A codex containing 24 of the sermons of Pseudo-Augustine to the brothers of the hermitage.
Written in Italy in the mid fourteenth century. The initial 'F' on f.1r is illuminated with the image of a bishop with staff and mitre, and further initials throughout the text are extensively decorated in red and blue or violet and red. Title of each sermon is in red and first 3 lines are written in blue ink. Occasional annotations, insertions and corrections.
These sermons form part of a series of 76 sermons formerly attributed to St Augustine of Hippo. They were widely known by 1350 and although even then doubts about their authenticity existed, J P Migne included them as works by Augustine in his Patrologia Latina as late as the end of the 19th century. They may have been deliberately forged to help the Order of Hermits or Friars of St Augustine in disputes with the Canons Regular of St Augustine; the Friars had only been founded in 1256 while the Canons dated back to the 11th century. If Augustine had written such sermons on the conduct of hermit life to preach to his followers around Hippo then the Friars could claim descent from this eremetical movement, so pre-dating the foundation of the Canons. The sermons are based on the works of Augustine and later Augustinian theologians, but their author, or authors, is not known.
Single Item
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Bought at auction of Dr John Lee's library, 1842
Individual Manuscripts and Small Collections database available as part of Manuscripts Database
Binding: brown morocco leather (replacing 18th century paper cover), Sermones ad Eremitas Augustine on spine in gold. Rebound by Cockerell in 1961, with binders note pasted inside back cover. Formerly in a paper wrapper.
Vellum: 19 x 27.5cm Faint ruling visible.
Description compiled by Maia Sheridan, Archives Hub project archivist, based on material from the Manuscripts Database
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Keeper of Manuscripts. Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents
Medieval ownership inscription in Italian faintly visible on f47v.
Fully noted in N R Ker and A J Piper Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries Oxford, 1992, Vol.IV (Paisley to York) pp.243.
