Original leaf from a medieval manuscript folio Chudleigh Bible with Latin gothic script, hand-written in brown ink, on animal vellum. Rubricated chapter numbers, initials and marginalia in red and blue. 53 lines of text in double columns. (285x195mm – 11.25 x 7 5/8’’)
Northern France, Arras (Abbaye Saint-Vaast ?), c. 1220-30.
Three multi-line illuminated initials alternating in blue with intricate red scrollwork and red with intricate blue scrollwork –extending into the margins.
Scribal omissions were added both recto and verso - these omissions are surrounded by a red circle or box indicating that the “transcription had been systematically checked for accuracy” (De Hamel, Scribes and Illuminators, p. 43).
The large size of the page is unusual in 13th century Bible production!
Line two begins Judges 1:17 – 4:11: “Abitt autem…” (And Juda went with Simeon his brother, and they together defeated the Chanaanites that dwelt in Sephaath, and slew them…And an angel of the Lord went up from Galgal to the place of weepers, and said: I made you go out of Egypt, and have brought you into the land for which I swore to your fathers: and I promised that I would not make void my covenant with you forever. On condition that you should not make a league with the inhabitants of this land, but should thrown down their altars…).
Shipped unmatted
