[New Testament Gospel Lectionary].

Forms part of the Kenneth Willis Clark Collection of Greek Manuscripts (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University)

Format: Manuscript codex.

Title supplied by cataloger.

Layout: Written in 1 column of 28-29 lines.

Script: Scribe I (fol. 1r-77v) writes a small, irregular minuscule usually through the line--neither pendant nor resting on the line. He uses a wide nib which produces contrasting thick and thin lines as may be seen in the transverse strokes of the uncial kappa, lambda, chi, and alpha. Although the hand tends to be upright, there is a perceptible slant to the right. The titles, chapters and canon numbers are all written in semi-uncials, slightly largers than the letters of the text. The titles are frequently highlighted with a yellow wash. The scribe frequently fills in the outlines of a letter with deep red ink. Scribe II commences without loss of text at fol. 78r in the middle of a lesson for Palm Sunday.

Decoration: The titles and headings are highlighted in yellow. Some of the capitals are touched in red; there are more than 190 decorated initials of two main styles according to the taste of the scribes: 1) penwork ornament with foliate ornaments and knotted stems, pointing hands frequently infilled with red and sometimes yellow, and 2) simpler designs in red usually without the penwork outlines. There are headpieces which stretch across the full width of the column: fol. 1r, 117v, 123r, 127v, 133r, 138v, 140v, 142v, 143v (marginal foliate ornaments), 146v, 147v, and 150r. Some decorated initials are copied out again in margins in medieval hands and a standing figure holding a cross was added in margin on fol. 110v.

Title cataloged from existing description.

Gospel lectionary with readings for Sundays and for weekdays between Easter and Pentecost; part of flyleaf was replaced with another manuscript apparently an eleventh- or twelfth- century commentary on Genesis. The last two leaves are very defective.

Binding: Bound by Sydney M. Cockerell of Douglas Cockerell & Sons in November 1949 in oak boards with spine of white alum tawed pigskin, blind stamped, spine title gilt, silver catches and clasps on plaited leather thongs; note by binder enclosed; marbled slipcase.