Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, lat. 10861 and the scriptorium of Christ Church, Canterbury
Michelle Brown
The primary purpose of this article is to draw attention a little-known Anglo-Saxon manuscript the early ninth century, now Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, lat. 10861, collection Latin saints' lives or passions. My interest was first drawn by brief remarks J. G. Alexander and E. Cross (the latter incorporating personal communication Bernhard Bischoff), both whom associated with more famous Book Cerne (Cambridge, University Library, Ll. 1.10) virtue its script decoration. Closer examination reveals far complex connections implications. In particular, BN which incorporates several distinctive calligraphic features, relates it closely group charters produced at Christ Church, Canterbury, dated between c. 805 825. There have hitherto been few attempts link documentary book hands, notable exceptions Oxford, Bodleian Bodley 426 (Philippus, Expositio in Iob ), has mid-ninth century on basis association two (London, British Cotton Augustus ii. 37, 838, Charter viii. 36, 847) thought written Wessex, probably Sherborne Winchester, London, BL, Royal 1. VI Add. Ch. 19789, ninth-century forgery document 759, recently advanced Mildred Budny. establishment such relationships offers potential for firmer assessment date place origin particular than might otherwise be possible; may also provide valuable insight into workings scriptorium question. If, as I believe, reasonably accurate dating 10861 through charter material, further chronological implications arise, decoration places firmly within ‘Canterbury’ ‘Tiberius’ manuscripts, any one member scope relative others.
Anglo-Saxon England