Volume / Number: 9 / 1423a

• Würzburg Germany Universitätsbibliothek M. P. Th. F. 68 (foll. 22–94, 97–170)

Written doubtless in Italy. Probably reached Northumbria by the late seventh century, to judge from the added prefatory matter, the restored bifolium, and the liturgical entries, all in Northumbrian uncial. Brought back to the Continent, presumably by Anglo-Saxon missionaries in the first half of the eighth century, to judge from the canon tables (see next item). The connection with the Anglo-Saxon Burghard, first bishop of Würzburg (742–753), suggested by Oegg, is palaeographically possible. Was number ‘CCXXIX’ in the Würzburg Cathedral Library and later number ‘5’ in the treasure.

Script is excellent Italian uncial, apparently by more than one hand: the bow of A is either drop-like or blade-like, the latter recalling the form in Milan Ambros. D. 84 inf. and E. 20 inf. (CLA 3.332 and 335); the eye of E is often open; the ligature OR occurs. Noteworthy is the tiny monogram to mark the parallel passages in John (i with superposed o), also found in the restored folios (see next item) and in Codex X (CLA 2.126). The last scribe ends with the familiar subscription, in small Rustic capitals: ‘Sicut navigantibus proximus est portus, sic et scriptori novissimus versus’ etc., followed by ‘ORA PRO ME’ arranged in the form of a cross (fol. 170v). Contemporary corrections in uncial or in Rustic capitals; later corrections in Anglo-Saxon minuscule saec. VIII². The beginning of a liturgical lesson is marked in the margin either by the original scribe with a cross in red, or by a Northumbrian hand (saec. VII ex.) with a cross formed of four or five points as in other Northumbrian manuscripts (see CLA 2.150); this hand also indicated in Northumbrian uncial in the upper margin the day for the lesson. The volume has a precious binding with ivory and silver.

☛Gneuss no. 945. ☛McGurk, Gospel books no. 80. ☛Gamber, CLLA 407.

• http://vb.uni-wuerzburg.de/ub/mpthf68/index.html

• Text: MSS containing biblical text (including Gospels)
• Text: MSS containing Gospel text