DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.51197#0168
140
CATALOGUE OF MANUSCRIPTS
[84
According to Dr F. Brie, the editor of the text of The Brut in
E. E. T. S. (Pts. I, II 1906 and 1908), this copy presents a unique
text. He prints copious extracts from it at the end of Pt. II,
pp. 585-604. Without undertaking to point out all the deviations
from Brie’s text, which I take as the basis, I may attempt a survey
of the principal features of this MS.
There are some few marginal drawings in a better style than
the frontispiece; usually representing a figure holding a blank
shield, viz. 2b a woman, 3$ a woman, only begun, 7 a a wild man
with scymitar (sketch), 12^ jewelled crown (of Donebaud of Scot-
land), 16$ wild man with club and shield, 29b wild man with spear
and shield with chief and bend, uncoloured, 35 stones (for Stone-
henge), 52 mitred bust of S. Augustine, 67 b hand holding sword
upright (sword borne before the King after King Edmund’s
murder).
Text. The prologue agrees with the print.
To Cap. i is prefixed a genealogy of Brute from the Creation.
End of Cap. i and most of ii supplied on paper (xvi). There are
differences in the divisions and wording of subsequent chapters,
xxiii addition in margin on Brennus invading Greece etc. xl
(xxxviii MS.) addition as to the Assumption of the Virgin etc.
xliv (xli) addition on Christianity in Britain. In xlv (xli) sqq.
are considerable additions from the Polychronicon, largely about
Constantine, the donation, etc. In xlvii (xlvi) is inserted the whole
story of the Empress (Constance: Man of Law s Tale'}.
In Ixi (f. 31 b) a long account of the birth of Merlin.
At end of Ixiv (34^) an addition on the Litany.
In xcii (Ixxvi, f. 48) is an addition about Havelok: printed,
Brie, l.c. 585.
In xcvi (f. 51) a large circular diagram of the seven kingdoms,
with explanation, including the verses (in a large hand, lines red
and black alternately): Illa quidem longo celebri splendore beata,
etc. ending: Testes hely formosa situ colcestria visu.
In xcvii (52 b sqq.) miracles of St Augustine (at Compton etc.).
After xcix (55# sqq.) lists of the kings of the seven kingdoms
and legend of S. Kenelm (56^): text resumed on 58 a sub fin.
After ci (59£) story of Cadwallader and further lists of kings.
Text of cii on 61 b.
CATALOGUE OF MANUSCRIPTS
[84
According to Dr F. Brie, the editor of the text of The Brut in
E. E. T. S. (Pts. I, II 1906 and 1908), this copy presents a unique
text. He prints copious extracts from it at the end of Pt. II,
pp. 585-604. Without undertaking to point out all the deviations
from Brie’s text, which I take as the basis, I may attempt a survey
of the principal features of this MS.
There are some few marginal drawings in a better style than
the frontispiece; usually representing a figure holding a blank
shield, viz. 2b a woman, 3$ a woman, only begun, 7 a a wild man
with scymitar (sketch), 12^ jewelled crown (of Donebaud of Scot-
land), 16$ wild man with club and shield, 29b wild man with spear
and shield with chief and bend, uncoloured, 35 stones (for Stone-
henge), 52 mitred bust of S. Augustine, 67 b hand holding sword
upright (sword borne before the King after King Edmund’s
murder).
Text. The prologue agrees with the print.
To Cap. i is prefixed a genealogy of Brute from the Creation.
End of Cap. i and most of ii supplied on paper (xvi). There are
differences in the divisions and wording of subsequent chapters,
xxiii addition in margin on Brennus invading Greece etc. xl
(xxxviii MS.) addition as to the Assumption of the Virgin etc.
xliv (xli) addition on Christianity in Britain. In xlv (xli) sqq.
are considerable additions from the Polychronicon, largely about
Constantine, the donation, etc. In xlvii (xlvi) is inserted the whole
story of the Empress (Constance: Man of Law s Tale'}.
In Ixi (f. 31 b) a long account of the birth of Merlin.
At end of Ixiv (34^) an addition on the Litany.
In xcii (Ixxvi, f. 48) is an addition about Havelok: printed,
Brie, l.c. 585.
In xcvi (f. 51) a large circular diagram of the seven kingdoms,
with explanation, including the verses (in a large hand, lines red
and black alternately): Illa quidem longo celebri splendore beata,
etc. ending: Testes hely formosa situ colcestria visu.
In xcvii (52 b sqq.) miracles of St Augustine (at Compton etc.).
After xcix (55# sqq.) lists of the kings of the seven kingdoms
and legend of S. Kenelm (56^): text resumed on 58 a sub fin.
After ci (59£) story of Cadwallader and further lists of kings.
Text of cii on 61 b.