277_277"><span class="label">[277]</span></a> Alcuini, ap. Gale, tom. iii. p. 730.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_278_278" id="Footnote_278_278"></a><a href="#FNanchor_278_278"><span class="label">[278]</span></a> Alcuini, Oper. tom. i. p. 52. Ep. xxxviii. It was written +about 796.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_279_279" id="Footnote_279_279"></a><a href="#FNanchor_279_279"><span class="label">[279]</span></a> He was also very careful in instructing the scribes to punctuate +with accuracy, which he deemed of great importance. See Ep. lxxxv. +p. 126.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_280_280" id="Footnote_280_280"></a><a href="#FNanchor_280_280"><span class="label">[280]</span></a> Necrolog. MS. Capituli, Metropolitani Salisburgensis, <i>apud</i> +Froben, tom. i. p. lxxxi.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_281_281" id="Footnote_281_281"></a><a href="#FNanchor_281_281"><span class="label">[281]</span></a> Charlemagne founded several libraries;—see <i>Koeler, Dissert. +de Biblio. Caroli Mog.</i> published in 1727. Eginhart mentions his +private collection, and it is thus spoken of in the emperor's will; +"Similiter et de libris, quorum magna in bibliotheca sua copiam +congregavit: statuit ut ab iis qui eos habere uellet, justo pretio redimeretur, +pretin in pauperes erogaretur." Echin. Vita Caroli, p. 366, +edit. 24mo. 1562. Yet we cannot but regret the dispersion of this +imperial library.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_282_282" id="Footnote_282_282"></a><a href="#FNanchor_282_282"><span class="label">[282]</span></a> Formerly called <i>Streaneshalch</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_283_283" id="Footnote_283_283"></a><a href="#FNanchor_283_283"><span class="label">[283]</span></a> At the age of 66, <i>Bede</i>, b. iv. cxxiii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_284_284" id="Footnote_284_284"></a><a href="#FNanchor_284_284"><span class="label">[284]</span></a> Bede, b. iv. c. xxiv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_285_285" id="Footnote_285_285"></a><a href="#FNanchor_285_285"><span class="label">[285]</span></a> John de Trevisa says, "Cædmon of Whitaby was inspired of +the Holy Gost, and made wonder poisyes an Englisch, meiz of al the +Storyes of Holy Writ." <i>MS. Harleian</i>, 1900, fol. 43, a.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_286_286" id="Footnote_286_286"></a><a href="#FNanchor_286_286"><span class="label">[286]</span></a> Ibid.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_287_287" id="Footnote_287_287"></a><a href="#FNanchor_287_287"><span class="label">[287]</span></a> Cottonian Collection marked <i>Claudius</i>, B. iv. There is another +MS. in the Bodleian (<i>Junius</i> XI.) It was printed by Junius in 1655, +in 4to. Sturt has engraved some of the illuminations in his <i>Saxon +Antiquities</i>, and they were also copied and published by J. Greene, +F. A. S., in 1754, in fifteen plates.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_288_288" id="Footnote_288_288"></a><a href="#FNanchor_288_288"><span class="label">[288]</span></a> It is unfortunately imperfect at the end, and wants folio 32.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_289_289" id="Footnote_289_289"></a><a href="#FNanchor_289_289"><span class="label">[289]</span></a> Take the following as an instance of the similarity of thought +between the two poets. Sharon Turner thus renders a portion of +Satan's speech from the Saxon of Cædmon: +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Yet why should I sue for his grace?<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Or bend to him with any obedience?<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">I may be a God as he is.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Stand by me strong companions."<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><i>Hist. Anglo Sax.</i> vol. ii. p. 314.</span></div></div> +<p>The idea is with Milton:</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">. . . . . . . . To bow to one for grace<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With suppliant knee, and deify his power,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Who from the terror of this arm so late<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Doubted his empire; that were low indeed!<br /></span> +<span class="i0">That were an ignominy, and shame beneath<br /></span> +<span class="i0">This downfall!<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><i>Paradise Lost</i>, b. i.</span></div></div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_290_290" id="Footnote_290_290"></a><a href="#FNanchor_290_290"><span class="label">[290]</span></a> He will find it in Charlton's History of Whitby, 4to. 1779, +p. 113.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_291_291" id="Footnote_291_291"></a><a href="#FNanchor_291_291"><span class="label">[291]</span></a> Marked MS. N. B. 17.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_292_292" id="Footnote_292_292"></a><a href="#FNanchor_292_292"><span class="label">[292]</span></a> Wright and Halliwell's Rel. Antiq. vol. ii. p. 180.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_293_293" id="Footnote_293_293"></a><a href="#FNanchor_293_293"><span class="label">[293]</span></a> It is printed in Hearne's History of Glastonbury, from a MS. +in the Bodleian Library, Ed. <i>Oxon</i>, 1722, <i>Appendix</i> x. p. 291.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_294_294" id="Footnote_294_294"></a><a href="#FNanchor_294_294"><span class="label">[294]</span></a> Bibliothecam optimam cum duobus armillis ex auro purissimo +fabricatis.—<i>Heming. Chart</i>, p. 95.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_295_295" id="Footnote_295_295"></a><a href="#FNanchor_295_295"><span class="label">[295]</span></a> Thomas's Survey, of Worcester Church, 4to. 1736, p. 46. +The Scriptorium of the monastery was situated in the cloisters, and +a Bible in Bennet College, Cambridge, was written therein by a +scribe named Senatus, as we learn from a note printed in Nasmith's +Catalogue, which proves it to have been written during the reign of +Henry II. It is a folio MS. on vellum, and a fine specimen of the +talent of the expert scribe.—See <i>Nasmith's Catalogus Libr. MSS.</i>, +4to. <i>Camb.</i> 1777, p. 31.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_296_296" id="Footnote_296_296"></a><a href="#FNanchor_296_296"><span class="label">[296]</span></a> Since writing the above, which I gave on the authority of +Green (<i>Hist. of Worc.</i> vol. i. p. 79), backed with the older one of +Thomas (<i>Survey Ch. Worc.</i> p. 70), I have had the opportunity of +consulting the reference given by them (<i>Heming, Chart.</i> p. 262), +and was somewhat surprised to find the words "<i>Et bibliothecam, in +duobus partibus divisam</i>," the foundation of this pleasing anecdote. +"<i>Bibliothecam</i>," however, was the Latin for a Bible in the middle +ages: so that in fact the Lady Godiva gave them a Bible divided +into two parts, or volumes.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_297_297" id="Footnote_297_297"></a><a href="#FNanchor_297_297"><span class="label">[297]</span></a> Chalmer's Hist. of the Colleges of Oxford, p. 458. Wood's +Hist. Antiq. of Oxon, lib. ii. p. 48.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_298_298" id="Footnote_298_298"></a><a href="#FNanchor_298_298"><span class="label">[298]</span></a> Green's Hist. Worc. p. 79.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_299_299" id="Footnote_299_299"></a><a href="#FNanchor_299_299"><span class="label">[299]</span></a> Sir W. Dugdale's View of the Troubles in England, <i>Folio</i>, +p. 557. We can easily credit the destruction of the organ and +painted windows, so obnoxious to Puritan piety; but with regard to +the <i>Bibles</i>, we may suspect the accuracy of the Royalist writer, +col. 182.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_300_300" id="Footnote_300_300"></a><a href="#FNanchor_300_300"><span class="label">[300]</span></a> Symeon Dunelm. Tweyed. Script. x.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_301_301" id="Footnote_301_301"></a><a href="#FNanchor_301_301"><span class="label">[301]</span></a> Habingdon, MSS. Godwin de Præf, p. 231.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_302_302" id="Footnote_302_302"></a><a href="#FNanchor_302_302"><span class="label">[302]</span></a> Tindal's Hist. of Evesham, p. 248.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_303_303" id="Footnote_303_303"></a><a href="#FNanchor_303_303"><span class="label">[303]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i> p. 250.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_304_304" id="Footnote_304_304"></a><a href="#FNanchor_304_304"><span class="label">[304]</span></a> MS. Harl., No. 3763, p. 180.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_305_305" id="Footnote_305_305"></a><a href="#FNanchor_305_305"><span class="label">[305]</span></a> MS. Cot. Vesp. b. xxiv. It is printed in Latin in <i>Nash's +Worcestershire</i>, vol. i. p. 419, and translated in <i>Tindal's Hist. of +Worcs.</i> p. 24, all of which I have used with <i>Dugdale's Monast.</i> vol. +ii. p. 5.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_306_306" id="Footnote_306_306"></a><a href="#FNanchor_306_306"><span class="label">[306]</span></a> <i>MS. Cottonian Augustus II.</i> No. 11. "Ex his debet invenire +præcentor incaustum omnibus scriptoribus monasterii; et Pergamenum +ad brevia, et colores ad illuminandum, et necessaria ad legandum +libros." See <i>Dugdale's Monast.</i> vol. ii. p. 24.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_307_307" id="Footnote_307_307"></a><a href="#FNanchor_307_307"><span class="label">[307]</span></a> After the elapse of so many years, the research of the antiquarian +has brought this desk to light; an account of it will be +found in the Archeologia, vol. xvii. p. 278.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_308_308" id="Footnote_308_308"></a><a href="#FNanchor_308_308"><span class="label">[308]</span></a> "Emit etiam quator evangelia glosata, et Yaiam et Ezechielem +glossatos."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_309_309" id="Footnote_309_309"></a><a href="#FNanchor_309_309"><span class="label">[309]</span></a> Harleian MSS., No. 3763.</p></div> +</div> + +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205"></a>[<a href="./images/205.png">205</a>]</span></p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-18.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Old Glastonbury Abbey.—Its Library.—John of +Taunton.—Richard Whiting.—Malmsbury.—Bookish +Monks of Gloucester Abbey.—Leofric of +Exeter and his private library.—Peter of Blois. +Extracts from his letters.—Proved to have been a +great classical student, etc., etc.</i></p></div> + +<hr /> + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-11.jpg" alt="T" title="T" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">he</span> fame of Glastonbury Abbey +will attract the steps of the +western traveller; and if he possess +the spirit of an antiquary, his +eye will long dwell on those mutilated +fragments of monkish architecture. +The bibliophile will +regard it with still greater love; for, in its day, +it was one of the most eminent repositories +of those treasures which it is his province to +collect. For more than ten hundred years that +old fabric has stood there, exciting in days of +remote antiquity the veneration of our pious +forefathers, and in modern times the admiration +of the curious. Pilgrim! tread lightly on that +hallowed ground! sacred to the memory of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206"></a>[<a href="./images/206.png">206</a>]</span> +most learned and illustrious of our Saxon ancestry. +The bones of princes and studious monks closely +mingle with the ruins which time has caused, and +bigotry helped to desecrate. Monkish tradition +claims, as the founder of Glastonbury Abbey, St. +Joseph of Arimathea, who, sixty-three years after +the incarnation of our Lord, came to spread the +truths of the Gospel over the island of Britain. +Let this be how it may, we leave it for more certain +data.</p></div> + +<p>After, says a learned antiquary, its having been +built by St. Davis, Archbishop of Menevia, and +then again restored by "twelve well affected men +in the north;" it was entirely pulled down by Ina, +king of the West Saxons, who "new builded the +abbey of Glastonburie<a name="FNanchor_310_310" id="FNanchor_310_310"></a><a href="#Footnote_310_310" class="fnanchor">[310]</a> in a fenny place out of the +way, to the end the monks mought so much the +more give their mindes to heavenly thinges, and +chiefely use the contemplation meete for men of +such profession. This was the fourth building of +that monasterie."<a name="FNanchor_311_311" id="FNanchor_311_311"></a><a href="#Footnote_311_311" class="fnanchor">[311]</a> The king completed his good +work by erecting a beautiful chapel, garnished with +numerous ornaments and utensils of gold and +silver; and among other costly treasures, William +of Malmsbury tells us that twenty pounds and +sixty marks of gold was used in making a coopertoria +for a book of the Gospels.<a name="FNanchor_312_312" id="FNanchor_312_312"></a><a href="#Footnote_312_312" class="fnanchor">[312]</a></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a>[<a href="./images/207.png">207</a>]</span></p><p>Would that I had it in my power to write the +literary history of Glastonbury Abbey; to know +what the monks of old there transcribed would be +to acquire the history of learning in those times; +for there was little worth reading in the literature +of the day that was not copied by those industrious +scribes. But if our materials will not enable +us to do this, we may catch a glimpse of their well +stored shelves through the kindness and care of +William Britone the Librarian, who compiled a +work of the highest interest to the biographer. It +is no less than a catalogue of the books contained +in the common library of the abbey in the year +one thousand two hundred and forty-eight. Four +hundred choice volumes comprise this fine collection;<a name="FNanchor_313_313" id="FNanchor_313_313"></a><a href="#Footnote_313_313" class="fnanchor">[313]</a> +and will not the reader be surprised to find +among them a selection of the classics, with the +chronicles, poetry, and romantic productions of +the middle ages, besides an abundant store of the +theological writings of the primitive Church. But +I have not transcribed a large proportion of this +list, as the extracts given from other monastic catalogues +may serve to convey an idea of their nature; +but I cannot allow one circumstance connected +with this old document to pass without remark. I +would draw the reader's attention to the fine bibles +which commence the list, and which prove that the +monks of Glastonbury Abbey were fond and devoted +students of the Bible. It begins with—</p> + + +<ul><li>Bibliotheca una in duobus voluminibus.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208"></a>[<a href="./images/208.png">208</a>]</span></li> +<li>Alia Bibliotheca integra vetusta, set legibilis.</li> +<li>Bibliotheca integræ minoris litteræ.</li> +<li>Dimidia pars Bibliothecæ incipiens à Psalterio, vetusta.</li> +<li>Bibliotheca magna versificata.</li> +<li>Alia versificata in duobus voluminibus.</li> +<li>Bibliotheca tres versificata.<a name="FNanchor_314_314" id="FNanchor_314_314"></a><a href="#Footnote_314_314" class="fnanchor">[314]</a></li> +</ul> + +<p>But besides these, the library contained numerous +detached books and many copies of the Gospels, +an ample collection of the fathers, and the controversal +writings of the middle ages; and among +many others, the following classics—</p> + + +<ul><li>Aristotle.</li> +<li>Livy.</li> +<li>Orosius.</li> +<li>Sallust.</li> +<li>Donatus.</li> +<li>Sedulus.</li> +<li>Virgil's Æneid.</li> +<li>Virgil's Georgics.</li> +<li>Virgil's Bucolics.</li> +<li>Æsop.</li> +<li>Tully.</li> +<li>Boethius.</li> +<li>Plato.</li> +<li>Isagoge of Porphyry.</li> +<li>Prudentius.</li> +<li>Fortuanus.</li> +<li>Persius.</li> +<li>Pompeius.</li> +<li>Isidore.</li> +<li>Smaragdius.</li> +<li>Marcianus.</li> +<li>Horace.</li> +<li>Priscian.</li> +<li>Prosper.</li> +<li>Aratores.</li> +<li>Claudian.</li> +<li>Juvenal.</li> +<li>Cornutus.</li> +</ul> + +<p>I must not omit to mention that John de Taunton, +a monk and an enthusiastic <i>amator librorum</i>, +and who was elected abbot in the year 1271, +collected forty choice volumes, and gave them to +the library, <i>dedit librario</i>, of the abbey; no mean +gift, I ween, in the thirteenth century. They +included—</p> + + +<ul><li>Questions on the Old and New Law.</li> +<li>St. Augustine upon Genesis.</li> +<li>Ecclesiastical Dogmas.</li> +<li>St. Bernard's Enchiridion.</li> +<li>St. Bernard's Flowers.</li> +<li>Books of Wisdom, with a Gloss.</li> +<li>Postil's upon Jeremiah and the lesser Prophets.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209"></a>[<a href="./images/209.png">209</a>]</span></li> +<li>Concordances to the Bible.</li> +<li>Postil's of Albertus upon Matthew, and the Lamentations of Jeremiah and others, in one volume.</li> +<li>Postil's upon Mark.</li> +<li>Postil's upon John, with a Discourse on the Epistles throughout the year.</li> +<li>Brother Thomas Old and New Gloss.</li> +<li>Morabilius on the Gospels and Epistles.</li> +<li>St. Augustine on the Trinity.</li> +<li>Epistles of Paul glossed.</li> +<li>St. Augustine's City of God.</li> +<li>Kylwardesby upon the Letter of the Sentences.</li> +<li>Questions concerning Crimes.</li> +<li>Perfection of the Spiritual Life.</li> +<li>Brother Thomas' Sum of Divinity, in four volumes.</li> +<li>Decrees and Decretals.</li> +<li>A Book of Perspective.</li> +<li>Distinctions of Maurice.</li> +<li>Books of Natural History, in two volumes.</li> +<li>Book on the Properties of Things.<a name="FNanchor_315_315" id="FNanchor_315_315"></a><a href="#Footnote_315_315" class="fnanchor">[315]</a></li> +</ul> + +<p>Subsequent to this, in the time of one book-loving +abbot, an addition of forty-nine volumes was +made to the collection by his munificence and the +diligence of his scribes; and time has allowed the +modern bibliophile to gaze on a catalogue of these +treasures. I wish the monkish annalist had recorded +the life of this early bibliomaniac, but +unfortunately we know little of him. But they +were no mean nor paltry volumes that he transcribed. +It is with pleasure I see the catalogue +commenced by a copy of the Holy Scriptures; and +the many commentaries upon them by the fathers +of the church enumerated after it, prove my Lord +Abbot to have been a diligent student of the Bible. +Nor did he seek God alone in his written word;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210"></a>[<a href="./images/210.png">210</a>]</span> +but wisely understood that his Creator spoke to +him also by visible works; and probably loved to +observe the great wisdom and design of his God in +the animated world; for a Pliny's Natural History +stands conspicuous on the list, as the reader will +perceive.</p> + + +<ul><li><span class="smcap">The Bible</span>.</li> +<li>Pliny's Natural History.</li> +<li>Cassiodorus upon the Psalms.</li> +<li>Three great Missals.</li> +<li>Two Reading Books.</li> +<li>A Breviary for the Infirmary.</li> +<li>Jerome upon Jeremiah and Isaiah.</li> +<li>Origen upon the Old Testament.</li> +<li>Origen's Homilies.</li> +<li>Origen upon the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans.</li> +<li>Jerome upon the Epistles to the Galatians, to Ephesians, to Titus, and to Philemon.</li> +<li>Lives of the Fathers.</li> +<li>Collations of the Fathers.</li> +<li>Breviary for the Hospital.</li> +<li>An Antiphon.</li> +<li>Pars una Moralium.</li> +<li>Cyprian's Works.</li> +<li>Register.</li> +<li>Liber dictus Paradisus.</li> +<li>Jerome against Jovinian.</li> +<li>Ambrose against Novatian.</li> +<li>Seven Volumes of the Passions of the Saints for the circle of the whole year.</li> +<li>Lives of the Cæsars.</li> +<li>Acts of the Britons.</li> +<li>Acts of the English.</li> +<li>Acts of the Franks.</li> +<li>Pascasius.</li> +<li>Radbert on the Body and Blood of the Lord.</li> +<li>Book of the Abbot of Clarevalle <i>de Amando Deo</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211"></a>[<a href="./images/211.png">211</a>]</span></li> +<li>Hugo de S. Victore de duodecim gradibus Humilitatis et de Oratione.</li> +<li>Physiomania Lapedarum et Liber Petri Alsinii in uno volumine.</li> +<li>Rhetoric, two volumes.</li> +<li>Quintilian <i>de Causes</i>, in one volume.</li> +<li>Augustine upon the Lord's Prayer and upon the Psalm <i>Miserero mei Deus</i>.</li> +<li>A Benedictional.</li> +<li>Decreta Cainotensis Episcopi.</li> +<li>Jerome upon the Twelve Prophets, and upon the Lamentations of Jeremiah.</li> +<li>Augustine upon the Trinity.</li> +<li>Augustine upon Genesis.</li> +<li>Isidore's Etymology.</li> +<li>Paterius.</li> +<li>Augustine on the Words of our Lord.</li> +<li>Hugo on the Sacraments.</li> +<li>Cassinus on the Incarnation of our Lord.</li> +<li>Anselm's <i>Cui Deus Homo</i>.<a name="FNanchor_316_316" id="FNanchor_316_316"></a><a href="#Footnote_316_316" class="fnanchor">[316]</a></li> +</ul> + +<p>The reader, I think, will allow that the catalogue +enumerates but little unsuitable for a christian's +study; he may not admire the principles contained +in some of them, or the superstition with which +many of them are loaded; but after all there were +but few volumes among them from which a Bible +reading monk might not have gleaned something +good and profitable. These books were transcribed +about the end of the thirteenth century, after the +catalogue of the monastic library mentioned above +was compiled.</p> + +<p>Walter Taunton, elected in the year 1322, gave +to the library several volumes; and his successor, +Adam Sodbury,<a name="FNanchor_317_317" id="FNanchor_317_317"></a><a href="#Footnote_317_317" class="fnanchor">[317]</a> elected in the same year, increased<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212"></a>[<a href="./images/212.png">212</a>]</span> +it with a copy of the whole Bible,<a name="FNanchor_318_318" id="FNanchor_318_318"></a><a href="#Footnote_318_318" class="fnanchor">[318]</a> a Scholastic +history, Lives of Saints, a work on the Properties +of Things, two costly Psalters, and a most beautifully +bound Benedictional.</p> + +<p>But doubtless many a bookworm nameless in +the page of history, dwelled within those walls +apart from worldly solicitude and strife; relieving +what would otherwise have been an insupportable +monotony, with sweet converse, with books, or the +avocations of a scribe.</p> + +<p>Well, years rolled on, and this fair sanctuary +remained in all its beauty, encouraging the trembling +christian, and fostering with a mother's care the +literature and learning of the time. Thus it stood +till that period, so dark and unpropitious for +monkish ascendency, when Protestant fury ran wild, +and destruction thundered upon the heads of those +poor old monks! A sad and cruel revenge for +enlightened minds to wreck on mistaken piety and +superstitious zeal. How widely was the fine library +scattered then. Even a few years after its dissolution, +when Leland spent some days exploring the +book treasures reposing there, it had been broken +up, and many of them lost; yet still it must have +been a noble library, for he tells us that it was +"scarcely equalled in all Britain;" and adds, in the +spirit of a true bibliomaniac, that he no sooner +passed the threshold than the very sight of so +many sacred remains of antiquity struck him with +awe and astonishment. The reader will naturally +wish that he had given us a list of what he found +there; but he merely enumerates a selection of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213"></a>[<a href="./images/213.png">213</a>]</span> +thirty-nine, among which we find a Grammatica +Eriticis, formerly belonging to Saint Dunstan; a +life of Saint Wilfrid; a Saxon version of Orosius, +and the writings of William of Malmsbury.<a name="FNanchor_319_319" id="FNanchor_319_319"></a><a href="#Footnote_319_319" class="fnanchor">[319]</a> The +antiquary will now search in vain for any vestige of +the abbey library; even the spot on which it stood +is unknown to the curious.</p> + +<p>No christian, let his creed be what it may, who +has learnt from his master the principles of charity +and love, will refuse a tear to the memory of +Richard Whiting, the last of Glastonbury's abbots. +Poor old man! Surely those white locks and tottering +limbs ought to have melted a Christian +heart; but what charity or love dwelt within the +soul of that rapacious monarch? Too old to relinquish +his long cherished superstitions; too firm +to renounce his religious principles, Whiting offered +a firm opposition to the reformation. The fury of +the tyrant Henry was aroused, and that grey headed +monk was condemned to a barbarous death. As a +protestant I blush to write it, yet so it was; after a +hasty trial, if trial it can be called, he was dragged +on a hurdle to a common gallows erected on Torr +Hill, and there, in the face of a brutal mob, with +two of his companion monks, was he hung! Protestant +zeal stopped not here, for when life had +fled they cut his body down, and dividing it into +quarters, sent one to each of the four principal +towns; and as a last indignity to that mutilated +clay, stuck his head on the gate of the old abbey, +over which he had presided with judicious care in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a>[<a href="./images/214.png">214</a>]</span> +the last days of his troubled life. It was Whiting's +wish to bid adieu in person to his monastery, in +which in more prosperous times he had spent many +a quiet hour; it is said that even this, the dying +prayer of that poor old man, they refused to +grant.<a name="FNanchor_320_320" id="FNanchor_320_320"></a><a href="#Footnote_320_320" class="fnanchor">[320]</a></p> + +<p>On viewing the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, +so mournful to look upon, yet so splendid in its +decay, we cannot help exclaiming with Michael +Dayton,—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On whom for this sad waste, should justice lay the crime."</p></div> + +<p>Whilst in the west we cannot pass unnoticed the +monastery of Malmsbury, one of the largest in +England, and which possessed at one time an +extensive and valuable library; but it was sadly +ransacked at the Reformation, and its vellum +treasures sold to the bakers to heat their stoves, or +applied to the vilest use; not even a catalogue was +preserved to tell the curious of a more enlightened +age, what books the old monks read there; but +perhaps, and the blood runs cold as the thought +arises in the mind, a perfect Livy was among them, +for a rare <i>amator librorum</i> belonging to this monastery, +quotes one of the lost Decades.<a name="FNanchor_321_321" id="FNanchor_321_321"></a><a href="#Footnote_321_321" class="fnanchor">[321]</a> I allude to +William of Malmsbury, one of the most enthusiastic +bibliomaniacs of his age. From his youth he dwelt +within the abbey walls, and received his education<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a>[<a href="./images/215.png">215</a>]</span> +there. His constant study and indefatigable industry +in collecting and perusing books, was only +equalled by his prudence and by his talents; he +soon rose in the estimation of his fellow monks, +who appointed him their librarian, and ultimately +offered him the abbacy, which he refused with +Christian humility, fearing too, lest its contingent +duties would debar him from a full enjoyment of +his favorite avocation; but of his book passion let +William of Malmsbury speak for himself: "A long +period has elapsed since, as well through the care +of my parents as my own industry, I became familiar +with books. This pleasure possessed me from my +childhood; this source of delight has grown with +my years; indeed, I was so instructed by my father, +that had I turned aside to other pursuits, I should +have considered it as jeopardy to my soul, and discredit +to my character. Wherefore, mindful of the +adage, 'covet what is necessary,' I constrained my +early age to desire eagerly that which it was disgraceful +not to possess. I gave indeed my attention +to various branches of literature, but in different +degrees. Logic, for instance, which gives +arms to eloquence, I contented myself with barely +learning: medicine, which ministers to the health +of the body, I studied with somewhat more attention. +But now, having scrupulously examined the +various branches of ethics, I bow down to its +majesty, because it spontaneously inverts itself to +those who study it, and directs their minds to moral +practice, history more especially; which by a certain +agreeable recapitulation of past events, excites its +readers by example, to frame their lives to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216"></a>[<a href="./images/216.png">216</a>]</span> +pursuit of good or to aversion from evil. When, +therefore, at my own expense I had procured some +historians of foreign nations, I proceeded during +my domestic leisure, to inquire if anything concerning +our own country could be found worthy of +handing down to posterity. Hence it arose, that +not content with the writings of ancient times, I +began myself to compose, not indeed to display my +learning, which is comparatively nothing, but to +bring to light events lying concealed in the confused +mass of antiquity. In consequence, rejecting vague +opinions, I have studiously sought for chronicles far +and near, though I confess I have scarcely profited +anything by this industry; for perusing them all I +still remained poor in information, though I ceased +not my researches as long as I could find anything +to read."<a name="FNanchor_322_322" id="FNanchor_322_322"></a><a href="#Footnote_322_322" class="fnanchor">[322]</a></p> + +<p>Having read this passage, I think my readers +will admit that William of Malmsbury well deserves +a place among the bibliomaniacs of the middle +ages. As an historian his merit is too generally +known and acknowledged to require an elucidation +here. He combines in most cases a strict attention +to fact, with the rare attributes of philosophic +reflection, and sometimes the bloom of eloquence. +But simplicity of narrative constitute the greatest +and sometimes the only charm in the composition +of the monkish chroniclers. William of Malmsbury +aimed at a more ambitious style, and attempted to +adorn, as he admits himself, his English history +with Roman art; this he does sometimes with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217"></a>[<a href="./images/217.png">217</a>]</span> +tolerable elegance, but too often at the cost of +necessary detail. Yet still we must place him at +the head of the middle age historians, for he was +diligent and critical, though perhaps not always +impartial; and in matters connected with Romish +doctrine, his testimony is not always to be relied +upon without additional authority; his account of +those who held opinions somewhat adverse to the +orthodoxy of Rome is often equivocal; we may +even suspect him of interpolating their writings, at +least of Alfric, whose homilies had excited the +fears of the Norman ecclesiastics. His works were +compiled from many sources now unknown; and +from the works of Bede, the Saxon chronicles, and +Florilegus, he occasionally transcribes with little +alteration.</p> + +<p>But is it not distressing to find that this talented +author, so superior in other respects to the crude +compilers of monkish history, cannot rise above the +superstition of the age? Is it not deplorable that +a mind so gifted could rely with fanatical zeal upon +the verity of all those foul lies of Rome called +"Holy" miracles; or that he could conceive how +God would vouchsafe to make his saints ridiculous +in the eyes of man, by such gross absurdities as +tradition records, but which Rome deemed worthy +of canonization; but it was then, as now, so difficult +to conquer the prejudices of early teaching. With +all our philosophy and our science, great men cannot +do it now; even so in the days of old; they were +brought up in the midst of superstition; sucked it +as it were from their mother's breast, and fondly +cradled in its belief; and as soon as the infant mind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218"></a>[<a href="./images/218.png">218</a>]</span> +could think, parental piety dedicated it to God; +not, however, as a light to shine before men, but as +a candle under a bushel; for to serve God and to +serve monachism were synonymous expressions in +those days.</p> + +<p>The west of England was honored by many a +monkish bibliophile in the middle ages. The annals +of Gloucester abbey record the names of +several. Prior Peter, who became abbot in the +year 1104, is said to have enclosed the monastery +with a stone wall, and greatly enriched it with +many books "<i>copia librorum</i>."<a name="FNanchor_323_323" id="FNanchor_323_323"></a><a href="#Footnote_323_323" class="fnanchor">[323]</a> A few years after +(<span class="smcap">a. d.</span> 1113), <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Godemon'">Godeman</ins> the Prior was made abbot, +and the Saxon Chronicle records that during his +time the tower was set on fire by lightning and the +whole monastery was burnt; so that all the valuable +things therein were destroyed except a "few books +and three priest's mass-hackles."<a name="FNanchor_324_324" id="FNanchor_324_324"></a><a href="#Footnote_324_324" class="fnanchor">[324]</a> Abbot Gamage +gave many books to the library in the year 1306;<a name="FNanchor_325_325" id="FNanchor_325_325"></a><a href="#Footnote_325_325" class="fnanchor">[325]</a> +and Richard de Stowe, during the same century, +gave the monks a small collection in nine or ten +volumes; a list of them is preserved in an old +manuscript.<a name="FNanchor_326_326" id="FNanchor_326_326"></a><a href="#Footnote_326_326" class="fnanchor">[326]</a></p> + +<p>But earlier than this in the eleventh century, a +bishop of Exeter stands remarkable as an <i>amator +librorum</i>. Leofric, the last bishop of Crediton, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219"></a>[<a href="./images/219.png">219</a>]</span> +"sometime lord chancellor of England,"<a name="FNanchor_327_327" id="FNanchor_327_327"></a><a href="#Footnote_327_327" class="fnanchor">[327]</a> received +permission from Edward the Confessor to translate +the seat of his diocese to the city of Exeter in the +year 1050. "He was brought up and studied in +<i>Lotharingos</i>," says William of Malmsbury,<a name="FNanchor_328_328" id="FNanchor_328_328"></a><a href="#Footnote_328_328" class="fnanchor">[328]</a> and he +manifested his learning and fondness for study by +collecting books. Of the nature of his collections +we are enabled to judge by the volumes he gave to +the church of Exeter. The glimpse thus obtained +lead us to consider him a curious book-collector; +and it is so interesting to look upon a catalogue of +a bishop's private library in that early time, and to +behold his tastes and his pursuits reflected and +mirrored forth therein, that I am sure the reader +will be gratified by its perusal.<a name="FNanchor_329_329" id="FNanchor_329_329"></a><a href="#Footnote_329_329" class="fnanchor">[329]</a> After enumerating +some broad lands and a glittering array of sumptuous +ornaments, he is recorded to have given to +the church "Two complete mass books; 1 Collectarium; +2 Books of Epistles (<i>Pistel Bec</i><a name="FNanchor_330_330" id="FNanchor_330_330"></a><a href="#Footnote_330_330" class="fnanchor">[330]</a>); 2 complete +<i>Sang Bec</i>; 1 Book of <i>night sang</i>; 1 Book +<i>unus liber</i>, a Breviary or Tropery; 2 Psalters; +3 Psalters according to the Roman copies; 2 Antiphoners; +A precious book of blessings; 3 others; +1 Book of Christ <i>in English</i>; 2 Summer Reading +bec; 1 Winter ditto; Rules and Canons; 1 Martyrology; +1 Canons in Latin; 1 Confessional <i>in</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220"></a>[<a href="./images/220.png">220</a>]</span> +<i>English</i>; 1 Book of Homilies and Hymns for +Winter and Summer; 1 Boethius on the Consolation +of Philosophy, <i>in English</i> (King Alfred's +translation); 1 Great Book of Poetry in English; +1 Capitular; 1 Book of very ancient nocturnal +<i>sangs</i>; 1 Pistel bec; 2 Ancient ræding bec; 1 for +the use of the priest; also the following books in +Latin, viz., 1 Pastoral of Gregory; 1 Dialogues of +Gregory; 1 Book of the Four Prophets; 1 Boethius +Consolation of Philosophy; 1 Book of the offices of +Amalar; 1 Isagoge of Porphyry; 1 Passional; 1 book +of Prosper; 1 book of Prudentius the Martyr; 1 Prudentius; +1 Prudentius (<i>de Mrib.</i>); 1 other book; +1 Ezechael the Prophet; 1 Isaiah the Prophet; +1 Song of Songs; 1 Isidore Etymology; 1 Isidore +on the New and Old Testament; 1 Lives of the +Apostles; 1 Works of Bede; 1 Bede on the Apocalypse; +1 Bede's Exposition on the Seven Canonical +Epistles; 1 book of Isidore on the Miracles +of Christ; 1 book of Orosius; 1 book of Machabees; +1 book of Persius; 1 Sedulus; 1 Avator; 1 book of +Statius with a gloss."</p> + +<p>Such were the books forming a part of the private +library of a bishop of Exeter in the year of grace +1073. Few indeed when compared with the vast +multitudes assembled and amassed together in the +ages of printed literature. But these sixty or +seventy volumes, collected in those times of dearth, +and each produced by the tedious process of the +pen, were of an excessive value, and mark their +owner as distinctly an <i>amator librorum</i>, as the +enormous piles heaped together in modern times +would do a Magliabechi. Nor was Leofric an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a>[<a href="./images/221.png">221</a>]</span> +ordinary collector; he loved to preserve the idiomatic +poetry of those old Saxon days; his ancient +<i>sang bec</i>, or song books, would now be deemed a +curious and precious relic of Saxon literature. +One of these has fortunately escaped the ravages +of time and the fate of war. "The great boc of +English Poetry" is still preserved at Exeter—one +of the finest relics of Anglo Saxon poetry extant. +Mark too those early translations which we cannot +but regard with infinite pleasure, and which satisfactorily +prove that the Gospels and Church Service +was at least partly read and sung in the Saxon +church in the common language of the people; let +the Roman Catholics say what they will.<a name="FNanchor_331_331" id="FNanchor_331_331"></a><a href="#Footnote_331_331" class="fnanchor">[331]</a> But +without saying much of his church books, we cannot +but be pleased to find the Christian Boethius in his +library with Bede, Gregory, Isidore, Prosper, Orosius, +Prudentius, Sedulus, Persius and Statius; these +are authors which retrieve the studies of Leofric +from the charge of mere monastic lore.</p> + +<p>But good books about this time were beginning +to be sought after with avidity. The Cluniac +monks, who were introduced into England about +the year 1077, more than one hundred and sixty +years after their foundation, gave a powerful impetus +to monastic learning; which received additional +force by the enlightened efforts of the Cistercians, +instituted in 1098, and spread into Britain +about the year 1128. These two great branches<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222"></a>[<a href="./images/222.png">222</a>]</span> +of the Benedictine order, by their great love of +learning, and by their zeal in collecting books, +effected a great change in the monkish literature +of England. "They were not only curious and +attentive in forming numerous libraries, but with +indefatigable assiduity transcribed the volumes of +the ancients, <i>l'assiduité infatigable à transcrire les +livres des anciens</i>, say the Benedictines of St. +Maur,<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_332_332" id="FNanchor_332_332"></a><a href="#Footnote_332_332" class="fnanchor">[332]</a> who perhaps however may be suspected of +regarding their ancient brethren in rather too favorable +a light. But certain it is, that the state of +literature became much improved, and the many +celebrated scholars who flourished in the twelfth +century spread a taste for reading far and wide, and +by their example caused the monks to look more +eagerly after books. Peter of Blois, Archdeacon +of London, is one of the most pleasing instances of +this period, and his writings have even now a freshness +and vivacity about them which surprise as they +interest the reader. This illustrious student, and +truly worthy man, was born at Blois in the early +part of the twelfth century. His parents, who were +wealthy and noble, were desirous of bestowing +upon their son an education befitting their own +rank; for this purpose he was sent to Paris to +receive instruction in the general branches of scholastic +knowledge. He paid particular attention to +poetry, and studied rhetoric with still greater +ardor.<a name="FNanchor_333_333" id="FNanchor_333_333"></a><a href="#Footnote_333_333" class="fnanchor">[333]</a> But being designed for the bar, he left +Paris for Bologna, there to study civil law; and +succeeded in mastering all the dry technicalities of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223"></a>[<a href="./images/223.png">223</a>]</span> +legal science. He then returned to Paris to study +scholastic divinity,<a name="FNanchor_334_334" id="FNanchor_334_334"></a><a href="#Footnote_334_334" class="fnanchor">[334]</a> in which he became eminently +proficient, and was ever excessively fond. He +remained at Paris studying deeply himself, and +instructing others for many years. About the year +1167 he went with Stephen, Count de Perche, into +Sicily, and was appointed tutor to the young King +William II., made keeper of his private seal, and +for two years conducted his education.<a name="FNanchor_335_335" id="FNanchor_335_335"></a><a href="#Footnote_335_335" class="fnanchor">[335]</a> Soon after +leaving Sicily, he was invited by Henry II. into +England,<a name="FNanchor_336_336" id="FNanchor_336_336"></a><a href="#Footnote_336_336" class="fnanchor">[336]</a> and made Archdeacon of Bath. It was +during the time he held that office that he wrote +most of these letters, from which we obtain a knowledge +of the above facts, and which he collected +together at the particular desire of King Henry; +who ever regarded him with the utmost kindness, +and bestowed upon him his lasting friendship. I +know not a more interesting or a more historically +valuable volume than these epistolary collections of +Archdeacon Peter. They seem to bring those old +times before us, to seat us by the fire-sides of our +Norman forefathers, and in a pleasant, quiet manner +enter into a gossip on the passing events of the +day; and being written by a student and an <i>amator +librorum</i>, they moreover unfold to us the state of +learning among the ecclesiastics at least of the +twelfth century; and if we were to take our worthy +archdeacon as a specimen, they possessed a far +better taste for these matters than we usually give +them credit for. Peter of Blois was no ordinary +man; a churchman, he was free from the prejudices +of churchmen—a visitant of courts and the associate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224"></a>[<a href="./images/224.png">224</a>]</span> +of royalty, he was yet free from the sycophancy of +a courtier—and when he saw pride and ungodliness +in the church, or in high places, he feared not to +use his pen in stern reproof at these abominations. +It is both curious and extraordinary, when we bear +in mind the prejudices of the age, to find him +writing to a bishop upon the looseness of his +conduct, and reproving him for his inattention to +the affairs of his diocese, and upbraiding another +for displaying an unseemly fondness for hunting,<a name="FNanchor_337_337" id="FNanchor_337_337"></a><a href="#Footnote_337_337" class="fnanchor">[337]</a> +and other sports of the field; which he says is so +disreputable to one of his holy calling, and quotes +an instance of Pope Nicholas suspending and +excluding from the church Bishop Lanfred for a +similar offence; which he considers even more disgraceful +in Walter, Lord Bishop of Winchester, to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225"></a>[<a href="./images/225.png">225</a>]</span> +whom he is writing, on account of his advanced +age; he being at that time eighty years old. We +are constantly reminded in reading his letters that +we have those of an indefatigable student before +us; almost every page bears some allusion to his +books or to his studies, and prove how well and +deeply read he was in Latin literature; not merely +the theological writings of the church, but the +classics also. In one of his letters he speaks of his +own studies, and tells us that when he learnt the +art of versification and correct style, he did not +spend his time on legends and fables, but took his +models from Livy, Quintus Curtius, Trogus Pompeius, +Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius, and other +classics; in the same letter he gives some directions +to the Archdeacon of Nantes, who had undertaken +the education of his nephews, as to the +manner of their study. He had received from the +archdeacon a flattering account of the progress +made by one of them named William, to which he +thus replies—"You speak," says he, "of William—his +great penetration and ingenious disposition, +who, without grammar or the authors of science, +which are both so desirable, has mastered the subtilties +of logic, so as to be esteemed a famous +logician, as I learn by your letter. But this is not +the foundation of a correct knowledge—these subtilties +which you so highly extol, are manifoldly +pernicious, as Seneca truly affirms,—<i>Odibilius nihil +est subtilitate ubi est solœ subtilitas</i>. What indeed +is the use of these things in which you say he +spends his days—either at home, in the army, at +the bar, in the cloister, in the church, in the court,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a>[<a href="./images/226.png">226</a>]</span> +or indeed in any position whatever, except, I suppose, +the schools?<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins> Seneca says, in writing to Lucalius, +"<i>Quid est, inquit acutius arista et in quo est +utiles!</i>"<a name="FNanchor_338_338" id="FNanchor_338_338"></a><a href="#Footnote_338_338" class="fnanchor">[338]</a> In many letters we find him quoting +the classics with the greatest ease, and the most +appropriate application to his subject; in one he +refers to Ovid, Persius, and Seneca,<a name="FNanchor_339_339" id="FNanchor_339_339"></a><a href="#Footnote_339_339" class="fnanchor">[339]</a> and in others, +when writing in a most interesting and amusing +manner of poetic fame and literary study, he +extracts from Terence, Ovid, Juvenal, Horace, +Plato, Cicero, Valerius Maximus, Seneca, etc.<a name="FNanchor_340_340" id="FNanchor_340_340"></a><a href="#Footnote_340_340" class="fnanchor">[340]</a> +In another, besides a constant use of Scripture, +which proves how deeply read too he was in Holy +Writ, he quotes with amazing prodigality from +Juvenal, Frontius, Vigetius, Dio, Virgil, Ovid, +Justin, Horace, and Plutarch.<a name="FNanchor_341_341" id="FNanchor_341_341"></a><a href="#Footnote_341_341" class="fnanchor">[341]</a> Indeed, Horace +was a great favorite with the archdeacon, who often +applied some of his finest sentences to illustrate his +familiar chat and epistolary disquisitions.<a name="FNanchor_342_342" id="FNanchor_342_342"></a><a href="#Footnote_342_342" class="fnanchor">[342]</a> It is +worth noticing that in one he quotes the Roman +history of Sallust, in six books, which is now lost, +save a few fragments; the passage relates to Pompey +the Great.<a name="FNanchor_343_343" id="FNanchor_343_343"></a><a href="#Footnote_343_343" class="fnanchor">[343]</a> We can scarcely refrain from a +smile at the eagerness of Archdeacon Peter in persuading +his friends to relinquish the too enticing +study of frivolous plays, which he says can be of no +service to the interest of the soul;<a name="FNanchor_344_344" id="FNanchor_344_344"></a><a href="#Footnote_344_344" class="fnanchor">[344]</a> and then, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a>[<a href="./images/227.png">227</a>]</span>getting +this admonition, sending for tragedies and +comedies himself, that he might get them transcribed.<a name="FNanchor_345_345" id="FNanchor_345_345"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a> +This puts one in mind of a certain +modern divine, whose conduct not agreeing with +his doctrine, told his hearers not to do as he did, +but as he told them. It appears also equally +ludicrous to find him upbraiding a monk, named +Peter of Blois, for studying the pagan authors: "the +foolish old fables of Hercules and Jove," their lies +and philosophy;<a name="FNanchor_346_346" id="FNanchor_346_346"></a><a href="#Footnote_346_346" class="fnanchor">[346]</a> when, as we have seen, he read +them so ravenously, and so greatly borrowed from +them himself. But then we must bear in mind that +the archdeacon had also well stored his mind with +Scripture, and certainly always deemed <i>that</i> the +first and most important of all his studies, which +was perhaps not the case with the monk to whom +he writes. In some of his letters we have pleasing +pictures of the old times presented to us, and it is +astonishing how homely and natural they read, +after the elapse of 700 years. In more than one +he launches out in strong invectives against the +lawyers, who in all ages seems to have borne the +indignation of mankind; Peter accuses them of +selling their knowledge for hire, to the direct perversion +of all justice; of favoring the rich and +oppressing the poor.<a name="FNanchor_347_347" id="FNanchor_347_347"></a><a href="#Footnote_347_347" class="fnanchor">[347]</a> He reproves Reginald, +Archdeacon of Salisbury, for occupying his time +with falconry, instead of attending to his clerical +duties; and in another, a most interesting letter, he +gives a description of King Henry II., whose +character he extols in panegyric terms, and proves +how much superior he was in learning to Wil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228"></a>[<a href="./images/228.png">228</a>]</span>liam +II. of Sicily. He says that "Henry, as often +as he could breathe from his care and solicitudes, +he was occupied in secret reading; or at other +times joined by a body of clergy, would try to solve +some elaborate question <i>quæstiones laborat evolvere</i>.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_348_348" id="FNanchor_348_348"></a><a href="#Footnote_348_348" class="fnanchor">[348]</a> +Frequently we find him writing about books, +begging transcripts, eagerly purchasing them; +and in one of his letters to Alexander, Abbot of +Jenniege, <i>Gemiticensem</i>, he writes, apologizing, and +begging his forgiveness for not having fulfilled his +promise in returning a book which he had borrowed +from his library, and begs that his friend will yet +allow him to retain it some days longer.<a name="FNanchor_349_349" id="FNanchor_349_349"></a><a href="#Footnote_349_349" class="fnanchor">[349]</a> The +last days of a scholar's life are not always remarkable, +and we know nothing of those of Archdeacon +Peter; for after the death of Henry II., his intellectual +worth found no royal mind to appreciate it. +The lion-hearted Richard thought more of the +battle axe and crusading than the encouragement +of literature or science; and Peter, like many other +students, grown old in their studies, was left in his +age to wander among his books, unmolested and +uncared for. With the friendship of a few clerical +associates, and the archdeaconry of London, which +by the bye was totally unproductive,<a name="FNanchor_350_350" id="FNanchor_350_350"></a><a href="#Footnote_350_350" class="fnanchor">[350]</a> he died, and +for many ages was forgotten. But a student's +worth can never perish; a time is certain to arrive +when his erudition will receive its due reward of +human praise. We now, after a slumber of many +hundred years, begin to appreciate his value, and +to entertain a hearty friendship and esteem for the +venerable Archdeacon Peter.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_310_310" id="Footnote_310_310"></a><a href="#FNanchor_310_310"><span class="label">[310]</span></a> See Speed's Chron. p. 228. Samme's Antiq. p. 578.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_311_311" id="Footnote_311_311"></a><a href="#FNanchor_311_311"><span class="label">[311]</span></a> Stowe's Annales, 4to. 1605, p. 97. See also Hearne's Hist. +Glastonbury.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_312_312" id="Footnote_312_312"></a><a href="#FNanchor_312_312"><span class="label">[312]</span></a> <i>Will. Malm. ap. Gale Script.</i> 311.—Coopertoria Librorum +Evangelii. For many other instances of binding books in gold, and +sometimes with costly gems, I refer the reader to <i>Du Cange</i> verb-Capsæ, +and to <i>Mr. Maitland's Dark Ages</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_313_313" id="Footnote_313_313"></a><a href="#FNanchor_313_313"><span class="label">[313]</span></a> Warton says, that this library was at the time the "<i>richest in +England</i>." In this, however, he was mistaken.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_314_314" id="Footnote_314_314"></a><a href="#FNanchor_314_314"><span class="label">[314]</span></a> John of Glast. p. 423.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_315_315" id="Footnote_315_315"></a><a href="#FNanchor_315_315"><span class="label">[315]</span></a> John of Glastonbury Edt., Hearne, Oxon, 1726, p. 451. +Steven's Additions to Dugdale, vol. i. p. 447.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_316_316" id="Footnote_316_316"></a><a href="#FNanchor_316_316"><span class="label">[316]</span></a> Printed in <i>Tanner's Notitia Monastica</i>, 8vo. Edit. 1695, p. 75, +and in <i>Hearne's History of Glastonbury</i>, p. 141; but both these +works are scarce, and I have thought it worth reprinting; the reader +will perceive that I have given some of the items in English—the +original of course is in Latin.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_317_317" id="Footnote_317_317"></a><a href="#FNanchor_317_317"><span class="label">[317]</span></a> John of Glas. p. 262.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_318_318" id="Footnote_318_318"></a><a href="#FNanchor_318_318"><span class="label">[318]</span></a> Librario dedit. bibliam preciosam.—<i>John of Glast.</i> p. 262.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_319_319" id="Footnote_319_319"></a><a href="#FNanchor_319_319"><span class="label">[319]</span></a> Among them was a "Dictionarum Latine et Saxonicum."—<i>Leland +Collect.</i> iii. p. 153.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_320_320" id="Footnote_320_320"></a><a href="#FNanchor_320_320"><span class="label">[320]</span></a> Leland, in his MSS. preserved in the Bodleian Library, calls +Whiting "<i>Homo sane candidissimus et amicus meus singularis</i>," but +he afterwards scored the line with his pen. See <i>Arch Bodl.</i> A. Dugdale +Monast. vol. i. p. 6.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_321_321" id="Footnote_321_321"></a><a href="#FNanchor_321_321"><span class="label">[321]</span></a> See Hume's Hist. Engl.; Moffat's Hist. of Malmsbury, p. 223, +and Will. Malms. Novellæ Hist. lib. ii.; Sharpe's translation, p. 576.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_322_322" id="Footnote_322_322"></a><a href="#FNanchor_322_322"><span class="label">[322]</span></a> William of Malmsbury, translated by the Rev. J. Sharpe, 4to. +<i>Lond.</i> 1815, p. 107.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_323_323" id="Footnote_323_323"></a><a href="#FNanchor_323_323"><span class="label">[323]</span></a> MS. <i>Cottonian Domit.</i> A. viii. fol. 128 b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_324_324" id="Footnote_324_324"></a><a href="#FNanchor_324_324"><span class="label">[324]</span></a> Saxon Chron. by Ingram, p. 343.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_325_325" id="Footnote_325_325"></a><a href="#FNanchor_325_325"><span class="label">[325]</span></a> Dugdale's <i>Monastica</i>, vol. i. p. 534. Leland gives a list of +the books he found there, but they only number about 20 volumes. +See <i>Collect.</i> vol. iv. p. 159.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_326_326" id="Footnote_326_326"></a><a href="#FNanchor_326_326"><span class="label">[326]</span></a> MS. Harleian, No. 627, fol. 8 a. "Liber Geneseos versificatus" +probably Cædmon's Paraphrase was among them, and Boethius's +Consolation of Philosophy.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_327_327" id="Footnote_327_327"></a><a href="#FNanchor_327_327"><span class="label">[327]</span></a> Godwin Cat. of Bishops, p. 317.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_328_328" id="Footnote_328_328"></a><a href="#FNanchor_328_328"><span class="label">[328]</span></a> Will. of Malms. de Gestis Pont. Savile Script. fol. 1601, +p. 256, <i>apud Lotharingos altus et doctus</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_329_329" id="Footnote_329_329"></a><a href="#FNanchor_329_329"><span class="label">[329]</span></a> I use a transcript of the Exeter MS. collated by Sir F. Madden. +<i>Additional MSS.</i> No. 9067. It is printed in Latin and Saxon +from a old MS. In the Bodl. Auct. D. 2. 16. fol. 1 a; in Dugdale's +Monasticon, vol. ii. p. 257, which varies a little from the Exeter +transcript.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_330_330" id="Footnote_330_330"></a><a href="#FNanchor_330_330"><span class="label">[330]</span></a> Bec is the plural of boc, a book.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_331_331" id="Footnote_331_331"></a><a href="#FNanchor_331_331"><span class="label">[331]</span></a> See <i>Dr. Lingard's Hist. Anglo Sax. Church</i>, vol. i. p. 307, +who cannot deny this entirely; see also <i>Lappenberg Hist. Eng.</i> vol. i. +p. 202, who says that the mass was read partially in the Saxon +tongue. <i>Hallam</i> in his <i>Supplemental Notes</i>, p. 408, has a good note +on the subject.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_332_332" id="Footnote_332_332"></a><a href="#FNanchor_332_332"><span class="label">[332]</span></a> Hist. Litt. de la France, ix. p. 142.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_333_333" id="Footnote_333_333"></a><a href="#FNanchor_333_333"><span class="label">[333]</span></a> Pet. Blesensis Opera, 4to. Mogunt. 1600. Ep. lxxxix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_334_334" id="Footnote_334_334"></a><a href="#FNanchor_334_334"><span class="label">[334]</span></a> Ep. xxvi.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_335_335" id="Footnote_335_335"></a><a href="#FNanchor_335_335"><span class="label">[335]</span></a> Ep. lxvi.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_336_336" id="Footnote_336_336"></a><a href="#FNanchor_336_336"><span class="label">[336]</span></a> Ep. cxxvii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_337_337" id="Footnote_337_337"></a><a href="#FNanchor_337_337"><span class="label">[337]</span></a> Ep. lvi. Yet we find that Charlemagne, in the year 795, +granted the monks of the monastery of St. Bertin, in the time of +Abbot Odlando, the privilege of hunting in his forests for the purpose +of procuring leather to bind their books. "Odlando Abbate hujus +loci abbas nonus, in omni bonitate suo prædecessori Hardrado +coæqualis anno primo sui regiminis impetravit à rege Carolo privilegium +venandi in silvis nostris et aliis ubicumque constitutis, ad volumina +librorum tegænda, et manicas et zonas habendas. Salvis +forestis regiis, quod sic incipit. Carolus Dei gratia Rex Francorum +et Longobardorum ac patricius Romanorum, etc., data Septimo Kal. +Aprilis, anno xxvi. regni nostri." Martene Thasaurus Nov. Anecdotorum +iii. 498. <i>Warton</i> mentions a similar instance of a grant to +the monks of St. Sithin, <i>Dissert.</i> ii. <i>prefixed to Hist. of Eng. Poetry</i>, +but he quotes it with some sad misrepresentations, and refers to +<i>Mabillon De re Diplomatica</i>, 611. Mr. Maitland, in his <i>Dark Ages</i>, +has shown the absurdity of Warton's inferences from the fact, and +proved that it was to the servants, or <i>eorum homines</i>, that Charlemagne +granted this uncanonical privilege, p. 216. But I find no such +restriction in the case I have quoted above. Probably, however, it +was thought needless to express what might be inferred, or to caution +against a practice so uncongenial with the christian duties of a +monk.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_338_338" id="Footnote_338_338"></a><a href="#FNanchor_338_338"><span class="label">[338]</span></a> Ep. ci. p. 184. He afterwards quotes Livy, Tacitus, and many +others.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_339_339" id="Footnote_339_339"></a><a href="#FNanchor_339_339"><span class="label">[339]</span></a> Ep. xiv. He was fond of Quintus Curtius, and often read his +history with much pleasure. Ep. ci. p. 184.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_340_340" id="Footnote_340_340"></a><a href="#FNanchor_340_340"><span class="label">[340]</span></a> Ep. lxxvii. p. 81.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_341_341" id="Footnote_341_341"></a><a href="#FNanchor_341_341"><span class="label">[341]</span></a> Ep. xciv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_342_342" id="Footnote_342_342"></a><a href="#FNanchor_342_342"><span class="label">[342]</span></a> Ep. xcii. and also lxxii. which is redundant with quotations +from the poets.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_343_343" id="Footnote_343_343"></a><a href="#FNanchor_343_343"><span class="label">[343]</span></a> Ep. xciv. p. 170.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_344_344" id="Footnote_344_344"></a><a href="#FNanchor_344_344"><span class="label">[344]</span></a> Ep. lvii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_345_345" id="Footnote_345_345"></a><a href="#FNanchor_345_345"><span class="label">[345]</span></a> Ep. xii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_346_346" id="Footnote_346_346"></a><a href="#FNanchor_346_346"><span class="label">[346]</span></a> Ep. lxxvi. p. 132.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_347_347" id="Footnote_347_347"></a><a href="#FNanchor_347_347"><span class="label">[347]</span></a> Ep. cxl. p. 253.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_348_348" id="Footnote_348_348"></a><a href="#FNanchor_348_348"><span class="label">[348]</span></a> Ep. lxvi. p. 115.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_349_349" id="Footnote_349_349"></a><a href="#FNanchor_349_349"><span class="label">[349]</span></a> Ep. xxxvii. p. 68.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_350_350" id="Footnote_350_350"></a><a href="#FNanchor_350_350"><span class="label">[350]</span></a> Ep. cli.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229"></a>[<a href="./images/229.png">229</a>]</span></p> +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-19.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Winchester famous for its Scribes.—Ethelwold and +Godemann.—Anecdotes.—Library of the Monastery +of Reading.—The Bible.—Library of Depying +Priory.—Effects of Gospel Reading.—Catalogue +of Ramsey Library.—Hebrew MSS.—Fine Classics, +etc.—St. Edmund's Bury.—Church of Ely.—Canute, +etc.</i></p></div> +<hr /> + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-3.jpg" alt="I" title="I" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">n</span> the olden time the monks of Winchester<a name="FNanchor_351_351" id="FNanchor_351_351"></a><a href="#Footnote_351_351" class="fnanchor">[351]</a> +were renowned for their +calligraphic and pictorial art. The +choice book collectors of the day +sought anxiously for volumes produced +by these ingenious scribes, +and paid extravagant prices for +them. A superb specimen of their skill was +executed for Bishop Ethelwold; that enlightened +and benevolent prelate was a great patron of art<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230"></a>[<a href="./images/230.png">230</a>]</span> +and literature, and himself a grammaticus and poet +of no mean pretensions. He did more than any +other of his time to restore the architectural beauties +which were damaged or destroyed by the fire +and sword of the Danish invaders. His love of +these undertakings, his industry in carrying them +out, and the great talent he displayed in their +restoration, is truly wonderful to observe. He is +called by Wolstan, his biographer, "a great builder +of churches, and divers other works."<a name="FNanchor_352_352" id="FNanchor_352_352"></a><a href="#Footnote_352_352" class="fnanchor">[352]</a> He was +fond of learning, and very liberal in diffusing the +knowledge which he acquired; and used to instruct +the young by reading to them the Latin authors, +translated into the Saxon tongue. "He wrote a +Saxion version of the Rule of Saint Benedict, which +was so much admired, and so pleased King Edgar, +that he granted to him the manor of Sudborn,<a name="FNanchor_353_353" id="FNanchor_353_353"></a><a href="#Footnote_353_353" class="fnanchor">[353]</a> as +a token of his approbation."</p> + +<p>Among a number of donations which he bequeathed +to this monastery, twenty volumes are +enumerated, embracing some writings of Bede and +Isidore.<a name="FNanchor_354_354" id="FNanchor_354_354"></a><a href="#Footnote_354_354" class="fnanchor">[354]</a> As a proof of his bibliomanical propensities, +I refer the reader to the celebrated Benedictional +of the Duke of Devonshire; that rich gem, +with its resplendent illuminations, place it beyond +the shadow of a doubt, and prove Ethelwold to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231"></a>[<a href="./images/231.png">231</a>]</span> +have been an <i>amator librorum</i> of consummate taste. +This fine specimen of Saxon ingenuity is the production +of a cloistered monk of Winchester, named +Godemann, who transcribed it at the bishop's +special desire, as we learn, from the following +lines:—</p></div> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"<i>Presentem Biblum iusset prescribere Presul.</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Wintoniæ Dus que fecerat esse Patronum</i><br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>Magnus Æthelwoldus.</i>"<a name="FNanchor_355_355" id="FNanchor_355_355"></a><a href="#Footnote_355_355" class="fnanchor">[355]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Godemann, the scribe, entreats the prayers of +his readers, and wishes "all who gaze on this book +to ever pray that after the end of the flesh I may +inherit health in heaven: this is the fervent prayer +of the scribe, the humble Godemann." This +talented illuminator was chaplain to Ethelwold, +and afterwards abbot of Thorney.<a name="FNanchor_356_356" id="FNanchor_356_356"></a><a href="#Footnote_356_356" class="fnanchor">[356]</a> The choice +Benedictional in the public library of Rouen is also +ascribed to his elegant pen, and adds additional +lustre of his artistic fame.<a name="FNanchor_357_357" id="FNanchor_357_357"></a><a href="#Footnote_357_357" class="fnanchor">[357]</a></p> + +<p>Most readers have heard of Walter, (who was +prior of St. Swithin in 1174,) giving twelve measures +of barley and a pall, on which was embroidered +in silver the history of St. Berinus converting a +Saxon king, for a fine copy of Bede's Homilies and +St. Austin's Psalter;<a name="FNanchor_358_358" id="FNanchor_358_358"></a><a href="#Footnote_358_358" class="fnanchor">[358]</a> and of Henry, a monk of the +Benedictine Abbey of Hyde, near there, who transcribed, +in the year 1178, Terence, Boethius, Seutonius +and Claudian; and richly illuminated and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232"></a>[<a href="./images/232.png">232</a>]</span> +bound them, which he exchanged with a neighboring +bibliophile for a life of St. Christopher, +St. Gregory's Pastoral Care, and four Missals.<a name="FNanchor_359_359" id="FNanchor_359_359"></a><a href="#Footnote_359_359" class="fnanchor">[359]</a> +Nicholas, Bishop of Winchester, left one hundred +marks and a Bible, with a fine gloss, in two large +volumes, to the convent of St. Swithin. John de +Pontissara, who succeeded that bishop in the year +1282, borrowed this valuable manuscript to benefit +and improve his biblical knowledge by a perusal of +its numerous notes. So great was their regard for +this precious gift, that the monks demanded a bond +for its return; a circumstance which has caused +some doubt as to the plenitude of the Holy Scriptures +in the English Church during that period; at +least among those who have only casually glanced +at the subject. I may as well notice that the +ancient Psalter in the Cottonian Library<a name="FNanchor_360_360" id="FNanchor_360_360"></a><a href="#Footnote_360_360" class="fnanchor">[360]</a> was +written about the year 1035, by the "most humble +brother and monk Ælsinus," of Hyde Abbey. The +table prefixed to the volume records the deaths of +other eminent scribes and illuminators, whose +names are mingled with the great men of the +day;<a name="FNanchor_361_361" id="FNanchor_361_361"></a><a href="#Footnote_361_361" class="fnanchor">[361]</a> showing how esteemed they were, and how +honorable was their avocation. Thus under the +15th of May we find "<i>Obitus Ætherici mº picto</i>;" +and again, under the 5th of July, "<i>Obit Wulfrici +mº pictoris</i>." Many were the choice transcripts +made and adorned by the Winchester monks.</p> + +<p>The monastery of Reading, in Berkshire, possessed +during the reign of Henry the Third a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233"></a>[<a href="./images/233.png">233</a>]</span> +choice library of a hundred and fifty volumes. It +is printed in the Supplement to the History of +Reading, from the original prefixed to the Woollascot +manuscripts. But it is copied very inaccurately, +and with many grievous omissions; +nevertheless it will suffice to enable us to gain a +knowledge of the class of books most admired by +the monks of Reading; and the Christian reader +will be glad to learn that the catalogue opens, as +usual, with the Holy Scriptures. Indeed no less +than four fine large and complete copies of the +Bible are enumerated. The first in two volumes; +the second in three volumes; the third in two, and +the fourth in the same number which was transcribed +by the <i>Cantor</i>, and kept in the cloisters for +the use of the monks. But in addition to these, +which are in themselves quite sufficient to exculpate +the monks from any charge of negligence of +Bible reading, we find a long list of separate portions +of the Old and New Testament; besides +many of the most important works of the Fathers, +and productions of mediæval learning, as the following +names will testify:—</p> + + +<ul><li>Ambrose.</li> +<li>Augustine.</li> +<li>Basil.</li> +<li>Bede.</li> +<li>Cassidorus.</li> +<li>Eusebius.</li> +<li>Gregory.</li> +<li>Hilarius.</li> +<li>Jerome.</li> +<li>Josephus.</li> +<li>Lombard.</li> +<li>Macrobius.</li> +<li>Origen.</li> +<li>Plato.</li> +<li>Prosper.</li> +<li>Rabanus Maurus.</li> +</ul> + +<p>They possessed also the works of Geoffry of Monmouth; +the <i>Vita Karoli et Alexandri et gesta +Normannorum</i>; a "Ystoria Rading," and many +others equally interesting; and among the books +given by Radbert of Witchir, we find a Juvenal,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234"></a>[<a href="./images/234.png">234</a>]</span> +the Bucolics and Georgics of Virgil, and the "Ode +et Poetria et Sermone et Epistole Oratii.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: original reads .,'">"</ins> But +certainly the most striking characteristic is the fine +biblical collection contained in their library, which +is well worthy our attention, if not our admiration: +not but that we find them in other libraries much +less extensive. In those monasteries whose poverty +would not allow the purchase of books in any +quantity, and whose libraries could boast but of +some twenty or thirty volumes, it is scarcely to be +expected that they should be found rich in profane +literature; but it is deeply gratifying to find, as we +generally do, the Bible first on their little list; +conveying a proof by this prominence, in a quiet +but expressive way, how highly they esteemed that +holy volume, and how essential they deemed its +possession. Would that they had profited more +by its holy precepts!</p> + +<p>We find an instance of this, and a proof of +their fondness for the Bible, in the catalogue of +the books in Depying Priory,<a name="FNanchor_362_362" id="FNanchor_362_362"></a><a href="#Footnote_362_362" class="fnanchor">[362]</a> in Lincolnshire; +which, containing a collection of twenty-three volumes, +enumerates a copy of the Bible first on the +humble list. The catalogue is as follows:—</p> + + +<ul><li>These are the books in the library of the monks of Depying.<a name="FNanchor_363_363" id="FNanchor_363_363"></a><a href="#Footnote_363_363" class="fnanchor">[363]</a></li> + +<li>The Bible.</li> +<li>The first part of the Morals of Pope St. Gregory.</li> +<li>The second part of the Morals by the same.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235"></a>[<a href="./images/235.png">235</a>]</span></li> +<li>Book of Divine Offices.</li> +<li>Gesta Britonorum.</li> +<li>Tracts of Robert, Bishop of Lincoln, on Confession, with other compilations.</li> +<li>Martyrologium, with the Rules of St. Benedict; Passion of St. James, with other books.</li> +<li>Constitutions of Pope Benedict.</li> +<li>History of the Island of Ely.</li> +<li>Hugucio de dono fratris Johannis Tiryngham.</li> +<li>Homilies of the blessed Gregory.</li> +<li>Constitutions of Pope Clement XII.</li> +<li>Book of the Virtues and Vices.</li> +<li>Majester Historiarum.</li> +<li>Sacramentary given by Master John Swarby, Rector of the Church of St. Guthlac.</li> +<li>One great Portoforium for the use of the Brothers.</li> +<li>Two ditto.</li> +<li>Two Psalters for the use of the Brothers.</li> +<li>Three Missals for the use of the Brothers.</li> +</ul> + +<p>There is not much in this scanty collection, the +loss of which we need lament; nor does it inspire +us with a very high notion of the learning of the +monks of Depying Priory. Yet how cheering it is +to find that the Bible was studied in this little cell; +and I trust the monk often drew from it many +words of comfort and consolation. Where is the +reader who will not regard these instances of Bible +reading with pleasure? Where is the Christian +who will not rejoice that the Gospel of Christ was +read and loved in the turbulent days of the Norman +monarchs? Where is the philosopher who will +affirm that we owe nothing to this silent but effectual +and fervent study? Where is he who will +maintain that the influence of the blessed and +abundant charity—the cheering promises, and the +sweet admonitions of love and mercy with which +the Gospels overflow—aided nothing in the progress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a>[<a href="./images/236.png">236</a>]</span> +of civilization? Where is the Bible student who +will believe that all this reading of the Scriptures +was unprofitable because, forsooth, a monk preached +and taught it to the multitude?</p> + +<p>Let the historian open his volumes with a new +interest, and ponder over their pages with a fresh +spirit of inquiry; let him read of days of darkness +and barbarity; and as he peruses on, trace the +origin of the light whose brightness drove the darkness +and barbarity away. How much will he trace +to the Bible's influence; how often will he be compelled +to enter a convent wall to find in the gospel +student the one who shone as a redeeming light +in those old days of iniquity and sin; and will he +deny to the Christian priest his gratitude and love, +because he wore the cowl and mantle of a monk, +or because he loved to read of saints whose lives +were mingled with lying legends, or because he +chose a life which to us looks dreary, cold, and +heartless. Will he deny him a grateful recollection +when he reads of how much good he was permitted +to achieve in the Church of Christ; of how +many a doubting heart he reassured; of how many +a soul he fired with a true spark of Christian love; +when he reads of how the monk preached the faith +of Christ, and how often he led some wandering +pilgrim into the path of vital truth by the sweet +words of the dear religion which he taught; when +he reads that the hearts of many a Norman chief +was softened by the sweetness of the gospel's voice, +and his evil passions were lulled by the hymn of +praise which the monk devoutly sang to his Master +in heaven above. But speaking of the existence of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a>[<a href="./images/237.png">237</a>]</span> +the Bible among the monks puts me in mind of the +Abbey of Ramsey and its fine old library of books, +which was particularly rich in biblical treasures. +Even superior to Reading, as regards its biblical +collection, was the library of Ramsey. A portion +of an old catalogue of the library of this monastery +has been preserved, apparently transcribed about +the beginning of the fourteenth century, during the +warlike reign of Richard the Second. It is one of +the richest and most interesting relics of its kind +extant, at least of those to be found in our own +public libraries; and a perusal of it will not fail to +leave an impression on the mind that the monks +were far wealthier in their literary stores than we +previously imagined. Originally on two or three +skins, it is now torn into five separate pieces,<a name="FNanchor_364_364" id="FNanchor_364_364"></a><a href="#Footnote_364_364" class="fnanchor">[364]</a> and +in other respects much dilapidated. The writing +also in some parts is nearly obliterated, so as to +render the document scarcely readable. It is much +to be regretted that this interesting catalogue is +but a portion of the original; in its complete form +it would probably have described twice as many +volumes; but a fragment as it is, it nevertheless +contains the titles of more than <i>eleven hundred +books</i>, with the names of many of their donors +attached. A creditable and right worthy testimonial +this, of the learning and love of books prevalent +among the monks of Ramsey Monastery. +More than seven hundred of this goodly number<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238"></a>[<a href="./images/238.png">238</a>]</span> +were of a miscellaneous nature, and the rest were +principally books used in the performance of divine +service. Among these there were no less than +seventy Breviaries; thirty-two Grails; twenty-nine +Processionals; and one hundred Psalters! The +reader will regard most of these as superstitious +and useless; nor should I remark upon them did +they not show that books were not so scarce in +those times as we suppose; as this prodigality +satisfactorily proves, and moreover testifies to the +unceasing industry of the monkish scribes. We +who are used to the speed of the printing press and +its fertile abundance can form an opinion of the +labor necessary to transcribe this formidable array +of papistical literature. Four hundred volumes +transcribed with the plodding pen! each word collated +and each page diligently revised, lest a blunder +or a misspelt syllable should blemish those books so +deeply venerated. What long years of dry tedious +labor and monotonous industry was here!</p> + +<p>But the other portion of the catalogue fully +compensates for this vast proportion of ecclesiastical +volumes. Besides several <i>Biblia optima in duobus +voluminibus</i>, or complete copies of the Bible, many +separate books of the inspired writers are noted +down; indeed the catalogue lays before us a superb +array of fine biblical treasures, rendered doubly +valuable by copious and useful glossaries; and embracing +many a rare Hebrew MS. Bible, <i>bibliotheca +hebraice</i>, and precious commentary. I count no +less than twenty volumes in this ancient language. +But we often find Hebrew manuscripts in the +monastic catalogues after the eleventh century.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239"></a>[<a href="./images/239.png">239</a>]</span> +The Jews, who came over in great numbers about +that time, were possessed of many valuable books, +and spread a knowledge of their language and +literature among the students of the monasteries. +And when the cruel persecution commenced against +them in the thirteenth century, they disposed of +their books, which were generally bought up by +the monks, who were ever hungry after such +acquisitions. Gregory, prior of Ramsey, collected +a great quantity of Hebrew MSS. in this way, and +highly esteemed the language, in which he became +deeply learned. At his death, in the year 1250, he +left them to the library of his monastery.<a name="FNanchor_365_365" id="FNanchor_365_365"></a><a href="#Footnote_365_365" class="fnanchor">[365]</a> Nor +was my lord prior a solitary instance; many others +of the same abbey, inspired by his example and +aided by his books, studied the Hebrew with equal +success. Brother Dodford, the Armarian, and +Holbeach, a monk, displayed their erudition in +writing a Hebrew lexicon.<a name="FNanchor_366_366" id="FNanchor_366_366"></a><a href="#Footnote_366_366" class="fnanchor">[366]</a></p> + +<p>The library of Ramsey was also remarkably +rich in patristic lore. They gloried in the possession +of the works of Ambrose, Augustine, Anselm, +Basil, Boniface, Bernard, Gregory, and many +others equally voluminous. But it was not exclusively +to the study of such matters that these +monks applied their minds, they possessed a taste +for other branches of literature besides. They +read histories of the church, histories of England, +of Normandy, of the Jews; and histories of scholas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a>[<a href="./images/240.png">240</a>]</span>tic +philosophy, and many old chronicles which reposed +on their shelves. In science they appear to +have been equally studious, for the catalogue +enumerates works on medicine, natural history, +philosophy, mathematics, logic, dialects, arithmetic +and music! Who will say after this that the +monks were ignorant of the sciences and careless +of the arts? The classical student has perhaps ere +this condemned them for their want of taste, and +felt indignant at the absence of those authors of +antiquity whose names and works he venerates. +But the monks, far from neglecting those precious +volumes, were ever careful of their preservation; +they loved Virgil, Horace, and even Ovid, "heathen +dogs" as they were, and enjoyed a keen relish for +their beauties. I find in this catalogue the following +choice names of antiquity occur repeatedly:—</p> + + +<ul><li>Aristotle.</li> +<li>Arian.</li> +<li>Boethius.</li> +<li>Claudius.</li> +<li>Dionysius.</li> +<li>Donatus.</li> +<li>Horace.</li> +<li>Josephus.</li> +<li>Justin.</li> +<li>Lucan.</li> +<li>Martial.</li> +<li>Macrobius.</li> +<li>Orosius.</li> +<li>Ovid.</li> +<li>Plato.</li> +<li>Priscian.</li> +<li>Prudentius.</li> +<li>Seneca.</li> +<li>Sallust.</li> +<li>Solinus.</li> +<li>Terence.</li> +<li>Virgil.</li> +</ul> + +<p>Here were rich mines of ancient eloquence, and +fragrant flowers of poesy to enliven and perfume +the dull cloister studies of the monks. It is not +every library or reading society even of our own +time that possess so many gems of old. But other +treasures might yet be named which still further<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a>[<a href="./images/241.png">241</a>]</span> +testify to the varied tastes and literary pursuits of +these monastic bibliophiles; but I shall content +myself with naming Peter of Blois, the Sentences +of Peter Lombard, of which they had several +copies, some enriched with choice commentaries +and notes, the works of Thomas Aquinas and +others of his class, a "Liber Ricardi," Dictionaries, +Grammars, and the writings of "Majestri Robi +Grostete," the celebrated Bishop of Lincoln, renowned +as a great <i>amator librorum</i> and collector +of Grecian literature. I might easily swell this +notice out to a considerable extent by enumerating +many other book treasures in this curious collection: +but enough has been said to enable the +reader to judge of the sort of literature the monks +of Ramsey collected and the books they read; and +if he should feel inclined to pursue the inquiry +further, I must refer him to the original manuscript, +promising him much gratification for his +trouble.<a name="FNanchor_367_367" id="FNanchor_367_367"></a><a href="#Footnote_367_367" class="fnanchor">[367]</a> It only remains for me to say that the +Vandalism of the Reformation swept all traces of +this fine library away, save the broken, tattered +catalogue we have just examined. But this is more +than has been spared from some. The abbey of +St. Edmunds Bury<a name="FNanchor_368_368" id="FNanchor_368_368"></a><a href="#Footnote_368_368" class="fnanchor">[368]</a> at one time must have enjoyed +a copious library, but we have no catalogue that I +am aware of to tell of its nature, not even a passing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242"></a>[<a href="./images/242.png">242</a>]</span> +notice of its well-stored shelves, except a few lines +in which Leland mentions some of the old manuscripts +he found therein.<a name="FNanchor_369_369" id="FNanchor_369_369"></a><a href="#Footnote_369_369" class="fnanchor">[369]</a> But a catalogue of their +library in the flourishing days of their monastery +would have disclosed, I imagine, many curious +works, and probably some singular writings on the +"<i>crafft off medycyne</i>," which Abbot Baldwin, +"<i>phesean</i>" to Edward the Confessor,<a name="FNanchor_370_370" id="FNanchor_370_370"></a><a href="#Footnote_370_370" class="fnanchor">[370]</a> had given +the monks, and of whom Lydgate thus speaks—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Baldewynus, a monk off Seynt Denys,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Gretly expert in crafft of medycyne;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Full provydent off counsayl and right wys,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Sad off his port, functuons off doctryne;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">After by grace and influence devyne,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Choose off Bury Abbot, as I reede<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">The thyrdde in order that did ther succeade."<a name="FNanchor_371_371" id="FNanchor_371_371"></a><a href="#Footnote_371_371" class="fnanchor">[371]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>We may equally deplore the loss of the catalogue +of the monastery of Ely, which, during the +middle ages, we have every reason to suppose possessed +a library of much value and extent. This +old monastery can trace its foundation back to a +remote period, and claim as its foundress, Etheldredæ,<a name="FNanchor_372_372" id="FNanchor_372_372"></a><a href="#Footnote_372_372" class="fnanchor">[372]</a> +the daughter of Anna, King of the East +Angles, she was the wife of King Ecgfrid,<a name="FNanchor_373_373" id="FNanchor_373_373"></a><a href="#Footnote_373_373" class="fnanchor">[373]</a> with +whom she lived for twelve long years, though +during that time she preserved the glory of perfect +virginity, much to the annoyance of her royal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243"></a>[<a href="./images/243.png">243</a>]</span> +spouse, who offered money and lands to induce +that illustrious virgin to waver in her resolution, +but without success. Her inflexible determination +at length induced her husband to grant her oft-repeated +prayer; and in the year 673 she retired +into the seclusion of monastic life,<a name="FNanchor_374_374" id="FNanchor_374_374"></a><a href="#Footnote_374_374" class="fnanchor">[374]</a> and building +the monastery of Ely, devoted her days to the +praise and glory of her heavenly King. Her pure +and pious life caused others speedily to follow her +example, and she soon became the virgin-mother of +a numerous progeny dedicated to God. A series +of astounding miracles attended her monastic life; +and sixteen years after her death, when her sister, +the succeeding abbess, opened her wooden coffin +to transfer her body to a more costly one of marble, +that "holy virgin and spouse of Christ" was found +entirely free from corruption or decay.<a name="FNanchor_375_375" id="FNanchor_375_375"></a><a href="#Footnote_375_375" class="fnanchor">[375]</a></p> + +<p>A nunnery, glorying in so pure a foundress, +grew and flourished, and for "two hundred years +existed in the full observance of monastic discipline;" +but on the coming of the Danes in the year +870, those sad destroyers of religious establishments<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244"></a>[<a href="./images/244.png">244</a>]</span> +laid it in a heap of ruins, in which desolate condition +it remained till it attracted the attention of the +celebrated Ethelwold, who under the patronage of +King Edgar restored it; and endowing it with considerable +privileges appointed Brithnoth, Prior of +Winchester, its first abbot.<a name="FNanchor_376_376" id="FNanchor_376_376"></a><a href="#Footnote_376_376" class="fnanchor">[376]</a></p> + +<p>Many years after, when Leoffin was abbot there, +and Canute was king, that monarch honored the +monastery of Ely with his presence on several +occasions. Monkish traditions say, that on one of +these visits as the king approached, he heard the +pious inmates of the monastery chanting their hymn +of praise; and so melodious were the voices of the +devotees, that his royal heart was touched, and he +poured forth his feelings in a Saxon ballad, commencing +thus:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Merry sang the monks of Ely,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">When Canute the king was sailing by;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Row ye knights near the land,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And let us hear these monks song."<a name="FNanchor_377_377" id="FNanchor_377_377"></a><a href="#Footnote_377_377" class="fnanchor">[377]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It reads smoother in Strutt's version; he renders it</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Cheerful sang the monk of Ely,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">When Canute the king was passing by;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Row to the shore knights, said the king,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And let us hear these churchmen sing."<a name="FNanchor_378_378" id="FNanchor_378_378"></a><a href="#Footnote_378_378" class="fnanchor">[378]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In addition to the title of a poet, Canute has +also received the appellation of a bibliomaniac. +Dibdin, in his bibliomania, mentions in a cursory +manner a few monkish book collectors, and intro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245"></a>[<a href="./images/245.png">245</a>]</span>duces +Canute among them.<a name="FNanchor_379_379" id="FNanchor_379_379"></a><a href="#Footnote_379_379" class="fnanchor">[379]</a> The illuminated manuscript +of the four Gospels in the Danish tongue, +now in the British Museum, he writes, "and once +that monarch's own book leaves not the shadow +of a doubt of his bibliomanical character!" I cannot +however allow him that title upon such equivocal +grounds; for upon examination, the MS. turns out +to be in the Theotisc dialect, possessing no illuminations +of its own, and never perhaps once in +the hands of the royal poet.<a name="FNanchor_380_380" id="FNanchor_380_380"></a><a href="#Footnote_380_380" class="fnanchor">[380]</a></p> + +<p>From the account books of Ely church we may +infer that the monks there enjoyed a tolerable +library; for we find frequent entries of money +having been expended for books and materials connected +with the library; thus in the year 1300 we +find that they bought at one time five dozen parchment, +four pounds of ink, eight calf and four +sheep-skins for binding books; and afterwards +there is another entry of five dozen vellum and six +pair of book clasps, a book of decretals for the +library, 3s., a Speculum Gregor, 2s., and "<i>Pro +tabula Paschalis fac denova et illuminand</i>," 4s.<a name="FNanchor_381_381" id="FNanchor_381_381"></a><a href="#Footnote_381_381" class="fnanchor">[381]</a> +They frequently perhaps sent one of the monks to +distants parts to purchase or borrow books for +their library; a curious instance of this occurs +under the year 1329, when they paid "the pre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246"></a>[<a href="./images/246.png">246</a>]</span>centor +for going to Balsham to enquire for books, +6s. 7d." The bookbinder two weeks' wages, 4s.; +twelve iron chains to fasten books, 4s.; five dozen +vellum, 25s. 8d. In the year 1396, they paid their +librarian 53s. 4d., and a tunic for his services during +one year.<a name="FNanchor_382_382" id="FNanchor_382_382"></a><a href="#Footnote_382_382" class="fnanchor">[382]</a></p> + +<p>Nigel, Bishop of Ely, by endowing the Scriptorium, +enabled the monks to produce some excellent +transcripts; they added several books of Cassiodorus, +Bede, Aldelem, Radbert, Andres, etc., to +the library;<a name="FNanchor_383_383" id="FNanchor_383_383"></a><a href="#Footnote_383_383" class="fnanchor">[383]</a> and they possessed at one time no +less than thirteen fine copies of the Gospels, which +were beautifully bound in gold and silver.<a name="FNanchor_384_384" id="FNanchor_384_384"></a><a href="#Footnote_384_384" class="fnanchor">[384]</a></p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_351_351" id="Footnote_351_351"></a><a href="#FNanchor_351_351"><span class="label">[351]</span></a> Those learned in such matters refer the foundation of Winchester +cathedral and monastery to a remote period. An old writer +says that it was "built by King Lucius, who, abolishing Paganisme, +embraced Christ the first yere of his reigne, being the yeere of our +Lord 180."—<i>Godwin's Cat.</i> p. 157. See also <i>Usher de Primordiis</i>. +fo. 126.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_352_352" id="Footnote_352_352"></a><a href="#FNanchor_352_352"><span class="label">[352]</span></a> "Ecclesiarum ac diversorum operum magnus ædificator, et dum +esset abbas et dum esset episcopus."—<i>Wolstan. Vita Æthelw. ap. +Mabillon Actæ S. S. Benedict, Sæc.</i> v. p. 614.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_353_353" id="Footnote_353_353"></a><a href="#FNanchor_353_353"><span class="label">[353]</span></a> Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. i. p. 614.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_354_354" id="Footnote_354_354"></a><a href="#FNanchor_354_354"><span class="label">[354]</span></a> MS. belonging to the Society of Antiquaries, No. 60, fo. 34. +See Dugdale Monast. vol. i. p. 382. He gave to the monks of +Abingdon a copy of the Gospels cased in silver, ornamented with +gold and precious stones.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_355_355" id="Footnote_355_355"></a><a href="#FNanchor_355_355"><span class="label">[355]</span></a> <i>Archæologia</i>, vol. xxiv. p. 22; and <i>Dibdin's</i> delightful "<i>Decameron</i>," +vol. i. p. lix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_356_356" id="Footnote_356_356"></a><a href="#FNanchor_356_356"><span class="label">[356]</span></a> Wuls. Act. S. S. Benedict. p. 616.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_357_357" id="Footnote_357_357"></a><a href="#FNanchor_357_357"><span class="label">[357]</span></a> Archæolog. vol. xxiv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_358_358" id="Footnote_358_358"></a><a href="#FNanchor_358_358"><span class="label">[358]</span></a> Regist. Priorat. S. Swithin Winton.—<i>Warton</i> <span class="smcap">ii</span>, <i>Dissert.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_359_359" id="Footnote_359_359"></a><a href="#FNanchor_359_359"><span class="label">[359]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_360_360" id="Footnote_360_360"></a><a href="#FNanchor_360_360"><span class="label">[360]</span></a> <i>Marked Titus</i>, D. 27.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_361_361" id="Footnote_361_361"></a><a href="#FNanchor_361_361"><span class="label">[361]</span></a> It is called "<i>Calendarium, in quo notantur dies obitus plurimorum +monachorum, abbatum, etc.; temp. regum Anglo-Saxonum</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_362_362" id="Footnote_362_362"></a><a href="#FNanchor_362_362"><span class="label">[362]</span></a> It was a little cell dependant on the Abbey of Thorney.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_363_363" id="Footnote_363_363"></a><a href="#FNanchor_363_363"><span class="label">[363]</span></a> MS. <i>Harleian</i>, No. 3658, fo. 74, b. It will be found printed +in <i>Dugdale's Monasticon</i>, vol. iv. p. 167. The catalogue was +evidently written about the year 1350.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_364_364" id="Footnote_364_364"></a><a href="#FNanchor_364_364"><span class="label">[364]</span></a> Cottonian Charta, 11-16. I am sorry to observe so little +attention paid to this curious fragment, which, insignificant as it may +appear to some, is nevertheless quite a curiosity of literature in its +way. Its tattered condition calls for the care of Sir Frederick +Madden.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_365_365" id="Footnote_365_365"></a><a href="#FNanchor_365_365"><span class="label">[365]</span></a> Leland Script. Brit. p. 321, and MSS. Bibl. Lambeth, Wharton, +L. p. 661. Libris Prioris Gregorii de Ramsey, <i>Prima pars +Bibliothecæ Hebraice</i>, etc. Warton Dissert ii. Eng. Poetry.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_366_366" id="Footnote_366_366"></a><a href="#FNanchor_366_366"><span class="label">[366]</span></a> Bale, iv. 41, et ix. 9. Leland. Scrip. Brit. p. 452.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_367_367" id="Footnote_367_367"></a><a href="#FNanchor_367_367"><span class="label">[367]</span></a> <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Alward'">Ailward</ins>, Bishop of London, gave many books to the library of +Ramsey monastery, <i>Hoveden Scrip. post. Bedam.</i> 1596, fol. 252. +Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. ii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_368_368" id="Footnote_368_368"></a><a href="#FNanchor_368_368"><span class="label">[368]</span></a> In the year 1327, the inhabitants of Bury besieged the abbey, +wounded the monks, and "bare out of the abbey all the gold, silver +ornaments, <i>bookes, charters, and other writings</i>." Stowe Annals, +p. 353.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_369_369" id="Footnote_369_369"></a><a href="#FNanchor_369_369"><span class="label">[369]</span></a> He particularly notices a Sallust, a very ancient copy, <i>vetustis +simus</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_370_370" id="Footnote_370_370"></a><a href="#FNanchor_370_370"><span class="label">[370]</span></a> And also to Lanfranc, he was elected in the year 1065.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_371_371" id="Footnote_371_371"></a><a href="#FNanchor_371_371"><span class="label">[371]</span></a> Harleian MS. No. 2278.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_372_372" id="Footnote_372_372"></a><a href="#FNanchor_372_372"><span class="label">[372]</span></a> Or Atheldryth.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_373_373" id="Footnote_373_373"></a><a href="#FNanchor_373_373"><span class="label">[373]</span></a> The youngest son of Osway, King of Northumbria; he succeeded +to the throne on the death of his father in the year 670.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_374_374" id="Footnote_374_374"></a><a href="#FNanchor_374_374"><span class="label">[374]</span></a> She seems to have been principally encouraged in this fanatical +determination by Wilfrid; probably this was one of the causes of +Ecgfrid's displeasure towards him. So highly was the purity of the +body regarded in the early Saxon church, that Aldhelm wrote a +piece in its praise, in imitation of the style of Sedulius, but in most +extravagant terms. Bede wrote a poem, solely to commemorate the +chastety of Etheldreda. +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Let Maro wars in loftier numbers sing<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">I sound the praises of our heavenly King;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Chaste is my verse, nor Helen's rape I write,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Light tales like these, but prove the mind as light."<br /></span> +<span class="i14"><i>Bede's Eccl. Hist. by Giles</i>, b. iv. c. xx.</span> +</div></div></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_375_375" id="Footnote_375_375"></a><a href="#FNanchor_375_375"><span class="label">[375]</span></a> Bede's Eccl. Hist. b. iv. c. xx.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_376_376" id="Footnote_376_376"></a><a href="#FNanchor_376_376"><span class="label">[376]</span></a> Saxon Chronicle translated by Ingram, p. 118. Dugdale's +Monasticon, vol. i. p. 458.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_377_377" id="Footnote_377_377"></a><a href="#FNanchor_377_377"><span class="label">[377]</span></a> Sharon Turner's Hist. of the Anglo-Saxons, vol. ii. p. 288.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_378_378" id="Footnote_378_378"></a><a href="#FNanchor_378_378"><span class="label">[378]</span></a> Strutt's Saxon Antiquities, vol. i. p. 83.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_379_379" id="Footnote_379_379"></a><a href="#FNanchor_379_379"><span class="label">[379]</span></a> <i>Dibdin's Bibliomania</i>, p. 228.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_380_380" id="Footnote_380_380"></a><a href="#FNanchor_380_380"><span class="label">[380]</span></a> Dibdin alludes to the "Harmony of the Four Gospels," preserved +among the Cotton MSS. <i>Caligula</i>, A. vii. and described as +"<i>Harmonia Evangeliorum, lingua Francica capitulis, 71, Liber +quondam (dicit Jamesius) Canuti regis</i>." See also Hicke's Gram. +Franco-Theotisca, p. 6. But there is no ground for the supposition +that it belonged to Canute; and the several fine historical illuminations +bound up with it are evidently of a much later age.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_381_381" id="Footnote_381_381"></a><a href="#FNanchor_381_381"><span class="label">[381]</span></a> An entry occurs of 6s. 8d. for writing two processionals.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_382_382" id="Footnote_382_382"></a><a href="#FNanchor_382_382"><span class="label">[382]</span></a> Stevenson's Suppl. to Bentham's church of Ely, p. 52. "It +is worth notice," says Stevenson, "that in the course of a few years, +about the middle of the 14th century, the precentor purchased upwards +of seventy dozen parchment and thirty dozen vellum."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_383_383" id="Footnote_383_383"></a><a href="#FNanchor_383_383"><span class="label">[383]</span></a> Spelman Antiquarii Collectanea, vol. iii. p. 273. Nigel, who +was made bishop in 1133, was plundered by some of King Stephen's +soldiers, and robbed of his own copy of the Gospels which he had +adorned with many sacred relics; see <i>Anglia Sacra</i>, i. p. 622.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_384_384" id="Footnote_384_384"></a><a href="#FNanchor_384_384"><span class="label">[384]</span></a> <i>Warton's Anglia Sacra</i>, it is related that William Longchamp, +bishop in 1199, sold them to raise money towards the redemption of +King Richard, <i>pro Regis Ricardi redemptione</i>, tom. i. 633. Dugd. +Monast. i. p. 463.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a>[<a href="./images/247.png">247</a>]</span></p> +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-20.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>St. Alban's.—Willigod.—Bones of St. Alban.—Eadmer.—Norman +Conquest.—Paul and the +Scriptorium.—Geoffry de Gorham.—Brekspere +the "Poor Clerk".—Abbot Simon and his "multis +voluminibus".—Raymond the Prior.—Wentmore.—Whethamstede.—Humphrey, +Duke of Gloucester.—Lydgate.—Guy, +Earl of Warwick.</i></p></div> +<hr /> + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-11.jpg" alt="T" title="T" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">he</span> efficacy of "Good Works" was +a principle ever inculcated by the +monks of old. It is sad to reflect, +that vile deeds and black intentions +were too readily forgiven +and absolved by the Church on +the performance of some <i>good +deed</i>; or that the monks should dare to shelter or +to gloss over those sins which their priestly duty +bound them to condemn, because forsooth some +wealthy baron could spare a portion of his broad +lands or coffered gold to extenuate them. But +this forms one of the dark stains of the monastic +system; and the monks, I am sorry to say, were +more readily inclined to overlook the blemish, be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248"></a>[<a href="./images/248.png">248</a>]</span>cause +it proved so profitable to their order. And +thus it was, that the proud and noble monastery of +St. Alban's was endowed by a murderer's hand, and +built to allay the fierce tortures of an assassin's +conscience. Ethelbert, king of the East Angles, +fell by the regal hand of Offa, king of Mercia; +and from the era of that black and guilty deed +many a fine monastery dates its origin and owes +its birth.</p> + +<p>St. Alban's was founded, as its name implies, in +honor of the English protomartyr, whose bones +were said to have been discovered on that interesting +site, and afterwards preserved with veneration +in the abbey. In the ancient times, the building +appears to have covered a considerable space, and +to have been of great magnitude and power; for +ruins of its former structure mark how far and wide +the foundation spreads.</p></div> + +<p>"The glorious king Offa," as the monks in their +adulation style him, richly endowed the monastery +on its completion, as we learn from the old chronicles +of the abbey; and a succession of potent +sovereigns are emblazoned on the glittering parchment, +whose liberalty augmented or confirmed +these privileges.<a name="FNanchor_385_385" id="FNanchor_385_385"></a><a href="#Footnote_385_385" class="fnanchor">[385]</a></p> + +<p>Willigod, the first abbot, greatly enriched the +monastery, and bestowed especial care upon the +relics of St. Alban. It is curious to mark how +many perils those shrivelled bones escaped, and +with what anxious care the monks preserved them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249"></a>[<a href="./images/249.png">249</a>]</span> +In the year 930, during the time of Abbot Eadfrid, +the Danes attacked the abbey, and after many +destroying acts broke open the repository, and +carried away some of the bones of St. Alban into +their own country.<a name="FNanchor_386_386" id="FNanchor_386_386"></a><a href="#Footnote_386_386" class="fnanchor">[386]</a> The monks took greater care +than ever of the remaining relics; and their anxiety +for their safety, and the veneration with which they +regarded them, is curiously illustrated by an anecdote +of Abbot Leofric, elected in the year 1006. +His abbacy was, therefore, held in troubled times; +and in the midst of fresh invasions and Danish +cruelties. Fearing lest they should a second time +reach the abbey, he determined to protect by +stratagem what he could not effect by force. After +hiding the genuine bones of St. Alban in a place +quite secure from discovery, he sent an open message +to the Abbot of Ely, entreating permission to +deposit the holy relics in his keeping; and offering, +as a plausible reason, that the monastery of Ely, +being surrounded by marshy and impenetrable +bogs, was secure from the approaches of the barbarians. +He accompanied this message with some +false relics—the remains of an old monk belonging +to the abbey enclosed in a coffin—and sent with +them a worn antiquated looking mantle, pretending +that it formerly belonged to Amphibalus, the master +of St. Alban.<a name="FNanchor_387_387" id="FNanchor_387_387"></a><a href="#Footnote_387_387" class="fnanchor">[387]</a> The monks of Ely joyfully received +these precious bones, and displayed perhaps too +much eagerness in doing so. Certain it is, that +when the danger was past and the quietude of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250"></a>[<a href="./images/250.png">250</a>]</span> +country was restored, Leofric, on applying for the +restitution of these "holy relics," found some difficulty +in obtaining them; for the Abbot of Ely +attempted by equivocation and duplicity to retain +them. After several ineffectual applications, Leofric +was compelled, for the honor of his monastery, +to declare the "pious fraud" he had practised; +which he proved by the testimony of several monks +of his fraternity, who were witnesses of the transaction. +It is said, that Edward the Confessor was +highly incensed at the conduct of the Abbot of +Ely.</p> + +<p>I have stated elsewhere, that the learned and +pious Ælfric gave the monastery many choice +volumes. His successor, Ealdred, abbot, about the +year 955, was quite an antiquary in his way; and no +spot in England afforded so many opportunities to +gratify his taste as the site of the ancient city of +Verulam. He commenced an extensive search +among the ruins, and rescued from the earth a vast +quantity of interesting and valuable remains. He +stowed all the stone-work and other materials +which were serviceable in building away, intending +to erect a new edifice for the monks: but death +prevented the consummation of these designs. +Eadmer, his successor, a man of great piety and +learning, followed up the pursuit, and made some +important accessions to these stores. He found +also a great number of gold and silver ornaments, +specimens of ancient art, some of them of a most +costly nature, but being idols or figures connected +with heathen mythology, he cared not to preserve +them. Matthew Paris is prolix in his account of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251"></a>[<a href="./images/251.png">251</a>]</span> +the operations and discoveries of this abbot; and +one portion of it is so interesting, and seems so +connected with our subject, that I cannot refrain +from giving it to the reader. "The abbot," he +writes, "whilst digging out the walls and searching +for the ruins which were buried in the earth in the +midst of the ancient city, discovered many vestiges +of the foundation of a great palace. In a recess in +one of the walls he found the remains of a library, +consisting of a number of books and rolls; and +among them a volume in an unknown tongue, and +which, although very ancient, had especially escaped +destruction. This nobody in the monastery could +read, nor could they at that time find any one who +understood the writing or the idiom; it was exceedingly +ancient, and the letters evidently were +most beautifully formed; the inscriptions or titles +were written in gold, and encircled with ornaments; +bound in oak with silken bands, which still +retained their strength and beauty; so perfectly +was the volume preserved. But they could not +conceive what the book was about; at last, after +much search and diligent inquiry, they found a very +feeble and aged priest, named Unwon, who was +very learned in writings <i>literis bene eruditum</i>, and +imbued with the knowledge of divers languages. +He knew directly what the volume was about, and +clearly and fluently read the contents; he also explained +the other <i>Codices</i> found in the same library +<i>in eodem Almariolo</i> of the palace with the greatest +ease, and showed them to be written in the characters +formerly in use among the inhabitants of Verulam, +and in the language of the ancient Britons.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252"></a>[<a href="./images/252.png">252</a>]</span> +Some, however, were in Latin; but the book before-mentioned +was found to be the history of Saint +Alban, the English proto-martyr, according to that +mentioned by Bede, as having been daily used in +the church. Among the other books were discovered +many contrivances for the invocation and +idolatrous rites of the people of Verulam, in which +it was evident that Phœbus the god Sol was especially +invoked and worshipped; and after him +Mercury, called in English Woden, who was the +god of the merchants. The books which contained +these diabolical inventions they cast away and +burnt; but that precious treasure, the history of +Saint Alban, they preserved, and the priest before-mentioned +was appointed to translate the ancient +English or British into the vulgar tongue.<a name="FNanchor_388_388" id="FNanchor_388_388"></a><a href="#Footnote_388_388" class="fnanchor">[388]</a> By +the prudence of the Abbot Eadmer, the brothers +of the convent made a faithful copy, and diligently +explained it in their public teaching; they also +translated it into Latin, in which it is now known +and read; the historian adds that the ancient and +original copy, which was so curiously written, instantaneously +crumbled into dust and was destroyed +for ever.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_389_389" id="FNanchor_389_389"></a><a href="#Footnote_389_389" class="fnanchor">[389]</a></p> + +<p>Although the attention of the Saxon abbots +was especially directed to literary matters, and to +the affairs connected with the making of books, we +find no definite mention of a Scriptorium, or of +manuscripts having been transcribed as a regular +and systematic duty, till after the Norman con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253"></a>[<a href="./images/253.png">253</a>]</span>quest. +That event happened during the abbacy of +Frederic, and was one which greatly influenced +the learning of the monks. Indeed, I regard the +Norman conquest as a most propitious event for +English literature, and one which wrought a vast +change in the aspect of monastic learning; the +student of those times cannot fail to perceive the +revolution which then took place in the cloisters; +visibly accomplished by the installation of Norman +bishops and the importation of Norman monks, +who in the well regulated monasteries of France and +Normandy had been initiated into a more general +course of study, and brought up in a better system +of mental training than was known here at that +time.</p> + +<p>But poor Frederic, a conscientious and worthy +monk, suffered severely by that event, and was +ultimately obliged to seek refuge in the monastery +of Ely to evade the displeasure of the new sovereign; +but his earthly course was well nigh run, +for three days after, death released him from his +worldly troubles, and deprived the conqueror of a +victim. Paul, the first of the Norman abbots, was +appointed by the king in the year 1077. He was +zealous and industrious in the interest of the abbey, +and obtained the restitution of many lands and +possessions of which it had been deprived; he +rebuilt the old and almost ruined church, and employed +for that purpose many of the materials +which his predecessors had collected from the ruins +of Verulam; and even now, I believe, some remnants +of these Roman tiles, etc., may be discerned. +He moreover obtained many important grants and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254"></a>[<a href="./images/254.png">254</a>]</span> +valuable donations; among others a layman named +Robert, one of the Norman leaders, gave him two +parts of the tythes of his domain at Hatfield, +which he had received from the king at the distribution.</p> + +<p>"This he assigned," says Matthew Paris, "to +the disposal of Abbot Paul, who was a lover of the +Scriptures, for the transcription of the necessary +volumes for the monastery. He himself indeed +was a learned soldier, and a diligent hearer and +lover of Scripture; to this he also added the tythes +of Redburn, appointing certain provisions to be +given to the scribes; this he did out of "charity to +the brothers that they may not thereby suffer, and +that no impediment might be offered to the writers.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins> +The abbot thereupon sought and obtained from +afar many renowned scribes, to write the necessary +books for the monastery. And in return for these +abundant favors, he presented, as a suitable gift to +the warlike Robert, for the chapel in his palace at +Hatfield, two pair of vestments, a silver cup, a +missal, and the other needful books (<i>missale cum +aliis libris necessariis</i>). Having thus presented to +him the first volumes produced by his liberality, he +proceeded to construct a scriptorium, which was +set apart (<i>præelectos</i>) for the transcription of books; +Lanfranc supplied the copies. They thus procured +for the monastery twenty-eight notable volumes +(<i>volumina notabilia</i>), also eight psalters, a book of +collects, a book of epistles, a volume containing +the gospels for the year, two copies of the gospels +complete, bound in gold and silver, and ornamented +with gems; besides ordinals, constitutions, missals,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255"></a>[<a href="./images/255.png">255</a>]</span> +troapries, collects, and other books for the use of +the library.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_390_390" id="FNanchor_390_390"></a><a href="#Footnote_390_390" class="fnanchor">[390]</a></p> + +<p>Thus blessed, we find the monks of St. Albans +for ages after constantly acquiring fresh treasures, +and multiplying their book stores by fruitful transcripts. +There is scarce an abbot, whose portrait +garnishes the fair manuscript before me, that is +not represented with some goodly tomes spread +around him, or who is not mentioned as a choice +"<i>amator librorum</i>," in these monkish pages. It is +a singular circumstance, when we consider how +bookless those ages are supposed to have been, +that the illuminated portraits of the monks are +most frequently depicted with some ponderous +volume before them, as if the idea of a monk and +the study of a book were quite inseparable. During +my search among the old manuscripts quoted in +this work, this fact has been so repeatedly forced +upon my attention that I am tempted to regard it +as an important hint, and one which speaks favorably +for the love of books and learning among the +cowled devotees of the monasteries.</p> + +<p>Passing Richard de Albani, who gave them a +copy of the gospels, a missal written in letters of +gold, an other precious volumes whose titles are +unrecorded,<a name="FNanchor_391_391" id="FNanchor_391_391"></a><a href="#Footnote_391_391" class="fnanchor">[391]</a> we come to Geoffry, a native of +Gorham, who was elected abbot in the year 1119. +He had been invited over to England (before he +became a priest) by his predecessor, to superintend +the school of St. Albans; but he delayed the voyage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256"></a>[<a href="./images/256.png">256</a>]</span> +so long, that on his arrival he found the appointment +already filled; on this he went to Dunstable, +where he read lectures, and obtained some pupils. +It was during his stay there that he wrote the piece +which has obtained for him so much reputation. +<i>Ubi quendam ludum de Sancta Katarinæ quem +miracula vulgariter appellamus fecit</i>, says the Cotton +manuscripts, on the vellum page of which he +is portrayed in the act of writing it.<a name="FNanchor_392_392" id="FNanchor_392_392"></a><a href="#Footnote_392_392" class="fnanchor">[392]</a> Geoffry, +from this passage, is supposed to be the first author +of dramatic literature in England; although the +title seems somewhat equivocal, from the casual +manner in which his famous play of St. Catherine +is thus mentioned by Matthew Paris. Of its merits +we are still less able to form an opinion; for nothing +more than the name of that much talked of miracle +play has been preserved. We may conclude, however, +that it was performed with all the paraphernalia +of scenery and characteristic costume; for he +borrowed of the sacrist of St. Albans some copes +for this purpose. On the night following the +representation the house in which he resided was +burnt; and, says the historian, all his books, and +the copes he had borrowed were destroyed. Rendered +poor indeed by this calamity, and somewhat +reflecting upon himself for the event, he assumed +in sorrow and despair the religious habit, and +entered the monastery of St. Albans; where by +his deep study, his learning and his piety, he so +gained the hearts of his fraternity, that he ultimately +became their abbot. He is said to have been very +industrious in the transcription of books; and he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257"></a>[<a href="./images/257.png">257</a>]</span> +"made a missal bound in gold, <i>auro ridimitum</i>, +and another in two volumes; both incomparably +illuminated in gold, and written in a clear and +legible hand; also a precious Psalter similarly +illuminated; a book containing the Benedictions +and the Sacraments; a book of Exorcisms, and a +Collectaria."<a name="FNanchor_393_393" id="FNanchor_393_393"></a><a href="#Footnote_393_393" class="fnanchor">[393]</a></p> + +<p>Geoffry was succeeded by Ralph de <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Gebium'">Gobium</ins> in +the year 1143: he was a monk remarkable for his +learning and his bibliomanical pursuits. He formerly +remained some time in the services of +Alexander, bishop of Lincoln, and gained the +esteem of that prelate. His book-loving passion +arose from hearing one "Master Wodon, of Italy, +expound the doctrines of the Holy Scriptures." +He from that time became a most enthusiastic +<i>amator librorum</i>; and collected, with great diligence, +an abundant multitude of books.<a name="FNanchor_394_394" id="FNanchor_394_394"></a><a href="#Footnote_394_394" class="fnanchor">[394]</a></p> + +<p>The matters in which he was concerned, his +donations to the monastery, and the anecdotes of +his life, are all unconnected with my subject; so that +I am obliged to pass from this interesting monk, +an undoubted bibliophile, from sheer want of information. +I cannot but regret that the historian +does not inform us more fully of his book collecting +pursuits; but he is especially barren on +that subject, although he highly esteems him for +prosecuting that pleasing avocation. He died in +the year 1151, in the fourteenth of King Stephen, +and was followed by Robert de Gorham, who is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258"></a>[<a href="./images/258.png">258</a>]</span> +also commemorated as a bibliophile in the pages +of the Cotton manuscripts; and to judge from his +portrait, and the intensity with which he pores over +his volume, he was a hard and devoted student. +He ordered the scribes to make a great many +books; indeed, adds Paris the historian, who was +himself somewhat of an <i>amator librorum</i>, "more +by far than can be mentioned."<a name="FNanchor_395_395" id="FNanchor_395_395"></a><a href="#Footnote_395_395" class="fnanchor">[395]</a> From another +source we learn that these books were most sumptuously +bound.<a name="FNanchor_396_396" id="FNanchor_396_396"></a><a href="#Footnote_396_396" class="fnanchor">[396]</a></p> + +<p>During the days of this learned abbot a devout +and humble clerk asked admission at the abbey +gate. Aspiring to a holy life, he ardently hoped, +by thus spending his days in monastic seclusion, to +render his heart more acceptable to God. Hearing +his prayer, the monks conducted him into the +presence of my Lord Abbot, who received him +with compassionate tenderness, and kindly questioned +him as to his qualifications for the duties +and sacred responsibilities of the monkish priesthood; +for even in those dark ages they looked a +little into the learning of the applicant before he +was admitted into their fraternity. But alas! the +poor clerk was found wofully deficient in this respect, +and was incapable of replying to the questions +of my Lord Abbot, who thereupon gently answered, +"My son, tarry awhile, and still exercise thyself in +study, and so become more perfect for the holy +office."</p> + +<p>Abashed and disappointed, he retired with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259"></a>[<a href="./images/259.png">259</a>]</span> +kindling blush of shame; and deeming this temporary +repulse a positive refusal he left his fatherland, +and started on a pilgrimage to France.<a name="FNanchor_397_397" id="FNanchor_397_397"></a><a href="#Footnote_397_397" class="fnanchor">[397]</a> +And who was this poor, humble, unlettered clerk? +Who this simple layman, whose ignorance rendered +him an unfit <i>socius</i> for the plodding monks of old +St. Albans Abbey? No less than the English +born Nicholas Brekespere, afterwards his Holiness +Adrian IV., Pope of Rome, Vicar-apostolic and +successor of St. Peter!</p> + +<p>Yes; still bearing in mind the kind yet keen +reproof of the English abbot, on his arrival in a +foreign land he studied with all the depth and +intensity of despair, and soon surpassed his companions +in the pursuit of knowledge; and became +so renowned for learning, and for his prudence, +that he was made Canon of St. Rufus. His sagacity, +moreover, caused him to be chosen, on three separate +occasions, to undertake some important embassies +to the apostolic see; and at length he was +elected a cardinal. So step by step he finally became +elevated to the high dignity of the popedom. +The first and last of England's sons who held the +keys of Peter.</p> + +<p>These shadows of the past—these shreds of a +forgotten age—these echoes of five hundred years, +are full of interest and instruction. For where +shall we find a finer example—a more cheering +instance of what perseverance will accomplish—or +a more satisfactory result of the pursuit of knowledge +under difficulties? Not only may these +curious facts cheer the dull student now, and inspire<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260"></a>[<a href="./images/260.png">260</a>]</span> +him with that energy so essential to success, but +these whisperings of old may serve as lessons for +ages yet to come. For if <i>we</i> look back upon those +dark days with such feelings of superiority, may +not the wiser generations of the future regard <i>us</i> +with a still more contemptuous, yet curious eye? +And when they look back at our Franklins, and +our Johnsons, in astonishment at such fine instances +of what perseverance could do, and what +energy and plodding industry could accomplish, +even when surrounded with the difficulties of <i>our</i> +ignorance; how much more will they praise this +bright example, in the dark background of the +historical tableaux, who, without even our means of +obtaining knowledge—our libraries or our talent—rose +by patient, hard and devoted study, from +Brekespere the humble clerk—the rejected of St. +Albans—to the proud title of Vicar-apostolic of +Christ and Pope of Rome!</p> + +<p>Simon, an Englishman, a clerk and a "man of +letters and good morals," was elected abbot in the +year 1167. All my authorities concur in bestowing +upon him the honor and praise appertaining to a +bibliomaniac. He was, says one, an especial lover +of books, <i>librorum amator speciales</i>: and another +in panegyric terms still further dubs him an <i>amator +scripturarum</i>. All this he proved, and well earned +the distinction, by the great encouragement he gave +to the collecting and transcribing of books. The +monkish pens he found moving too slow, and yielding +less fruit than formerly. He soon, however, set +them hard at work again; and to facilitate their +labors, he added materially to the comforts of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261"></a>[<a href="./images/261.png">261</a>]</span> +Scriptorium by repairing and enlarging it; "and +always," says the monk from whom I learn this, +"kept two or three most choice scribes in the +Camera (Scriptorium,) who sustained its reputation, +and from whence an abundant supply of the most +excellent books were continually produced.<a name="FNanchor_398_398" id="FNanchor_398_398"></a><a href="#Footnote_398_398" class="fnanchor">[398]</a> He +framed some efficient laws for its management, and +ordered that, in subsequent times, every abbot +should keep and support one able scribe at least. +Among the 'many choice books and authentic +volumes,' <i>volumina authentica</i>, which he by this +care and industry added to the abbey library, was +included a splendid copy of the Old and New +Testament, transcribed with great accuracy and +beautifully written—indeed, says the manuscript +history of that monastery, so noble a copy was +nowhere else to be seen.<a name="FNanchor_399_399" id="FNanchor_399_399"></a><a href="#Footnote_399_399" class="fnanchor">[399]</a> But besides this, Abbot +Simon gave them all those precious books which +he had been for a 'long time' collecting himself at +great cost and patient labor, and having bound +them in a sumptuous and marvellous manner,<a name="FNanchor_400_400" id="FNanchor_400_400"></a><a href="#Footnote_400_400" class="fnanchor">[400]</a> he +made a library for their reception near the tomb of +Roger the Hermit.<a name="FNanchor_401_401" id="FNanchor_401_401"></a><a href="#Footnote_401_401" class="fnanchor">[401]</a> He also bestowed many rich +ornaments and much costly plate on the monastery; +and by a long catalogue of good deeds, too +ample to be inserted here, he gained the affections +and gratitude of his fraternity, who loudly praised +his virtues and lamented his loss when they laid +him in his costly tomb. There is a curious illumination +of this monkish bibliophile in the Cotton +manuscript. He is represented deeply engaged<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262"></a>[<a href="./images/262.png">262</a>]</span> +with his studies amidst a number of massy volumes, +and a huge trunk is there before him crammed with +rough old fashioned large clasped tomes, quite enticing +to look upon."<a name="FNanchor_402_402" id="FNanchor_402_402"></a><a href="#Footnote_402_402" class="fnanchor">[402]</a></p> + +<p>After Simon came Garinus, who was soon succeeded +by one John. Our attention is arrested by +the learned renown of this abbot, who had studied +in his youth at Paris, and obtained the unanimous +praise of his masters for his assiduous attention +and studious industry. He returned with these +high honors, and was esteemed in grammar a +Priscian, in poetry an Ovid, and in physic equal to +Galen.<a name="FNanchor_403_403" id="FNanchor_403_403"></a><a href="#Footnote_403_403" class="fnanchor">[403]</a> With such literary qualifications, it was +to be expected the Scriptorium would flourish under +his government, and the library increase under his +fostering care. Our expectations are not disappointed; +for many valuable additions were made +during his abbacy, and the monks over whom he +presided gave many manifestations of refinement +and artistic talent, which incline us to regard the +ingenuity of the cloisters in a more favorable light. +Raymond, his prior, was a great help in all these +undertakings. His industry seems to have been +unceasing in beautifying the church, and looking +after the transcription of books. With the assistance +of Roger de Parco, the cellarer, he made a +large table very handsome, and partly fabricated +of metal. He wrote two copies of the Gospels, +and bound them in silver and gold adorned with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263"></a>[<a href="./images/263.png">263</a>]</span> +various figures. Brother Walter of Colchester, +with Randulph, Gubium and others, produced some +very handsome paintings comprising the evangelists +and many holy saints, and hung them up in the +church. "As we have before mentioned, by the +care and industry of the lord Raymond, many noble +and useful books were transcribed and given to +the monastery. The most remarkable of these was +a Historia Scholastica, with allegorics, a most +elegant book—<i>liber elegantissimus</i> exclaims my +monkish authority.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_404_404" id="FNanchor_404_404"></a><a href="#Footnote_404_404" class="fnanchor">[404]</a> This leads me to say something +more of my lord prior, for the troubles which +the conscientious conduct of old Raymond brought +upon himself—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Implores the passing tribute of a sigh."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Be it known then that William de Trompington +succeeded to the abbacy on the death of John; but +he was a very different man, without much esteem +for learning; and thinking I am afraid far more of +the world and heaven or the <i>Domus Dei</i>. Alas! +memoirs of bad monks and worldly abbots are +sometimes found blotting the holy pages of the +monkish annals. <i>Domus Dei est porta cœli</i>, said +the monks; and when they closed the convent +gates they did not look back on the world again, +but entered on that dull and gloomy path with a +full conviction that they were leaving all and following +Christ, and so acting in accordance with his +admonitions; but those who sought the convent to +forget in its solitude their worldly cares and worldly +disappointments, too often found how futile and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264"></a>[<a href="./images/264.png">264</a>]</span> +how ineffectual was that dismal life to eradicate the +grief of an overburdened heart, or to subdue the +violence of misguided temper. The austerity of +the monastic rules might tend to conquer passion +or moderate despair, but there was little within +those walls to drive painful recollections of the outward +world away; for at every interval between +their holy meditations and their monkish duties, +images of the earth would crowd back upon their +minds, and wring from their ascetic hearts tributes +of anguish and despair; and so we find the writings +and letters of the old monks full of vain regrets +and misanthropic thoughts, but sometimes overflowing +with the most touching pathos of human +misery. Yet the monk knew full well what his +duty was, and knew how sinful it was to repine or +rebel against the will of God. If he vowed obedience +to his abbot, he did not forget that obedience +was doubly due to Him; and strove with all the +strength that weak humanity could muster, to forget +the darkness of the past by looking forward with a +pious hope and a lively faith to the brightness and +glory of the future. By constant prayer the monk +thought more of his God, and gained help to +strengthen the faith within him; and by assiduous +and devoted study he disciplined his heart of flesh—tore +from it what lingering affection for the world +remained, and deserting all love of earth and all +love of kin, purged and purified it for his holy +calling, and closed its portals to render it inaccessible +to all sympathy of blood. If a thought of +those shut out from him by the monastic walls stole +across his soul and mingled with his prayer, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265"></a>[<a href="./images/265.png">265</a>]</span> +started and trembled as if he had offered up an +unholy desire in the supplication. To him it was +a proof that his nature was not yet subdued; and a +day of study and meditation, with a fast unbroken +till the rays of the morrow's sun cast their light +around his little cell, absolved the sin, and broke +the tie that bound him to the world without.</p> + +<p>If this violence was experienced in subduing +the tenderest of human sympathy; how much more +severe was the conflict of dark passions only half +subdued, or malignant depravity only partially reformed. +These dark lines of human nature were +sometimes prominent, even when the monk was +clothed in sackcloth and ashes; and are markedly +visible in the life of William de Trompington. But +let not the reader think that he was appointed with +the hearty suffrages of the fraternity, he was elected +at the recommendation of the "king," a very significant +term in those days of despotic rule, at +which choice became a mere farce. "Out of the +fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh;" and the +monks soon began to perceive with regret and +trembling the worldly ways of the new abbot, which +he could not hide even under his abbatical robes. +In a place dedicated to holy deeds and heavenly +thoughts, worldly conduct or unbridled passion +strikes the mind as doubly criminal, and loads the +heart with dismay and suffering; at least so my +lord Prior regarded it, whose righteous indignation +could no longer endure these manifestations of a +worldly mind. So he gently remonstrated with his +superior, and hinted at the impropriety of such +conduct. This was received not in Christian fellow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266"></a>[<a href="./images/266.png">266</a>]</span>ship, +but with haughty and passionate displeasure; +and from that day the fate of poor Raymond was +irrevocably sealed. The abbot thinking to suppress +the dissatisfaction which was now becoming general +and particularly inconvenient, sent him a long distance +off to the cell of Tynmouth in Northumberland, +where all were strangers to him. Nor could +the tears of the old man turn the heart of his cruel +lord, nor the rebellious murmurings of the brothers +avail. Thank God such cases are not very frequent; +and the reader of monkish annals will not +find many instances of such cold and unfeeling +cruelty to distress his studies or to arouse his +indignation. But obedience was a matter of course +in the monastery; it was one of the most imperative +duties of the monk, and if not cheerfully he was +compelled to manifest alacrity in fulfilling even the +most unpleasant mandate. But I would have forgiven +this transaction on the score of <i>expediency</i> +perhaps, had not the abbot heaped additional insults +and cruelties upon the aged offender; but his books +which he had transcribed with great diligence and +care, he forcibly deprived him of, <i>violenter spoliatum</i>, +and so robbed him, as his historian says, of +all those things which would have been a comfort +and solace to his old age.<a name="FNanchor_405_405" id="FNanchor_405_405"></a><a href="#Footnote_405_405" class="fnanchor">[405]</a></p> + +<p>The books which the abbot thus became dishonestly +possessed of—for I cannot regard it in +any other light—we are told he gave to the library +of the monastery; and he also presented some +books to more than one neighboring church.<a name="FNanchor_406_406" id="FNanchor_406_406"></a><a href="#Footnote_406_406" class="fnanchor">[406]</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267"></a>[<a href="./images/267.png">267</a>]</span> +But he was not bookworm himself, and dwelt I +suspect with greater fondness over his wealthy rent +roll than on the pages of the fine volumes in the +monastic library. The monks, however, amidst all +these troubles retained their love of books; indeed +it was about this time that John de Basingstoke, +who had studied at Athens, brought a valuable +collection of Greek books into England, and greatly +aided in diffusing a knowledge of that language +into this country. He was deacon of Saint Albans, +and taught many of the monks Greek; Nicholas, +a chaplain there, became so proficient in it, that he +was capable of greatly assisting bishop Grostete in +translating his Testament of the twelve patriarchs +into Latin.<a name="FNanchor_407_407" id="FNanchor_407_407"></a><a href="#Footnote_407_407" class="fnanchor">[407]</a></p> + +<p>Roger de Northone, the twenty-fourth abbot of +Saint Albans, gave "many valuable and choice +books to the monastery," and among them the +commentaries of Raymond, Godfrey, and Bernard, +and a book containing the works and discourses of +Seneca. His bibliomaniacal propensities, and his +industry in transcribing books, is indicated by an +illumination representing this worthy abbot deeply +engrossed with his ponderous volumes.<a name="FNanchor_408_408" id="FNanchor_408_408"></a><a href="#Footnote_408_408" class="fnanchor">[408]</a></p> + +<p>I have elsewhere related an anecdote of Wallingford, +abbot of St. Albans, and the sale of books +effected between him and Richard de Bury. It +appears that rare and munificent collector gave +many and various noble books, <i>multos et varios +libros nobiles</i>, to the monastery of St. Albans whilst<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268"></a>[<a href="./images/268.png">268</a>]</span> +he was bishop of Durham.<a name="FNanchor_409_409" id="FNanchor_409_409"></a><a href="#Footnote_409_409" class="fnanchor">[409]</a> Michael de Wentmore +succeeded Wallingford, and proved a very +valuable benefactor to the monastery; and by wise +regulations and economy greatly increased the +comforts and good order of the abbey. He gave +many books, <i>plures libros</i>, to the library, besides +two excellent Bibles,<a name="FNanchor_410_410" id="FNanchor_410_410"></a><a href="#Footnote_410_410" class="fnanchor">[410]</a> one for the convent and one +for the abbot's study, and to be kept especially for +his private reading; an ordinal, very beautiful to +look upon, being sumptuously bound.<a name="FNanchor_411_411" id="FNanchor_411_411"></a><a href="#Footnote_411_411" class="fnanchor">[411]</a> Indeed, so +<i>multis voluminibus</i> did he bestow, that he expended +more than 100<i>l.</i> in this way, an immense sum in +those old days, when a halfpenny a day was deemed +fair wages for a scribe.<a name="FNanchor_412_412" id="FNanchor_412_412"></a><a href="#Footnote_412_412" class="fnanchor">[412]</a></p> + +<p>Wentmore was succeeded by Thomas de la +Mare, a man of singular learning, and remarkable +as a patron of it in others; it was probably by his +direction that John of Tynmouth wrote his Sanctilogium +Britannæ, for that work was dedicated to +him. A copy, presented by Thomas de la Mare to +the church of Redburn, is in the British Museum, +much injured by fire, but retaining at the end the +following lines:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Hunc librum dedet Dominus Thomas de la Mare, Albas +monasterii S. Albani Anglorum Proto martyris Deo et +Ecclesiæ B. Amphibali de Redburn, ut fratris indem in +cursu existentus per ejus lecturam poterint cœlestibus +instrui, et per Sanctorum exempla virtutibus insignixi."<a name="FNanchor_413_413" id="FNanchor_413_413"></a><a href="#Footnote_413_413" class="fnanchor">[413]</a></p></div> + +<p>But there are few who have obtained so much +reputation as John de Whethamstede, perhaps the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269"></a>[<a href="./images/269.png">269</a>]</span> +most learned abbot of this monastery. He was +formerly monk of the cell at Tynmouth, and afterwards +prior of Gloucester College at Oxford, from +whence he was appointed to the government of +St. Albans. Whethamstede was a passionate bibliomaniac, +and when surrounded with his books he +cared little, or perhaps from the absence of mind +so often engendered by the delights of study, he +too frequently forgot, the important affairs of his +monastery, and the responsible duties of an abbot; +but absorbed as he was with his studies, Whethamstede +was not a mere</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">..... "Bookful blockhead ignorantly read<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With loads of learned lumber in his head."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It is true he was an inveterate reader, amorously +inclined towards vellum tomes and illuminated +parchments; but he did not covet them like +some collectors for the mere pride of possessing +them, but gloried in feasting on their intellectual +charms and delectable wisdom, and sought in their +attractive pages the means of becoming a better +Christian and a wiser man. But he was so excessively +fond of books, and became so deeply +engrossed with his book-collecting pursuits, that it +is said some of the monks showed a little dissatisfaction +at his consequent neglect of the affairs of +the monastery; but these are faults I cannot find +the heart to blame him for, but am inclined to consider +his conduct fully redeemed by the valuable +encouragement he gave to literature and learning. +Generous to a fault, abundant in good deeds and +costly expenditure, he became involved in pecuniary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270"></a>[<a href="./images/270.png">270</a>]</span> +difficulties, and found that the splendor and wealth +which he had scattered so lavishly around his +monastery, and the treasures with which he had +adorned the library shelves, had not only drained +his ample coffers, but left a large balance unsatisfied. +Influenced by this circumstance, and the +murmurings of the monks, and perhaps too, hoping +to obtain more time for study and book-collecting, +he determined to resign his abbacy, and again +become a simple brother. The proceedings relative +to this affair are curiously related by a contemporary, +John of Amersham.<a name="FNanchor_414_414" id="FNanchor_414_414"></a><a href="#Footnote_414_414" class="fnanchor">[414]</a> In Whethamstede's +address to the monks on this occasion, he thus +explains his reasons for the step he was about to +take. After a touching address, wherein he intimates +his determination, he says,<a name="FNanchor_415_415" id="FNanchor_415_415"></a><a href="#Footnote_415_415" class="fnanchor">[415]</a> "Ye have +known moreover how, from the first day of my +appointment even until this day, assiduously and +continually without any intermission I have shown +singular solicitude in four things, to wit, in the +erection of conventual buildings, <i>in the writing of +books</i>, in the renewal of vestments, and in the +acquisition of property. And perhaps, by reason +of this solicitude of mine, ye conceive that I have +fallen into debt; yet that you may know, learn +and understand what is in this matter the certain +and plain truth, and when ye know it ye may report +it unto others, know ye for certain, yea, for most<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271"></a>[<a href="./images/271.png">271</a>]</span> +certain, that for all these things about which, and +in which I have expended money, I am not indebted +to any one living more than 10,000 marks; but that +I wish freely to acknowledge this debt, and so to +make satisfaction to every creditor, that no survivor +of any one in the world shall have to demand anything +from my successor."</p> + +<p>The monks on hearing this declaration were +sorely affected, and used every persuasion to induce +my lord abbot to alter his determination, but without +success; so that they were compelled to seek +another in whom to confide the government of +their abbey. Their choice fell upon John Stokes, +who presided over them for many years; but at his +death the love and respect which the brothers +entertained for Whethamstede, was manifested +by unanimously electing him again, an honor which +he in return could not find the heart to decline. +But during all this time, and after his restoration, +he was constantly attending to the acquisition of +books, and numerous were the transcripts made +under his direction by the scribes and enriched by +his munificence, for some of the most costly copies +produced in that century were the fruits of their +labor; during his time there were more volumes +transcribed than in that of any other abbot since +the foundation of the abbey, says the manuscript +from whence I am gleaning these details, and adds +that the number of them exceeded eighty-seven. +He commenced the transcription of the great commentary +of Nicholas de Lyra upon the whole Bible, +which had then been published some few years. +"Det Deus, ut in nostris felicem habere valeat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272"></a>[<a href="./images/272.png">272</a>]</span> +consummacionem,"<a name="FNanchor_416_416" id="FNanchor_416_416"></a><a href="#Footnote_416_416" class="fnanchor">[416]</a> exclaims the monk, nor will +the reader be surprised at the expression, if he for +one moment contemplates the magnitude of the +undertaking.</p> + +<p>But not only was Whethamstede remarkable as +a bibliomaniac—he claims considerable respect as +an author. Some of his productions were more +esteemed in his own time than now; being compilations +and commentaries more adapted as a +substitute for other books, than valuable as original +works. Under this class I am inclined to place his +Granarium, a large work in five volumes; full of +miscellaneous extracts, etc., and somewhat partaking +of the encyclopediac form; his Propinarium, +in two volumes, also treating of general matters; +his Pabularium and Palearium Poetarium, and his +Proverbiarium, or book of Proverbs; to which may +be added the many pieces relating to the affairs of +the monastery. But far different must we regard +many of his other productions, which are more important +in a literary point of view, as calling for the +exercise of a refined and cultivated mind, and no +small share of critical acumen. Among these I +must not forget to include his Chronicle,<a name="FNanchor_417_417" id="FNanchor_417_417"></a><a href="#Footnote_417_417" class="fnanchor">[417]</a> which +spreading over a space of twenty years, forms a +valuable historical document. The rest are poetical +narratives, embracing an account of Jack Cade's +insurrection—the battles of Ferrybridge, Wakefield, +and St. Albans.<a name="FNanchor_418_418" id="FNanchor_418_418"></a><a href="#Footnote_418_418" class="fnanchor">[418]</a></p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273"></a>[<a href="./images/273.png">273</a>]</span></p><p>A Cottonian manuscript contained a catalogue +of the books which this worthy abbot compiled, or +which were transcribed under his direction: unfortunately +it was burnt, with many others forming +part of that inestimable collection.<a name="FNanchor_419_419" id="FNanchor_419_419"></a><a href="#Footnote_419_419" class="fnanchor">[419]</a> From another +source we learn the names of some of them, and +the cost incurred in their transcription.<a name="FNanchor_420_420" id="FNanchor_420_420"></a><a href="#Footnote_420_420" class="fnanchor">[420]</a> Twenty +marks were paid for copying his Granarium, in four +volumes; forty shillings for his Palearium; the +same for a Polycraticon of John of Salisbury; five +pounds for a Boethius, with a gloss; upwards of +six pounds for "a book of Cato," enriched with a +gloss and table; and four pounds for Gorham upon +Luke. Whethamstede ordered a Grael to be +written so beautifully illuminated, and so superbly +bound, as to be valued at the enormous sum of +twenty pounds: but let it be remembered that my +Lord Abbot was a very epicure in books, and +thought a great deal of choice bindings, tall copies, +immaculate parchment, and brilliant illuminations, +and the high prices which he freely gave for these +book treasures evince how sensible he was to the +joys of bibliomania; nor am I inclined to regard +the works thus attained as "mere monastic trash."<a name="FNanchor_421_421" id="FNanchor_421_421"></a><a href="#Footnote_421_421" class="fnanchor">[421]</a></p> + +<p>The finest illumination in the Cotton manuscript +is a portrait of Abbot Whethamstede, which for +artistic talent is far superior to any in the volume. +Eight folios are occupied with an enumeration of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274"></a>[<a href="./images/274.png">274</a>]</span> +the "good works" of this liberal monk: among the +items we find the sum of forty pounds having been +expended on a reading desk, and four pounds for +writing four Antiphoners.<a name="FNanchor_422_422" id="FNanchor_422_422"></a><a href="#Footnote_422_422" class="fnanchor">[422]</a> He displayed also +great liberality of spirit in his benefactions to +Gloucester College, at Oxford, besides great pecuniary +aid. He built a library there, and gave many +valuable books for the use of the students, in which +he wrote these verses:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Fratribus Oxoniœ datur in minus liber iste,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Per patrem pecorem prothomartyris Angligenorum:<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Quem si quis rapiat ad partem sive reponat,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Vel Judæ loqueum, vel furcas sentiat; Amen.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In others he wrote—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Discior ut docti fieret nova regia plebi<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Culta magisque deæ datur hic liber ara Minerva,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Hic qui diis dictis libant holocausta ministrias.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Et cirre bibulam sitiunt præ nectare lympham,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Estque librique loci, idem datur, actor et unus.<a name="FNanchor_423_423" id="FNanchor_423_423"></a><a href="#Footnote_423_423" class="fnanchor">[423]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>If we estimate worth by comparison, we must +award a large proportion to this learned abbot. +Living in the most corrupt age of the monastic +system, when the evils attendant on luxurious ease +began to be too obvious in the cloister, and when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275"></a>[<a href="./images/275.png">275</a>]</span> +complaints were heard at first in a whispering +murmur, but anon in a stern loud voice of wroth +and indignant remonstrance—when in fact the +progressive, inquiring spirit of the reformation was +taking root in what had hitherto been regarded as +a hard, dry, stony soil. This coming tempest, only +heard as yet like the lulling of a whisper, was +nevertheless sufficiently loud to spread terror and +dismay among the cowled habitants of the monasteries. +That quietude and mental ease so indispensable +to study—so requisite for the growth of +thought and intellectuality, was disturbed by these +distant sounds, or dissipated by their own indolence. +And yet in the midst of all this, rendered +still more anxious and perplexing by domestic +troubles and signs of discontent and insubordination +among the monks. Whethamstede found time, and +what was better the spirit, for literary and bibliomanical +pursuits. Honor to the man, monk though +he be, who oppressed with these vicissitudes and +cares could effect so much, and could appreciate +both literature and art.</p> + +<p>Contemporary with him we are not surprised +that he gained the patronage and friendship of +Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, to whom he dedicated +many of his own performances, and greatly +aided in collecting those treasures which the duke +regarded with such esteem. It is said that noble +collector frequently paid a friendly visit to the +abbey to inspect the work of the monkish scribes, +and perhaps to negociate for some of those choice +vellum tomes for which the monks of that monastery +were so renowned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276"></a>[<a href="./images/276.png">276</a>]</span></p> + +<p>But we must not pass the "good duke" without +some slight notice of his "ryghte valiant deedes," +his domestic troubles and his dark mysterious end. +Old Foxe thus speaks of him in his Actes and +Monuments: "Of manners he seemed meeke and +gentle, louing the commonwealth, a supporter of +the poore commons, of wit and wisdom, discrete +and studious, well affected to religion and a friend +to verity, and no lesse enemy to pride and ambition, +especially in haughtie prelates, which was his +undoing in this present evil world. And, which is +seldom and rare in such princes of that calling, he +was both learned himselfe and no lesse given to +studie, and also a singular favourer and patron to +those who were studious and learned."<a name="FNanchor_424_424" id="FNanchor_424_424"></a><a href="#Footnote_424_424" class="fnanchor">[424]</a> To which +I cannot refrain from adding the testimony of +Hollingshed, who tells us that "The ornaments +of his mind were both rare and admirable; the +feats of chiualrie by him commensed and atchiued +valiant and fortunate; his grauitie in counsell and +soundnesse of policie profound and singular; all +which with a traine of other excellent properties +linked together, require a man of manifold gifts to +aduance them according to their dignitie. I refer +the readers unto Maister Foxe's booke of Actes +and Monuments. Onelie this I ad, that in respect +of his noble indowments and his demeanor full of +decencie, which he dailie used, it seemeth he might +wel haue giuen this prettie poesie:"</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Virtute duce non sanguine nitor."<a name="FNanchor_425_425" id="FNanchor_425_425"></a><a href="#Footnote_425_425" class="fnanchor">[425]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277"></a>[<a href="./images/277.png">277</a>]</span></p><p>But with all these high qualities, our notions of +propriety are somewhat shocked at the open +manner in which he kept his mistress Eleanor +Cobham; but we can scarcely agree in the condemnation +of the generality of historians for his +marrying her afterwards, but regard it rather as +the action of an honorable man, desirous of making +every reparation in his power.<a name="FNanchor_426_426" id="FNanchor_426_426"></a><a href="#Footnote_426_426" class="fnanchor">[426]</a> But the "pride of +birth" was sorely wounded by the espousals; and +the enmity of the aristocracy already roused, now +became deeply rooted. Eleanor's disposition is +represented as passionate and unreasonable, and +her mind sordid and oppressive. Be this how it +may, we must remember that it is from her enemies +we learn it; and if so, unrelenting persecution and +inveterate malice were proceedings ill calculated to +soothe a temper prone to violence, or to elevate a +mind undoubtedly weak. But the vindictive and +haughty cardinal Beaufort was the open and secret +enemy of the good duke Humphrey; for not only +did he thwart every public measure proposed by +his rival, but employed spies to insinuate themselves +into his domestic circle, and to note and +inform him of every little circumstance which malice +could distort into crime, or party rage into treason. +This detestable espionage met with a too speedy +success. The duke, who was especially fond of +the society of learned men, retained in his family +many priests and clerks, and among them one +Roger Bolingbroke, "a famous necromancer and +astronomer." This was a sufficient ground for the +enmity of the cardinal to feed upon, and he deter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278"></a>[<a href="./images/278.png">278</a>]</span>mined +to annihilate at one blow the domestic +happiness of his rival. He arrested the Duchess, +Bolingbroke, and a witch called Margery Gourdimain, +or Jourdayn, on the charge of witchcraft and +treason. He accused the priest and Margery of +making, and the duchess for having in her possession, +a waxen figure, which, as she melted it before +a slow fire, so would the body of the king waste and +decay, and his marrow wither in his bones. Her +enemies tried her, and of course found her and her +companions guilty, though without a shred of +evidence to the purpose. The duchess was sentenced +to do penance in St. Paul's and two other +churches on three separate days, and to be afterwards +imprisoned in the Isle of Man for life. +Bolingbroke, who protested his innocence to the +last, was hung and quartered at Tyburn; and +Margery, the witch of Eye, as she was called, was +burnt at Smithfield. But the black enmity of the +cardinal was sorely disappointed at the effect produced +by this persecution. He reasonably judged +that no accusation was so likely to arouse a popular +prejudice against duke Humphrey as appealing to +the superstition of the people who in that age were +ever prone to receive the most incredulous fabrications; +but far different was the impression made in +the present case. The people with more than their +usual sagacity saw through the flimsy designs of +the cardinal and his faction; and while they pitied +the victims of party malice, loved and esteemed the +good duke Humphrey more than ever.</p> + +<p>But the intriguing heart of Beaufort soon resolved +upon the most desperate measures, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279"></a>[<a href="./images/279.png">279</a>]</span> +shrunk not from staining his priestly hands with +innocent and honorable blood. A parliament was +summoned to meet at St. Edmunds Bury, in Suffolk, +on the 10th of February, 1447, at which all +the nobility were ordered to assemble. On the +arrival of Duke Humphrey, the cardinal arrested +him on a groundless charge of high treason, and a +few days after he was found dead in his bed, his +enemies gave out that he had died of the palsy; +but although his body was eagerly shown to the +sorrowing multitude, the people believed that their +friend and favorite had been foully murdered, and +feared not to raise their voice in loud accusations +at the Suffolk party; "sum sayed that he was +smouldered betwixt two fetherbeddes,"<a name="FNanchor_427_427" id="FNanchor_427_427"></a><a href="#Footnote_427_427" class="fnanchor">[427]</a> and others +declared that he had suffered a still more barbarous +death. Deep was the murmuring and the grief of +the people, for the good duke had won the love +and esteem of their hearts; and we can fully +believe a contemporary who writes—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Compleyne al Yngland thys goode Lorde's deth."<a name="FNanchor_428_428" id="FNanchor_428_428"></a><a href="#Footnote_428_428" class="fnanchor">[428]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Perhaps none suffered more by his death than the +author and the scholar; for Duke Humphrey was +a munificent patron of letters, and loved to correspond +with learned men, many of whom dedicated +their works to him, and received ample encouragement +in return.<a name="FNanchor_429_429" id="FNanchor_429_429"></a><a href="#Footnote_429_429" class="fnanchor">[429]</a> Lydgate, who knew him well,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280"></a>[<a href="./images/280.png">280</a>]</span> +composed some of his pieces at the duke's instigation. +In his Tragedies of Ihon Bochas he thus +speaks of him:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Duke of Glocester men this prynce call,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And not withstandyng his estate and dignitie,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">His courage neuer dothe appall<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">To study in bokes of antiquitie;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Therein he hath so great felicitie,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Virtuously him selfe to occupye,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Of vycious slouthe, he hath the maistry.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="ihalf">And for these causes as in his entent<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">To shewe the untrust of all worldly thinge,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">He gave to me in commandment<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">As him seemed it was ryghte well fittynge<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">That I shoulde, after my small cunning,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">This boke translate, him to do pleasaunce,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">To shew the chaung of worldly variaunce.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="ihalf">And with support of his magnificence<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Under the wynges of his correction,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Though that I lacke of eloquence<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">I shall proceede in this translation.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Fro me auoydyng all presumption,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Louyly submittying every houre and space,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">My rude language to my lorde's grace.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="ihalf">Anone after I of eutencion,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">With penne in hande fast gan me spede,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">As I coulde in my translation,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">In this labour further to procede,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">My Lorde came forth by and gan to take hede;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">This mighty prince right manly and right wise<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Gaue me charge in his prudent auyle.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="ihalf">That I should in euery tragedy,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">After the processe made mencion,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">At the ende set a remedy,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">With a Lenuoy, conveyed by reason;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And after that, with humble affection,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">To noble princes lowly it dyrect,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">By others fallying them selues to correct.<br /></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281"></a>[<a href="./images/281.png">281</a>]</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="ihalf">And I obeyed his biddyng and pleasaunce<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Under support of his magnificence,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">As I coulde, I gan my penne aduaunce,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">All be I was barrayne of eloquence,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Folowing mine auctor in substance and sétence,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">For it sufficeth playnly unto me,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">So that my lorde my makyng take in gre."<a name="FNanchor_430_430" id="FNanchor_430_430"></a><a href="#Footnote_430_430" class="fnanchor">[430]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Lydgate often received money whilst translating +this work, from the good duke Humphrey, and +there is a manuscript letter in the British Museum +in which he writes—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Righte myghty prynce, and it be youre wille,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Condescende leyser for to take,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">To se the contents of thys litel bille,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Whiche whan I wrote my hand felt qquake."<a name="FNanchor_431_431" id="FNanchor_431_431"></a><a href="#Footnote_431_431" class="fnanchor">[431]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Duke Humphrey gave a noble instance of his great +love of learning in the year 1439, when he presented +to the University of Oxford one hundred and +twenty-nine treatises, and shortly after, one hundred +and twenty-six <i>admirandi apparatus</i>; and in the +same year, nine more. In 1443, he made another +important donation of one hundred and thirty +volumes, to which he added one hundred and +thirty-five more,<a name="FNanchor_432_432" id="FNanchor_432_432"></a><a href="#Footnote_432_432" class="fnanchor">[432]</a> making in all, a collection of five +hundred and thirty-eight volumes. These treasures, +too, had been collected with all the nice +acumen of a bibliomaniac, and the utmost attention +was paid to their outward condition and internal +purity. Never, perhaps, were so many costly copies<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282"></a>[<a href="./images/282.png">282</a>]</span> +seen before, dazzling with the splendor of their +illuminations, and rendered inestimable by the +many faithful miniatures with which they were +enriched. A superb copy of Valerius Maximus is +the only relic of that costly and noble gift, a solitary +but illustrious example of the membraneous treasures +of that ducal library.<a name="FNanchor_433_433" id="FNanchor_433_433"></a><a href="#Footnote_433_433" class="fnanchor">[433]</a> But alas! those very +indications of art, those exquisite illuminations, +were the fatal cause of their unfortunate end; the +portraits of kings and eminent men, with which the +historical works were adorned; the diagrams which +pervaded the scientific treatises, were viewed by +the zealous reformers of Henry's reign, as damning +evidence of their Popish origin and use; and released +from the chains with which they were +secured, they were hastily committed to the greedy +flames. Thus perished the library of Humphrey, +duke of Gloucester! and posterity have to mourn +the loss of many an early gem of English literature.<a name="FNanchor_434_434" id="FNanchor_434_434"></a><a href="#Footnote_434_434" class="fnanchor">[434]</a></p> + +<p>But in the fourteenth century many other +honorable examples occur of lay collectors. The +magnificent volumes, nine hundred in number, col<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283"></a>[<a href="./images/283.png">283</a>]</span>lected +by Charles V. of France, a passionate bibliomaniac, +were afterwards brought by the duke of +Bedford into England. The library then contained +eight hundred and fifty-three volumes, so sumptuously +bound and gorgeously illuminated as to be +valued at 2,223 livres!<a name="FNanchor_435_435" id="FNanchor_435_435"></a><a href="#Footnote_435_435" class="fnanchor">[435]</a> This choice importation +diffused an eager spirit of inquiry among the more +wealthy laymen. Humphrey, the "good duke," +received some of these volumes as presents, and +among others, a rich copy of Livy, in French.<a name="FNanchor_436_436" id="FNanchor_436_436"></a><a href="#Footnote_436_436" class="fnanchor">[436]</a> +Guy Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, also collected +some choice tomes, and possessed an unusually +interesting library of early romances. He left the +whole of them to the monks of Bordesley Abbey +in Worcestershire, about the year 1359.<a name="FNanchor_437_437" id="FNanchor_437_437"></a><a href="#Footnote_437_437" class="fnanchor">[437]</a> As a +specimen of a private library in the fourteenth +century, I am tempted to extract it.</p> + +<p>"A tus iceux, qe ceste lettre verront, ou orrount, +Gwy de Beauchamp, Comte de Warr. Saluz en +Deu. Saluz nous aveir baylé e en la garde le Abbé +e le Covent de Bordesleye, lessé à demorer a touz +jours touz les Romaunces de sonz nomes; ceo est +assaveyr, un volum, qe est appelé Tresor. Un +volum, en le quel est le premer livere de Lancelot, +e un volum del Romaunce de Aygnes. Un Sauter +de Romaunce. Un volum des Evangelies, e de Vie +des Seins. Un volum, qe p'le des quatre principals +Gestes de Charles, e de dooun, e de Meyace e de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284"></a>[<a href="./images/284.png">284</a>]</span> +Girard de Vienne e de Emery de Nerbonne. Un +volum del Romaunce Emmond de Ageland, e deu +Roy Charles dooun de Nauntoyle. E le Romaunce +de Gwyoun de Nauntoyl. E un volum del Romaunce +Titus et Vespasien. E un volum del +Romaunce Josep ab Arimathie, e deu Seint Grael. +E un volum, qe p'le coment Adam fust eniesté hors +de paradys, e le Genesie. E un volum en le quel +sount contenuz touns des Romaunces, ceo este +assaveir, Vitas patrum au comencement; e pus un +Comte de Auteypt; e la Vision Seint Pol; et pus +les Vies des xii. Seins. E le Romaunce de Willame +de Loungespe. E Autorites des Seins humes. E +le Mirour de Alme. Un volum, en le quel sount +contenuz la Vie Seint Pére e Seint Pol, e des autres +liv. E un volum qe est appelé l'Apocalips. E +un livere de Phisik, e de Surgie. Un volum del +Romaunce de Gwy, e de la Reygne tut enterement. +Un volum del Romaunce de Troies. Un volum +del Romaunce de Willame de Orenges e de Teband +de Arabie. Un volum del Romaunce de Amase +e de Idoine. Un volum del Romaunce de Girard +de Viene. Un volum del Romaunce deu Brut, e +del Roy Costentine. Un volum de le enseignemt +Aristotle enveiez au Roy Alisaundre. Un volum +de la mort ly Roy Arthur, e de Mordret. Un +volum en le quel sount contenuz les Enfaunces de +Nostre Seygneur, coment il fust mené en Egipt. +E la Vie Seint Edwd. E la Visioun Seint Pol. +La Vengeaunce n're Seygneur par Vespasien a +Titus, e la Vie Seint Nicolas, qe fust nez en Patras. +E la Vie Seint Eustace. E la Vie Seint Cudlac. +E la Passioun n're Seygneur. E la Meditacioun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285"></a>[<a href="./images/285.png">285</a>]</span> +Seint Bernard de n're Dame Seint Marie, e del +Passioun sour deuz fiz Jesu Creist n're Seignr. +E la Vie Seint Eufrasie. E la Vie Seint Radegounde. +E la Vie Seint Juliane. Un volum, en +le quel est aprise de Enfants et lumière à Lays. +Un volum del Romaunce d'a Alisaundre, ove peintures. +Un petit rouge livere, en le quel sount +contenuz mons diverses choses. Un volum del +Romaunce des Mareschans, e de Ferebras e de +Alisaundre. Les queus livres nous grauntons par +nos heyrs e par nos assignes qil demorront en la +dit Abbeye, etc."</p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-21.jpg" alt="Footer" title="Footer" /></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_385_385" id="Footnote_385_385"></a><a href="#FNanchor_385_385"><span class="label">[385]</span></a> See a fine manuscript in the Cotton collection marked Nero +D. vii., and another marked Claudius E. iv., both of which I have +consulted.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_386_386" id="Footnote_386_386"></a><a href="#FNanchor_386_386"><span class="label">[386]</span></a> Matthew Paris' Edit. Wats, tom. i. p. 39.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_387_387" id="Footnote_387_387"></a><a href="#FNanchor_387_387"><span class="label">[387]</span></a> "Asserens ad cantelam, ipsum fuisse beati Amphibali, beate +Albini magistri, caracellam."—Mat. Paris, p. 44.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_388_388" id="Footnote_388_388"></a><a href="#FNanchor_388_388"><span class="label">[388]</span></a> Abjectis igitur et combustis libris, in quibus commenta diaboli +continabantur.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_389_389" id="Footnote_389_389"></a><a href="#FNanchor_389_389"><span class="label">[389]</span></a> MS. Cottonian, E. iv. fo. 101; Mat. Paris, Edit. Wat. i. p. 41.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_390_390" id="Footnote_390_390"></a><a href="#FNanchor_390_390"><span class="label">[390]</span></a> MS. Cottanian Claudius, E. iv. fo. 105 b., and MS. Cott. +Nero, D. vii. fo. 13, b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_391_391" id="Footnote_391_391"></a><a href="#FNanchor_391_391"><span class="label">[391]</span></a> He was elected in 1093.—See MS. Cott. Claud. E. iv. fo. 107.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_392_392" id="Footnote_392_392"></a><a href="#FNanchor_392_392"><span class="label">[392]</span></a> Got. MS. Claud. E. iv. fo. 108.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_393_393" id="Footnote_393_393"></a><a href="#FNanchor_393_393"><span class="label">[393]</span></a> MS. Cot. Nero, D. vii. fo. 15, a; and MS. Cot. Claud. e. iv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_394_394" id="Footnote_394_394"></a><a href="#FNanchor_394_394"><span class="label">[394]</span></a> Cot. MS. Claud. E. iv. fo. 113. "Ex tunc igitur amator +librorum et adquisiter sedulus multio voluminibus habundavit.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_395_395" id="Footnote_395_395"></a><a href="#FNanchor_395_395"><span class="label">[395]</span></a> Fecit etiam scribi libros plurimos; quos longum esset enarrare.—<i>Mat. +Paris Edit. Wat.</i> p. 89.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_396_396" id="Footnote_396_396"></a><a href="#FNanchor_396_396"><span class="label">[396]</span></a> Cot. MS. Nero D. vii. fo. 16, a.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_397_397" id="Footnote_397_397"></a><a href="#FNanchor_397_397"><span class="label">[397]</span></a> MS. Claud. E. iv. fo. 114, a.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_398_398" id="Footnote_398_398"></a><a href="#FNanchor_398_398"><span class="label">[398]</span></a> MS. Cot. Claud. E. iv. fo. 125 b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_399_399" id="Footnote_399_399"></a><a href="#FNanchor_399_399"><span class="label">[399]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_400_400" id="Footnote_400_400"></a><a href="#FNanchor_400_400"><span class="label">[400]</span></a> MS. Cot. Nero D. vii. fo. 16 a.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_401_401" id="Footnote_401_401"></a><a href="#FNanchor_401_401"><span class="label">[401]</span></a> MS. Cot. Claud. iv. fo. 124.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_402_402" id="Footnote_402_402"></a><a href="#FNanchor_402_402"><span class="label">[402]</span></a> Claud. E. iv. fo. 124.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_403_403" id="Footnote_403_403"></a><a href="#FNanchor_403_403"><span class="label">[403]</span></a> "In grammatica Priscianus, in metrico Ovidius, in physica +censori potuit Galenus." <i>MS. Cot. Claud.</i> E. iv. f. 129, b. <i>Matt. +Paris' Edit. Wat.</i> p. 103.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_404_404" id="Footnote_404_404"></a><a href="#FNanchor_404_404"><span class="label">[404]</span></a> MS. Cot. Claud. E. iv. fo. 131. b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_405_405" id="Footnote_405_405"></a><a href="#FNanchor_405_405"><span class="label">[405]</span></a> MS. Cot. Claud. E. iv. fol. 135 b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_406_406" id="Footnote_406_406"></a><a href="#FNanchor_406_406"><span class="label">[406]</span></a> Ibid. fol. 141.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_407_407" id="Footnote_407_407"></a><a href="#FNanchor_407_407"><span class="label">[407]</span></a> MS. Reg. Brit. Mus. 4 D. viii. 4. Wood's Hist. Oxon. 1-82, +and Matt. Paris. Turner's Hist. of Eng. vol. iv. p. 180.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_408_408" id="Footnote_408_408"></a><a href="#FNanchor_408_408"><span class="label">[408]</span></a> MS. Cot. Nero, D. vii. fol. 19 a.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_409_409" id="Footnote_409_409"></a><a href="#FNanchor_409_409"><span class="label">[409]</span></a> Ibid. fol. 86.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_410_410" id="Footnote_410_410"></a><a href="#FNanchor_410_410"><span class="label">[410]</span></a> Duos bonas biblias.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_411_411" id="Footnote_411_411"></a><a href="#FNanchor_411_411"><span class="label">[411]</span></a> MS. Cot. Claud. E. iv. fo. 229 b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_412_412" id="Footnote_412_412"></a><a href="#FNanchor_412_412"><span class="label">[412]</span></a> MS. Cot. Nero D. vii. fo. 20 b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_413_413" id="Footnote_413_413"></a><a href="#FNanchor_413_413"><span class="label">[413]</span></a> MS. Cot. Tiberius, E. i.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_414_414" id="Footnote_414_414"></a><a href="#FNanchor_414_414"><span class="label">[414]</span></a> MS. Cot. Claud. D. i. fo. 165, "Acta Johannis Abbatis per +Johannem Agmundishamensem monachum S. Albani."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_415_415" id="Footnote_415_415"></a><a href="#FNanchor_415_415"><span class="label">[415]</span></a> Gibson's Hist. Monast. Tynmouth, vol. ii. p. 62, whose translation +I use in giving the following extract. If the reader refers to +Mr. Gibson's handsome volumes, he will find much interesting and +curious matter from John of Amersham relative to this matter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_416_416" id="Footnote_416_416"></a><a href="#FNanchor_416_416"><span class="label">[416]</span></a> Otterb. cxvi.; see also MS. Cot. Nero. vii. fo. 32 a.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_417_417" id="Footnote_417_417"></a><a href="#FNanchor_417_417"><span class="label">[417]</span></a> Otterbourne Hist. a Hearne, <i>edit.</i> Oxon, 1732, tom. i. 2.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_418_418" id="Footnote_418_418"></a><a href="#FNanchor_418_418"><span class="label">[418]</span></a> Gough's Sepulchral Monuments, vol. ii. pt. 11, p. 205. For +a list of his works see Bale; also Pits. p. 630, who enumerates more +than thirty.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_419_419" id="Footnote_419_419"></a><a href="#FNanchor_419_419"><span class="label">[419]</span></a> Marked Otho, b. iv.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_420_420" id="Footnote_420_420"></a><a href="#FNanchor_420_420"><span class="label">[420]</span></a> MS. Arundel. Brit. Mus. clxiii. c. A curious Register, "per +magistrum Johannem Whethamstede et dominum Thoman Ramryge," +fo. 74, 75. Upwards of fifty volumes are specified, with the +cost of each.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_421_421" id="Footnote_421_421"></a><a href="#FNanchor_421_421"><span class="label">[421]</span></a> Julius Cæsar was among them.—Cot. MS. Claud. d. i. fo. 156.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_422_422" id="Footnote_422_422"></a><a href="#FNanchor_422_422"><span class="label">[422]</span></a> MS. Cod. Nero, D. vii. fo. 28 a. He "enlarged the abbot's +study," fo. 29, which most monasteries possessed. Whethamstede +had a study also at his manor at Tittinhanger, and had inscribed on +it these lines: +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Ipse Johannis amor Whethamstede ubique proclamor<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Ejus et alter honor hic lucis in auge reponer."<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p> +See also MS. Cot. Claud. D. i. fo. 157, for an account of his many +donations.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_423_423" id="Footnote_423_423"></a><a href="#FNanchor_423_423"><span class="label">[423]</span></a> Weever's Funerall Monuments, p. 562 to 567. I have forgotten +to mention before that Whethamstede built a new library for +the abbey books, and expended considerably more than £120 upon +the building.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_424_424" id="Footnote_424_424"></a><a href="#FNanchor_424_424"><span class="label">[424]</span></a> Foxe's Actes and Monuments, folio, Lond. 1576, p. 679.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_425_425" id="Footnote_425_425"></a><a href="#FNanchor_425_425"><span class="label">[425]</span></a> Holingshed Chronicle, fol. 1587, vol. ii. p. 627.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_426_426" id="Footnote_426_426"></a><a href="#FNanchor_426_426"><span class="label">[426]</span></a> See Stowe, p. 367.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_427_427" id="Footnote_427_427"></a><a href="#FNanchor_427_427"><span class="label">[427]</span></a> Leland Collect. vol. i. p. 494.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_428_428" id="Footnote_428_428"></a><a href="#FNanchor_428_428"><span class="label">[428]</span></a> MS. Harleian, No. 2251, fol. 7 b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_429_429" id="Footnote_429_429"></a><a href="#FNanchor_429_429"><span class="label">[429]</span></a> Capgrave's Commentary on Genesis, in Oriel College, Cod. +MSS. 32, is dedicated to him. Aretine's Trans. Aristotle's Politics, +MS. Bodl. D. i. 8-10. Pet. de Monte de Virt. de Vit. MS. Norvic. +More, 257. Bibl. publi Cantab. Many others are given in Warton's +Hist. of Poetry, 4to. vol. ii. pp. 48-50.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_430_430" id="Footnote_430_430"></a><a href="#FNanchor_430_430"><span class="label">[430]</span></a> Tragedies of Ihon Bochas. Imp. at London, by John Wayland, +fol. 38 b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_431_431" id="Footnote_431_431"></a><a href="#FNanchor_431_431"><span class="label">[431]</span></a> MS. Harleian, No. 2251, fol. 6. Lydgate received one hundred +shillings for translating the Life of St. Alban into English verse +for Whethamstede.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_432_432" id="Footnote_432_432"></a><a href="#FNanchor_432_432"><span class="label">[432]</span></a> See Wood's Hist. and Antiq. of Oxford, vol. ii. p. 914.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_433_433" id="Footnote_433_433"></a><a href="#FNanchor_433_433"><span class="label">[433]</span></a> MSS. Bodl. N. E. vii. ii. Warton, vol. ii. p. 45. I find in +the Arundel Register in the British Museum (MSS. Arund. clxiii. c.) +that a fine copy of Valerius, in two volumes, with a gloss, was transcribed +in the time of Whethamstede at St. Albans, at the cost of +£6 13 4, probably the identical copy.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_434_434" id="Footnote_434_434"></a><a href="#FNanchor_434_434"><span class="label">[434]</span></a> There are many volumes formerly belonging to duke Humphrey, +in the public libraries, a fine volume intitled "Tabulas +Humfridi ducis Glowcester in Judicus artis Geomantie," is in the +Brit. Mus., MSS. Arund. 66, fo. 277, beautifully written and illuminated +with excessive margins of the purest vellum. See also +MSS. Harl. 1705. Leland says, "Humfredus multaties scripsit in +frontispiecis librorum suorum, <i>Moun bien Mondain</i>," Script. vol. +iii. 58.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_435_435" id="Footnote_435_435"></a><a href="#FNanchor_435_435"><span class="label">[435]</span></a> Bouvin, Mem. de l'Acad. des Inscrip., ii. 693.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_436_436" id="Footnote_436_436"></a><a href="#FNanchor_436_436"><span class="label">[436]</span></a> <i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_437_437" id="Footnote_437_437"></a><a href="#FNanchor_437_437"><span class="label">[437]</span></a> Printed in Todd's Illustrations to Gower and Chaucer, 8vo. +p. 161, from a copy by Arch Sancroft, from Ashmole's Register of +the Earl of Ailesbury's Evidences, fol. 110. Lambeth, MSS., +No. 577. fol. 18 b.</p></div> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286"></a>[<a href="./images/286.png">286</a>]</span></p> +<p> </p> +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287"></a>[<a href="./images/287.png">287</a>]</span></p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-22.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>The Dominicans.—The Franciscans and the Carmelites.—Scholastic +Studies.—Robert Grostest.—Libraries +in London.—Miracle Plays.—Introduction +of Printing into England.—Barkley's +Description of a Bibliomaniac</i>.</p></div> +<hr /> + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-11.jpg" alt="T" title="T" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">he</span> old monastic orders of St. +Augustine and St. Benedict, of +whose love of books we have +principally spoken hitherto, were +kept from falling into sloth and +ignorance in the thirteenth century +by the appearance of several +new orders of devotees. The Dominicans,<a name="FNanchor_438_438" id="FNanchor_438_438"></a><a href="#Footnote_438_438" class="fnanchor">[438]</a> the +Franciscans,<a name="FNanchor_439_439" id="FNanchor_439_439"></a><a href="#Footnote_439_439" class="fnanchor">[439]</a> and the Carmelites were each renowned +for their profound learning, and their +unquenchable passion for knowledge; assuming a +garb of the most abject poverty, renouncing all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288"></a>[<a href="./images/288.png">288</a>]</span> +love of the world, all participation in its temporal +honors, and refraining to seek the aggrandizement +of their order by fixed oblations or state endowments, +but adhering to a voluntary system for support, +they caused a visible sensation among all +classes, and wrought a powerful change in the +ecclesiastical and collegiate learning of the fourteenth +and fifteenth centuries; and by their devotion, +their charity, their strict austerity, and by +their brilliant and unconquerable powers of disputation, +soon gained the respect and affections of +the people.<a name="FNanchor_440_440" id="FNanchor_440_440"></a><a href="#Footnote_440_440" class="fnanchor">[440]</a></p> + +<p>Much as the friars have been condemned, or +darkly as they have been represented, I have no +hesitation in saying that they did more for the +revival of learning, and the progress of English +literature, than any other of the monastic orders. +We cannot trace their course without admiration +and astonishment at their splendid triumphs and +success; they appear to act as intellectual crusaders +against the prevailing ignorance and sloth. The +finest names that adorn the literary annals of the +fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the most prolific +authors who flourished during that long period +were begging friars; and the very spirit that was +raised against them by the churchmen, and the +severe controversal battles which they had between +them, were the means of doing a vast amount of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289"></a>[<a href="./images/289.png">289</a>]</span> +good, of exposing ignorance in high places, and +compelling those who enjoyed the honors of +learning to strive to merit them, by a studious +application to literature and science; need I do +more than mention the shining names of Duns +Scotus, of Thomas Aquinas, of Roger Bacon, the +founder of experimental philosophy, and the justly +celebrated Robert Grostest, the most enlightened +ecclesiastic of his age.<a name="FNanchor_441_441" id="FNanchor_441_441"></a><a href="#Footnote_441_441" class="fnanchor">[441]</a></p> + +<p>We may not admire the scholastic philosophy +which the followers of Francis and Dominic held +and expounded; we may deplore the intricate mazes +and difficulties which a false philosophy led them to +maintain, and we may equally deplore the waste of +time and learning which they lavished in the vain +hope of solving the mysteries of God, or in comprehending +a loose and futile science. Yet the +philosophy of the schoolmen is but little understood, +and is too often condemned without reason +or without proof; for those who trouble themselves +to denounce, seldom care to read them; their ponderous +volumes are too formidable to analyze; it is +so much easier to declaim than to examine such +sturdy antagonists; but we owe to the schoolmen +far more than we are apt to suppose, and if it were +possible to scratch their names from the page of +history, and to obliterate all traces of their bulky<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290"></a>[<a href="./images/290.png">290</a>]</span> +writings from our libraries and from our literature, +we should find our knowledge dark and gloomy in +comparison with what it is.</p></div> + +<p>But the mendicant orders did not study and +uphold the scholastic philosophy without improving +it; the works of Aristotle, of which it is said the +early schoolmen possessed only a vitiated translation +from the Arabic,<a name="FNanchor_442_442" id="FNanchor_442_442"></a><a href="#Footnote_442_442" class="fnanchor">[442]</a> was, at the period these +friars sprung up, but imperfectly understood and +taught. Michael Scot, with the assistance of a +learned Jew,<a name="FNanchor_443_443" id="FNanchor_443_443"></a><a href="#Footnote_443_443" class="fnanchor">[443]</a> translated and published the writings +of the great philosopher in Latin, which greatly +superseded the old versions derived from the +Saracen copies.</p> + +<p>The mendicant friars having qualified themselves +with a respectable share of Greek learning, +then taught and expounded the Aristotelian +philosophy according to this new translation, and +opened a new and proscribed field<a name="FNanchor_444_444" id="FNanchor_444_444"></a><a href="#Footnote_444_444" class="fnanchor">[444]</a> for disputation +and enquiry; their indomitable perseverance, their +acute powers of reasoning, and the splendid popularity +which many of the disciples of St. Dominic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291"></a>[<a href="./images/291.png">291</a>]</span> +and St. Francis were fast acquiring, caused students +to flock in crowds to their seats of learning, and all +who were inspired to an acquaintance with scholastic +philosophy placed themselves under their training +and tuition.<a name="FNanchor_445_445" id="FNanchor_445_445"></a><a href="#Footnote_445_445" class="fnanchor">[445]</a></p> + +<p>No religious order before them ever carried the +spirit of inquiry to such an extent as they, or +allowed it to wander over such an unbounded +field. The most difficult and mysterious questions +of theology were discussed and fearlessly +analyzed; far from exercising that blind and easy +credulity which mark the religious conduct of the +old monastic orders, they were disposed to probe +and examine every article of their faith. To such +an extent were their disputations carried, that +sometimes it shook their faith in the orthodoxy of +Rome, and often aroused the pious fears of the +more timid of their own order. Angell de Pisa, +who founded the school of the Franciscans or Grey +Friars at Oxford, is said to have gone one day +into his school, with a view to discover what +progress the students were making in their studies; +as he entered he found them warm in disputation, +and was shocked to find that the question at issue +was "<i>whether there was a God</i>;" the good man, +greatly alarmed, cried out, "Alas, for me! alas, for +me! simple brothers pierce the heavens and the +learned dispute whether there be a God!" and with +great indignation ran out of the house blaming +himself for having established a school for such +fearful disputes; but he afterwards returned and +remained among his pupils, and purchased for ten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292"></a>[<a href="./images/292.png">292</a>]</span> +marks a corrected copy of the decretals, to which +he made his students apply their minds.<a name="FNanchor_446_446" id="FNanchor_446_446"></a><a href="#Footnote_446_446" class="fnanchor">[446]</a> This +school was the most flourishing of those belonging +to the Franciscans; and it was here that the +celebrated Robert Grostest<a name="FNanchor_447_447" id="FNanchor_447_447"></a><a href="#Footnote_447_447" class="fnanchor">[447]</a>, bishop of Lincoln, +read lectures about the year 1230. He was a +profound scholar, thoroughly conversant with the +most abstruse matters of philosophy, and a great +Bible reader.<a name="FNanchor_448_448" id="FNanchor_448_448"></a><a href="#Footnote_448_448" class="fnanchor">[448]</a> He possessed an extensive knowledge +of the Greek, and translated, into Latin, +Dionysius the Areopagite, Damascenus, Suida's +Greek Lexicon, a Greek Grammar, and, with the +assistance of Nicholas, a monk of St. Alban's, the +History of the Twelve Patriarchs. He collected +a fine library of Greek books, many of which he +obtained from Athens. Roger Bacon speaks of +his knowledge of the Greek, and says, that he +caused a vast number of books to be gathered +together in that tongue.<a name="FNanchor_449_449" id="FNanchor_449_449"></a><a href="#Footnote_449_449" class="fnanchor">[449]</a> His extraordinary talent +and varied knowledge caused him to be deemed +a conjuror and astrologer by the ignorant and +superstitious; and his enemies, who were numerous +and powerful, did not refuse to encourage the slanderous +report. We find him so represented by +the poet Gower:—</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293"></a>[<a href="./images/293.png">293</a>]</span></p><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"For of the grete clerk Grostest,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">I rede how redy that he was<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Upon clergye, and bede of bras,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">To make and forge it, for to telle<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Of suche thynges as befelle,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And seven yeres besinesse.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Ye ladye, but for the lackhesse<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Of 'a halfe a mynute of an houre,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Fro fyrst that he began laboure,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Ye lost al that he had do."<a name="FNanchor_450_450" id="FNanchor_450_450"></a><a href="#Footnote_450_450" class="fnanchor">[450]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Franciscan convent at Oxford contained +two libraries, one for the use of the graduates and +one for the secular students, who did not belong to +their order, but who were receiving instruction +from them. Grostest gave many volumes to these +libraries, and at his death he bequeathed to the +convent all his books, which formed no doubt a +fine collection. "To these were added," says +Wood, "the works of Roger Bacon, who, Bale tells +us, writ an hundred Treatises. There were also +volumes of other writers of the same order, which, +I believe, amounted to no small number. In short, +I guess that these libraries were filled with all sorts +of erudition, because the friars of all orders, and +chiefly the Franciscans, used so diligently to procure +all monuments of literature from all parts, that +wise men looked upon it as an injury to laymen, +who, therefore, found a difficulty to get any books. +Several books of Grostest and Bacon treated of +astronomy and mathematics, besides some relating<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294"></a>[<a href="./images/294.png">294</a>]</span> +to the Greek tongue. But these friars, as I have +found by certain ancient manuscripts, bought many +Hebrew books of the Jews who were disturbed in +England. In a word, they, to their utmost power, +purchased whatsoever was anywhere to be had of +singular learning."<a name="FNanchor_451_451" id="FNanchor_451_451"></a><a href="#Footnote_451_451" class="fnanchor">[451]</a></p> + +<p>Many of the smaller convents of the Franciscan +order possessed considerable libraries, which they +purchased or received as gifts from their patrons.<a name="FNanchor_452_452" id="FNanchor_452_452"></a><a href="#Footnote_452_452" class="fnanchor">[452]</a> +There was a house of Grey Friars at Exeter,<a name="FNanchor_453_453" id="FNanchor_453_453"></a><a href="#Footnote_453_453" class="fnanchor">[453]</a> and +Roger de Thoris, Archdeacon of Exeter, gave or +lent them a library of books in the year 1266, soon +after their establishment, reserving to himself the +privilege of using them, and forbade the friars from +selling or parting with them. The collection, however, +contained less than twenty volumes, and was +formed principally of the scriptures and writings of +their own order. "Whosoever," concludes the +document, "shall presume hereafter to separate or +destroy this donation of mine, may he incur the +malediction of the omnipotent God! dated on the +day of the purification, in the year of our Lord +<span class="smcap">mcclxvi</span>."<a name="FNanchor_454_454" id="FNanchor_454_454"></a><a href="#Footnote_454_454" class="fnanchor">[454]</a></p> + +<p>The library of the Grey Friars in London was +of more than usual magnificence and extent. It was +founded by the celebrated Richard Whittington.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295"></a>[<a href="./images/295.png">295</a>]</span> +Its origin is thus set forth in an old manuscript in +the Cottonian library:<a name="FNanchor_455_455" id="FNanchor_455_455"></a><a href="#Footnote_455_455" class="fnanchor">[455]</a></p> + +<p>"In the year of our Lord, 1421, the worshipful +Richard Whyttyngton, knight and mayor of London, +began the new library and laid the first foundation-stone +on the 21st day of October; that is, +on the feast of St. Hilarion the abbot. And the +following year before the feast of the nativity of +Christ, the house was raised and covered; and +in three years after, it was floored, whitewashed, +glazed,<a name="FNanchor_456_456" id="FNanchor_456_456"></a><a href="#Footnote_456_456" class="fnanchor">[456]</a> adorned with shelves, statues, and carving, +and furnished with books: and the expenses about +what is aforesaid amount to £556:16:9; of which +sum, the aforesaid Richard Whyttyngton paid +£400, and the residue was paid by the reverend +father B. Thomas Winchelsey and his friends, to +whose soul God be propitious.—Amen."</p> + +<p>Among some items of money expended, we +find, "for the works of Doctor de Lyra contained +in two volumes, now in the chains,<a name="FNanchor_457_457" id="FNanchor_457_457"></a><a href="#Footnote_457_457" class="fnanchor">[457]</a> 100 marks, of +which B. John Frensile remitted 20s.; and for the +Lectures of Hostiensis, now lying in the chains, +5 marks."<a name="FNanchor_458_458" id="FNanchor_458_458"></a><a href="#Footnote_458_458" class="fnanchor">[458]</a> Leland speaks in the most enthusiastic +terms of this library, and says, that it far surpassed +all others for the number and antiquity of its volumes. +John Wallden bequeathed as many manu<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296"></a>[<a href="./images/296.png">296</a>]</span>scripts +of celebrated authors as were worth two +thousand pounds.<a name="FNanchor_459_459" id="FNanchor_459_459"></a><a href="#Footnote_459_459" class="fnanchor">[459]</a></p> + +<p>The library of the Dominicans in London was +also at one time well stored with valuable books. +Leland mentions some of those he found there, and +among them some writings of Wicliff;<a name="FNanchor_460_460" id="FNanchor_460_460"></a><a href="#Footnote_460_460" class="fnanchor">[460]</a> indeed +those of this order were renowned far and wide for +their love of study; look at the old portraits of a +Dominican friar, and you will generally see him +with the pen in one hand and a book in the other; +but they were more ambitious in literature than +the monks, and aimed at the honors of an author +rather than at those of a scribe; but we are surprised +more at their fertility than at their style or +originality in the mysteries of bookcraft. Henry +Esseburn diligently read at Oxford, and devoted his +whole soul to study, and wrote a number of works, +principally on the Bible; he was appointed to +govern the Dominican monastery at Chester; +"being remote from all schools, he made use of +his spare hours to revise and polish what he had +writ at Oxford; having performed the same to his +own satisfaction, he caused his works to be fairly +transcribed, and copies of them to be preserved in +several libraries of his order.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_461_461" id="FNanchor_461_461"></a><a href="#Footnote_461_461" class="fnanchor">[461]</a> But they did not +usually pay so much attention to the duties of +transcribing. The Dominicans were fond of the +physical sciences, and have been accused of too +much partiality for occult philosophy. Leland tells<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297"></a>[<a href="./images/297.png">297</a>]</span> +us that Robert Perserutatur, a Dominican, was over +solicitous in prying into the secrets of philosophy,<a name="FNanchor_462_462" id="FNanchor_462_462"></a><a href="#Footnote_462_462" class="fnanchor">[462]</a> +and lays the same charge to many others.</p> + +<p>The Carmelites were more careful in transcribing +books than the Dominicans, and anxiously +preserved them from dust and worms; but I can +find but little notice of their libraries; the one at +Oxford was a large room, where they arranged +their books in cases made for that purpose; before +the foundation of this library, the Carmelites kept +their books in chests, and doubtless gloried in an +ample store of manuscript treasures.<a name="FNanchor_463_463" id="FNanchor_463_463"></a><a href="#Footnote_463_463" class="fnanchor">[463]</a></p> + +<p>But in the fifteenth century we find the Mendicant +Friars, like the order religious sects, disregarding +those strict principles of piety which had +for two hundred years so distinguished their order. +The holy rules of St. Francis and St. Dominic +were seldom read with much attention, and never +practised with severity; they became careless in +the propagation of religious principles, relaxed in +their austerity, and looked with too much fondness +on the riches and honors of the world.<a name="FNanchor_464_464" id="FNanchor_464_464"></a><a href="#Footnote_464_464" class="fnanchor">[464]</a> This +diminution in religious zeal was naturally accompanied +by a proportionate decrease in learning and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298"></a>[<a href="./images/298.png">298</a>]</span> +love of study. The sparkling orator, the acute +controversialist, or the profound scholar, might +have been searched for in vain among the Franciscans +or the Dominicans of the fifteenth century. +Careless in literary matters, they thought little of +collecting books, or preserving even those which +their libraries already contained; the Franciscans +at Oxford "sold many of their books to Dr. Thomas +Gascoigne, about the year 1433,<a name="FNanchor_465_465" id="FNanchor_465_465"></a><a href="#Footnote_465_465" class="fnanchor">[465]</a> which he gave to +the libraries of Lincoln, Durham, Baliol, and Oriel. +They also declining in strictness of life and learning, +sold many more to other persons, so that their +libraries declined to little or nothing."<a name="FNanchor_466_466" id="FNanchor_466_466"></a><a href="#Footnote_466_466" class="fnanchor">[466]</a></p> + +<p>We are not therefore surprised at the disappointment +of Leland, on examining this famous +repository; his expectations were raised by the +care with which he found the library guarded, and +the difficulty he had to obtain access to it: but when +he entered, he did not find one-third the number of +books which it originally contained; but dust and +cobwebs, moths and beetles he found in abundance, +which swarmed over the empty shelves.<a name="FNanchor_467_467" id="FNanchor_467_467"></a><a href="#Footnote_467_467" class="fnanchor">[467]</a></p> + +<p>The mendicant friars have rendered themselves +famous by introducing theatrical representations<a name="FNanchor_468_468" id="FNanchor_468_468"></a><a href="#Footnote_468_468" class="fnanchor">[468]</a> +for the amusement and instruction of the people. +These shows were usually denominated miracles,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299"></a>[<a href="./images/299.png">299</a>]</span> +moralities, or mysteries, and were performed by +the friars in their convents or on portable stages, +which were wheeled into the market places and +streets for the convenience of the spectators.</p> + +<p>The friars of the monastery of the Franciscans +at Coventry are particularly celebrated for their ingenuity +in performing these pageants on Corpus +Christi day; a copy of this play or miracle is preserved +in the Cottonian Collection, written in old +English rhyme. It embraces the transactions of +the Old and New Testament, and is entitled <i>Ludus +Corpus Christi</i>. It commences—</p> + +<h3>A PLAIE CALLED CORPUS CHRISTI.<a name="FNanchor_469_469" id="FNanchor_469_469"></a><a href="#Footnote_469_469" class="fnanchor">[469]</a></h3> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Now gracyous God groundyd of all goodnesse,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">As thy grete glorie neuyr begynnyng had;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">So you succour and save all those that sytt and sese,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">And lystenyth to our talkyng with sylens stylle and sad,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For we purpose no pertly stylle in his prese<br /></span> +<span class="i1">The pepyl to plese with pleys ful glad,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Now lystenyth us lowly both mar and lesse<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Gentyllys and ȝemaury off goodly lyff lad,<br /></span> +<span class="i14">þis tyde,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We call you shewe us that we kan,<br /></span> +<span class="i1">How that þis werd fyrst began,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And howe God made bothe worlde and man<br /></span> +<span class="i1">If yt ye wyll abyde.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>These miracles were intended to instruct the +more ignorant, or those whose circumstances placed +the usual means of acquiring knowledge beyond<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300"></a>[<a href="./images/300.png">300</a>]</span> +their reach; but as books became accessible, they +were no longer needed; the printing press made +the Bible, from which the plots of the miracle plays +were usually derived, common among the people, +and these gaudy representations were swept away +by the Reformation; but they were temporarily +revived in Queen Mary's time, with the other +abominations of the church papal, for we find that +"in the year 1556 a goodly stage play of the +Passion of Christ was presented at the Grey Friers +in London on Corpus Christi day," before the Lord +Mayor and citizens;<a name="FNanchor_470_470" id="FNanchor_470_470"></a><a href="#Footnote_470_470" class="fnanchor">[470]</a> but we have nothing here to +do with anecdotes illustrating a period so late as +this.</p> + +<p>We have now arrived at the dawn of a new era +in learning, and the slow, plodding, laborious +scribes of the monasteries were startled by the appearance +of an invention with which their poor +pens had no power to compete. The year 1472 +was the last of the parchment literature of the +monks, and the first in the English annals of +printed learning; but we must not forget that the +monks with all their sloth and ignorance, were the +foremost among the encouragers of the early printing +press in England; the monotony of the dull +cloisters of Westminster Abbey was broken by the +clanking of Caxton's press; and the prayers of the +monks of old St. Albans mingled with the echoes +of the pressman's labor. Little did those barefooted +priests know what an opponent to their +Romish rites they were fostering into life; their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301"></a>[<a href="./images/301.png">301</a>]</span> +love of learning and passion for books, drove all +fear away; and the splendor of the new power so +dazzled their eyes that they could not clearly see +the nature of the refulgent light just bursting +through the gloom of ages.</p> + +<p>After the invention of the printing art, bibliomania +took some mighty strides; and many choice +collectors, full of ardor in the pursuit, became renowned +for the vast book stores they amassed together. +But some of their names have been preserved +and good deeds chronicled by Dibdin, of +bibliographical renown; so that a chapter is not +necessary here to extol them. We may judge how +fashionable the avocation became by the keen satire +of Alexander Barkley, in his translation of Brandt's +<i>Navis Stultifera</i> or Shyp of Folys,<a name="FNanchor_471_471" id="FNanchor_471_471"></a><a href="#Footnote_471_471" class="fnanchor">[471]</a> who gives a +curious illustration of a bibliomaniac; and thus +speaks of those collectors who amassed their book +treasures without possessing much esteem for their +contents.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"That in this ship the chiefe place I gouerne,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">By this wide sea with fooles wandring,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">The cause is plain & easy to discerne<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Still am I busy, bookes assembling,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">For to have plentie it is a pleasaunt thing<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">In my conceyt, to have them ay in hand,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">But what they meane do I not understande.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But yet I have them in great reverence<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And honoure, sauing them from filth & ordure<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">By often brushing & much diligence<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Full goodly bounde in pleasaunt couerture<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Of Damas, Sattin, or els of velvet pure<br /></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302"></a>[<a href="./images/302.png">302</a>]</span> +<span class="ihalf">I keepe them sure, fearing least they should be lost,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">For in them is the cunning wherein I me boast.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But if it fortune that any learned man<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Within my house fall to disputation,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">I drawe the curtaynes to shewe my bokes them,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">That they of my cunning should make probation<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">I love not to fall in alterication,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And while the commen, my bokes I turne and winde<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">For all is in them, and nothing in my minde.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Ptolomeus the riche caused, longe agone,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Over all the worlde good bookes to be sought,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Done was his commandement—anone<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">These bokes he had, and in his studie brought,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Which passed all earthly treasure as he thought,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">But neverthelesse he did him not apply<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Unto their doctrine, but lived unhappily.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Lo, in likewise of bookes I have store,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">But fewe I reade and fewer understande,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">I folowe not their doctrine nor their lore,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">It is ynough to beare a booke in hande.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">It were too muche to be in such a bande,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">For to be bounde to loke within the booke<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">I am content on the fayre coveryng to looke.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Why should I studie to hurt my wit therby,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Or trouble my minde with studie excessiue.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Sithe many are which studie right busely,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And yet therby thall they never thrive<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">The fruite of wisdome can they not contriue,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And many to studie so muche are inclinde,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">That utterly they fall out of their minde.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Eche is not lettred that nowe is made a lorde,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Nor eche a clerke that hath a benefice;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">They are not all lawyers that pleas do recorde,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">All that are promoted are not fully wise;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">On suche chaunce nowe fortune throwes her dice<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">That though we knowe but the yrishe game,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Yet would he have a gentleman's name.<br /></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303"></a>[<a href="./images/303.png">303</a>]</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"So in like wise I am in suche case,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Though I nought can, I would be called wise,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Also I may set another in my place,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Whiche may for me my bokes exercise,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Or els I shall ensue the common guise,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And say concedo to euery argument,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Least by much speache my latin should be spent.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I am like other Clerkes, which so frowardly them gyde,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">That after they are once come unto promotion,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">They give them to pleasure, their study set aside,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Their auarice couering with fained deuotion;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Yet dayly they preache and have great derision<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Against the rude laymen, and all for couetise,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Through their owne conscience be blended with that vice<ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads ','">.</ins><br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But if I durst truth plainely utter and expresse,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">This is the speciall cause of this inconvenience,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">That greatest of fooles & fullest of lewdness,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Having least wit and simplest science,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Are first promoted, & have greatest reverence;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">For if one can flatter & bear a hauke on his fist,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">He shall be made Parson of Honington or of Elist.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But he that is in study ay firme and diligent,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And without all favour preacheth Christe's love,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Of all the Cominalite nowe adayes is sore shent,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And by estates threatned oft therfore.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Thus what anayle is it to us to study more,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">To knowe ether Scripture, truth, wisdome, or virtue,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Since fewe or none without fauour dare them shewe.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"But O noble Doctours, that worthy are of name,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Consider oure olde fathers, note well their diligence,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Ensue ye to their steppes, obtayne ye suche fame<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">As they did living; and that, by true prudence<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Within their heartes, thy planted their science,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And not in pleasaunt bookes, but noue to fewe suche be,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Therefore to this ship come you & rowe with me.<br /></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304"></a>[<a href="./images/304.png">304</a>]</span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">"The Lennoy of Alexander Barclay,<br /></span> +<span class="i2half">Translatour, exhorting the fooles accloyed<br /></span> +<span class="i2half">with this vice, to amende their foly.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Say worthie Doctours & Clerkes curious,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">What moneth you of bookes to have such number,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Since diuers doctrines through way contrarious,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Doth man's minde distract and sore encomber.<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">Alas blinde men awake, out of your slumber;<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">And if ye will needes your bookes multiplye,<br /></span> +<span class="ihalf">With diligence endeuor you some to occupye.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins><a name="FNanchor_472_472" id="FNanchor_472_472"></a><a href="#Footnote_472_472" class="fnanchor">[472]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-23.jpg" alt="Footer" title="Footer" /></p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_438_438" id="Footnote_438_438"></a><a href="#FNanchor_438_438"><span class="label">[438]</span></a> Thirteen Dominicans were sent into England in the year 1221; +they held their first provincial council in England in 1230 at Oxford, +three years before St. Dominic was canonized by pope Gregory.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_439_439" id="Footnote_439_439"></a><a href="#FNanchor_439_439"><span class="label">[439]</span></a> Four clercs and five laymen of the Franciscan order were sent +into England in 1224; ten years afterwards we find their disciples +spreading over the whole of England.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_440_440" id="Footnote_440_440"></a><a href="#FNanchor_440_440"><span class="label">[440]</span></a> Edward the Second regarded them with great favor, and wrote +several letters to the pope in their praise; he says in one, "Desiderantes +itaque, pater sancte ordinis fratrum prædicatorum Oxonii, ubi +religionis devotio, et honestatis laudabilis decer viget, per quem etiam +honor universitatis Oxoniensis, et utilitas ibidem studentium, etc." +Dugdale's Monast. vol. vi. p. 1492.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_441_441" id="Footnote_441_441"></a><a href="#FNanchor_441_441"><span class="label">[441]</span></a> A list of celebrated authors who flourished in England, and +who were members of the Dominican Order, will be found in <i>Steven's +Monasticon</i>, vol. ii. p. 193, more than 80 names are mentioned. +A similar list of authors of the Franciscan order will be found at p. 97 +of vol. i. containing 122 names; and of the Carmelite authors, vol. ii. +p. 160, specifying 137 writers; a great proportion of their works are +upon the Scriptures.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_442_442" id="Footnote_442_442"></a><a href="#FNanchor_442_442"><span class="label">[442]</span></a> Dr. Cave says, "In scholis Christianis pene unice regnavit +scholastica theologia, advocata in subsidium Aristotelis philosophia, +eaque non ex Græcis fontibus <i>sed ex turbidis Arabum lacunis, ex +versionibus male factis, male intellectis, hansta</i>.<ins title="Transcriber's Note: added missing quotation mark">"</ins> <i>Hist. Liter.</i>, p. 615. +But I am not satisfied that this has been proved, though often +affirmed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_443_443" id="Footnote_443_443"></a><a href="#FNanchor_443_443"><span class="label">[443]</span></a> It was probably the work of Andrew the Jew. <i>Meiners</i>, ii. +p. 664.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_444_444" id="Footnote_444_444"></a><a href="#FNanchor_444_444"><span class="label">[444]</span></a> At a council held at Paris in the year 1209, the works of Aristotle +were proscribed and ordered to be burnt. <i>Launvius de Varia +Aristotelis fortuna</i>. But in spite of the papal mandate the friars +revived its use. Richard Fizacre, an intimate friend of Roger Bacon, +was so passionately fond of reading Aristotle, that he always carried +one of his works in his bosom. <i>Stevens Monast.</i>, vol. ii. p. 194.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_445_445" id="Footnote_445_445"></a><a href="#FNanchor_445_445"><span class="label">[445]</span></a> See what has been said of the Mendicants at p. 79.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_446_446" id="Footnote_446_446"></a><a href="#FNanchor_446_446"><span class="label">[446]</span></a> Steven's additions to Dugdale's Monasticon from the MSS. of +Anthony a Wood in the library at Oxford, vol. i. p. 129. Agnell +himself was "<i>a man of scarce any erudition</i>."—<i>Ibid.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_447_447" id="Footnote_447_447"></a><a href="#FNanchor_447_447"><span class="label">[447]</span></a> He is spoken of under a multitude of names, sometimes +Grosthead, Grouthead, etc. A list of them will be found in Wood's +Oxford by Gutch, vol. i. p. 198.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_448_448" id="Footnote_448_448"></a><a href="#FNanchor_448_448"><span class="label">[448]</span></a> He gives strict injunctions as to the study of the Scriptures in +his <i>Constitutiones</i>.—See Pegge's Life of Grostest, p. 315.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_449_449" id="Footnote_449_449"></a><a href="#FNanchor_449_449"><span class="label">[449]</span></a> Utilitate Scientiarum, cap. xxxix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_450_450" id="Footnote_450_450"></a><a href="#FNanchor_450_450"><span class="label">[450]</span></a> De Confess. Amantis, lib. iv. fo. 70, <i>Imprint</i>. Caxton <i>at Westminster</i>, +1483. The bishop is said to have taken a journey from +England to Rome one night on an infernal horse.—Pegge's Life of +Grostest, p. 306.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_451_451" id="Footnote_451_451"></a><a href="#FNanchor_451_451"><span class="label">[451]</span></a> Stephen's additions to Dugdale's Monasticon from Anthony a +Wood's MSS. vol. i. p. 133.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_452_452" id="Footnote_452_452"></a><a href="#FNanchor_452_452"><span class="label">[452]</span></a> The Mendicant orders, unlike the monks, were not remarkable +for their industry in transcribing books: their roving life was unsuitable +to the tedious profession of a scribe.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_453_453" id="Footnote_453_453"></a><a href="#FNanchor_453_453"><span class="label">[453]</span></a> Leland's Itin. vol. iii. p. 59.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_454_454" id="Footnote_454_454"></a><a href="#FNanchor_454_454"><span class="label">[454]</span></a> Oliver's Collections relating to the Monasteries in Devon, 8vo. +1820, appendix lxii.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_455_455" id="Footnote_455_455"></a><a href="#FNanchor_455_455"><span class="label">[455]</span></a> Cottonian MSS. Vittel, F. xii. 13. fol. 325, headed "<i>De Fundacione +Librarie</i>."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_456_456" id="Footnote_456_456"></a><a href="#FNanchor_456_456"><span class="label">[456]</span></a> The library was 129 feet long and 31 feet broad, and most +beautifully fitted up.—<i>Lelandi Antiquarii Collectanea</i>, vol. i. p. 109.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_457_457" id="Footnote_457_457"></a><a href="#FNanchor_457_457"><span class="label">[457]</span></a> This refers to the custom then prevalent of chaining their +books, especially their choice ones, to the library shelf, or to a +reading desk.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_458_458" id="Footnote_458_458"></a><a href="#FNanchor_458_458"><span class="label">[458]</span></a> MS. <i>ibid.</i> fo. o. 325 b.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_459_459" id="Footnote_459_459"></a><a href="#FNanchor_459_459"><span class="label">[459]</span></a> Script. Brit. p. 241, and Collectanea, iii. 52.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_460_460" id="Footnote_460_460"></a><a href="#FNanchor_460_460"><span class="label">[460]</span></a> Leland's Collect. vol. iii. p. 51. He found in the priory of +the Dominicans at Cambridge, among other books, a <i>Biblia in +lingua vernacula</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_461_461" id="Footnote_461_461"></a><a href="#FNanchor_461_461"><span class="label">[461]</span></a> Steven's Monast. vol. ii. p. 194.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_462_462" id="Footnote_462_462"></a><a href="#FNanchor_462_462"><span class="label">[462]</span></a> His works were of the impressions of the Air—of the Wonder +of the Elements—of Ceremonial Magic—of the Mysteries of Secrets—and +the Correction of Chemistry.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_463_463" id="Footnote_463_463"></a><a href="#FNanchor_463_463"><span class="label">[463]</span></a> Sieben's Monast. vol. i. p. 183, from the MSS. of Anthony a +Wood, who says, "What became of them (their books) at the dissolution +unless they were carried into the library of some college, I +know not."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_464_464" id="Footnote_464_464"></a><a href="#FNanchor_464_464"><span class="label">[464]</span></a> They obtained much wealth by the sale of pardons and indulgences. +Margaret Est, of the convent of Franciscans, ordered her +letters of pardon and absolution, to partake of the indulgences of the +convent, to be returned as soon she was buried. <i>Bloomfield's Hist. +of Norfolk</i>, vol. ii. p. 565.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_465_465" id="Footnote_465_465"></a><a href="#FNanchor_465_465"><span class="label">[465]</span></a> And among others of St. Augustine's books, <i>De Civitate Dei</i>, +with many notes in the margins, by Grostest. <i>Wood's Hist. Oxon</i>, +p. 78.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_466_466" id="Footnote_466_466"></a><a href="#FNanchor_466_466"><span class="label">[466]</span></a> Anthony a Wood in Steven's Monast. vol. i. p. 133.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_467_467" id="Footnote_467_467"></a><a href="#FNanchor_467_467"><span class="label">[467]</span></a> Script. Brit. p. 286.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_468_468" id="Footnote_468_468"></a><a href="#FNanchor_468_468"><span class="label">[468]</span></a> Le Bœuf gives an instance of one being represented as early +as the eleventh century, in which Virgil was introduced. <i>Hallam's +Lit. of Europe</i>, vol. i. p. 295. The case of Geoffry of St. Albans is +well known, and I have already mentioned it.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_469_469" id="Footnote_469_469"></a><a href="#FNanchor_469_469"><span class="label">[469]</span></a> MS. Cottonian Vespasian, D. viii. fo. 1. Codex Chart. 225 +folios, written in the fifteenth century. Sir W. Dugdale, in his Hist. +of Warwick, p. 116, mentions this volume; and Stevens, in his Monast. +has printed a portion of it. Mr. Halliwell has printed them +with much care and accuracy.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_470_470" id="Footnote_470_470"></a><a href="#FNanchor_470_470"><span class="label">[470]</span></a> MS. Cottonian Vitel. E. 5. <i>Warton's Hist. Eng. Poetry</i>, vol. +iii. p. 326.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_471_471" id="Footnote_471_471"></a><a href="#FNanchor_471_471"><span class="label">[471]</span></a> The original was written in 1494.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_472_472" id="Footnote_472_472"></a><a href="#FNanchor_472_472"><span class="label">[472]</span></a> Ship of Fooles, folio 1570, Imprynted by Cawood, fol. 1.</p></div> +</div> + +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305"></a>[<a href="./images/305.png">305</a>]</span></p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-24.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>Conclusion.</i></p></div> +<hr /> + +<div class="clearfix"><div class="figleft"><img src="./images/ill-25.jpg" alt="W" title="W" /></div> +<p><span class="smcap">e</span> have traversed through the darkness +of many long and dreary +centuries, and with the aid of a +few old manuscripts written by the +monks in the <i>scriptoria</i> of their +monasteries, caught an occasional +glimpse of their literary labors and +love of books; these parchment volumes being mere +monastic registers, or terse historic compilations, +do not record with particular care the anecdotes +applicable to my subject, but appear to be mentioned +almost accidentally, and certainly without +any ostentatious design; but such as they are we +learn from them at least one thing, which some of +us might not have known before—that the monks +of old, besides telling their beads, singing psalms, +and muttering their breviary, had yet one other +duty to perform—the transcription of books. And +I think there is sufficient evidence that they fulfilled +this obligation with as much zeal as those of a +more strictly monastic or religious nature. It is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306"></a>[<a href="./images/306.png">306</a>]</span> +true, in casting our eye over the history of their +labors, many regrets will arise that they did not +manifest a little more taste and refinement in their +choice of books for transcribing. The classical +scholar will wish the holy monks had thought more +about his darling authors of Greece and Rome; +but the pious puritan historian blames them for +patronizing the romantic allurements of Ovid, or +the loose satires of Juvenal, and throws out some +slanderous hint that they must have found a sympathy +in those pages of licentiousness, or why so +anxious to preserve them? The protestant is still +more scandalized, and denounces the monks, their +books, scriptorium and all together as part and parcel +of popish craft and Romish superstition. But surely +the crimes of popedom and the evils of monachism, +that thing of dry bones and fabricated relics, are +bad enough; and the protestant cause is sufficiently +holy, that we may afford to be honest if we cannot +to be generous. What good purpose then will it +serve to cavil at the monks forever? All readers +of history know how corrupt they became in the +fifteenth century; how many evils were wrought +by the craft of some of them, and how pernicious +the system ultimately waxed. We can all, I say, +reflect upon these things, and guard against them in +future; but it is not just to apply the same indiscriminate +censure to all ages. Many of the purest +Christians of the church, the brightest ornaments +of Christ's simple flock, were barefooted cowled +monks of the cloister; devout perhaps to a fault, +with simplicity verging on superstition; yet nevertheless +faithful, pious men, and holy. Look at all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307"></a>[<a href="./images/307.png">307</a>]</span> +this with an eye of charity; avoid their errors and +manifold faults: but to forget the loathsome thing +our minds have conjured up as the type of an +ancient monk. Remember they had a few books +to read, and venerated something more than the +dry bones of long withered saints. Their God +was our God, and their Saviour, let us trust, will be +our Saviour.</p></div> + +<p>I am well aware that many other names might +have been added to those mentioned in the foregoing +pages, equally deserving remembrance, and +offering pleasing anecdotes of a student's life, or +illustrating the early history of English learning; +many facts and much miscellaneous matter I have +collected in reference to them; but I am fearful +whether my readers will regard this subject with +sufficient relish to enjoy more illustrations of the +same kind. Students are apt to get too fond of +their particular pursuit, which magnifies in importance +with the difficulties of their research, or the +duration of their studies. I am uncertain whether +this may not be my own position, and wait the +decision of my readers before proceeding further +in the annals of early bibliomania.</p> + +<p>Moreover as to the simple question—Were the +monks booklovers? enough I think as been said to +prove it, but the enquiry is far from exhausted; +and if the reader should deem the matter still +equivocal and undecided, he must refer the blame +to the feebleness of my pen, rather than to the +barrenness of my subject. But let him not fail to +mark well the instances I have given; let him look +at Benedict Biscop and his foreign travels after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308"></a>[<a href="./images/308.png">308</a>]</span> +books; at Theodore and the early Saxons of the +seventh century; at Boniface, Alcuin, Ælfric, and +the numerous votaries of bibliomania who flourished +then. Look at the well stored libraries of St. Albans, +Canterbury, Ramsey, Durham, Croyland, +Peterborough, Glastonbury, and their thousand +tomes of parchment literature. Look at Richard +de Bury and his sweet little work on biographical +experience; at Whethamstede and his industrious +pen; read the rules of monastic orders; the book +of Cassian; the regulations of St. Augustine; +Benedict Fulgentius; and the ancient admonitions +of many other holy and ascetic men. Search over +the remnants and shreds of information which have +escaped the ravages of time, and the havoc of cruel +invasions relative to these things. Attend to the +import of these small still whisperings of a forgotten +age; and then, letting the eye traverse down +the stream of time, mark the great advent of the +Reformation; that wide gulf of monkish erudition +in which was swallowed "whole shyppes full" of +olden literature; think well and deeply over the +huge bonfires of Henry's reign, the flames of which +were kindled by the libraries which monkish industry +had transcribed. A merry sound no doubt, +was the crackling of those "popish books" for +protestant ears to feed upon!</p> + +<p>Now all these facts thought of collectively—brought +to bear one upon another—seem to favor +the opinion my own study has deduced from them; +that with all their superstition, with all their ignorance, +their blindness to philosophic light—the +monks of old were hearty lovers of books; that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309"></a>[<a href="./images/309.png">309</a>]</span> +they encouraged learning, fostered and transcribed +repeatedly the books which they had rescued from +the destruction of war and time; and so kindly +cherished and husbanded them as intellectual food +for posterity. Such being the case, let our hearts +look charitably upon them; and whilst we pity +them for their superstition, or blame them for their +"pious frauds," love them as brother men and +workers in the mines of literature; such a course +is far more honorable to the tenor of a christian's +heart, than bespattering their memory with foul +denunciations.</p> + +<p>Some may accuse me of having shown too much +fondness—of having dwelt with a too loving tenderness +in my retrospection of the middle ages. But +in the course of my studies I have found much to +admire. In parchment annals coeval with the times +of which they speak, my eyes have traversed over +many consecutive pages with increasing interest +and with enraptured pleasure. I have read of old +deeds worthy of an honored remembrance, where +I least expected to find them. I have met with +instances of faith as strong as death bringing forth +fruit in abundance in those sterile times, and +glorying God with its lasting incense. I have met +with instances of piety exalted to the heavens—glowing +like burning lava, and warming the cold +dull cloisters of the monks. I have read of many +a student who spent the long night in exploring +mysteries of the Bible truths; and have seen him +sketched by a monkish pencil with his ponderous +volumes spread around him, and the oil burning +brightly by his side. I have watched him in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310"></a>[<a href="./images/310.png">310</a>]</span> +little cell thus depicted on the ancient parchment, +and have sympathized with his painful difficulties +in acquiring true knowledge, or enlightened wisdom, +within the convent walls; and then I have +read the pages of his fellow monk—perhaps, his +book-companion; and heard what <i>he</i> had to say of +that poor lonely Bible student, and have learnt +with sadness how often truth had been extinguished +from his mind by superstition, or learning cramped +by his monkish prejudices; but it has not always +been so, and I have enjoyed a more gladdening +view on finding in the monk a Bible teacher; and +in another, a profound historian, or pleasing annalist.</p> + +<p>As a Christian, the recollection of these cheering +facts, with which my researches have been blessed, +are pleasurable, and lead me to look back upon +those old times with a student's fondness. But +besides piety and virtue, I have met with wisdom +and philanthropy; the former, too profound, and +the latter, too generous for the age; but these +things are precious, and worth remembering; and +how can I speak of them but in words of kindness? +It is these traits of worth and goodness that have +gained my sympathies, and twined round my heart, +and not the dark stains on the monkish page of +history; these I have always striven to forget, or to +remember them only when I thought experience +might profit by them; for they offer a terrible +lesson of blood, tyranny and anguish. But this +dark and gloomy side is the one which from our +infancy has ever been before us; we learnt it when +a child from our tutor; or at college, or at school; +we learnt it in the pages of our best and purest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311"></a>[<a href="./images/311.png">311</a>]</span> +writers; learnt that in those old days nought +existed, but bloodshed, tyranny, and anguish; but +we never thought once to gaze at the scene behind, +and behold the workings of human charity and +love; if we had, we should have found that the +same passions, the same affections, and the same +hopes and fears existed then as now, and our sympathies +would have been won by learning that we +were reading of brother men, fellow Christians, +and fellow-companions in the Church of Christ. +We have hitherto looked, when casting a backward +glance at those long gone ages of inanimation, +with the severity of a judge upon a criminal; but +to understand him properly we must regard them +with the tender compassion of a parent; for if our +art, our science, and our philosophy exalts us far +above them, is that a proof that there was nothing +admirable, nothing that can call forth our love on +that infant state, or in the annals of our civilization +at its early growth?</p> + +<p>But let it not be thought that if I have striven +to retrieve from the dust and gloom of antiquity, +the remembrance of old things that are worthy; +that I feel any love for the superstition with which +we find them blended. There is much that is good +connected with those times; talent even that is +worth imitating, and art that we may be proud to +learn, which is beginning after the elapse of centuries +to arrest the attention of the ingenious, and +the love of these, naturally revive with the discovery; +but we need not fear in this resurrection +of old things of other days, that the superstition +and weakness of the middle ages; that the venera<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312"></a>[<a href="./images/312.png">312</a>]</span>tion +for dry bones and saintly dust, can live again. +I do not wish to make the past assume a superiority +over the present; but I think a contemplation of +<ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'mediævel'">mediæval</ins> art would often open a new avenue of +thought and lead to many a pleasing and profitable +discovery; I would too add the efforts of my feeble +pen to elevate and ennoble the fond pursuit of my +leisure hours. I would say one word to vindicate +the lover of old musty writings, and the explorer of +rude antiquities, from the charge of unprofitableness, +and to protect him from the sneer of ridicule. +For whilst some see in the dry studies of the +antiquary a mere inquisitiveness after forgotten +facts and worthless relics; I can see, nay, have felt, +something morally elevating in the exercise of these +inquiries. It is not the mere fact which may sometimes +be gained by rubbing off the parochial whitewash +from ancient tablets, or the encrusted oxide +from monumental brasses, that render the study of +ancient relics so attractive; but it is the deductions +which may sometimes be drawn from them. The +light which they sometimes cast on obscure parts of +history, and the fine touches of human sensibility, +which their eulogies and monodies bespeak, that +instruct or elevate the mind, and make the student's +heart beat with holier and loftier feelings. But it +is not my duty here to enter into the motives, the +benefits, or the most profitable manner of studying +antiquity; if it were, I would strive to show how +much superior it is to become an original investigator, +a practical antiquary, than a mere borrower +from others. For the most delightful moments of +the student's course is when he rambles person<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313"></a>[<a href="./images/313.png">313</a>]</span>ally +among the ruins and remnants of long gone +ages; sometimes painful are such sights, even +deeply so; but never to a righteous mind are they +unprofitable, much less exerting a narrowing tendency +on the mind, or cramping the gushing of +human feeling; for cold, indeed, must be the heart +that can behold strong walls tottering to decay, +and fretted vaults, mutilated and dismantled of +their pristine beauty; that can behold the proud +strongholds of baronial power and feudal tyranny, +the victims of the lichen or creeping parasites of +the ivy tribe; cold, I say, must be the heart that +can see such things, and draw no lesson from +them.</p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-26.jpg" alt="Footer" title="Footer" /></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314"></a>[<a href="./images/314.png">314</a>]</span></p> +<p> </p> +<hr class ="full" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315"></a>[<a href="./images/315.png">315</a>]</span></p> + +<p class="figcenter"><img src="./images/ill-27.jpg" alt="Header" title="Header" /></p> + + + + +<h2><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a>INDEX</h2> + +<hr /> + +<ul><li>Adam de Botheby, Abbot of Peterborough, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> +<li>Adam, Abbot of Evesham, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>.</li> +<li>Adrian IV., Pope of Rome, Anecdote of, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>.</li> +<li>Ælfric, Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>.</li> +<li>Ælfride, King of Northumbria, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> +<li>Ælsinus, the Scribe, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> +<li>Ailward's Gift of Books to Evesham Monastery, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>.</li> +<li>Albans, Abbey of St.—<i>See</i> St. Albans.</li> +<li>Alcuin,<ul> +<li> Verses by, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>.</li> +<li> Letters of, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>.</li> +<li> His Bible, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>.</li> +<li> Love of Books, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>.</li></ul></li> +<li>Aldred, the Glossator, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>.</li> +<li>Aldwine, Bishop of Lindesfarne, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>.</li> +<li>Alfred the Great, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>.</li> +<li>Angell de Pisa, a Franciscan Friar, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>.</li> +<li>Angraville.—<i>See</i> Richard de Bury.</li> +<li>Anselm, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>.</li> +<li>Antiquarii, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>.</li> +<li>Arno, Archbishop of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Salzburg'">Salzburgh</ins>, Library of, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> +<li>Armarian, Duties of the Monkish, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>.</li> +<li>Aristotle; Translation used by the Schoolmen, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>.</li> +<li>Ascelin, Prior of Dover, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>.</li> +<li>Augustine, St., his copy of the Bible and other books, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Baldwin, Abbot of, St. Edmund's Bury, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>.</li> +<li>Bale on the destruction of books at the Reformation, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316"></a>[<a href="./images/316.png">316</a>]</span></li> +<li>Barkley's description of a Bibliomaniac, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> +<li>Basingstoke and his Greek books, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>.</li> +<li>Bede the Venerable, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>.</li> +<li>Bek, Anthony, Bishop of Durham, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</li> +<li>Benedict, Abbot of Peterborough, and his books, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>.</li> +<li>Benedict, Biscop of Wearmouth, and his book tours, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>.</li> +<li>Bible among the Monks in the middle ages, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>.</li> +<li>Bible, Monkish care in copying the, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>.</li> +<li>Bible, errors in printed copies, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>.</li> +<li>Bible, Translations of, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <i>note</i>.</li> +<li>Bible, Illustrations of the scarcity of the, in the middle ages, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li>Bible, Students in the middle ages, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> +<li>Bilfrid the Illuminator, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>.</li> +<li>Binding, costly, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>.</li> +<li>Blessing—Monkish blessing on Books, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>.</li> +<li>Boniface the Saxon Missionary, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>.</li> +<li>Books allowed the Monks for private reading, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>.</li> +<li>Books-Destroyers, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> +<li>Books sent to Oxford by the Monks of Durham, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> +<li>Book-Stalls, Antiquity of, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>.</li> +<li>Booksellers in the middle ages, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>.</li> +<li>Britone the Librarian—his catalogue of books in Glastonbury Abbey, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> +<li>Bruges, John de, a Monk of Coventry, and his books, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Cædmon, the Saxon Poet, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>.</li> +<li>Canterbury Monastery, etc., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> +<li>Canute, the Song of, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>.</li> +<li>Care in transcribing, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li>Carelepho, Bishop of Durham, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>.</li> +<li>Carmelite, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>.</li> +<li>Carpenter, Bishop, built and endowed a library in Exeter Church, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> +<li>Catalogues of Monastic libraries, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>.</li> +<li>Catalogue of the books of Guy Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317"></a>[<a href="./images/317.png">317</a>]</span></li> +<li>Charles V. of France—his fine Library.</li> +<li>Charlemagne's Bible, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, his Library, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> +<li>Chartey's, William, Catalogue of the Library of St. Mary's at Leicester, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li> +<li>Chiclely, Henry, Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>.</li> +<li>Cistercian Monks in England, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>.</li> +<li>Classics among the Monks in the middle ages, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>.</li> +<li>Classics, Monkish opinion of the, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Classics found in Monasteries at the revival of learning, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>.</li> +<li>Cluniac Monks in England, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>.</li> +<li>Cobham, Eleanor Duchess of Gloucester, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>.</li> +<li>Cobham, Bishop, founded the Library at Oxford, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> +<li>Collier on the destruction of books, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> +<li>Converting Miracles, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>.</li> +<li>Coventry Church, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>.</li> +<li>Coventry Miracles, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>.</li> +<li>Croyland Monastery, Library of, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> +<li>Cuthbert's Gospels, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Danes in England, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>.</li> +<li>Daniel, Bishop of Winchester, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>.</li> +<li>De Bury.—<i>See</i> Richard de Bury.</li> +<li>De Estria and his Catalogue of Canterbury Library, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>.</li> +<li>Depying Priory, Catalogue of the Library of, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>.</li> +<li>Dover Library, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>.</li> +<li>Dunstan, Saint, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Eadburge—Abbess, transcribes books for Boniface, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>.</li> +<li>Eadfrid, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>.</li> +<li>Eadmer, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> +<li>Ealdred, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>.</li> +<li>Eardulphus, or Eurdulphus, Bishop of Lindesfarne, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>.</li> +<li><ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Ecfrid'">Ecgfrid</ins> and his Queen, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>.</li> +<li>Edmunds Bury, St., <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> +<li>Edwine the Scribe, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> +<li>Effects of Gospel Reading, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>.</li> +<li>Effects of the Reformation on Monkish learning, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>.</li> +<li>Egbert, Archbishop of York, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, his Library, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318"></a>[<a href="./images/318.png">318</a>]</span></li> +<li>Egebric, Abbot of Croyland, his gift of books to the Library, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.</li> +<li>Egfrith, Bishop of Lindesfarne, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.</li> +<li>Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>.</li> +<li>Ethelbert, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>.</li> +<li>Etheldredæ founds the Monastery of Ely, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>.</li> +<li>Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester<ul> +<li> his love of Architecture, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>,</li> +<li> his fine Benedictional, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>.</li></ul></li> +<li>Ely Monastery, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>.<ul> +<li> Extracts from the Account Books of, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>.</li></ul></li> +<li>Erventus the Illuminator, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>.</li> +<li>Esseburn, Henry, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>.</li> +<li>Evesham Monastery, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Fathers, Veneration for the, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>.</li> +<li>Frederic, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>.</li> +<li>Franciscan Library at Oxford, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Friars, Mendicant, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Geoffry de Gorham, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>.</li> +<li>Gerbert, extract from a letter of, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>.</li> +<li>Gift of books to Richard de Bury by the Monks of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>.</li> +<li>Glanvill, Bishop of Rochester, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> +<li>Glastonbury Abbey, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> +<li>Gloucester Abbey, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.</li> +<li>Godeman, Abbot of Gloucester, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.</li> +<li>Godemann the Scribe, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> +<li>Godfrey, Abbot of Peterborough, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>.</li> +<li>Godinge the Librarian to Exeter Church, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> +<li>Godiva, Lady and her good deeds, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> +<li>Gospels, notices of among the Monks in the middle ages, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <i>note</i>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>.</li> +<li>Graystane, Robert de, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> +<li>Grostest, Robert, Bishop of Lincoln, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>.</li> +<li>Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>.</li> +<li>Guthlac, St., of Croyland, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>.</li> +<li>Guy, Earl of Warwick, his gift of books to Bordesley Abbey, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>.</li></ul> + + +<ul><li><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319"></a>[<a href="./images/319.png">319</a>]</span>Hebrew Manuscripts among the Monks, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Henry the Second of England, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Henry de Estria and his Catalogue of Canterbury Library, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>.</li> +<li>Henry, a Monk of Hyde Abbey, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> +<li>Hilda, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> +<li>Holdernesse, Abbot of Peterborough, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> +<li>Hoton, Prior of Durham, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.</li> +<li>Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> +<li>Hunting practised by the Monks and Churchmen, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>.</li> +<li>Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.<ul> +<li> His domestic troubles, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> +<li> His death, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> +<li> Lydgate's Verses upon, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li> +<li> His Gift of Books to Oxford, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>.</li></ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Illuminated MSS., <a href="#Page_54">54</a>.</li> +<li>Ina, King of the West Saxons, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Jarrow, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> +<li>John de Bruges of Coventry Church, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>.</li> +<li>John, Prior of Evesham, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> +<li>John of Taunton, a Monk of Glastonbury, his Catalogue of Books, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li><ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Kernulfus'">Kenulfus</ins>, Abbot of Peterborough, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>.</li> +<li>Kinfernus, Archbishop of York, gift of the Gospels to Peterborough Monastery, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>.</li> +<li>Kildwardly, Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>.</li> +<li>Langley, Thomas, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>.</li> +<li>Laws of the Universities over booksellers, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li> +<li>Lending books,<ul> +<li> system of among the Monks, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;</li> +<li> by the booksellers, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>.</li></ul></li> +<li><ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Leofin'">Leoffin</ins>, Abbot of Ely, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>.</li> +<li>Leofric, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>.</li> +<li>Leofric, Bishop of Exeter, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;<ul> +<li> his Private Library, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li></ul></li> +<li>Leofricke, Earl of Mercia, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>.</li> +<li>Leofricus, Abbot of Peterborough, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>.</li> +<li>Leicester, Abbey of St. Mary de la <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Pre'">Pré</ins>, at, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> +<li>Libraries in the middle ages.—<i>See</i> Catalogues.</li> +<li>Libraries, how supported, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>.</li> +<li>Librarii, or booksellers, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320"></a>[<a href="./images/320.png">320</a>]</span></li> +<li>Lindesfarne, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>.</li> +<li>Livy, the lost decades of, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> +<li>Lul, Majestro, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>.</li> +<li>Lulla, Bishop of Coena, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>.</li> +<li>Lydgate's Verses on Baldwin,<ul> +<li> Abbot of St. Edmunds Bury, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>;</li> +<li> on Duke Humphrey, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li></ul></li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Malmsbury Monastery, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> +<li>Malmsbury, William of, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>.</li> +<li>Mannius, Abbot of Evesham, his skill in illuminating, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>.</li> +<li>Manuscripts, Ancient, described, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>.</li> +<li>Manuscripts, Collections of, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>.</li> +<li><ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Marlebergh'">Marleberg</ins>, Thomas of, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.</li> +<li>Medeshamstede, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>.</li> +<li>Mendicant Friars, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Michael de Wentmore, Abbot of St. Albans, and his <i>multis voluminibus</i>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> +<li>Milton and Cædmon compared, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>.</li> +<li>Monachism, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>.</li> +<li>Monastic training, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>.</li> +<li>Monks, the preservers of books, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Nicholas, of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>.</li> +<li>Nicholas Brekspere, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>.</li> +<li>Nicholas Hereford, of Evesham, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>.</li> +<li>Nigel, Bishop of Ely, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>.</li> +<li>Norman Conquest. Effect of the, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>.</li> +<li>Northone, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>.</li> +<li>Nothelm, Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Offa, King, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>.<ul> +<li> Alcuin's Letter to, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>.</li></ul></li> +<li>Osbern, of Shepey, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> +<li>Oswald, Bishop of Worcester, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Paul or Paulinus, of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>.</li> +<li>Peter of Blois, Archdeacon of London, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>.</li> +<li>Peter, Abbot of Gloucester, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.</li> +<li>Peterborough Monastery, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>.<ul> +<li> Library, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>.</li></ul></li> +<li>Petrarch, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>.</li> +<li>Philobiblon, by Richard de Bury, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321"></a>[<a href="./images/321.png">321</a>]</span></li> +<li>Prior John, of Evesham, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>.</li> +<li>Puritans destroy the Library in Worcester Church, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> +<li>Purple Manuscripts, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>.</li> +<li>Pusar, Hugh de, Bishop of Durham, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Radolphus, Bishop of Rochester, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>.</li> +<li>Ralph de Gobium, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>.</li> +<li>Ramsey Abbey, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>.<ul> +<li> Hebrew MSS. at Ramsey, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>.</li> +<li> Classics, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>.</li></ul></li> +<li>Raymond, Prior of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.</li> +<li>Reading Abbey. Library of, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> +<li>Reginald, Archdeacon of Salisbury, reproved for his love of falconry, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Reginald, of Evesham, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>.</li> +<li>Richard de Albini, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>.</li> +<li>Richard de Bury, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> +<li>Richard de Stowe, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>.</li> +<li>Richard of London, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> +<li>Richard Wallingford, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>.</li> +<li>Richard Whiting, the last Abbot of Glastonbury, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a>.</li> +<li>Ridiculous signs for books.—<i>See</i> signs.</li> +<li>Rievall Monastery, library of, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>.</li> +<li>Robert de Gorham, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>.</li> +<li>Robert, of Lyndeshye, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>.</li> +<li>Robert, of Sutton, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> +<li>Roger de Northone, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>.</li> +<li>Roger de Thoris, Archdeacon of Exeter. Gift of books to the Friars at Exeter, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li><ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Ryphum'">Rhypum</ins> Monastery; gift of books to, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Scarcity of Parchment, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>.</li> +<li>Scholastic Philosophy, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>.</li> +<li>Scribes, Monkish, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>.</li> +<li>Scriptoria, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>.</li> +<li><ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Sellynge'">Sellinge</ins>, William, Prior of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>.</li> +<li>Signs for books used by the Monks, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.</li> +<li>Simon, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>.</li> +<li>St. Alban's Abbey, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <i>et seq.</i></li> +<li>St. Joseph, of Arimathea, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322"></a>[<a href="./images/322.png">322</a>]</span></li> +<li>St. Mary's, at Coventry, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>.</li> +<li>St. Mary's de la <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Pre'">Pré</ins>, at Leicester. Library of, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>.</li> +<li>Stylus or pen, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li><ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Tatwyne'">Tatwine</ins>, Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>.</li> +<li>Taunton, John of, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>.</li> +<li>Taunton, William of, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>.</li> +<li>Theodore of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Tharsus'">Tarsus</ins>, Archbishop of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>.</li> +<li>Thomas de la Mare, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> +<li>Thomas of Marleberg, Prior of Evesham, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>.</li> +<li>Trompington, William de, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>.</li> +<li>Tully's de Republica, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Valerius Maximus, Duke Humphrey's copy of, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> +<li>Value of books in the middle ages, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>.</li> +<li>Verses written in books by Whethamstede, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>.</li> +<li>Verulam, ruins of, excavated by Eadmer, of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>Waleran, Bishop of Rochester, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> +<li>Walter, Bishop of Rochester, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>.</li> +<li>Walter, Bishop of Winchester, fond of hunting, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>.</li> +<li>Walter, of Evesham, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>.</li> +<li>Walter, of St. Edmunds Bury, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> +<li>Walter, Prior of St. Swithin, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li>Wearmouth, Monastery of, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> +<li>Wentmore, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.</li> +<li>Whethamstede, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>; +<ul><li> his works, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>;</li> +<li> gift of books to Gloucester college, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>.</li></ul></li> +<li>Whitby Abbey, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>.</li> +<li>Wilfrid, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>.</li> +<li>Willigod, Abbot of St. Albans, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>.</li> +<li>William, of <ins title="Transcriber's Note: Original reads 'Wodeford'">Wodeforde</ins>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>.</li> +<li>Winchester, famous for his Scribes, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>.</li> +<li>Worcester, Church of, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>.</li> +<li>Wulstan, Archbishop of York, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>.</li> +</ul> + + +<ul><li>York Cathedral Library, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<div class='tnote'><h3>Transcriber's Notes</h3> + +<p>1. Footnotes 293, 386 are not anchored in the page image. A best guess +has been made as to their anchor point.</p> + +<p>2. Refer to the image for the black letter poems as the yogh/ezh & thorn/h +characters are difficult to distinguish. Other internet sources show vastly different +interpretations for the text of 'A Plaie called Corpus Christi'.</p> + +<p>3. Hyphenation has been left as printed, inconsistencies are:</p> +<ul><li>bookloving, book-loving</li> +<li>booklover, book-lover</li> +<li>bookworms, book-worms</li> +<li>goodwill, good-will</li> +<li>halfpenny, half-penny</li> +<li>protomartyr, proto-martyr</li> +<li>reread, re-read</li></ul> + + +<p>4. Punctuation, particularly in footnotes has been standardised.</p> + +<p>5. Spelling inconsistencies between proper names in the text and index +entries have been standardised. The original spelling has been noted. +Inconsistencies in the spelling of proper names within the text have +been left as printed.</p> + +<p>6. The remaining corrections made are indicated by dotted lines under +the corrections. +Scroll the mouse over the word and the original text will <ins +title="Transcriber's Note: original reads 'apprear'">appear</ins>.</p> </div> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bibliomania in the Middle Ages, by +Frederick Somner Merryweather + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIBLIOMANIA IN THE MIDDLE AGES *** + +***** This file should be named 21630-h.htm or 21630-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/6/3/21630/ + +Produced by Suzanne Lybarger, Brian Janes and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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