Bible, 1300 - 1350

Parchment support, ff. iv (modern paper) + i (parchment) + 435 + iv (modern paper).

Late 18th-century vellum with leather lacing and remnants of leather straps. On spine in brown ink: "S 4," "Biblia Sacra," and "Codex." Over the words "Biblia Sacra" in black ink inside a decorative penwork frame: "Biblia del Sec XIII." Goodhart MS # in ink on paper label taped to spine.

212 x 157 (131 x 90) mm/

Article 1 is written in two columns of 50 ruled lines with a double vertical bounding line bisecting the outside margin and a single vertical bounding line bounding the outer and inner edge of the text; the text is divided into two columns by three bounding lines, the third running in the middle of the center margin; double horizontal bounding lines as well as an extra pair of lines bisecting both the top and bottom margin; the top margin lines contain the running head both recto and verso. Additionally three horizontal ruling lines within the text (lines 24-26) are extended full length across the margin. Articles 2 and 3 are written in three columns of 60 ruled lines with double horizontal bounding lines with an additional set of double lines bisecting the top and bottom margin; double verticle bounding lines with three lines between each column; inconsistently the horizontal lines 30 and 31 extend full length across the page. All bounding lines full length in ink; ruling in ink. Prickings visible for bounding lines, occasionally for rulings.

Gothic script, written by several scribes; contemporary textual and marginal corrections throughout are in black ink, a few other corrrections and notes in later hands.

First page of prologue probably containing either an illuminated initial or a larger miniature has been excised. The text of Genesis begins with a large historiated initial extending the full length of the page filling the center margin. Depicted is a three-quarters view of a nimbed saint holding a book, with six more saints behind him extending up the initial, head and shoulders visible. Acanthus leaves with circular gold terminals form the top and bottom of the initial. The whole is skillfully painted in red, blue, pink, and a dark gray-green. The remainder of the text is decorated with skillfully drawn red and blue initials; the penwork extenders are either red if the initial is blue, or purple if the initial is red. Books and prologues begwin with 12- to 7-line initials decorated with ornate extensions, cut-outs, and infilling (note delightful sketches in extensions on ff. 135r and 286v); chapter initials are somewhat smaller and less ornate but still have decorative penwork extensions. Chapter numerals and running heads in alternating red and blue letters; paragraph marks in article 2 alternate red and blue, in article three, red. Guide letters for rubricator visible, notes to rubricator on f. 337r.