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diff --git a/21630.txt b/21630.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6661737 --- /dev/null +++ b/21630.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9791 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bibliomania in the Middle Ages, by +Frederick Somner Merryweather + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. 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: ASCII + +*** 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 + + + + + + + + + + + +BIBLIOMANIA + +IN + +THE MIDDLE AGES + +BY + +F. SOMNER MERRYWEATHER + +_With an Introduction by_ +CHARLES ORR +Librarian of Case Library + + + +NEW YORK +MEYER BROTHERS & COMPANY +1900 + + + + +Copyright, 1900 +By Meyer Bros. & Co. + + + + +Louis Weiss & Co. +Printers.... +118 Fulton Street +... New York + + + + +Bibliomania in the Middle Ages + +OR + +SKETCHES OF BOOKWORMS, COLLECTORS, BIBLE STUDENTS, SCRIBES AND +ILLUMINATORS + +_From the Anglo-Saxon and Norman Periods to the Introduction of Printing +into England, with Anecdotes Illustrating the History of the Monastic +Libraries of Great Britain in the Olden Time by_ F. Somner Merryweather, +_with an Introduction by_ Charles Orr, _Librarian of Case Library._ + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +In 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 B. C. 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 +centuries, and where bibliophiles and bibliomaniacs were gradually +evolved, and from whence in time other countries were invaded. + +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 A. D. It matters little, +however, since there is no attempt at chronological arrangement. + +About the middle of the present century there began to be a disposition +to grant to mediaeval times their proper place in the history of the +preservation and dissemination of books, and Merryweather's _Bibliomania +in the Middle Ages_ 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. + +Even Mr. Hallam,[1] 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 as the abode of +"indigent vagabonds withdrawn from usual labor," and all monks as +positive enemies of learning. + +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. + +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 _Mores Catholici; or Ages of Faith_, by Mr. +Kenelm Digby,[2] or of _The Dark Ages_, by Dr. S. R. Maitland,[3] or of +that great work of recent years, _Books and their Makers during the +Middle Ages_, by Mr. George Haven Putnam,[4] he will see vivid and +interesting portraits of a great multitude of mediaeval 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. + +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 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. + +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." + +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 +_scriptorium_ 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 +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.[5] The form of writing was stiff and regular +and therefore exceedingly slow and irksome. + +In some of the monasteries the _scriptorium_ 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 _librarius_ 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. + +The seriousness with which the business of copying was considered is well +illustrated by the consecration of the _scriptorium_ which was often +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." + +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. + +Mr. Merryweather, whose book, as has been 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 _Invention of Printing_, +will, we think, be found interesting: + +"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. + +"When the copyist had finished his sheet he passed it to the designer, +who sketched the border, pictures and initials. The sheet was then given +to the illuminator, who painted it. The ornamentation of a mediaeval 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 +mediaeval 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. 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. + +"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 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. + +"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." + +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." + +Of the author himself little can be learned. A 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 _Bibliomania_, which was published in 1849. He published +during the same year _Dies Dominicae_, and in 1850 _Glimmerings in the +Dark_, and _Lives and Anecdotes of Misers_. 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."[6] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] Hallam, Henry. "Introduction to the Literature of Europe." 4 + vols. London. + +[2] Digby, Kenelm. "Mores Catholici; or Ages of Faith." 3 vols. + London, 1848. + +[3] 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. + +[4] 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." + +[5] Lacroix, Paul. "Arts of the Middle Ages." Our author, however + (_vide_ page 58, _note_), 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. + +[6] Dickens's Mutual Friend. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + + _Introductory Remarks--Monachism--Book Destroyers--Effects of the + Reformation on Monkish Learning, etc._ + + +In 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, 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 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. + +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 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 Caedman, 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 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 _those days alone_ +may find more to admire and defend than they expected, or their +Protestant prejudices like to own. + +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. + +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 intellectual productions of a past and obscure +age.[7] 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 impunity, 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. + +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,[8] 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,[9] not in small nombre, but at tymes _whole shippes +ful_. I know a merchant man, whyche 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."[10] + +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.[11] It would be impossible now to estimate the loss. +Manuscripts of ancient and classic date would in their hands receive no +more 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."[12] 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.[13] + +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 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!"[14] + +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;[15] 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. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[7] 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. + +[8] "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. + +[9] 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. + +[10] Bale's Leland's Laboryouse Journey, Preface. + +[11] 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.--_Wood's Hist. Oxon._, 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."--_Ibid., Wood is referring to the reign + of Edward VI._ + +[12] Wood's Hist. Oxon, b. i. p. 81. + +[13] "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." + +[14] Fuller's Church History, b. vi. p. 335. + +[15] Wood's Oxon, vol. i. b. i. p. 107 + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + _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._ + + +In 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. + +As a bibliophile it is somewhat pleasing to trace 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. + +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? + +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 names.[16] 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,[17] 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 corrupt 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.[18] +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.[19] This was, +doubtless, 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.[20] 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.[21] This was the practice at a much +later period. When that renowned bibliomaniac, Richard de Bury, wrote his +delightful little book called _Philobiblon_, 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.[22] + +We learn by the canons before referred to, that 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.[23] + +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, 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[24] a list of books lent by the Convent of Henton, A. D. 1343, to +a neighboring monastery, containing twenty volumes. The engagement to +restore these books was formally drawn up and sealed. + +In the monasteries the first consideration was 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; _Bibliothecae et majores expositores_, +books of martyrs, lives of saints, homilies, etc.;[25] 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.[26] +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.[27] The sick brothers were also entitled to the privilege of +receiving from the armarian books for their solace 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.[28] 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.[29] 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.[30] 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 constituted "good works." In +Martene's book there is a chapter, _De Scientia et Signis_--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," _submissa voce in aure_, 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, _generali signi +libri_, 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.[31] 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 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--_quia nec immerito infideles tali animanti +contparantur_."[32] 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.[33] 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.[34] +In fact, the 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;[35] 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.[36] 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. Pere en Vallee a Chantres, and that it +might be more plausibly received, he taxed himself as well as all the +members of his own house.[37] The librarian sometimes, in addition to his +regular duties, combined the office of precentor to the monastery.[38] +Some of their account-books have been preserved, and by an inspection of +them, we may occasionally gather 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. + +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."[39] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[16] Cap. xxi. Martene de Antiquis Ecclesiae Ritibus, tom. iii. p. + 262. + +[17] See Catalogue of Hulne Abbey, Library MS. Harleian. No. 3897. + +[18] Martene de Antiq. Eccle. Rit., tom. iii. p. 263. + +[19] _Ibid._ Ingulphus tells us that the same rule was observed in + Croyland Abbey.--_Apud Gale_, p. 104. + +[20] Marked b. iv. 26. Surtee Publications, vol. i. p. 121. + +[21] Const. admiss. Abbat, et gubernatione Monast. Abendum Cottonian + M.S. Claudius, b. vi. p. 194. + +[22] Philobiblon, 4to. _Oxon_, 1599, chap. xix. + +[23] 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.--_Histoire Litteraire de la + France_, tom. ix. p. 28. + +[24] Catalogues of Monastic Libraries, pp. 16, 17. + +[25] Const. Canon. Reg. ap. Martene, tom. iii. p. 263. + +[26] _Ibid._ + +[27] _Ibid._, tom. iii. cap. xxxvi. pp. 269, 270. + +[28] Martene, tom. iii. p. 331. For a list of some books applied to + their use, see MS. Cot. Galba, c. iv. fo. 128. + +[29] Mabillon, Traite des Etudes Monastiques, 4to. _Paris_ 1691, + cap. vi. p. 34. + +[30] Wilkin's Concil. tom. i. p. 332. + +[31] Stat. pro Reform. ordin. Grandimont. ap. Martene cap. x. + +[32] _Ibid._, tom. iv. pp. 289, 339. + +[33] Const. Canon. Reg. ap. Martene, tom. iii. p. 263. + +[34] _Ibid._, cap. xxi. p. 263. + +[35] Stevenson's Supple. to Bentham's Hist. of the Church of Ely, p. + 51. + +[36] Thomas' Survey of the Church of Worcester, p. 45. + +[37] Mabillon. Annal. tom. vi. pp. 651 and 652. Hist. Litt. de la + France, ix. p. 140. + +[38] They managed the pecuniary matters of the fraternity. William + of Malmsbury was precentor as well as librarian to his monastery. + +[39] Martene de Antiq. Eccl. Ritibus ii. p. 302. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + _Scriptoria and the Scribes.--Care in copying.--Bible reading + among the monks.--Booksellers in the middle ages.--Circulating + libraries.--Calligraphic art, etc._ + + +As 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 precincts. 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 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 +_ultimately_ 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 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. + +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.[40] 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;[41] 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 used to sup in the Refectory, but +had a Scriptorium, or study, in his cell, being a famous scribe.[42] 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.[43] 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.[44] +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.[45] The +multiplication of manuscripts, under such a system as this, must have +been immense; but they did not always make books, _fecit libros_, as +they called it, in this wholesale manner, but each monk diligently +labored at the transcription of a separate work. + +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.[46] The one belonging to +the monastery of St. Edmundsbury was endowed with two mills,[47] 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 _ad faciendos et emandandos libros_.[48] + +The abbot superintended the management of the Scriptorium, and decided +upon the hours for their labor, during which time they were ordered 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,[49] 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 +scarpellae, 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.[50] + +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 "_Ad Musaeum libros +scribentium_;" the lines are as follows: + + "Hic sideant sacrae scribentes famina legis, + Nec non sanctorum dicta sacrata Patrum, + Haec interserere caveant sua frivola verbis, + Frivola nec propter erret et ipsa manus: + + Correctosque sibi quaerant studiose libellos, + Tramite quo recto penna volantis eat. + Per cola distinquant proprios, et commata sensus, + Et punctos ponant ordine quosque suo. + + Ne vel falsa legat, taceat vel forte repente, + Ante pios fratres, lector in Ecclesia. + Est opus egregium sacros jam scribete libros, + Nec mercede sua scriptor et ipse caret. + + Fodere quam vites, melius est scribere libros, + Ille suo ventri serviet, iste animae. + Vel nova, vel vetera poterit proferre magister + Plurima, quisque legit dicta sacrata Patrum."[51] + +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. + +"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."[52] + +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, "_on no account were they to commit so great a +presumption_."[53] But notwithstanding that the 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. + +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 _printed literature_, 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."[54] +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 days, +and the long hours of the night, to the perusal of those pages of +inspired truth,[55] 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 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 AElfric 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 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. + +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. + +But while so many obtained the good title of an "_Amator Scripturarum_," +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 _Biblia Optima_, they enjoyed Hebrew codices and translations, +with numerous 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 +neighboring monastery they required a large deposit, or a formal bond +for its safe return.[56] 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. + +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. + +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 branches. 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.[57] +"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."[58] 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 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.[59] + +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 +"_Commercium Librorum_,"[60] 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 his foreign friends; but most of them, as Bede tells us, +were _bought_ by himself, or in accordance with his instructions, by his +friends.[61] 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,[62] 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. + +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 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.[63] + +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 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.[64] The casual way +in which this is mentioned make it evident that the "_publico mangone +Librorum_" was no unusual personage in those days, but belonged to a +common and recognized profession. + +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, and +eventually monopolized a sole legislative power over the _Librarii_. + +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.[65] These ancient +statutes, collected and printed by the University in the year 1652,[66] +made at various times, and ranging between the years 1275 and 1403, give +us a clear insight into the matter. + +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 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.[67] 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.[68] She moreover required of +him testimonials to his good character, and efficient security, ratified +by a solemn oath of allegiance,[69] 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,[70] which is sufficiently great +to lead to the conclusion that bookselling was a flourishing trade in +those old days. 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.[71] + +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 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.[72] 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. + +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.[73] 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. + +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 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: + + St. Gregory's Commentaries upon Job, for reading 100 pages, 8 sous. + St. Gregory's Book of Homilies, 28 pages for 12 deniers. + Isidore's De Summa bona, 24 pages, 12 deniers. + Anselm's De Veritate de Libertate Arbitrii, 40 pages, 2 sous. + Peter Lombard's Book of Sentences, 3 sous. + Scholastic History, 3 sous. + Augustine's Confessions, 21 pages, 4 deniers. + Gloss on Matthew, by brother Thomas Aquinas, 57 pages, 3 sous. + Bible Concordance, 9 sous. + Bible, 10 sous.[74] + +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. + +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 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. + +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.[75] +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.[76] + +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 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 _Librorum Venditores_, 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. + +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.[77] 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,[78] and adorned its brilliant pages with +illuminations of exquisite workmanship. + +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. + +The splendor of the ancient calligraphical productions of Greece,[79] 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. + +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. + +These illuminations, which render the early manuscripts of the monkish +ages so attractive, 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. + +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."[80] But we +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 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. + +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,"[81] +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.[82] The supposition, therefore, that the monastic scribes +erased _classical_ 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 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!"[83] 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 Caecina. 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.[84] In the +fine old monastery of Casino, so renowned for its classical library in +former days, he met with Julius Frontinus 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,[85] 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.[86] 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.[87] 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. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[40] Martene Thesaurus novus Anecdot. tom. iv. col. 1462. + +[41] See Du Cange in Voc., vol. vi. p. 264. + +[42] Anglia Sacra, ii. 635. Fosbrooke Brit. Monach., p. 15. + +[43] Martene Thes. Nov. Anec. tom. iv. col. 1462. Stat. Ord. + Cistere, anni 1278, they were allowed for "_Studendum vel + recreandum_." + +[44] Hildesh. episc apud Leibuit., tom. i. Script. Brunsvic, p. 444. + I am indebted to Du Cange for this reference. + +[45] King's Munimenta Antiqua. Stevenson's Suppl. to Bentham, p. 64. + +[46] Matt Paris, p. 51. + +[47] Warton's Hist. Eng. Poetry, p. cxiv. Regest. Nig. St. Edmund. + Abbat. + +[48] Stevenson's Sup. to Bentham's Church of Norwich, 4to. 1817, p. + 51. + +[49] Martene de Ant. Eccl. Ritib., cap. xxi. tom. iii. p. 263. + +[50] _Ibid._ + +[51] Alcuini Opera, tom. ii. vol. i. p. 211. Carmin xvii. + +[52] Preface to AElfric's Homilies MS. Lansdowne, No. 373, vol. iv. + in the British Museum. + +[53] Const. Can. Reg. ap. Martene, tom. iii. p. 263. + +[54] MS. Harl. 6395, anecdote 348.--I am indebted to D'Israeli for + the reference, but not for the extract. + +[55] 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 _semper ante aliam lectionem_. + _Martene Thesan. Nov. Anecdot._, tom. iv. col. 1932. See also cols. + 1789, 1836, 1912, 1917, 1934. + +[56] 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.--_Wood's Hist. Antiq. + Oxon._ ii. 48. + +[57] Muratori Dissert. Quadragesima tertia, vol. iii. column 849. + +[58] Astle's Origin of Writing, p. 193.--See also Montfaucon + Palaeographia Graeca, lib. iv. p. 263 et 319. + +[59] 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. + +[60] 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.--_Martene + Thesaur. Nov. Anecdot._ tom. iv. col. 1741, et col. 1918. + +[61] Vita Abbat. Wear. Ed. Ware, p. 26. His fine copy of the + Cosmographers he bought at Rome.--_Roma Benedictus emerat._ + +[62] Nosti quot Scriptores in Urbibus aut in Agris Italiae 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. + +[63] Cottonian MS. in the Brit. Mus.--_Claudius_, E. iv. fo. 105, b. + +[64] 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 + Praeposito sicut audini, plus oblulit et licitatione vincens libros + de domo venditories per violentiam absportauit." + +[65] Chevillier, Origines de l'Imprimerie de Paris, 4to. 1694, p. + 301. + +[66] "Actes concernant le pouvoir et la direction de l'Universite de + Paris sur les Ecrivains de Livres et les Imprimeurs qui leur ont + succede 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. Caesarea Vendobon, vol. ii. pp. 252-267. The + booksellers are called "Stationarii or Librarii;" _de Stationariis, + sive Librariis ut Stationarus, qui vulgo appellantur_, etc. See also + _Du Cange_, vol. vi. col. 716. + +[67] Chevillier, p. 301, to whom I am deeply indebted in this branch + of my inquiry. + +[68] Hist. Lit. de la France, tom. ix. p. 84. Chevillier, p. 302. + +[69] The form of oath is given in full in the statute of 1323, and + in that of 1342, Chevillier. + +[70] Du Breuil, Le Theatre des Antiq. de Paris, 4to. 1612, p. 608. + +[71] _Ibid._, Hist. Lit. de la France, tom. ix. p. 84. + +[72] Chevillier, p. 303. + +[73] Martene Anecd. tom. i. p. 502. Hist. Lit. de la France, ix. p. + 142. + +[74] Chevillier, 319, who gives a long list, printed from an old + register of the University. + +[75] Chevillier, 303. + +[76] Vet. Stat. Universit. Oxoniae, D. fol. 75. Archiv. Bodl. + +[77] The Church of Norwich paid L22, 9s. for illuminating a Graduale + and Consuetudinary in 1374. + +[78] Isidore Orig., cap. ii.--Jerome, in his Preface to Job, writes, + "_Habeant qui volunt veteres libros, vel in membranes purpurus auro + argentique colore purpuros aurum liquiscit in literis._" Eddius + Stephanus in his Life of St. Wilfrid, cap xvi., speaks of "Quatuor + Evangeliae de auro purissimo in membranis de purpuratis coloratis pro + animae suae 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 Traite + de Diplomatique, and Montfaucon Palaeog. Graec., pp. 45, 218, 226, for + more on this subject. + +[79] See a Fragment in the Brit. Mus. engraved in Shaw's Illuminated + Ornaments, plate 1. + +[80] 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. + +[81] D'Israeli Amenities of Lit., vol. i. p. 358. + +[82] The Precentor's accounts of the Church of Norwich contain the + following items:--1300, 5 _dozen parchment_, 2_s._ 6_d._, 40 lbs. of + ink, 4_s._ 4_d._, 1 gallon of vini decrili, 3_s._, 4 lbs. of + corporase, 4 lbs. of galls, 2 lbs. of gum arab, 3_s._ 4_d._, to make + ink. I dismiss these facts with the simple question they naturally + excite: that if parchment was so _very scarce_, what on earth did + the monk want with all this ink? + +[83] Leonardi Aretini Epist. 1. iv. ep. v. + +[84] Mehi Praefatio ad vit Ambrosii Traversarii, p. xxxix. + +[85] Mehi Praef., pp. xlviii.--xlix. + +[86] 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.--_Mehi Praef._ p. + xlvii. See Shepard's Life of Poggio, p. 104, to whom I am much + indebted for these curious facts. + +[87] Shepard's Life of Poggio, p. 101. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + _Canterbury Monastery.--Theodore of + Tarsus.--Tatwine.--Nothelm.--St. + Dunstan.--AElfric.--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._ + + +In 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 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. + +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.[88] At his death[89] the library of Christ 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."[90] + +Tatwine was a great book lover, if not a bibliomaniac. "He was renowned +for religious wisdom, and notably learned in Sacred Writ."[91] 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.[92] + +Nothelm, or the Bold Helm, succeeded this interesting author; he was a +learned and pious priest of London. The bibliomaniac will somewhat 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.[93] 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.[94] + +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 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.[95] 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.[96] 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 "_Pictura et Scriptura hujus pagine +subtas visi est de propria manu sei Dunstani_."[97] 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,[98] 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 unrewarded, 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. + +In the year 969,[99] AElfric, 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 +AElfric'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 "_The +Grammarian_," 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: + +"I, AElfric, the scholar of Ethelwold, to the courteous and venerable +Bishop Sigeric, in the Lord. + +"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 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."[100] + +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, AElfric thus explains his design in translating them: + +"AElfric, 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 AEthelred, +from Alphege, the bishop and successor of AEthelwold, to a monastery which +is called Cernel, at the desire of AEthelmer, 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."[101] + +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 +transubstantiation; 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. + +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 +AElfric'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. + +Cheering then, to the heart it is to find this monotony broken by such an +instance, and although we find AElfric 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. + +To still better maintain the discipline of the church, he wrote a set of +canons, which he addressed to Wulfin, or Wulfsine, bishop of Sherbourne. +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 Paenitential, 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."[102] + +About the same time, AElfric 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 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. AElfric, in a letter +addressed to Sigwerd, prefixed to his Treatise on the Old and New +Testament, thus speaks of his biblical labors: + +"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 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 _Englished according to +my skill for your example_, 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."[103] + +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;[104] he was honorably buried at +Abingdon, but during the reign of Canute, his bones were removed to +Canterbury. + +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.[105] Such was the effect on +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. + +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;[106] 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, _in sacris et secularibus erudivi literis_.[107] 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,[108] and he increased +their value by a critical revisal of their text. He was well aware that +in works so voluminous as those of 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.[109] 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 Secz, the first ten conferences of Cassian +corrected by the efficient hand of this great critical student, at the +end of the manuscript these words are written, "_Hucusque ago Lanfrancus +correxi_."[110] The works of St. Ambrose, on which he bestowed similar +care, are preserved in the library of St. Vincent du Mans.[111] + +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, _servitio +Ecclesiae_, and in correcting the books which the scribes had +written.[112] 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. + +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 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.[113] 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;[114] in one of his letters he praises a monk named Maurice, +for his success in study, who was learning _Virgil_ and some other old +writers, under Arnulph the grammarian. + +All day long Anselm was occupied in giving wise counsel to those that +needed it; and a great part of the night _pars maxima noctis_ he spent in +correcting his darling volumes, and freeing them from the inaccuracies of +the scribes.[115] 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;[116] 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. + +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;[117] 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.[118] + +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;[119] 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.[120] + +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 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 +_Numero_ 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."[121] + +He next mentions two Psalters, one of which I have seen; it is among the +manuscripts in the Cotton collection,[122] 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, 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 CATVSVIR 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. + +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.[123] + +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 L900 in repairing the choir and +chapter-house.[124] He wrote a book beginning, "_Memoriale Henerici +Prioris Monasteri Xpi Cantuariae_,"[125] 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 _Amator +Librorum_ 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 seen by the following names, of whose +works the catalogue enumerates many volumes: + + Augustine. + Ambroise. + Anselm. + Alcuin. + Aldelm. + Benedict. + Bernard. + Bede. + Beranger. + Chrysostom. + Eusebius. + Fulgentius. + Gregory. + Hillarius. + Isidore. + Jerome. + Lanfranc. + Origen. + +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: + + Aristotle, + Boethius, + Cicero, + Cassiodorus, + Donatus, + Euclid, + Galen, + Justin, + Josephus, + Lucan, + Martial, + Marcianus, + Macrobius, + Orosius, + Plato, + Priscian, + Prosper, + Prudentius, + Suetonius, + Sedulus, + Seneca, + Terence, + Virgil, + Etc., etc. + +Nor were they mere fragments of these authors, but, in many cases, +considerable collections; of 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 _Paradoxa, de Senectute, de Amiticia_, +etc., and _his Offices_, 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: + + Rabanus Maurus, + Thomas Aquinas, + Peter Lombard, + Athelard, + William of Malmsbury, + John of Salisbury, + Girald Barry, + Thomas Baldwin, + Brutus, + Robert Grosetete, + Gerlandus, + Gregory Nazianzen, + History of England, + Gesti Alexandri Magni, + Hystoria Longobardos, + Hystoriae Scholasticae, + Chronicles _Latine et Anglice_, + Chronographia Necephori. + +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 "_Liber de Astronomia_" 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, for their library contained a "_Liber de Astroloebus_," +and the "Prophesies of Merlin." + +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.[126] + +A portion of the catalogue of monk Henry is headed "_Lib. de Armariole +Claustre_,"[127] 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;[128] 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.[129] But +this extravagant costliness rendered them attractive objects to pilfering +hands, and somewhat accounts for the lament of the industrious Somner, +who says that the library was "shamefully robbed and spoiled of them +all."[130] + +Our remarks on the monastic library at Canterbury are drawing to a close. +Henry Chiclely, 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.[131] His esteem for literature was so great, +that he built two colleges at Oxford.[132] 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 _de Republica_ was among them. Unfortunately, they were all burnt +by a fire in the monastery.[133] + +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 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.[134] + +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. + +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 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.[135] 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;[136] 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;[137] 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 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[138] 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, "_Prima pars Bibliae per bona memoriae Gundulphum Rossensem +Episcopum_." 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, 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.[139] Among the numerous treasures +which Gundulph gave to his church, he included a copy of the Gospels, two +missals and a book of Epistles.[140] Similar books were given by +succeeding prelates; Radolphus, a Norman bishop in 1108, gave the monks +several copies of the gospels beautifully adorned.[141] 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.[142] 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.[143] 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.[144] He 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;[145] and Waleran, +elected bishop in the year 1182, presented them with a glossed Psalter, +the Epistles of Paul, and the Sermons of Peter.[146] + +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[147] 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.[148] 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.[149] + +Osbern of Shepey, 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 _De Claustra animae_, and wrote the great Psalter which is +chained to the choir and window of St. Peter's altar.[150] Ralph de Ross, +and Heymer de Tunebregge,[151] 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.[152] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[88] Bede, iv. cap. ii. + +[89] He died in 690, and was succeeded by Bertwold, Abbot of + Reculver, _Saxon Chronicle, Ingram_, p. 57. Bede speaks of Bertwold + as "well learned in Scripture and Ecclesiastical + Literature."--_Eccl. Hist._ b. v. c. viii. + +[90] Preambulation of Kent, 4to. 1576, p. 233. Parker's Ant. Brit. + p. 80. + +[91] He was consecrated on the 10th of June, 731, Bede, v. c. xxiii. + +[92] M.S. Reg. 12, c. xxiii. I know of no other copy. Leland says + that he saw a copy at Glastonbury. + +[93] Bede's Eccl. Hist. Prologue. + +[94] Pitseus Angliae Scrip. 1619, p. 141. Dart's Hist. Canterbury, p. + 102. + +[95] Cottonian MS. Cleopatra, B. xiii. fo. 70. + +[96] W. Malm, de Vita, Dunst. ap. Leland, Script. tom. 1. p. 162. + Cotton. MS. Fanstin, B. 13. + +[97] Strutt's Saxon. Antiq. vol. 1, p. 105, plate xviii. See also + Hicke's Saxon Grammar, p. 104. + +[98] MS. Cotton., Cleop. b. xiii. fo. 69. Mabd. Acta Sancto. vii. + 663. + +[99] Saxon Chron. by Ingram, 171. + +[100] Landsdowne MS. in Brit. Mus. 373, vol. iv. + +[101] Landsdowne MS. in Brit. Mus. 373, vol. iv. + +[102] Can. 21, p. 577, vol. i. + +[103] Lisle's Divers Ancient Monuments in the Saxon Tongue, 4to. + Lond. 1638, p. 43. + +[104] MS. Cottonian Claudius, b. vi. p. 103; Dart's Hist. of Cant. + p. 112.; Dugdale's Monast., vol. i. p. 517. + +[105] 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, _Clastrum sine armario, quasi castrum sine armamentario_. + See letter of Gaufredi of St. Barbary to Peter Mangot, _Martene + Thes. Nov. Anecd._, tom. i. col. 511. + +[106] Mabillon, Act. S., tom. ix. p. 659. + +[107] Ep. i. ad Papae Alex. + +[108] Vita Lanfr., c. vi. "_Effulsit eo majistro, obedientia coactu, + philosophicarum ac divinarum litterarum bibliotheca, etc._" Opera p. + 8. Edit. folio, 1648. + +[109] "Et quia scripturae scriptorum vitio erant ninium corruptae, + omnes tam Veteris, quam Novi Testamenti libros; necnon etiam scriptae + sanctorum patrum secundum orthodoxam fidem studuit corrigere." Vita + Lanfr. cap. 15, ap. Opera, p. 15. + +[110] Hist. Litt. de la France, vol. vii. p. 117. + +[111] _Ibid._ "Il rendit de meme service a trois ecrits de S. + Ambrose l'Hexameron, l'apologie de David et le traite des + Sacrements, tels qu'on les voit a la bibliotheque de St. Vincent du + Mans." + +[112] _Ibid._ + +[113] Malmsb. de Gest. Pontif. b. i. p. 216. + +[114] See Epist. 16. Lib. i. + +[115] Edmer. Vit. Anselm, apud Anselm Opera.--_Edit. Benedict_, + 1721, b. i. p. 4. + +[116] Epp. 10-20, lib. i. and 24 b. ii. + +[117] Codic. fol. first class, a dextr. Sc. Med. 5. + +[118] Warton's Hist. Eng. Poetry. Dissert, ii. + +[119] Dart's Canterb. p. 132. Dugdale's Monast. vol. i. p. 85. + +[120] There is, or was, in St. Peter's college, Cambridge, a MS. + volume of 21 books, which formerly belonged to this worthy + Bibliophile.--_Dart_, p. 137. + +[121] Petition Apol. 4to. 1604, p. 17. + +[122] Brit. Mus. Vesp. A. i. + +[123] Wanley Librorum Vett Septentrionalium fol. Oxon, 1705, p. 172. + +[124] Dugdale's Monast. Angl. vol. i. p. 112. + +[125] MS. Cot. Galba. E. iv. + +[126] See what has been said on this subject in the previous + chapter. + +[127] MS. Galla, E. iv. fol. 133. + +[128] MS. fol. 122. + +[129] _Textus Magnus auro coopertus et gemmis ornatus, cum majistate + in media, et 4 Evangelistis in 4 Angulis. Ibid._ + +[130] Somner Antiq. Cant. 4to. 1640, p. 174, he is speaking of books + in general. + +[131] Duck Vita Chich. p. 104. + +[132] Dugdale, vol. i. p. 86. Dart, p. 158, and Somner Ant. Cant. + 174. + +[133] Somner, 294 and 295; see also Leland Scriptor. He was well + versed in the Greek language, and his monument bears the following + line: + + "Doctor theologus Selling Graeca atque Latina, + Linqua perdoctus."--See Warton's Hist. Poet., ii. p. 425. + + +[134] There is a catalogue written in the sixteenth century, + preserved among the Cotton MS., containing the titles of seventy + books belonging to Canterbury 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. + +[135] Monachus Roffensis de Vita Gundulphi, 274. + +[136] Will. Malms. de Gest. Pont. Ang. ap Rerum. Ang. Script, 133. + +[137] Histoire Litteraire de Fr., tom. vii. p. 118. + +[138] Biblioth. Latine, b. vii. p. 519. + +[139] Hist. Litt. de Fr., tom. ix. p. 373. + +[140] Thorpe Regist. Roffens, fol. 1769, p. 118. + +[141] Wharton Angl. Sacr., tom. 1, p. 342. + +[142] Thorpe Regist. Rof., p. 120. Dugdale's Monast., vol. 1, p. + 157. + +[143] Thorpe Reg. Rof., p. 121. + +[144] 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. + +[145] "Textum Evangeliorum aureum." Reg. Rof., p. 121. + +[146] _Ibid._, p. 121. + +[147] Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. 1, p. 156. + +[148] Wharton's Ang. Sac, tom. 1, p. 346. + +[149] Thorpe Reg. Rof., p. 121. + +[150] Thorpe Reg. Rof., 121. Dugdale's Monast., vol. i. p. 158. + +[151] Reg. Rof., pp. 122, 123. + +[152] In a long list of gifts by Robert de Hecham, I find "librum + Ysidore ethimologiarum possuit in armarium claustri et alia plura + fecit."--_Thorpe Reg. Rof._, p. 123. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + _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._ + + +The 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.[153] This small island, distant +about nine miles from the church of Lindesfarne, obtained great +celebrity from St. Cuthbert, who sought that quiet spot and led there a +lonely existence in great continence of mind and body.[154] 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,[155] 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, AEthilwald, 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.[156] 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.[157] It is +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.[158] + +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.[159] + +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 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."[160] +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 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 preserved +in the library at Durham,[161] 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. + +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. + +"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 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."[162] + +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. + +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 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, the last bishop of Chester-on-the-Street, +was the first of Durham. + +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.[163] 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.[164] + +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.[165] + +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: + + Alcuin. + Ambrose. + Aratores. + Anselm. + Augustine. + Aviany. + Bede. + Boethius. + Bernard. + Cassian. + Cassiodorus. + Claudius. + Cyprian. + Donatus. + Esop. + Eutropius. + Galen. + Gregory. + Haimo. + Horace. + Homer. + Hugo. + Juvenal. + Isidore. + Josephus. + Lucan. + Marcianus. + Maximian. + Orosius. + Ovid. + Prudentius. + Prosper. + Persius. + Priscian. + Peter Lombard. + Plato. + Pompeius Trogus. + Quintilian. + Rabanus. + Solinus. + Servius. + Statius. + Terence. + Tully. + Theodulus. + Virgil. + Gesta Anglorum. + Gesta Normanorum. + +Hugh de Pussar,[166] 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 "_unam Bibliam in_ iv. _magnis voluminibus_," 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.[167] + +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,[168] 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;[169] 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 L200,[170] probably in consideration of the important and +delicate matters contained therein. + +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.[171] 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.[172] 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.[173] + +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. + +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, 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.[174] + +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."[175] + +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 rendered 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.[176] + +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. + +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 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.[177] +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, _De Gloria_, were in this manner irrecoverably lost.[178] +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.[179] 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 read to me; on +the table where I dine, and by the side of my bed, I have all the +materials for writing."[180] 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?"[181] + +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, 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. + +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 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, _Iste summe delectabatur multitudine librorum_,[182] +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, _diversis maneriis_. So engrossed was that worthy bishop +with the passion of book collecting, that his dormitory was strewed +_jucebant_ 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.[183] He kept in regular +employment no small assemblage of antiquaries, scribes, bookbinders, +correctors, illuminators, and all such persons who were capable of being +useful in the service of books, _librorum servitiis utiliter_.[184] + +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.[185] + +We learn from the prologue to this rare and charming little volume how +true and genuine a bibliomaniac was Richard de Bury, for he tells us +there, that a vehement love _amor excitet_ 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 _infinitus thesaurus_, 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 _helluo librorum_--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 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 emptying cups, not in correcting codices, _Calicibus +epotandis, non codicibus emendandis_, which they mingle with the +lascivious music of Timotheus, and emulate his immodest manners, so that +the sportive song _cantus ludentis_, 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."[186] 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 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.[187] 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 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[188] sixe +thousand."[189] 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,[190] 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[191] to scole thre other foure +persons, and hit is said me that some of them beth come home azen for +thei myst nougt[192] finde to selle ovn goode Bible; nother othere +couenable[193] 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 happened 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;" and moreover, he says, that he found these friars "not +selfish hoarders, but meet professors of enlightened knowledge."[194] + +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 _privatas tum communes_, 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, +Edward 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 _especially +for old ones_, but that any one could more easily obtain our favors by +quartos than by money.[195] 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 _tunc nobilissimos monasterios_ were opened, +cases were unlocked, caskets were unclasped and sleeping volumes +_soporata volumina_ which had slumbered for long ages in their sepulchres +were roused up, and those that lay hid in dark places _in locis +tenebrosis_ were overwhelmed with the rays of a new light. Books +heretofore 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 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 _convocatis senioribus_, 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 _triginta duos libros_, for the sum of fifty pounds of +silver _quinginta libris argenti_.[196] 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 became the purchasers from his executors of many a rare old +volume from the bishop's library.[197] 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.[198] 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."[199] The booksellers found Richard de Bury a +generous and profitable customer, and those 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."[200] + +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 _locis tenebrosis_, +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[201] appeared, he 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. + +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 "_perilous +embassies_," 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, _of which he had made a +catalogue_,[202] 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 carelessness 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."[203] 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 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? + +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, _omnes Doctores in Theologia_; +Richard Benworth, afterwards Bishop of London, and Walter Segraffe, +afterwards Bishop of Chester;"[204] 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 was at dinner +and supper time to have some good booke read unto him."[205] + +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 _octo quarteria frumenti_, 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.[206] 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, 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 +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. + +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 "_non glos_;" 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.[207] But this cannot be St. +Cuthbert's Gospels, and the remaining copy is mentioned as "_Quarteur +Evangelum_," fol. ii. "_se levantem_;" 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. + +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 AEneid), +Pompeius Trogus, Claudius, Juvenal, Terence, Ovid, Prudentius, +Quintilian, Cicero, Boethius, 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,[208] +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.[209] A +volume containing the lives of St. Cuthbert, St. Oswald, and St. Aydani, +is described as "_Liber speciales et preciosus cum signaculo deaurato_." + +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. + +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,[210] 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 "_Flores Bernardi_," occurs "_Prior debit, I Kempe +Episcopi Londoni_." 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 _raisonne_; 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. + +In taking leave of Durham library, need I say 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,[211] Turgot and Wessington,[212] and has often heard of brothers +Lawrence,[213] Reginald,[214] 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 statesmen 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? _Benedicite_, +saith the monks. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[153] Bede's Eccles. Hist., B. iii. c. xvi. + +[154] Bede, B. iv. c. xxvii. + +[155] Marked Nero, D. iv. in the Cottonian collection. + +[156] The illuminations are engraved in Strutt's _Horda_. + +[157] 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. + +[158] 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. _Lond._ 1840. + +[159] For an account of this rare gem of Saxon art, see _Selden + Praef. ad. Hist. Angl._ p. 25. _Marshall Observat. in Vers. Sax. + Evang._, 491. _Dibdin's Decameron, p._ lii. _Smith's Bibl. Cotton. + Hist. et Synop._, p. 33. + +[160] Simeon of Durham translated by Stevens, p. 87. + +[161] Simeon of Durham, by Stevens. + +[162] Ep. viii. + +[163] Tertia Quinquagina Augustini, marked B. ii. 14. + +[164] Surtee publications, vol. i. p. 117. + +[165] 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. + +[166] "King Stephen was vncle vnto him."--_Godwin's Cat. of + Bishops_, 511. + +[167] 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. + +[168] 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."--_Godwin's Cat. + Eng. Bish._ 4to. 1601, p. 520. + +[169] Robert de Graystane's ap. Wharton's Angl. Sacr. p. 748, tom. + i.--_Hutchinson's Durham_, vol. i. p. 244. + +[170] Surtee publ. vol. i. p. 121. + +[171] Raine's North Durham, p. 85. + +[172] Surtee public. vol. 1. p. 39-40. + +[173] _Ibid._, vol. i. p. 41. + +[174] Chambre Contin. Hist. Dunelm. apud Wharton Angliae Sacra, tom. + i. p. 765. + +[175] Lord Campbell's Lives of the Lord Chancellors, vol. i. p. 219. + +[176] Absconditus est in Campanili fratrum minorum.--_Chambre ap. + Wharton_, tom. i. p. 765. + +[177] In one of his letters Petrarch speaks of De Bury as _Virum + ardentis ingenii_, Pet. ep. 1-3. + +[178] Epist. Seniles, lib. xvi. ep. 1. + +[179] Foscolo's Essays on Petrarch, p. 151. + +[180] Foscolo's Essays on Petrarch, p. 156. Famil. ep. lxxii. + +[181] Hortatio ad Nicol. Laurent Petrar., Op. vol. i. p. 596. + +[182] _Apud Wharton Ang. Sac._ tom. i. p. 765. + +[183] _Ibid._ + +[184] MS. Harleian, No. 3224, fo. 89, b. + +[185] 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, _Ric. de Aungervile cognominato de Bury, Dunelm. Episc. + Philobiblon completum in Manerio de Auckland, d. 24 Jan. 1344_, 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 Huest, 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 + _Philologicarium Epistolarum Centuria una_. 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. _Lond._ 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. + +[186] "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. + +[187] Wharton Ang. Sac., tom. i. p. 766, he is called _Ricardus + Fitz-Rause postomodum Archiepiscopus Armachanus_. + +[188] Scarcely. + +[189] Translated by Trevisa, MS. Harleian, No. 1900, fol. 11, b. + +[190] The original is _grandis et nobilis libraria_. + +[191] Chaplain. + +[192] Could not. + +[193] Profitable. + +[194] Philobiblon, transl. by Inglis, p. 56. + +[195] "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 _et maxime veterum_ 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. + +[196] MS. Cottonian Claudius, E. iv. fol. 203, b. _Warton's Hist. of + Poetry, Dissert. ii._; and _Hallam's_ Middle Ages, vol. ii. p. 611. + Both notice this circumstance as a proof of the scarcity of books in + De Bury's time. + +[197] _Ibid._ Among the MSS. in the Royal Library, there is a copy + of John of Salisbury's _Ententicus_ which contains the following + note, "Hunc librum fecit dominus Symon abbas S. Albani, quem postea + venditum domino _Ricardo_ de Bury. Episcope Dunelmensi emit Michael + abbas S. Albani ab executoribus praedicti episcopi, A. D. 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. + +[198] "Sed revera libros non libras maluimus, Codicesque plus quam + florenos, ac pampletos exiguos incrussatis proetulimus + palafridis."--MS. Harl. fo. 86, a. MS. Cott. fo. 111, a. + +[199] Inglis's Translation, p. 53. + +[200] Inglis's Translation, p. 58. + +[201] The Stationers or Booksellers carried on their business on + open Stalls.--_Hallam, Lit. Europe_, 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. + +[202] _Philob._ xix. + +[203] Inglis, p. 96. "In primis quidam circa claudenda et apienda + volumina, sit matura modestia; ut nec praecipiti festinatione + solvantur, nec inspectione finita, sina clausura debita + dimittantur." _MS. Harl._ fol. 103. + +[204] _Chambre ap. Wharton_, tom. i. p. 766. + +[205] Godwin Cat. of Bish. 525. + +[206] _Chambre ap. Wharton_, tom. i. p. 766. + +[207] It is marked A, ii. 16, and described in the old MS. catalogue + as _De manus Bedae_, ii. fol. _Baptizatus_. + +[208] The attractive words "_Est vetus Liber_" often occur. + +[209] 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 Mariae, + Oswaldi, Cuthberti et Benedicti incurrat." See _Surtee + publications_, vol. i. p. 35, where other instances are given. + +[210] Surtee publ. vol. i. p. 85. + +[211] He wrote The Chronicle of Durham Monastery in 1130. + +[212] His book on the Rights and Privileges of Durham Church is in + the Cottonian Library, marked _Vitellius_, A, 9. + +[213] Lawrence was elected prior in 1149, "a man of singular + prudence and learning, as the many books he writ manifest." + _Dugdale's Monast._ vol. 1. p. 230. + +[214] Wrote the Life and Miracles of St. Cuthbert, the original book + is in the Durham Library. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + _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._ + + +The 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 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. + +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;[215] 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 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 _Bibliotheca_ 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,"[216] 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,[217] 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. + +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.[218] A sad and irreparable 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 (_aureis +pictures_) and written in Saxon characters,[219] 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? + +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 +Medeshamstede, 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 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 "_ingens bibliotheca_," maliciously +tearing into pieces all their valuable and numerous charters, evidences, +and writings. The monastery, says the historian, continued burning for +fifteen days.[220] 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 +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."[221] 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, so that formerly it used to be remarked that this +building looked more like a military establishment than a house of God. + +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.[222] 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.[223] 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.[224] + +But in all lights, whether regarded as an author or a bibliophile, great +indeed was Benedict, formerly prior of Canterbury, and secretary to +Thomas a Becket,[225] 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.;[226] he is spoken of in the highest terms of +praise by Robert Swapham for his profound wisdom and great erudition in +secular matters.[227] 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: + +DE LIBRIS EJUS. + +Plurimos quoque libros 3 scribere fecit, quorum nomina subnotantur. + +Vetus et Novum Testamentum in uno volumine. + +Vetus et Novum Testamentum in 4 volumina. + +Quinque libri Moysi glosati in uno volumine. + +Sexdecim Prophetae glosati in uno volumine. + +Duodecim minores glosati Prophetae in uno volumine. + +Liber Regum glosatus, paralipomenon glosatus. Job, Parabolae +Solomonis et Ecclesiastes, Cantica Canticorum glosati in +uno volumine. + +Liber Ecclesiasticus et Liber Sapientiae glosatus in uno volumine. + +Tobyas, Judith, Ester et Esdras, glosati in uno volumine. + +Liber Judicum glosatus. + +Scholastica hystoria. + +Psalterium glosatum. + +Item non glosatum. + +Item Psalterium. + +Quatuor Evangelia glosata in uno volumine. + +Item Mathaeus et Marcus in uno volumine. + +Johannes et Lucas in uno volumine. + +Epistolae Pauli glosatae Apocalypsis et Epistolae Canonicae +glosata in uno volumine. + +Sententiae Petri Lombardi. + +Item Sententiae ejusdem. + +Sermones Bernardi Abbatis Clarevallensis. + +Decreta Gratiani. + +Item Decreta Gratiani. + +Summa Ruffini de Decretis. + +Summa Johannes Fuguntini de Decretis. + +Decretales Epistolae. + +Item Decretales Epistolae. + +Item Decretales Epistolae cum summa sic incipiente; Olim. +Institutiones Justiniani cum autenticis et Infortiatio Digestum +vetus. + +Tres partes cum digesto novo. + +Summa Placentini. + +Totum Corpus Juris in duobus voluminibus. + +Arismetica. + +Epistolae Senecae cum aliis Senecis in uno volumine. + +Martialis totus et Terentius in uno volumine. + +Morale dogma philosophorum. + +Gesta Alexandri et Liber Claudii et Claudiani. + +Summa Petri Heylae de Grammatica, cum multis allis rebus +in uno volumine. + +Gesta Regis Henrica secunda et Genealogiae ejus. + +Interpretatione Hebraicorum nominum. + +Libellus de incarnatione verbi. Liber Bernardi Abbatis ad +Eugenium papam. + +Missale. + +Vitae Sancti Thomae Martyris.[228] + +Miracula ejusdem in quinque voluminibus. + +Liber Richardi Plutonis, qui dicitur, unde Malum Meditationes +Anselmi. + +Practica Bartholomaei cum multis allis rebus in uno volumine. + +Ars Physicae Pantegni, et practica ipsius in uno volumine. + +Almazor et Diascoridis de virtutibus herbarum. + +Liber Dinamidiorum et aliorum multorum in uno volumine. + +Libellus de Compoto. + +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 +_Vetus et Novum Testamentum_, 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 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; Sententiae Petri +Pretanensis; Psalterium Glossatum; Aurora; Psalterium;[229] 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,[230] 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.[231] + +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 _two Bibles_, one of which was written in France," with about +twenty 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, _literis +aureis et assuris scriptum et mirabiliter luminatum_.[232] 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 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."[233] + +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-- + +Augustine. +Ambrose. +Albinus. +Cassiodorus. +Gregory. +Cyprian. +Seneca. +Prosper. +Tully. +Bede. +Basil. +Lanfranc. +Chrysostom. +Jerome. +Eusebius. +Boethius. +Isidore. +Origin. +Dionysius. +Cassian. +Bernard. +Anselm. +Alcuinus. +Honorius. +Donatus. +Macer. +Persius. +Virgil. +Isagoge of Porphry. +Aristotle. +Entyci Grammatica. +Socrates. +Ovid. +Priscian. +Hippocrates. +Horace. +Sedulus. +Theodulus. +Sallust. +Macrobius. +Cato. +Prudentius. + +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.[234] 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.[235] I may illustrate this by a reference to the +library of the Abbey of St. Mary de la Pre 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,[236] prior +of the abbey, and an old defective and worn out Bible, _Biblie defect et +usit_, with some detached portions, was all that fine library contained +of the Sacred Writ. The bible _defect et usit_ 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,[237] some thirty volumes with +a Seneca, Ovid, Claudian, Macrobius, AEsop, 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 _Amator +Scripturarum_ affixed to a monkish name in the latter part of the +fifteenth century. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[215] Gough's Hist. Croyland in Bibl. Top. Brit. xi. p. 3. + +[216] Inguph. in Gale's Script. tom. i. p. 53. + +[217] "Debit iste Abbas Egebricus communi bibliothecae clanstralium + monachorum magna volumina diversorum doctorum originalia numero + quadraginta; minora vero volumina de diversae tractatibus et + historiis, quae numerum centenarium excedibant." Ingul. p. 53. + +[218] 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 "_Dark + Ages_." + +[219] Gale's Remin. Ang. Scrip. i. p. 98. + +[220] Ingulph. ap. Gale i. p. 25. + +[221] See Gunter's Peterborough, suppl. 263. + +[222] Hugo Candid, p. 31; Tamer Bib. Brit. et Hib. p. 175. Candidus + says, "Flos literaris disciplina, torrens eloquentiae, decus et norma + rerum divinarum et secularium." + +[223] Hugo Candid. ap. Sparke, Hist. Ang. Scrip. p. 41. Gunter's + Peterboro, p. 15, ed. 1686. + +[224] Hugo Candid. p. 42. + +[225] Leland de Scrip. Brit. p. 217. + +[226] Published by Hearne, 2 vol. 8vo. _Oxon._ 1735. + +[227] Rt. Swap. ap. Sparke, p. 97. "Erat. enin literarum scientiae + satis imbutus; regulari disciplina optime instructus; sapientia + seculari plenissime eruditus." + +[228] Swapham calls this "Egregium volumen," p. 98. + +[229] Now preserved in the library of the Society of Antiquaries. + +[230] Gunter, Peterborough, p. 29. + +[231] Ibid, p. 37. + +[232] Walter de Whytlesse apud Sparke, p. 173. + +[233] Gunter's Hist. of Peterborough, p. 259. + +[234] At any rate, we find about thirty volumes of Ovid's works + enumerated, and several copies of "de Arte Amandi," and "de Remedis + Amoris." + +[235] 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. + +[236] 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. + +[237] At least during the time of William Charteys priorship. See + Nichols, p. 108. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + _King Alfred an "amator librorum" and an author._ + + +The 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 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,[238] 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 _helluo librorum_. This pleasing +anecdote related by Asser[239] is characteristic of his natural +perseverance. + +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 discrimination. Asser, who +afterwards became his biographer, was during his life the companion and +associate of his studies, and it is from his pen we 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,"[240] 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 _paucissimi_ who could translate a Latin epistle into the Saxon +language. + +When Alfred had completed the translation of Gregory's Pastoral, he sent +a copy to each of his bishops accompanied with a golden stylus or +pen,[241] 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,[242] but names of others not there enumerated may be 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. + +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. + +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;"[243] 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 upon +them loke. And thys kynge Allured lyeth at Wynchestre."[244] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[238] Flor. Vigorn. sub. anno. 871. Brompton's Chron. in Alferi, p. + 814. + +[239] Asser de Alfredi Gestis., Edit. Camden i. p. 5. William + Malmsbury, b. ii. c. iv. + +[240] Preface to Pastoral. + +[241] Much controversy has arisen as to the precise meaning of this + word. _Hearne_ 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. _William of Malmsbury_ calls it + a golden style in which was a maucus of gold. "In Alfred's Preface + it is called an AEstel of fifty macuses."--_V. Asser a Wise_, 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 _Archaeologia_, vol. ii. p. + 75. But waxen tablets were out of use in Alfred's time. The AEstel 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 + _metal pen in his hand_. + +[242] Vol. i. pp. 54, 55. + +[243] Stowe's Annals, 4to. 1615, p. 105. + +[244] Cronycle of Englonde with the Fruyte of Tymes, 4to. 1515. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + _Benedict Biscop and his book + tours.--Bede.--Ceolfrid.--Wilfrid.--Boniface the Saxon + Missionary--His love of books.--Egbert of York.--Alcuin.--Whitby + Abbey.--Caedmon.--Classics in the Library of Withby.--Rievall + Library.--Coventry.--Worcester.--Evesham.--Thomas of Marleberg, + etc._ + + +The 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 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, _innumerabilem +librorum omnis generis_. 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, +_vel amicorum dono largitos retulit_. When he arrived at Vienne on his +way home, he collected others which he had commissioned his friends to +purchase for him.[245] 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 _amator librorum_, and left many choice manuscripts to the monks, +which Bede writes "were still preserved in their library." It was about +this time that Ecgfrid[246] gave Benedict a portion of land on the other +side of the river Wire, at a place called Jarrow; and that enterprising +and industrious 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.[247] 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 death and +immortality were intermixed with many a fond bookish recollection. _His +most noble and abundant library which he brought from Rome_ 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.[248] + +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 AElfride, the proud king of Northumbria,[249] fondly coveted a +beautiful copy of the geographer's (_codice mirandi operis_), 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. + +How useful must Benedict's library have been in ripening the mind that +was to cast a halo of immortality 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,[250] till in imagination I beheld the events which +they attempt to record, and could almost hear the voice of the "_goode +olde monke_" as he relates the deeds of some holy man--in language so +natural and idiomatic are they written. + +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.[251] 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.[252] + +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 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;[253] 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[254] 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.[255] 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.[256] 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.[257] + +About this time, and contemporary with Bede, we must not omit one who +appears as a bright star in the early Christian church. Boniface,[258] +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 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. + +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 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.[259] +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 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 _student_, 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. + +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, 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. + +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 _ac connexas litteras discere non possum_.[260] +To "Majestro Lul" he writes for the productions of bishop Aldhelm, and +other works of prose, poetry, and rhyme, to console him in his +peregrinations _ad consolationem peregrinationis meae_.[261] 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."[262] + +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,[263] full +of gratitude, he accompanies with a present of a silver graphium, or +writing instrument, and soon after we find him thus addressing her: + + "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." + +"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."[264] + +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 +_opusculi_ and other tracts of Bede, "who, I hear," he writes, "has, by +the divine grace of the Holy Spirit, been permitted to spread such +lustre over your country."[265] 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.[266] +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,"[267] 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[268] 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 _omnio incognitum_ there, and asks for a book on +Cosmography;[269] and on another occasion Lulla supplied Boniface with +many portions of the Holy Scriptures, and Commentaries upon them.[270] +Many more of his epistles might be quoted to illustrate the Saxon +missionary as an "_amator librorum_," and to display his profound +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.[271] +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. + +The must remarkable book collector contemporary with Boniface, was Egbert +of York, between 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.[272] 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. + +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 +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.[273] 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. + +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 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."[274] + +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 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 "_Interrogationes et Responsiones sui Liber +Questionorum in Genesim_," 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 (_carissime +frater_), Sigulf, as we learn from a letter which accompanies 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."[275] 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 _stylus_ 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 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.[276] +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 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_l._ for it; then 8,000_l._, and at +last 6,500_l._, which he declared an _immense sacrifice!!_ 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_l._, +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_l._" 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-- + + "Is Carolus qui jam Scribe jussit eum." + . . . . . . . + "Haec Dator AEternus cunctorum Christe bonorum, + Munera de donis accipe sancta tuis, + Quae Pater Albinus devoto pectore supplex + Nominus ad laudem obtulit ecce tui." + +Other proofs are not wanting of Alcuin's industry as a scribe, or his +enthusiasm as an _amator librorum_. Mark the rapture with which he +describes the library of York Cathedral, collected by Egbert: + + "Illic invenies veterum vestigia Patrum, + Quidquid habet pro se Latio Romanus in orbe, + Graecia vel quidquid transmisit Clara Latinis. + Hebraicus vel quod populus bibet imbre superno + Africa lucifluo vel quidquid lumine sparsit. + Quod Pater Hieronymus quod sensit Hilarius, atque + Ambrosius Praesul simul Augustinus, et ipse + Sanctus Athanasius, quod Orosius, edit avitus: + Quidquid Gregorius summus docet, et Leo Papa; + Basilius quidquid, Fulgentius atque coruscant + Cassiodorus item, Chrysostomus atque Johannes: + Quidquid et Athelmus docuit, quid Beda Magister, + Quae Victorinus scripsere, Boetius; atque + Historici veteres, Pompeius, Plinius, ipse + Acer Aristoteles, Rhetor quoque Tullius ingens; + Quidquoque Sedulius, vel quid canit ipse Invencus, + Alcuinus, et Clemens, Prosper, Paulinus, Arator. + Quid Fortunatus, vel quid Lactantius edunt; + Quae Maro Virgilius, Statius, Lucanus, et auctor + Artis Grammaticae, vel quid scripsere magistri; + Quid Probus atque Focas, Donatus, Priscian usve, + Sevius, Euticius, Pompeius, Commenianus, + Invenies alios perplures, lector, ibidem + Egregios studiis, arte et sermone magistros + Plurima qui claro scripsere volumina sensu: + Nomina sed quorum praesenti in carmine scribi + Longius est visum, quam plectri postulet usus."[277] + +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 the following letter, addressed to Charlemagne, which none but +a bibliomaniac could pen. + +"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, +_Sanctarum mella Scripturarum_: 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, '_Let my beloved come into his +garden and eat his pleasant fruit_;' and to the young, '_Eat, O friends; +drink, yea, drink, abundantly, O beloved_;' or exhort, in the words of +the prophet Isaiah, '_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_.' + +"Your Majesty is not ignorant how earnestly 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, '_Wisdom is better than rubies, and all +the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it_.' It +exalteth the humble with sublime honors. '_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._' 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, '_In the morning sow thy seed, and in the +evening withhold not thine hand._' 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."[278] + +Such was the enthusiasm, such the spirit of bibliomania, which actuated +the monks of those _bookless_ days; and which was fostered with such +zealous care by Alcuin, in the cloisters of St. Martin of Tours. He +appropriated one of the apartments of the monastery for the transcription +of books, and called it the _museum_, 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.[279] + +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 +_Abacus_, 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 +(_rusticitatis meae litteras_) 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 _amator librorum_, by causing to be +transcribed or bought for his use, 150 volumes,[280] 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,[281] 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. + +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,[282] 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 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,[283] an event which many powerful miracles commemorated. + +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 Caedmon, 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, _for he +did not learn the art of poetry from man but from God_."[284] 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. Caedmon hesitated to make the +attempt, but the apparition retorted, "Nevertheless, thou shalt +sing--sing 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.[285] 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."[286] + +Some contend that an ancient manuscript in the British Museum is the +original of this celebrated paraphrase.[287] 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, as a specimen of calligraphic art, reflects +honor upon the age, and is right worthy of Lady Hilda's monastery. There +are 312[288] 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, _adorned_ with a profusion of luxurious hair of a brilliant +blue! + +It is foreign to our subject to enter into any analysis of the literary +beauties of this poem; let it suffice that Caedmon, 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.[289] But on other +grounds Caedmon 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 refer the reader to that curious +list,[290] 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: + +Ambrose. +Hugo. +Theodolus. +Aratores. +Bernard. +Avianus. +Gratian. +Odo. +Gilda. +Maximianus. +Eusebius. +Plato. +Homer. +Cicero. +Juvenal. +Persius. +Statius. +Sedulus. +Prosper. +Prudentius. +Boethius. +Donatus. +Rabanus Maurus. +Origen. +Priscian. +Gregory Nazianzen. +Josephus. +Bede. +Gildas. +Isidore. +Ruffinus. +Guido on Music. +Diadema Monachorum. + +Come, the monks evidently read something besides their _Credo_, 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 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. + +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.[291] A +transcript of this manuscript was made by Mr. Halliwell, and published in +his "Reliqua Antiqua,"[292] 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 thirty-two volumes for the library of the +benedictine priory of St. Mary. + +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."[293] + +In primis, ymnarium in grossa littera. +Halmo upon Isaiah. +A Missal for the Infirmary. +A Missal. +Duo missalia domini Prioris Rogeris, scilicet collectas cum secretis + et postcommunione. +A Benedictional for the use of the same prior. +Another Benedictional for the use of the convent. +Librum cartarum. +Martyrologium, Rule of St. Benedict and Pastoral, in one volume. +Liber cartarum. +A Graduale, with a Tropario, and a Processional. +Psaltar for Prior Roger. +Palladium de Agricultura. +Librum experimentorum, in quo ligatur compotus Helprici. +A book containing Compotus manualis et Merlin, etc. +An Ordinal for the Choir. +Tables for the Martyrology. +Kalendarium mortuorum. +Ditto. +Table of Responses. +Capitular. +Capitular for Prior Roger. +A Reading Book. +A book of Decretals. +Psalter for the monks in the infirmary. +Generationes Veteris et Novi Testamenti; ante scholasticam hystoriam + et ante Psalterium domini Anselmi. +Pater noster. +An Ordinal. +Tables for Peter Lombard's Sentences. +Tables for the Psalter. +Book of the Statutes of the Church. +Verses on the praise of the blessed Mary. + +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." + +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, Cherton, and other lands, besides a "large Bible with two +clasps, made of the purest gold."[294] 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.[295] 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. + +But to return again to Godiva, that illustrious lady gave the monks, +after the death of her lord, many landed possessions, and bestowed upon +them the blessings of a library.[296] + +Thomas Cobham, who was consecrated Bishop of Worcester in the year 1317, +was a great "_amator librorum_," 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."[297] + +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 L10 +per annum as a salary for an amanuensis.[298] 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 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."[299] Sad desecration of +ancient literature! But the reader of history will sigh over many such +examples. + +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.[300] 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.[301] 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. He wrote and illuminated with his own +hand, for the use of his monastery, a missal and a large Psalter.[302] + +Walter, who was abbot in the year 1077, gave also many books to the +library,[303] 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, _multa alia libros_, are +particularly specified.[304] Almost equally liberal were the choice gifts +bestowed upon the monks by Adam (elected A. D. 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 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. + + "But past is all his fame. The very spot + Where many a time he triumph'd, is forgot." + +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.[305] + +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 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 _arrangements_, for they offer pleasing illustrations of the +monk as an "_amator librorum_." 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. + + "_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._" + +And in another clause it is settled that + + "_To the Office of the Precentor belongs the Manner of Hampton, + from which he will receive five 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_."[306] + +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." + +"Returning from Rome after two years he was elected sacrist. He then made +a reading-desk behind the choir,[307] 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 the brethren; all of which he rather dedicated in good purposes and +to the support of the poor." + +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 + +"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, _et multos alios +auctores_, with a great number of 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, _magnum +psalterium_, 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 Missae, 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;[308] the +Pistillae 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 _Corrogationes Promethea de partibus veteris testamenti et +novae_.... He also caused to be transcribed in large letters the book +concerning the offices of the abbey, from the Purification of St. 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." + +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, _sine libro_; which was deemed +a mark of profound learning in my lord abbot by his monkish +surbordinates. + +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. + +The annals of the monastery[309] testify that "In 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 _emit_. 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, _cum aliis tractatibus in eodem volumine_. 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 _devout and religious +life_, 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 "_Summa Praedicantium_" is valued at eight marks, +and a "_Burley super Politices_" at seven marks. We may suspect monk +Nicholas of being rather a curious 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. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[245] "Rediens autem, ubi Viennam pervenit, eruptitios sibi quos + apud amicos commendaverat, recepit." p. 26. _Vit. Abbat. Wear. 12mo. + edit. Ware._ + +[246] 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. + +[247] "Magna quidem copia voluminum sacrorum; sed non minori sicut + et prius sanctorum imaginum numere detatus." _Vit. Abb._ p. 38. + +[248] "Bibliothecam, quam de Roma nobillissimam copiosessimanque + advenaret ad instructionem ecclesiae necessariam sollicite servari + integram, nec per incuriam foedari aut passim dissipari praecepit." + +[249] Bede says that he was "learned in Holy Scriptures." Dr. Henry + mentions this anecdote in his _Hist. of England_, 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 _our immortal Alfrid_, 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. + +[250] 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. + +[251] Bede, _Vit. Abb. Wear._ p. 46. + +[252] The fine libraries thus assiduously collected were destroyed + by the Danes; that of Jarrow in the year 793, and that of Wearmouth + in 867. + +[253] Emer, Vita. ap. Mab. Act. SS. tom. iii. 199. + +[254] Bede's Eccles. Hist. b. iii. c. xxv. + +[255] "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. + +[256] In 665 he was raised to the episcopacy of all Northumbria. + +[257] 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 _Soame's Anglo. Sax. Church_, p. 63, with _Dr. + Lingard's Ang. Sax. Church_, 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. + +[258] His Saxon name was Winfrid, or Wynfrith, but he is generally + called Boniface, Archbishop of Mentz. + +[259] The mere act of baptizing constitutes "_conversion_" 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. + +[260] Ep. iii. p. 7, Ed. 4to.--_Moguntiae_, 1629. + +[261] Ep. iv. p. 8. + +[262] Ep. xiii. + +[263] Ep. vii. p. 11. + +[264] Ep. xiv. See also Ep. xxviii. p. 40. + +[265] Ep. viii. p. 12. + +[266] Ep. lxxxv. p. 119. + +[267] Ep. ix. p. 13. + +[268] Ep. xxii. p. 36. + +[269] Ep. xcix. p. 135. + +[270] Ep. cxi. p. 153. + +[271] The accusation is not a groundless one. Foxe, in his _Acts and + Monuments_, warmly upbraids him; and Aikins in his _Biog. Dict._, + has acted in a similar manner. But the best guides are his + letters--they display his faults and his virtues too. + +[272] This was in the year 731. _Goodwin_ 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. + +[273] De Pontificibus et Sanctis Ecclesiae Eboracensis. + +[274] Alcuini Oper., tom. i. vol. 1, p. 57, translated in Sharpe's + William of Malmsbury, p. 73. + +[275] Opera, tom. i. p. 305. + +[276] In a letter to Gisla, sister to the emperor, he writes "Totius + forsitan evangelii Johannis expositionem direxissem vobis, si me non + occupasset Domini Regis praeceptum in emendatione Veteri Novique + Testamenti."--_Opera_, tom. i. vol. 7, p. 591. + +[277] Alcuini, ap. Gale, tom. iii. p. 730. + +[278] Alcuini, Oper. tom. i. p. 52. Ep. xxxviii. It was written + about 796. + +[279] He was also very careful in instructing the scribes to + punctuate with accuracy, which he deemed of great importance. See + Ep. lxxxv. p. 126. + +[280] Necrolog. MS. Capituli, Metropolitani Salisburgensis, _apud_ + Froben, tom. i. p. lxxxi. + +[281] Charlemagne founded several libraries;--see _Koeler, Dissert. + de Biblio. Caroli Mog._ 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. + +[282] Formerly called _Streaneshalch_. + +[283] At the age of 66, _Bede_, b. iv. cxxiii. + +[284] Bede, b. iv. c. xxiv. + +[285] John de Trevisa says, "Caedmon of Whitaby was inspired of the + Holy Gost, and made wonder poisyes an Englisch, meiz of al the + Storyes of Holy Writ." _MS. Harleian_, 1900, fol. 43, a. + +[286] Ibid. + +[287] Cottonian Collection marked _Claudius_, B. iv. There is + another MS. in the Bodleian (_Junius_ XI.) It was printed by Junius + in 1655, in 4to. Sturt has engraved some of the illuminations in his + _Saxon Antiquities_, and they were also copied and published by J. + Greene, F. A. S., in 1754, in fifteen plates. + +[288] It is unfortunately imperfect at the end, and wants folio 32. + +[289] 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 Caedmon: + + "Yet why should I sue for his grace? + Or bend to him with any obedience? + I may be a God as he is. + Stand by me strong companions." + _Hist. Anglo Sax._ vol. ii. p. 314. + + The idea is with Milton: + + . . . . . . . . To bow to one for grace + With suppliant knee, and deify his power, + Who from the terror of this arm so late + Doubted his empire; that were low indeed! + That were an ignominy, and shame beneath + This downfall! + _Paradise Lost_, b. i. + +[290] He will find it in Charlton's History of Whitby, 4to. 1779, p. + 113. + +[291] Marked MS. N. B. 17. + +[292] Wright and Halliwell's Rel. Antiq. vol. ii. p. 180. + +[293] It is printed in Hearne's History of Glastonbury, from a MS. + in the Bodleian Library, Ed. _Oxon_, 1722, _Appendix_ x. p. 291. + +[294] Bibliothecam optimam cum duobus armillis ex auro purissimo + fabricatis.--_Heming. Chart_, p. 95. + +[295] 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 _Nasmith's Catalogus Libr. MSS._, + 4to. _Camb._ 1777, p. 31. + +[296] Since writing the above, which I gave on the authority of + Green (_Hist. of Worc._ vol. i. p. 79), backed with the older one of + Thomas (_Survey Ch. Worc._ p. 70), I have had the opportunity of + consulting the reference given by them (_Heming, Chart._ p. 262), + and was somewhat surprised to find the words "_Et bibliothecam, in + duobus partibus divisam_," the foundation of this pleasing anecdote. + "_Bibliothecam_," 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. + +[297] Chalmer's Hist. of the Colleges of Oxford, p. 458. Wood's + Hist. Antiq. of Oxon, lib. ii. p. 48. + +[298] Green's Hist. Worc. p. 79. + +[299] Sir W. Dugdale's View of the Troubles in England, _Folio_, p. + 557. We can easily credit the destruction of the organ and painted + windows, so obnoxious to Puritan piety; but with regard to the + _Bibles_, we may suspect the accuracy of the Royalist writer, col. + 182. + +[300] Symeon Dunelm. Tweyed. Script. x. + +[301] Habingdon, MSS. Godwin de Praef, p. 231. + +[302] Tindal's Hist. of Evesham, p. 248. + +[303] _Ibid._ p. 250. + +[304] MS. Harl., No. 3763, p. 180. + +[305] MS. Cot. Vesp. b. xxiv. It is printed in Latin in _Nash's + Worcestershire_, vol. i. p. 419, and translated in _Tindal's Hist. + of Worcs._ p. 24, all of which I have used with _Dugdale's Monast._ + vol. ii. p. 5. + +[306] _MS. Cottonian Augustus II._ No. 11. "Ex his debet invenire + praecentor incaustum omnibus scriptoribus monasterii; et Pergamenum + ad brevia, et colores ad illuminandum, et necessaria ad legandum + libros." See _Dugdale's Monast._ vol. ii. p. 24. + +[307] 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. + +[308] "Emit etiam quator evangelia glosata, et Yaiam et Ezechielem + glossatos." + +[309] Harleian MSS., No. 3763. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + _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._ + + +The 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 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. + +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[310] 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."[311] 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.[312] + +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;[313] 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-- + + Bibliotheca una in duobus voluminibus. + Alia Bibliotheca integra vetusta, set legibilis. + Bibliotheca integrae minoris litterae. + Dimidia pars Bibliothecae incipiens a Psalterio, vetusta. + Bibliotheca magna versificata. + Alia versificata in duobus voluminibus. + Bibliotheca tres versificata.[314] + +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-- + + Aristotle. + Livy. + Orosius. + Sallust. + Donatus. + Sedulus. + Virgil's AEneid. + Virgil's Georgics. + Virgil's Bucolics. + AEsop. + Tully. + Boethius. + Plato. + Isagoge of Porphyry. + Prudentius. + Fortuanus. + Persius. + Pompeius. + Isidore. + Smaragdius. + Marcianus. + Horace. + Priscian. + Prosper. + Aratores. + Claudian. + Juvenal. + Cornutus. + +I must not omit to mention that John de Taunton, a monk and an +enthusiastic _amator librorum_, and who was elected abbot in the year +1271, collected forty choice volumes, and gave them to the library, +_dedit librario_, of the abbey; no mean gift, I ween, in the thirteenth +century. They included-- + + Questions on the Old and New Law. + St. Augustine upon Genesis. + Ecclesiastical Dogmas. + St. Bernard's Enchiridion. + St. Bernard's Flowers. + Books of Wisdom, with a Gloss. + Postil's upon Jeremiah and the lesser Prophets. + Concordances to the Bible. + + Postil's of Albertus upon Matthew, and the Lamentations of Jeremiah + and others, in one volume. + Postil's upon Mark. + Postil's upon John, with a Discourse on the Epistles + throughout the year. + Brother Thomas Old and New Gloss. + Morabilius on the Gospels and Epistles. + St. Augustine on the Trinity. + Epistles of Paul glossed. + St. Augustine's City of God. + Kylwardesby upon the Letter of the Sentences. + Questions concerning Crimes. + Perfection of the Spiritual Life. + Brother Thomas' Sum of Divinity, in four volumes. + Decrees and Decretals. + A Book of Perspective. + Distinctions of Maurice. + Books of Natural History, in two volumes. + Book on the Properties of Things.[315] + +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; 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. + + THE BIBLE. + Pliny's Natural History. + Cassiodorus upon the Psalms. + Three great Missals. + Two Reading Books. + A Breviary for the Infirmary. + Jerome upon Jeremiah and Isaiah. + Origen upon the Old Testament. + Origen's Homilies. + Origen upon the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. + Jerome upon the Epistles to the Galatians, to Ephesians, to + Titus, and to Philemon. + Lives of the Fathers. + Collations of the Fathers. + Breviary for the Hospital. + An Antiphon. + Pars una Moralium. + Cyprian's Works. + Register. + Liber dictus Paradisus. + Jerome against Jovinian. + Ambrose against Novatian. + Seven Volumes of the Passions of the Saints for the circle + of the whole year. + Lives of the Caesars. + Acts of the Britons. + Acts of the English. + Acts of the Franks. + Pascasius. + Radbert on the Body and Blood of the Lord. + Book of the Abbot of Clarevalle _de Amando Deo_. + Hugo de S. Victore de duodecim gradibus Humilitatis et de Oratione. + Physiomania Lapedarum et Liber Petri Alsinii in uno volumine. + Rhetoric, two volumes. + Quintilian _de Causes_, in one volume. + Augustine upon the Lord's Prayer and upon the Psalm + _Miserero mei Deus_. + A Benedictional. + Decreta Cainotensis Episcopi. + Jerome upon the Twelve Prophets, and upon the Lamentations of Jeremiah. + Augustine upon the Trinity. + Augustine upon Genesis. + Isidore's Etymology. + Paterius. + Augustine on the Words of our Lord. + Hugo on the Sacraments. + Cassinus on the Incarnation of our Lord. + Anselm's _Cui Deus Homo_.[316] + +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. + +Walter Taunton, elected in the year 1322, gave to the library several +volumes; and his successor, Adam Sodbury,[317] elected in the same year, +increased it with a copy of the whole Bible,[318] a Scholastic history, +Lives of Saints, a work on the Properties of Things, two costly Psalters, +and a most beautifully bound Benedictional. + +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. + +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 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.[319] 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. + +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 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.[320] + +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,-- + + "On whom for this sad waste, should justice lay the crime." + +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 _amator librorum_ +belonging to this monastery, quotes one of the lost Decades.[321] 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 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 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."[322] + +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 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. + +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 +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. + +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 +"_copia librorum_."[323] A few years after (A. D. 1113), Godeman 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."[324] Abbot Gamage gave many +books to the library in the year 1306;[325] 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.[326] + +But earlier than this in the eleventh century, a bishop of Exeter stands +remarkable as an _amator librorum_. Leofric, the last bishop of Crediton, +and "sometime lord chancellor of England,"[327] 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 +_Lotharingos_," says William of Malmsbury,[328] 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.[329] 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 (_Pistel Bec_[330]); 2 complete _Sang Bec_; 1 Book of +_night sang_; 1 Book _unus liber_, 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 _in English_; 2 Summer Reading bec; +1 Winter ditto; Rules and Canons; 1 Martyrology; 1 Canons in Latin; 1 +Confessional _in English_; 1 Book of Homilies and Hymns for Winter and +Summer; 1 Boethius on the Consolation of Philosophy, _in English_ (King +Alfred's translation); 1 Great Book of Poetry in English; 1 Capitular; 1 +Book of very ancient nocturnal _sangs_; 1 Pistel bec; 2 Ancient raeding +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 (_de Mrib._); 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." + +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 _amator +librorum_, as the enormous piles heaped together in modern times would do +a Magliabechi. Nor was Leofric an ordinary collector; he loved to +preserve the idiomatic poetry of those old Saxon days; his ancient _sang +bec_, 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.[331] 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. + +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 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, _l'assiduite infatigable a transcrire les livres des +anciens_, say the Benedictines of St. Maur,"[332] 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.[333] 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 legal science. He +then returned to Paris to study scholastic divinity,[334] 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.[335] Soon after +leaving Sicily, he was invited by Henry II. into England,[336] 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 _amator librorum_, 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 +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,[337] +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 +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,--_Odibilius nihil est +subtilitate ubi est soloe subtilitas_. 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, or indeed in +any position whatever, except, I suppose, the schools?" Seneca says, in +writing to Lucalius, "_Quid est, inquit acutius arista et in quo est +utiles!_"[338] 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,[339] 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.[340] 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.[341] 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.[342] 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.[343] 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;[344] and +then, forgetting this admonition, sending for tragedies and comedies +himself, that he might get them transcribed.[345] 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;[346] 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 _that_ 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.[347] 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 William 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 _quaestiones laborat evolvere_."[348] +Frequently we find him writing about books, begging transcripts, eagerly +purchasing them; and in one of his letters to Alexander, Abbot of +Jenniege, _Gemiticensem_, 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.[349] 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,[350] 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. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[310] See Speed's Chron. p. 228. Samme's Antiq. p. 578. + +[311] Stowe's Annales, 4to. 1605, p. 97. See also Hearne's Hist. + Glastonbury. + +[312] _Will. Malm. ap. Gale Script._ 311.--Coopertoria Librorum + Evangelii. For many other instances of binding books in gold, and + sometimes with costly gems, I refer the reader to _Du Cange_ + verb-Capsae, and to _Mr. Maitland's Dark Ages_. + +[313] Warton says, that this library was at the time the "_richest + in England_." In this, however, he was mistaken. + +[314] John of Glast. p. 423. + +[315] John of Glastonbury Edt., Hearne, Oxon, 1726, p. 451. Steven's + Additions to Dugdale, vol. i. p. 447. + +[316] Printed in _Tanner's Notitia Monastica_, 8vo. Edit. 1695, p. + 75, and in _Hearne's History of Glastonbury_, 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. + +[317] John of Glas. p. 262. + +[318] Librario dedit. bibliam preciosam.--_John of Glast._ p. 262. + +[319] Among them was a "Dictionarum Latine et Saxonicum."--_Leland + Collect._ iii. p. 153. + +[320] Leland, in his MSS. preserved in the Bodleian Library, calls + Whiting "_Homo sane candidissimus et amicus meus singularis_," but + he afterwards scored the line with his pen. See _Arch Bodl._ A. + Dugdale Monast. vol. i. p. 6. + +[321] See Hume's Hist. Engl.; Moffat's Hist. of Malmsbury, p. 223, + and Will. Malms. Novellae Hist. lib. ii.; Sharpe's translation, p. + 576. + +[322] William of Malmsbury, translated by the Rev. J. Sharpe, 4to. + _Lond._ 1815, p. 107. + +[323] MS. _Cottonian Domit._ A. viii. fol. 128 b. + +[324] Saxon Chron. by Ingram, p. 343. + +[325] Dugdale's _Monastica_, vol. i. p. 534. Leland gives a list of + the books he found there, but they only number about 20 volumes. See + _Collect._ vol. iv. p. 159. + +[326] MS. Harleian, No. 627, fol. 8 a. "Liber Geneseos versificatus" + probably Caedmon's Paraphrase was among them, and Boethius's + Consolation of Philosophy. + +[327] Godwin Cat. of Bishops, p. 317. + +[328] Will. of Malms. de Gestis Pont. Savile Script. fol. 1601, p. + 256, _apud Lotharingos altus et doctus_. + +[329] I use a transcript of the Exeter MS. collated by Sir F. + Madden. _Additional MSS._ 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. + +[330] Bec is the plural of boc, a book. + +[331] See _Dr. Lingard's Hist. Anglo Sax. Church_, vol. i. p. 307, + who cannot deny this entirely; see also _Lappenberg Hist. Eng._ vol. + i. p. 202, who says that the mass was read partially in the Saxon + tongue. _Hallam_ in his _Supplemental Notes_, p. 408, has a good + note on the subject. + +[332] Hist. Litt. de la France, ix. p. 142. + +[333] Pet. Blesensis Opera, 4to. Mogunt. 1600. Ep. lxxxix. + +[334] Ep. xxvi. + +[335] Ep. lxvi. + +[336] Ep. cxxvii. + +[337] 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 praedecessori Hardrado + coaequalis anno primo sui regiminis impetravit a rege Carolo + privilegium venandi in silvis nostris et aliis ubicumque + constitutis, ad volumina librorum tegaenda, 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. _Warton_ mentions a similar + instance of a grant to the monks of St. Sithin, _Dissert._ ii. + _prefixed to Hist. of Eng. Poetry_, but he quotes it with some sad + misrepresentations, and refers to _Mabillon De re Diplomatica_, 611. + Mr. Maitland, in his _Dark Ages_, has shown the absurdity of + Warton's inferences from the fact, and proved that it was to the + servants, or _eorum homines_, 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. + +[338] Ep. ci. p. 184. He afterwards quotes Livy, Tacitus, and many + others. + +[339] Ep. xiv. He was fond of Quintus Curtius, and often read his + history with much pleasure. Ep. ci. p. 184. + +[340] Ep. lxxvii. p. 81. + +[341] Ep. xciv. + +[342] Ep. xcii. and also lxxii. which is redundant with quotations + from the poets. + +[343] Ep. xciv. p. 170. + +[344] Ep. lvii. + +[345] Ep. xii. + +[346] Ep. lxxvi. p. 132. + +[347] Ep. cxl. p. 253. + +[348] Ep. lxvi. p. 115. + +[349] Ep. xxxvii. p. 68. + +[350] Ep. cli. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + _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._ + + +In the olden time the monks of Winchester[351] 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 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."[352] 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,[353] as a token of his approbation." + +Among a number of donations which he bequeathed to this monastery, twenty +volumes are enumerated, embracing some writings of Bede and Isidore.[354] +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 have been an _amator librorum_ 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:-- + + "_Presentem Biblum iusset prescribere Presul. + Wintoniae Dus que fecerat esse Patronum + Magnus AEthelwoldus._"[355] + +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.[356] The choice Benedictional +in the public library of Rouen is also ascribed to his elegant pen, and +adds additional lustre of his artistic fame.[357] + +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;[358] 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 bound them, which he exchanged with a +neighboring bibliophile for a life of St. Christopher, St. Gregory's +Pastoral Care, and four Missals.[359] 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[360] was written about the year 1035, by the "most +humble brother and monk AElsinus," 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;[361] showing how +esteemed they were, and how honorable was their avocation. Thus under the +15th of May we find "_Obitus AEtherici mº picto_;" and again, under the +5th of July, "_Obit Wulfrici mº pictoris_." Many were the choice +transcripts made and adorned by the Winchester monks. + +The monastery of Reading, in Berkshire, possessed during the reign of +Henry the Third a 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 _Cantor_, 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 mediaeval +learning, as the following names will testify:-- + + Ambrose. + Augustine. + Basil. + Bede. + Cassidorus. + Eusebius. + Gregory. + Hilarius. + Jerome. + Josephus. + Lombard. + Macrobius. + Origen. + Plato. + Prosper. + Rabanus Maurus. + +They possessed also the works of Geoffry of Monmouth; the _Vita Karoli et +Alexandri et gesta Normannorum_; a "Ystoria Rading," and many others +equally interesting; and among the books given by Radbert of Witchir, we +find a Juvenal, the Bucolics and Georgics of Virgil, and the "Ode et +Poetria et Sermone et Epistole Oratii." 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! + +We find an instance of this, and a proof of their fondness for the Bible, +in the catalogue of the books in Depying Priory,[362] 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:-- + + These are the books in the library of the monks of Depying.[363] + + The Bible. + The first part of the Morals of Pope St. Gregory. + The second part of the Morals by the same. + Book of Divine Offices. + Gesta Britonorum. + Tracts of Robert, Bishop of Lincoln, on Confession, + with other compilations. + Martyrologium, with the Rules of St. Benedict; Passion of + St. James, with other books. + Constitutions of Pope Benedict. + History of the Island of Ely. + Hugucio de dono fratris Johannis Tiryngham. + Homilies of the blessed Gregory. + Constitutions of Pope Clement XII. + Book of the Virtues and Vices. + Majester Historiarum. + Sacramentary given by Master John Swarby, Rector of the + Church of St. Guthlac. + One great Portoforium for the use of the Brothers. + Two ditto. + Two Psalters for the use of the Brothers. + Three Missals for the use of the Brothers. + +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 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? + +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 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,[364] 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 _eleven hundred books_, 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 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! + +But the other portion of the catalogue fully compensates for this vast +proportion of ecclesiastical volumes. Besides several _Biblia optima in +duobus voluminibus_, 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, _bibliotheca hebraice_, 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. 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.[365] 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.[366] + +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 scholastic +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:-- + + Aristotle. + Arian. + Boethius. + Claudius. + Dionysius. + Donatus. + Horace. + Josephus. + Justin. + Lucan. + Martial. + Macrobius. + Orosius. + Ovid. + Plato. + Priscian. + Prudentius. + Seneca. + Sallust. + Solinus. + Terence. + Virgil. + +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 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 _amator librorum_ 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.[367] 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[368] 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 +notice of its well-stored shelves, except a few lines in which Leland +mentions some of the old manuscripts he found therein.[369] 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 "_crafft off medycyne_," which Abbot Baldwin, +"_phesean_" to Edward the Confessor,[370] had given the monks, and of +whom Lydgate thus speaks-- + + "Baldewynus, a monk off Seynt Denys, + Gretly expert in crafft of medycyne; + Full provydent off counsayl and right wys, + Sad off his port, functuons off doctryne; + After by grace and influence devyne, + Choose off Bury Abbot, as I reede + The thyrdde in order that did ther succeade."[371] + +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, +Etheldredae,[372] the daughter of Anna, King of the East Angles, she was +the wife of King Ecgfrid,[373] 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 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,[374] 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.[375] + +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 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.[376] + +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: + + "Merry sang the monks of Ely, + When Canute the king was sailing by; + Row ye knights near the land, + And let us hear these monks song."[377] + +It reads smoother in Strutt's version; he renders it + + "Cheerful sang the monk of Ely, + When Canute the king was passing by; + Row to the shore knights, said the king, + And let us hear these churchmen sing."[378] + +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 introduces Canute +among them.[379] 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.[380] + +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 "_Pro tabula Paschalis fac denova et illuminand_," +4s.[381] 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 precentor 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.[382] + +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;[383] +and they possessed at one time no less than thirteen fine copies of the +Gospels, which were beautifully bound in gold and silver.[384] + +FOOTNOTES: + +[351] 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."--_Godwin's Cat._ p. 157. See also _Usher de Primordiis_. + fo. 126. + +[352] "Ecclesiarum ac diversorum operum magnus aedificator, et dum + esset abbas et dum esset episcopus."--_Wolstan. Vita AEthelw. ap. + Mabillon Actae S. S. Benedict, Saec._ v. p. 614. + +[353] Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. i. p. 614. + +[354] 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. + +[355] _Archaeologia_, vol. xxiv. p. 22; and _Dibdin's_ delightful + "_Decameron_," vol. i. p. lix. + +[356] Wuls. Act. S. S. Benedict. p. 616. + +[357] Archaeolog. vol. xxiv. + +[358] Regist. Priorat. S. Swithin Winton.--_Warton_ II, _Dissert._ + +[359] _Ibid._ + +[360] _Marked Titus_, D. 27. + +[361] It is called "_Calendarium, in quo notantur dies obitus + plurimorum monachorum, abbatum, etc.; temp. regum Anglo-Saxonum_." + +[362] It was a little cell dependant on the Abbey of Thorney. + +[363] MS. _Harleian_, No. 3658, fo. 74, b. It will be found printed + in _Dugdale's Monasticon_, vol. iv. p. 167. The catalogue was + evidently written about the year 1350. + +[364] 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. + +[365] Leland Script. Brit. p. 321, and MSS. Bibl. Lambeth, Wharton, + L. p. 661. Libris Prioris Gregorii de Ramsey, _Prima pars + Bibliothecae Hebraice_, etc. Warton Dissert ii. Eng. Poetry. + +[366] Bale, iv. 41, et ix. 9. Leland. Scrip. Brit. p. 452. + +[367] Ailward, Bishop of London, gave many books to the library of + Ramsey monastery, _Hoveden Scrip. post. Bedam._ 1596, fol. 252. + Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. ii. + +[368] 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, _bookes, charters, and other writings_." Stowe Annals, p. + 353. + +[369] He particularly notices a Sallust, a very ancient copy, + _vetustis simus_. + +[370] And also to Lanfranc, he was elected in the year 1065. + +[371] Harleian MS. No. 2278. + +[372] Or Atheldryth. + +[373] The youngest son of Osway, King of Northumbria; he succeeded + to the throne on the death of his father in the year 670. + +[374] 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. + + "Let Maro wars in loftier numbers sing + I sound the praises of our heavenly King; + Chaste is my verse, nor Helen's rape I write, + Light tales like these, but prove the mind as light." + _Bede's Eccl. Hist. by Giles_, b. iv. c. xx. + +[375] Bede's Eccl. Hist. b. iv. c. xx. + +[376] Saxon Chronicle translated by Ingram, p. 118. Dugdale's + Monasticon, vol. i. p. 458. + +[377] Sharon Turner's Hist. of the Anglo-Saxons, vol. ii. p. 288. + +[378] Strutt's Saxon Antiquities, vol. i. p. 83. + +[379] _Dibdin's Bibliomania_, p. 228. + +[380] Dibdin alludes to the "Harmony of the Four Gospels," preserved + among the Cotton MSS. _Caligula_, A. vii. and described as + "_Harmonia Evangeliorum, lingua Francica capitulis, 71, Liber + quondam (dicit Jamesius) Canuti regis_." 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. + +[381] An entry occurs of 6s. 8d. for writing two processionals. + +[382] 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." + +[383] 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 _Anglia Sacra_, i. p. 622. + +[384] _Warton's Anglia Sacra_, it is related that William Longchamp, + bishop in 1199, sold them to raise money towards the redemption of + King Richard, _pro Regis Ricardi redemptione_, tom. i. 633. Dugd. + Monast. i. p. 463. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + _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._ + + +The 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 _good deed_; 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, because 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. + +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. + +"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.[385] + +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. 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.[386] 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.[387] +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 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. + +I have stated elsewhere, that the learned and pious AElfric 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 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 _literis bene eruditum_, +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 _Codices_ found in the same library _in eodem +Almariolo_ 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. 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 Phoebus 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.[388] 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."[389] + +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 +conquest. 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. + +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 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. + +"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." 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 (_missale cum aliis libris +necessariis_). Having thus presented to him the first volumes produced by +his liberality, he proceeded to construct a scriptorium, which was set +apart (_praeelectos_) for the transcription of books; Lanfranc supplied +the copies. They thus procured for the monastery twenty-eight notable +volumes (_volumina notabilia_), 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, troapries, +collects, and other books for the use of the library."[390] + +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 "_amator +librorum_," 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. + +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,[391] 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 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. +_Ubi quendam ludum de Sancta Katarinae quem miracula vulgariter appellamus +fecit_, says the Cotton manuscripts, on the vellum page of which he is +portrayed in the act of writing it.[392] 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 "made a +missal bound in gold, _auro ridimitum_, 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."[393] + +Geoffry was succeeded by Ralph de Gobium 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 _amator +librorum_; and collected, with great diligence, an abundant multitude of +books.[394] + +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 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 _amator librorum_, "more by far than can +be mentioned."[395] From another source we learn that these books were +most sumptuously bound.[396] + +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." + +Abashed and disappointed, he retired with a kindling blush of shame; and +deeming this temporary repulse a positive refusal he left his fatherland, +and started on a pilgrimage to France.[397] And who was this poor, +humble, unlettered clerk? Who this simple layman, whose ignorance +rendered him an unfit _socius_ 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! + +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. + +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 him with that energy so +essential to success, but these whisperings of old may serve as lessons +for ages yet to come. For if _we_ look back upon those dark days with +such feelings of superiority, may not the wiser generations of the future +regard _us_ 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 _our_ 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! + +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, _librorum amator speciales_: and +another in panegyric terms still further dubs him an _amator +scripturarum_. 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 +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.[398] 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,' _volumina authentica_, 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.[399] 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,[400] he made a library for their +reception near the tomb of Roger the Hermit.[401] 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 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."[402] + +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.[403] 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 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--_liber elegantissimus_ exclaims my +monkish authority."[404] This leads me to say something more of my lord +prior, for the troubles which the conscientious conduct of old Raymond +brought upon himself-- + + "Implores the passing tribute of a sigh." + +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 _Domus Dei_. Alas! memoirs of bad monks and worldly abbots are +sometimes found blotting the holy pages of the monkish annals. _Domus Dei +est porta coeli_, 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 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 +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. + +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 fellowship, 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 _expediency_ 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, +_violenter spoliatum_, and so robbed him, as his historian says, of all +those things which would have been a comfort and solace to his old +age.[405] + +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.[406] 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.[407] + +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.[408] + +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, _multos et varios libros nobiles_, to the monastery of St. Albans +whilst he was bishop of Durham.[409] 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, _plures libros_, to the library, +besides two excellent Bibles,[410] 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.[411] +Indeed, so _multis voluminibus_ did he bestow, that he expended more than +100_l._ in this way, an immense sum in those old days, when a halfpenny a +day was deemed fair wages for a scribe.[412] + +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 Britannae, 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: + + "Hunc librum dedet Dominus Thomas de la Mare, Albas monasterii S. + Albani Anglorum Proto martyris Deo et Ecclesiae B. Amphibali de + Redburn, ut fratris indem in cursu existentus per ejus lecturam + poterint coelestibus instrui, et per Sanctorum exempla + virtutibus insignixi."[413] + +But there are few who have obtained so much reputation as John de +Whethamstede, perhaps the 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 + + ..... "Bookful blockhead ignorantly read + With loads of learned lumber in his head." + +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 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.[414] 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,[415] "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, _in the writing of +books_, 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 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." + +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 +consummacionem,"[416] exclaims the monk, nor will the reader be surprised +at the expression, if he for one moment contemplates the magnitude of the +undertaking. + +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,[417] 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.[418] + +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.[419] From another source we learn the names of +some of them, and the cost incurred in their transcription.[420] 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."[421] + +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 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.[422] 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: + + Fratribus Oxonioe datur in minus liber iste, + Per patrem pecorem prothomartyris Angligenorum: + Quem si quis rapiat ad partem sive reponat, + Vel Judae loqueum, vel furcas sentiat; Amen. + +In others he wrote-- + + Discior ut docti fieret nova regia plebi + Culta magisque deae datur hic liber ara Minerva, + Hic qui diis dictis libant holocausta ministrias. + Et cirre bibulam sitiunt prae nectare lympham, + Estque librique loci, idem datur, actor et unus.[423] + +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 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. + +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. + +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."[424] 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:" + + "Virtute duce non sanguine nitor."[425] + +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.[426] 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 determined 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. + +But the intriguing heart of Beaufort soon resolved upon the most +desperate measures, and 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,"[427] 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-- + + "Compleyne al Yngland thys goode Lorde's deth."[428] + +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.[429] Lydgate, who knew him +well, composed some of his pieces at the duke's instigation. In his +Tragedies of Ihon Bochas he thus speaks of him: + + "Duke of Glocester men this prynce call, + And not withstandyng his estate and dignitie, + His courage neuer dothe appall + To study in bokes of antiquitie; + Therein he hath so great felicitie, + Virtuously him selfe to occupye, + Of vycious slouthe, he hath the maistry. + + And for these causes as in his entent + To shewe the untrust of all worldly thinge, + He gave to me in commandment + As him seemed it was ryghte well fittynge + That I shoulde, after my small cunning, + This boke translate, him to do pleasaunce, + To shew the chaung of worldly variaunce. + + And with support of his magnificence + Under the wynges of his correction, + Though that I lacke of eloquence + I shall proceede in this translation. + Fro me auoydyng all presumption, + Louyly submittying every houre and space, + My rude language to my lorde's grace. + + Anone after I of eutencion, + With penne in hande fast gan me spede, + As I coulde in my translation, + In this labour further to procede, + My Lorde came forth by and gan to take hede; + This mighty prince right manly and right wise + Gaue me charge in his prudent auyle. + + That I should in euery tragedy, + After the processe made mencion, + At the ende set a remedy, + With a Lenuoy, conveyed by reason; + And after that, with humble affection, + To noble princes lowly it dyrect, + By others fallying them selues to correct. + + And I obeyed his biddyng and pleasaunce + Under support of his magnificence, + As I coulde, I gan my penne aduaunce, + All be I was barrayne of eloquence, + Folowing mine auctor in substance and setence, + For it sufficeth playnly unto me, + So that my lorde my makyng take in gre."[430] + +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-- + + "Righte myghty prynce, and it be youre wille, + Condescende leyser for to take, + To se the contents of thys litel bille, + Whiche whan I wrote my hand felt qquake."[431] + +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 +_admirandi apparatus_; 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,[432] 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 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.[433] 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.[434] + +But in the fourteenth century many other honorable examples occur of lay +collectors. The magnificent volumes, nine hundred in number, collected +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![435] 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.[436] 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.[437] As a specimen of a private library in the fourteenth +century, I am tempted to extract it. + +"A tus iceux, qe ceste lettre verront, ou orrount, Gwy de Beauchamp, +Comte de Warr. Saluz en Deu. Saluz nous aveir bayle e en la garde le Abbe +e le Covent de Bordesleye, lesse a demorer a touz jours touz les +Romaunces de sonz nomes; ceo est assaveyr, un volum, qe est appele +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 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 enieste 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 Pere e +Seint Pol, e des autres liv. E un volum qe est appele 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 mene 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 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 lumiere a 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." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[385] See a fine manuscript in the Cotton collection marked Nero D. + vii., and another marked Claudius E. iv., both of which I have + consulted. + +[386] Matthew Paris' Edit. Wats, tom. i. p. 39. + +[387] "Asserens ad cantelam, ipsum fuisse beati Amphibali, beate + Albini magistri, caracellam."--Mat. Paris, p. 44. + +[388] Abjectis igitur et combustis libris, in quibus commenta + diaboli continabantur. + +[389] MS. Cottonian, E. iv. fo. 101; Mat. Paris, Edit. Wat. i. p. + 41. + +[390] MS. Cottanian Claudius, E. iv. fo. 105 b., and MS. Cott. Nero, + D. vii. fo. 13, b. + +[391] He was elected in 1093.--See MS. Cott. Claud. E. iv. fo. 107. + +[392] Got. MS. Claud. E. iv. fo. 108. + +[393] MS. Cot. Nero, D. vii. fo. 15, a; and MS. Cot. Claud. e. iv. + +[394] Cot. MS. Claud. E. iv. fo. 113. "Ex tunc igitur amator + librorum et adquisiter sedulus multio voluminibus habundavit." + +[395] Fecit etiam scribi libros plurimos; quos longum esset + enarrare.--_Mat. Paris Edit. Wat._ p. 89. + +[396] Cot. MS. Nero D. vii. fo. 16, a. + +[397] MS. Claud. E. iv. fo. 114, a. + +[398] MS. Cot. Claud. E. iv. fo. 125 b. + +[399] _Ibid._ + +[400] MS. Cot. Nero D. vii. fo. 16 a. + +[401] MS. Cot. Claud. iv. fo. 124. + +[402] Claud. E. iv. fo. 124. + +[403] "In grammatica Priscianus, in metrico Ovidius, in physica + censori potuit Galenus." _MS. Cot. Claud._ E. iv. f. 129, b. _Matt. + Paris' Edit. Wat._ p. 103. + +[404] MS. Cot. Claud. E. iv. fo. 131. b. + +[405] MS. Cot. Claud. E. iv. fol. 135 b. + +[406] Ibid. fol. 141. + +[407] 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. + +[408] MS. Cot. Nero, D. vii. fol. 19 a. + +[409] Ibid. fol. 86. + +[410] Duos bonas biblias. + +[411] MS. Cot. Claud. E. iv. fo. 229 b. + +[412] MS. Cot. Nero D. vii. fo. 20 b. + +[413] MS. Cot. Tiberius, E. i. + +[414] MS. Cot. Claud. D. i. fo. 165, "Acta Johannis Abbatis per + Johannem Agmundishamensem monachum S. Albani." + +[415] 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. + +[416] Otterb. cxvi.; see also MS. Cot. Nero. vii. fo. 32 a. + +[417] Otterbourne Hist. a Hearne, _edit._ Oxon, 1732, tom. i. 2. + +[418] 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. + +[419] Marked Otho, b. iv. + +[420] 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. + +[421] Julius Caesar was among them.--Cot. MS. Claud. d. i. fo. 156. + +[422] 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: + + "Ipse Johannis amor Whethamstede ubique proclamor + Ejus et alter honor hic lucis in auge reponer." + + See also MS. Cot. Claud. D. i. fo. 157, for an account of his many + donations. + +[423] 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 L120 upon the + building. + +[424] Foxe's Actes and Monuments, folio, Lond. 1576, p. 679. + +[425] Holingshed Chronicle, fol. 1587, vol. ii. p. 627. + +[426] See Stowe, p. 367. + +[427] Leland Collect. vol. i. p. 494. + +[428] MS. Harleian, No. 2251, fol. 7 b. + +[429] 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. + +[430] Tragedies of Ihon Bochas. Imp. at London, by John Wayland, + fol. 38 b. + +[431] MS. Harleian, No. 2251, fol. 6. Lydgate received one hundred + shillings for translating the Life of St. Alban into English verse + for Whethamstede. + +[432] See Wood's Hist. and Antiq. of Oxford, vol. ii. p. 914. + +[433] 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 L6 13 4, probably the identical copy. + +[434] 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, _Moun bien Mondain_," Script. vol. iii. 58. + +[435] Bouvin, Mem. de l'Acad. des Inscrip., ii. 693. + +[436] _Ibid._ + +[437] 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. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + _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_. + + +The 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,[438] the +Franciscans,[439] 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 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.[440] + +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 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.[441] + +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 writings from our libraries and +from our literature, we should find our knowledge dark and gloomy in +comparison with what it is. + +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,[442] was, at the period these friars sprung up, but imperfectly +understood and taught. Michael Scot, with the assistance of a learned +Jew,[443] translated and published the writings of the great philosopher +in Latin, which greatly superseded the old versions derived from the +Saracen copies. + +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[444] for disputation and enquiry; their indomitable perseverance, +their acute powers of reasoning, and the splendid popularity which many +of the disciples of St. Dominic 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.[445] + +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 +"_whether there was a God_;" 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 marks a corrected copy of the decretals, +to which he made his students apply their minds.[446] This school was the +most flourishing of those belonging to the Franciscans; and it was here +that the celebrated Robert Grostest[447], 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.[448] 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.[449] 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:-- + + "For of the grete clerk Grostest, + I rede how redy that he was + Upon clergye, and bede of bras, + To make and forge it, for to telle + Of suche thynges as befelle, + And seven yeres besinesse. + Ye ladye, but for the lackhesse + Of 'a halfe a mynute of an houre, + Fro fyrst that he began laboure, + Ye lost al that he had do."[450] + +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 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."[451] + +Many of the smaller convents of the Franciscan order possessed +considerable libraries, which they purchased or received as gifts from +their patrons.[452] There was a house of Grey Friars at Exeter,[453] 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 MCCLXVI."[454] + +The library of the Grey Friars in London was of more than usual +magnificence and extent. It was founded by the celebrated Richard +Whittington. Its origin is thus set forth in an old manuscript in the +Cottonian library:[455] + +"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,[456] adorned with shelves, +statues, and carving, and furnished with books: and the expenses about +what is aforesaid amount to L556:16:9; of which sum, the aforesaid +Richard Whyttyngton paid L400, and the residue was paid by the reverend +father B. Thomas Winchelsey and his friends, to whose soul God be +propitious.--Amen." + +Among some items of money expended, we find, "for the works of Doctor de +Lyra contained in two volumes, now in the chains,[457] 100 marks, of +which B. John Frensile remitted 20s.; and for the Lectures of Hostiensis, +now lying in the chains, 5 marks."[458] 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 manuscripts of celebrated authors as were worth two +thousand pounds.[459] + +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;[460] 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."[461] 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 us that Robert Perserutatur, a +Dominican, was over solicitous in prying into the secrets of +philosophy,[462] and lays the same charge to many others. + +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.[463] + +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.[464] This diminution +in religious zeal was naturally accompanied by a proportionate decrease +in learning and 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,[465] 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."[466] + +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.[467] + +The mendicant friars have rendered themselves famous by introducing +theatrical representations[468] for the amusement and instruction of the +people. These shows were usually denominated miracles, 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. + +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 _Ludus Corpus +Christi_. It commences-- + +A PLAIE CALLED CORPUS CHRISTI.[469] + + Now gracyous God groundyd of all goodnesse, + As thy grete glorie neuyr begynnyng had; + So you succour and save all those that sytt and sese, + And lystenyth to our talkyng with sylens stylle and sad, + For we purpose no pertly stylle in his prese + The pepyl to plese with pleys ful glad, + Now lystenyth us lowly both mar and lesse + Gentyllys and 3emaury off goodly lyff lad, + þis tyde, + We call you shewe us that we kan, + How that þis werd fyrst began, + And howe God made bothe worlde and man + If yt ye wyll abyde. + +These miracles were intended to instruct the more ignorant, or those +whose circumstances placed the usual means of acquiring knowledge beyond +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;[470] but we have +nothing here to do with anecdotes illustrating a period so late as this. + +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 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. + +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 _Navis +Stultifera_ or Shyp of Folys,[471] 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. + + "That in this ship the chiefe place I gouerne, + By this wide sea with fooles wandring, + The cause is plain & easy to discerne + Still am I busy, bookes assembling, + For to have plentie it is a pleasaunt thing + In my conceyt, to have them ay in hand, + But what they meane do I not understande. + + "But yet I have them in great reverence + And honoure, sauing them from filth & ordure + By often brushing & much diligence + Full goodly bounde in pleasaunt couerture + Of Damas, Sattin, or els of velvet pure + I keepe them sure, fearing least they should be lost, + For in them is the cunning wherein I me boast. + + "But if it fortune that any learned man + Within my house fall to disputation, + I drawe the curtaynes to shewe my bokes them, + That they of my cunning should make probation + I love not to fall in alterication, + And while the commen, my bokes I turne and winde + For all is in them, and nothing in my minde. + + "Ptolomeus the riche caused, longe agone, + Over all the worlde good bookes to be sought, + Done was his commandement--anone + These bokes he had, and in his studie brought, + Which passed all earthly treasure as he thought, + But neverthelesse he did him not apply + Unto their doctrine, but lived unhappily. + + "Lo, in likewise of bookes I have store, + But fewe I reade and fewer understande, + I folowe not their doctrine nor their lore, + It is ynough to beare a booke in hande. + It were too muche to be in such a bande, + For to be bounde to loke within the booke + I am content on the fayre coveryng to looke. + + "Why should I studie to hurt my wit therby, + Or trouble my minde with studie excessiue. + Sithe many are which studie right busely, + And yet therby thall they never thrive + The fruite of wisdome can they not contriue, + And many to studie so muche are inclinde, + That utterly they fall out of their minde. + + "Eche is not lettred that nowe is made a lorde, + Nor eche a clerke that hath a benefice; + They are not all lawyers that pleas do recorde, + All that are promoted are not fully wise; + On suche chaunce nowe fortune throwes her dice + That though we knowe but the yrishe game, + Yet would he have a gentleman's name. + + "So in like wise I am in suche case, + Though I nought can, I would be called wise, + Also I may set another in my place, + Whiche may for me my bokes exercise, + Or els I shall ensue the common guise, + And say concedo to euery argument, + Least by much speache my latin should be spent. + + "I am like other Clerkes, which so frowardly them gyde, + That after they are once come unto promotion, + They give them to pleasure, their study set aside, + Their auarice couering with fained deuotion; + Yet dayly they preache and have great derision + Against the rude laymen, and all for couetise, + Through their owne conscience be blended with that vice. + + "But if I durst truth plainely utter and expresse, + This is the speciall cause of this inconvenience, + That greatest of fooles & fullest of lewdness, + Having least wit and simplest science, + Are first promoted, & have greatest reverence; + For if one can flatter & bear a hauke on his fist, + He shall be made Parson of Honington or of Elist. + + "But he that is in study ay firme and diligent, + And without all favour preacheth Christe's love, + Of all the Cominalite nowe adayes is sore shent, + And by estates threatned oft therfore. + Thus what anayle is it to us to study more, + To knowe ether Scripture, truth, wisdome, or virtue, + Since fewe or none without fauour dare them shewe. + + "But O noble Doctours, that worthy are of name, + Consider oure olde fathers, note well their diligence, + Ensue ye to their steppes, obtayne ye suche fame + As they did living; and that, by true prudence + Within their heartes, thy planted their science, + And not in pleasaunt bookes, but noue to fewe suche be, + Therefore to this ship come you & rowe with me. + + "The Lennoy of Alexander Barclay, + Translatour, exhorting the fooles accloyed + with this vice, to amende their foly. + + "Say worthie Doctours & Clerkes curious, + What moneth you of bookes to have such number, + Since diuers doctrines through way contrarious, + Doth man's minde distract and sore encomber. + Alas blinde men awake, out of your slumber; + And if ye will needes your bookes multiplye, + With diligence endeuor you some to occupye."[472] + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[438] 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. + +[439] 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. + +[440] 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 praedicatorum + 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. + +[441] A list of celebrated authors who flourished in England, and + who were members of the Dominican Order, will be found in _Steven's + Monasticon_, 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. + +[442] Dr. Cave says, "In scholis Christianis pene unice regnavit + scholastica theologia, advocata in subsidium Aristotelis + philosophia, eaque non ex Graecis fontibus _sed ex turbidis Arabum + lacunis, ex versionibus male factis, male intellectis, hansta_." + _Hist. Liter._, p. 615. But I am not satisfied that this has been + proved, though often affirmed. + +[443] It was probably the work of Andrew the Jew. _Meiners_, ii. p. + 664. + +[444] At a council held at Paris in the year 1209, the works of + Aristotle were proscribed and ordered to be burnt. _Launvius de + Varia Aristotelis fortuna_. 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. _Stevens Monast._, vol. ii. + p. 194. + +[445] See what has been said of the Mendicants at p. 79. + +[446] 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 "_a man of scarce any erudition_."--_Ibid._ + +[447] 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. + +[448] He gives strict injunctions as to the study of the Scriptures + in his _Constitutiones_.--See Pegge's Life of Grostest, p. 315. + +[449] Utilitate Scientiarum, cap. xxxix. + +[450] De Confess. Amantis, lib. iv. fo. 70, _Imprint_. Caxton _at + Westminster_, 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. + +[451] Stephen's additions to Dugdale's Monasticon from Anthony a + Wood's MSS. vol. i. p. 133. + +[452] 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. + +[453] Leland's Itin. vol. iii. p. 59. + +[454] Oliver's Collections relating to the Monasteries in Devon, + 8vo. 1820, appendix lxii. + +[455] Cottonian MSS. Vittel, F. xii. 13. fol. 325, headed "_De + Fundacione Librarie_." + +[456] The library was 129 feet long and 31 feet broad, and most + beautifully fitted up.--_Lelandi Antiquarii Collectanea_, vol. i. p. + 109. + +[457] This refers to the custom then prevalent of chaining their + books, especially their choice ones, to the library shelf, or to a + reading desk. + +[458] MS. _ibid._ fo. o. 325 b. + +[459] Script. Brit. p. 241, and Collectanea, iii. 52. + +[460] Leland's Collect. vol. iii. p. 51. He found in the priory of + the Dominicans at Cambridge, among other books, a _Biblia in lingua + vernacula_. + +[461] Steven's Monast. vol. ii. p. 194. + +[462] 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. + +[463] 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." + +[464] 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. _Bloomfield's + Hist. of Norfolk_, vol. ii. p. 565. + +[465] And among others of St. Augustine's books, _De Civitate Dei_, + with many notes in the margins, by Grostest. _Wood's Hist. Oxon_, p. + 78. + +[466] Anthony a Wood in Steven's Monast. vol. i. p. 133. + +[467] Script. Brit. p. 286. + +[468] Le Boeuf gives an instance of one being represented as early + as the eleventh century, in which Virgil was introduced. _Hallam's + Lit. of Europe_, vol. i. p. 295. The case of Geoffry of St. Albans + is well known, and I have already mentioned it. + +[469] 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. + +[470] MS. Cottonian Vitel. E. 5. _Warton's Hist. Eng. Poetry_, vol. + iii. p. 326. + +[471] The original was written in 1494. + +[472] Ship of Fooles, folio 1570, Imprynted by Cawood, fol. 1. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + _Conclusion._ + + +We 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 +_scriptoria_ 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 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 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. + +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. + +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 books; at Theodore and the early Saxons of the seventh century; at +Boniface, Alcuin, AElfric, 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! + +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 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. + +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 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 _he_ 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. + +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 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? + +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 veneration 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 mediaeval 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 personally 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. + + + + +INDEX. + + +Adam de Botheby, Abbot of Peterborough, 145. +Adam, Abbot of Evesham, 196. +Adrian IV., Pope of Rome, Anecdote of, 259, 260. +AElfric, Archbishop of Canterbury, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73. +AElfride, King of Northumbria, 160, 163. +AElsinus, the Scribe, 232. +Ailward's Gift of Books to Evesham Monastery, 195. +Albans, Abbey of St.--_See_ St. Albans. +Alcuin, + Verses by, 33, 179, 180. + Letters of, 98, 175, 181. + His Bible, 177. + Love of Books, 173, 176, 182. +Aldred, the Glossator, 95. +Aldwine, Bishop of Lindesfarne, 99. +Alfred the Great, 151. +Angell de Pisa, a Franciscan Friar, 291. +Angraville.--_See_ Richard de Bury. +Anselm, 77, 78. +Antiquarii, 42, 43. +Arno, Archbishop of Salzburgh, Library of, 183, 184. +Armarian, Duties of the Monkish, 13. +Aristotle; Translation used by the Schoolmen, 290. +Ascelin, Prior of Dover, 90. +Augustine, St., his copy of the Bible and other books, 79. + +Baldwin, Abbot of, St. Edmund's Bury, 242. +Bale on the destruction of books at the Reformation, 8. +Barkley's description of a Bibliomaniac, 301, 302, 303, 304. +Basingstoke and his Greek books, 267. +Bede the Venerable, 129, 162, 163, 170, 243. +Bek, Anthony, Bishop of Durham, 104. +Benedict, Abbot of Peterborough, and his books, 142, 143. +Benedict, Biscop of Wearmouth, and his book tours, 157, 158. +Bible among the Monks in the middle ages, 79, 89, 101, 104, 129, + 144, 163, 177, 193, 194, 196, 207, 208, 211, 212, 233, + 234, 237, 260, 261. +Bible, Monkish care in copying the, 36, 177. +Bible, errors in printed copies, 36. +Bible, Translations of, 71, 72, 156, 185, 296, _note_. +Bible, Illustrations of the scarcity of the, in the middle ages, + 40, 41, 89, 148, 231. +Bible, Students in the middle ages, 36, 71, 75, 88, 104, + 144, 163, 168, 177, 184. +Bilfrid the Illuminator, 95. +Binding, costly, 54, 85, 93, 246, 247, 258, 261, 262, 263, 273. +Blessing--Monkish blessing on Books, 25. +Boniface the Saxon Missionary, 45, 164, 165, 166, 167. +Books allowed the Monks for private reading, 20. +Books-Destroyers, 6, 7, 8, 9, 195, 282. +Books sent to Oxford by the Monks of Durham, 105. +Book-Stalls, Antiquity of, 123. +Booksellers in the middle ages, 46, 47. +Britone the Librarian--his catalogue of books in Glastonbury Abbey, 208. +Bruges, John de, a Monk of Coventry, and his books, 191. + +Caedmon, the Saxon Poet, 185. +Canterbury Monastery, etc., 61. +Canute, the Song of, 244. +Care in transcribing, 33, 68. +Carelepho, Bishop of Durham, 101. +Carmelite, 287, 297. +Carpenter, Bishop, built and endowed a library in Exeter Church, 194. +Catalogues of Monastic libraries, 10, 14, 82, 83, 102, 129, 130, 142, + 147, 179, 180, 190, 191, 208, 209, 210, 211, 219, 220, 237. +Catalogue of the books of Guy Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, 283, 284, 285. +Charles V. of France--his fine Library. +Charlemagne's Bible, 177, his Library, 184. +Chartey's, William, + Catalogue of the Library of St. Mary's at Leicester, 148. +Chiclely, Henry, Archbishop of Canterbury, 86. +Cistercian Monks in England, 221. +Classics among the Monks in the middle ages, 60, 84, 87, 101, 102, + 116, 122, 129, 148, 190, 200, 208, 225, 226, 232, 233, 240. +Classics, Monkish opinion of the, 23, 227. +Classics found in Monasteries at the revival of learning, 58, 59, 60. +Cluniac Monks in England, 221. +Cobham, Eleanor Duchess of Gloucester, 277, 278. +Cobham, Bishop, founded the Library at Oxford, 194. +Collier on the destruction of books, 8. +Converting Miracles, 166. +Coventry Church, 191. +Coventry Miracles, 299. +Croyland Monastery, Library of, 135. +Cuthbert's Gospels, 93, 129. + +Danes in England, 95, 138, 139, 140. +Daniel, Bishop of Winchester, 168. +De Bury.--_See_ Richard de Bury. +De Estria and his Catalogue of Canterbury Library, 81. +Depying Priory, Catalogue of the Library of, 234. +Dover Library, 90. +Dunstan, Saint, 64, 65. + +Eadburge--Abbess, transcribes books for Boniface, 169, 170. +Eadfrid, Abbot of St. Albans, 249. +Eadmer, Abbot of St. Albans, 251, 252. +Ealdred, Abbot of St. Albans, 250. +Eardulphus, or Eurdulphus, Bishop of Lindesfarne, 96. +Ecgfrid and his Queen, 242. +Edmunds Bury, St., 241. +Edwine the Scribe, 79. +Effects of Gospel Reading, 236. +Effects of the Reformation on Monkish learning, 8. +Egbert, Archbishop of York, 170, 173, his Library, 179, 180. +Egebric, Abbot of Croyland, his gift of books to the Library, 137. +Egfrith, Bishop of Lindesfarne, 93. +Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester, 277, 278. +Ethelbert, 87. +Etheldredae founds the Monastery of Ely, 243. +Ethelwold, Bishop of Winchester + his love of Architecture, 229, 244, + his fine Benedictional, 230. +Ely Monastery, 243, 244. + Extracts from the Account Books of, 245. +Erventus the Illuminator, 147. +Esseburn, Henry, 296. +Evesham Monastery, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204. + +Fathers, Veneration for the, 38, 39. +Frederic, Abbot of St. Albans, 253. +Franciscan Library at Oxford, 294. +Friars, Mendicant, 115, 116, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294. + +Geoffry de Gorham, Abbot of St. Albans, 255, 256. +Gerbert, extract from a letter of, 45. +Gift of books to Richard de Bury by the Monks of St. Albans, 121. +Glanvill, Bishop of Rochester, 91. +Glastonbury Abbey, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214. +Gloucester Abbey, 218. +Godeman, Abbot of Gloucester, 218. +Godemann the Scribe, 231, 232. +Godfrey, Abbot of Peterborough, 145, 146. +Godinge the Librarian to Exeter Church, 193, 194. +Godiva, Lady and her good deeds, 193, 194. +Gospels, notices of among the Monks in the middle ages, 86, 89, + 90, 91, 92, 129, 139, 140, 141, 142, 169, 196, 217, + 221, 244, 245, 246, _note_, 255, 262. +Graystane, Robert de, 105. +Grostest, Robert, Bishop of Lincoln, 292, 293. +Gundulph, Bishop of Rochester, 87. +Guthlac, St., of Croyland, 135. +Guy, Earl of Warwick, his gift of books to Bordesley Abbey, 283, 284, 285. + +Hebrew Manuscripts among the Monks, 238, 293, 294. +Henry the Second of England, 223, 227. +Henry de Estria and his Catalogue of Canterbury Library, 81. +Henry, a Monk of Hyde Abbey, 231, 232. +Hilda, 184. +Holdernesse, Abbot of Peterborough, 145. +Hoton, Prior of Durham, 105. +Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury, 79. +Hunting practised by the Monks and Churchmen, 224. +Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, 275. + His domestic troubles, 277, 278, 279. + His death, 279. + Lydgate's Verses upon, 280, 281. + His Gift of Books to Oxford, 281, 282, 283. + +Illuminated MSS., 54. +Ina, King of the West Saxons, 206. + +Jarrow, 157. +John de Bruges of Coventry Church, 191. +John, Prior of Evesham, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204. +John of Taunton, a Monk of Glastonbury, his Catalogue of Books, 208. + +Kenulfus, Abbot of Peterborough, 141. +Kinfernus, Archbishop of York, gift of the Gospels to + Peterborough Monastery, 141. +Kildwardly, Archbishop of Canterbury, 79. + +Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury, 75. +Langley, Thomas, 131. +Laws of the Universities over booksellers, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52. +Lending books, + system of among the Monks, 17, 20; + by the booksellers, 52. +Leoffin, Abbot of Ely, 244. +Leofric, Abbot of St. Albans, 249. +Leofric, Bishop of Exeter, 218; + his Private Library, 219. +Leofricke, Earl of Mercia, 192. +Leofricus, Abbot of Peterborough, 141. +Leicester, Abbey of St. Mary de la Pre, at, 148, 149. +Libraries in the middle ages.--_See_ Catalogues. +Libraries, how supported, 24, 25, 79, 198, 199. +Librarii, or booksellers, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49. +Lindesfarne, 93. +Livy, the lost decades of, 214. +Lul, Majestro, 168, 169. +Lulla, Bishop of Coena, 171. +Lydgate's Verses on Baldwin, + Abbot of St. Edmunds Bury, 242; + on Duke Humphrey, 280, 281. + +Malmsbury Monastery, 214. +Malmsbury, William of, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219. +Mannius, Abbot of Evesham, his skill in illuminating, 195. +Manuscripts, Ancient, described, 78, 79, 186, 187. +Manuscripts, Collections of, 5. +Marleberg, Thomas of, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202. +Medeshamstede, 139. +Mendicant Friars, 115, 116, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294. +Michael de Wentmore, Abbot of St. Albans, and + his _multis voluminibus_, 268. +Milton and Caedmon compared, 188. +Monachism, 29, 36, 307, 308, 309. +Monastic training, 263, 264, 265. +Monks, the preservers of books, 29. + +Nicholas, of St. Albans, 267, 292. +Nicholas Brekspere, 259, 260. +Nicholas Hereford, of Evesham, 203, 204. +Nigel, Bishop of Ely, 244, 245, 246. +Norman Conquest. Effect of the, 74. +Northone, Abbot of St. Albans, 267. +Nothelm, Archbishop of Canterbury, 64, 171. + +Offa, King, 4, 192, 247. + Alcuin's Letter to, 175. +Osbern, of Shepey, 91. +Oswald, Bishop of Worcester, 24, 193. + +Paul or Paulinus, of St. Albans, 77, 253. +Peter of Blois, Archdeacon of London, 47, 222, 223, 224, + 225, 226, 227, 228. +Peter, Abbot of Gloucester, 218. +Peterborough Monastery, 138. + Library, 147, 148. +Petrarch, 107, 108, 109. +Philobiblon, by Richard de Bury, 112. +Prior John, of Evesham, 199. +Puritans destroy the Library in Worcester Church, 194. +Purple Manuscripts, 54. +Pusar, Hugh de, Bishop of Durham, 103. + +Radolphus, Bishop of Rochester, 90. +Ralph de Gobium, Abbot of St. Albans, 257, 258. +Ramsey Abbey, 237. + Hebrew MSS. at Ramsey, 239. + Classics, 240. +Raymond, Prior of St. Albans, 262, 263. +Reading Abbey. Library of, 233. +Reginald, Archdeacon of Salisbury, reproved for his love of falconry, 227. +Reginald, of Evesham, 196. +Richard de Albini, 255. +Richard de Bury, 17, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, + 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, + 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 268. +Richard de Stowe, 218. +Richard of London, 145. +Richard Wallingford, Abbot of St. Albans, 121. +Richard Whiting, the last Abbot of Glastonbury, 213, 214. +Ridiculous signs for books.--_See_ signs. +Rievall Monastery, library of, 190, 191, 192. +Robert de Gorham, Abbot of St. Albans, 257, 258. +Robert, of Lyndeshye, 144. +Robert, of Sutton, 145. +Roger de Northone, 267. +Roger de Thoris, Archdeacon of Exeter. Gift of books to the Friars + at Exeter, 294, 295. +Rhypum Monastery; gift of books to, 163. + +Scarcity of Parchment, 56, 57, 245, 246. +Scholastic Philosophy, 289. +Scribes, Monkish, 44. +Scriptoria, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 198, 199, 253, 254. +Sellinge, William, Prior of Canterbury, 86. +Signs for books used by the Monks, 22, 23. +Simon, Abbot of St. Albans, 260. +St. Alban's Abbey, 120, 121, 247, _et seq._ +St. Joseph, of Arimathea, 206. +St. Mary's, at Coventry, 191, 192. +St. Mary's de la Pre, at Leicester. Library of, 149. +Stylus or pen, 154. + +Tatwine, Archbishop of Canterbury, 63. +Taunton, John of, 208. +Taunton, William of, 211. +Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury, 62. +Thomas de la Mare, Abbot of St. Albans, 268. +Thomas of Marleberg, Prior of Evesham, 197. +Trompington, William de, Abbot of St. Albans, 265, 266. +Tully's de Republica, 86. + +Valerius Maximus, Duke Humphrey's copy of, 282. +Value of books in the middle ages, 54, 203, 204, 245, 273, 282, 283, 295. +Verses written in books by Whethamstede, 274. +Verulam, ruins of, excavated by Eadmer, of St. Albans, 250. + +Waleran, Bishop of Rochester, 91. +Walter, Bishop of Rochester, 91. +Walter, Bishop of Winchester, fond of hunting, 224, 225. +Walter, of Evesham, 196. +Walter, of St. Edmunds Bury, 145. +Walter, Prior of St. Swithin, 231. +Wearmouth, Monastery of, 157. +Wentmore, Abbot of St. Albans, 268. +Whethamstede, Abbot of St. Albans, 268, 269; + his works, 272; + gift of books to Gloucester college, 274. +Whitby Abbey, 184, 185, 186, 187, 188, 189. +Wilfrid, 162, 163, 243. +Willigod, Abbot of St. Albans, 248. +William, of Wodeforde, 145. +Winchester, famous for his Scribes, 168, 229, 230, 231, 232. +Worcester, Church of, 192. +Wulstan, Archbishop of York, 147. + +York Cathedral Library, 179, 180. + +Transcriber's Notes + +1. Footnotes 293, 386 are not anchored in the page image. A best guess +has been made as to their anchor point. + +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'. + +3. Hyphenation has been left as printed - inconsistencies are: +bookloving, book-loving +booklover, book-lover +bookworms, book-worms +goodwill, good-will +halfpenny, half-penny +protomartyr, proto-martyr +reread, re-read + +4. Punctuation, particularly in footnotes has been standardised. + +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. + +6. Numerous quotation marks have been added to the text. Please see the +HTML version for details of where they have been added. + +7. Other corrections which have been made are: + Footnote 21, "gubernnatione" changed to "gubernatione" + Page 86, "Chicleley" changed to "Chiclely" + Page 91, "Shebey" changed to "Shepey" + Footnote 134, "Catherbury" changed to "Canterbury" + Page 113, "biblomaniac" changed to "bibliomaniac" + Page 138, "Madeshamsted" changed to "Medeshamstede" + Page 152, "descrimination" changed to "discrimination" + Page 218, "Godemon" changed to "Godeman" + Footnote 367, "Alward" changed to "Ailward" + Page 257, "Gebium" changed to "Gobium" + Page 312, "mediaevel" changed to "mediaeval" + Page 315, "Salzburg" changed to "Salzburgh" + Page 317, "Ecfrid" changed to "Ecgfrid" + Page 319, "Kernulfus" changed to "Kenulfus" + Page 319, "Leofin" changed to "Leoffin" + Page 319, 322, "Pre" changed to "Pre" + Page 320, "Marlebergh" changed to "Marleberg" + Page 321, "Ryphum" changed to "Rhypum" + Page 321, "Sellynge" changed to "Sellinge" + Page 322, "Tatwyne" changed to "Tatwine" + Page 322, "Tharsus" changed to "Tarsus" + Page 322, "Wodeford" changed to "Wodeforde" + + + + + +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.txt or 21630.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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