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University College London

Saint Bonaventure's Life of St Francis (Latin)

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code(s): GB 0103 MS LAT 23

Held at: University College London

Title: Saint Bonaventure's Life of St Francis (Latin)

Date(s): 12th century and 1532

Level of description: Collection (fonds)

Extent: 1 volume containing 81 leaves

Name of creator(s): Unknown

CONTEXT

Administrative/Biographical history:

Saint Bonaventure (San Bonaventura): born, c1217; original name Giovanni Di Fidanza (John of Fidanza); entered the University of Paris, 1235; received the master of arts degree, 1243; joined the Franciscan order; studied theology in the Franciscan school at Paris, 1243-1248; named Bonaventure, 1244; leading theologian, minister general of the Franciscan order, and cardinal bishop of Albano; author of several works on the spiritual life; recodified the constitution of his order, 1260; died, 1274.

CONTENT

Scope and content/abstract:

Manuscript volume, 1532, containing St Bonaventure's 'Legenda Beatissimi patris nostri Francisci' (Life of St Francis). The pastedowns are two leaves of a 12th-century homiliary.

ACCESS AND USE

Language/scripts of material: Latin. Gothic hand.

System of arrangement:

Conditions governing access:

Open.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Normal copyright restrictions apply.

Physical characteristics:

Parchment manuscript in original binding of stamped pigskin over oak boards, with metal corner pieces. Text in red and black with red or blue initials. Written in Germany. 29cm.

Finding aids:

N R Ker, Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries, i (London and Oxford, 1969); list at University College London Special Collections.

ARCHIVAL INFORMATION

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:

Accruals:

Archival history:

The volume belonged in the 17th century to the Franciscan convent at Saverne (Zabern), near Strasbourg, Alsace. It bears the bookplate of the Hopetoun Library and the pressmark T 9, and the bookplate of Walter Seton.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Purchased at the Seton sale at Sotheby's in 1927 and presented to University College London by the British Society of Franciscan Studies and others.

ALLIED MATERIALS

Existence and location of originals:

Existence and location of copies:

Related material:

Publication note:

DESCRIPTION NOTES

Note:

Archivist's note: Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica online. Compiled by Rachel Kemsley as part of the RSLP AIM25 project.