Manuscript, on vellum, in a single hand, of this unique English prose version of the twelfth-century Latin treatise Secretum secretorum, itself a translation of the Kitab sirr al-asrar. In addition to this text, the volume also includes a short astrological text (ff. 112-125) in Middle English, headed "secreta." The opening leaf is not present; the introduction by the translator praises Sir Miles Stapleton as his patron.
Alternative Title:
Secretum secretorum.
Description:
Binding: fifteenth-century blind-stamped calf over wooden boards; remains of clasps., Decoration: numerous initials in gold or in blue with contrasting penwork., Formerly owned by Richard Elde; John Harcourt; A. A. Judo?. Johannes de Caritate, Privite of Privyteis. From the collection of Toshiyuki Takamiya, 2013-., Layout: single columns of 21-23 lines., Numerous errors in pencil foliation., Script: English bookhand., and Several verses and aphorisms in a sixteenth?-century cursive hand on blank leaves and in margins.
Subject (Name):
Johannes,--de Caritate.
Subject (Topic):
Astrology--Early works to 1800., Astronomy, Medieval., Astronomy--Early works to 1800., Education of princes--Early works to 1800., English prose literature--Middle English, 1100-1500., Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven., Medicine, Medieval., Medicine--Early works to 1800., Medicine--Formulae, receipts, prescriptions--Early works to 1800., and Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library.
Manuscript, on vellum, incomplete, in a single hand, of John Lydgate's and Benedict Burgh's Middle English verse translation of the twelfth-century Latin treatise Secretum Secretorum, itself a translation of the Kitab sirr al-asrar. In addition to this text, the volume also contains several prose pieces in Middle English and Latin, including one with illustrated diagrams and a Latin tract on the interpretation of dreams.
Description:
Binding: disbound, but with some original sewing intact; modern case., Decoration: 15 illuminated borders; other decorated initials, some gilt., From the collection of Toshiyuki Takamiya, 2013-., Layout: various single-column., Script: English bookhand., Several medical recipes added on blank leaves and portions of leaves in a sixteenth-century? cursive hand., and Signature of John Bonen? in a seventeenth-century hand. Signature of Thomas Bowen in a seventeenth-century hand.
Subject (Name):
Burgh, Benedict. and Lydgate, John, 1370?-1451?
Subject (Topic):
Astrology--Early works to 1800., Astronomy, Medieval., Astronomy--Early works to 1800., Education of princes--Early works to 1800., English prose literature--Middle English, 1100-1500., Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven., Medicine, Medieval., Medicine--Early works to 1800., Medicine--Formulae, receipts, prescriptions--Early works to 1800., and Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library.