Item Info

Script: Transitional (praegothica)
Language: Latin
Folio Number: ff. 8v-9r
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes: Opening
Notes: This manuscript contains a copy of a treatise by St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109). A medieval scribe entitled this copy "De casu primi angeli" (On the Fall of the First Angel). The treatise is also known as "De casu diaboli" (The Fall of the Devil). Using Lucifer's fall from heaven as a point of departure, Anselm discusses the concept of free will in the treatise.

This opening shows the poor quality of the parchment. Rather than using more expensive but better quality parchment, the scribe gathered scraps of parchment to use as writing material. Looking closely at the lower margin of the left side, one can still see the hair follicles that were not completely scraped away during the preparation of the parchment. Opposite, the scribe wrote around an indention in the parchment that marks one of the edges of the original skin before it was cut into sheets of parchment.
Sirsi Catalog Key: 1550308
Country: Country:France
City/Town/Township:Reims

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1199
Image Dimensions Width: 213 mm
ShelfMark: Lewis E 5
Creator Name: Anselm of Canterbury - Author