Cotton MS Nero C IV

Mid 12th century-2nd half of the 13th century, Contents: Cottonian contents-page, 17th century, in the hand of William Dugdale (1605–1686) (f. 1r);Prefatory cycle comprising 38 full-page miniatures, with captions in Latin and Anglo-Norman French (ff. 2r–39v): Dean, Anglo-Norman Literature (1999), no. 986;Calendar, in Latin (ff. 40r–45v);Gallican Psalter, in Latin and Anglo-Norman French (ff. 46r–123v: imperfect): Dean, Anglo-Norman Literature (1999), no. 445;Canticles, in Latin and Anglo-Norman French (ff. 123v–132r): Dean, Anglo-Norman Literature (1999), no. 457;Litany in Latin (f. 132r–v): Dean, Anglo-Norman Literature (1999), no. 457;Prayers in Latin (ff. 133r–141v) and in Latin and Anglo-Norman French (ff. 142r–v): Dean, Anglo-Norman Literature (1999), no. 457.Decoration: The subjects of the miniatures, as described by Kauffmann, Romanesque Manuscripts (1975), no. 78, are as follows:f. 2r: The Expulsion from Paradise; Adam and Eve working; Cain and Abel sacrificing, Cain slaying Abel:f. 3r: Noah commanded to build the ark; the ark at sea; Sacrifice of Isaac;f. 4r: Moses and the burning bush, and reviewing the tablets of the law; God with two kings (representing the division of ecclesiastical and secular authority?); Annunciation to Joachim;f. 5r: Jacob wrestling with the angel and Jacob's dream; Joseph and Potiphar's wife, Joseph accused by Potiphar's wife; Joseph sold to the Ishmaelites, and honoured by Potiphar;f. 6r: Saul and David; David kills Goliath;f. 7r: David takes the lamb from the lion's jaw; Samuel anoints David;f. 8r: Annunication to Anna; Anna and Joachim at the Golden Gate; Birth of the Virgin Mary; the infant Mary presented in the Temple;f. 9r: Tree of Jesse, illustrated in Kauffmann, Romanesque Manuscripts, ill. 220;f. 10r: God sending out Gabriel; the Annuniciation; the Visitation; the Nativity;f. 11r: The Annunciation to the Shepherds; the Magi before Herod;f. 12r: The Magi follow the star; the Adoration of the Magi;f. 13r: The Magi warned; an angel warns Joseph;f. 14r: The Flight into Egypt; the Massacre of the Innocents;f. 15r: The Presentation in the Temple; Christ among the doctors:f. 16r: Christ between his parents; the Baptism;f. 17r: The Wedding at Cana; water turned into wine;f. 18r: The three Temptations;f. 19r: Raising of Lazarus; Entry into Jerusalem;f. 20r: The Last Supper; Christ washing the Disciples' feet;f. 21r: Betrayal; Flagellation, illustrated in Kauffmann, Romanesque Manuscripts, ill. 223;f. 22r: Crucifixion; Deposition;f. 23r: Entombment; Marys at the Sepulchre;f. 24r: The Harrowing of Hell; 'Noli me tangere', illustrated in Kauffmann, Romanesque Manuscripts, ill. 224;f. 25r: Christ handing the key to St Peter; Journey to Emmaus;f. 26r: Supper at Emmaus; Incredulity of Thomas;f. 27r: The Ascension;f. 28r: Pentecost; Christ in Majesty;f. 29r: Death of the Virgin Mary, illustrated in Kauffmann, Romanesque Manuscripts, ill. 221;f. 30r: The Virgin Mary enthroned between two angels, illustrated in Kauffmann, Romanesque Manuscripts, ill. 222;ff. 31r-39r: The Last Judgment, in nine sections.Historiated B(eatus) initial, with David writing, and David playing the viol (f. 46r); decorated initial D opening Psalm 26 (f. 57v); decorated initial D opening Psalm 101 (f. 98r).The pen-flourished decoration (ff. 46r–142v) was added in the 13th century; additions were also made to the calendar in the 13th century, and marginal rubrics added to the miniatures (replacing the original lettering over gold leaf, which must have already been rubbing off).According to Wormald, The Winchester Psalter (1973), the miniatures were originally on the rectos and versos, so that they faced one another; they have subsequently been remounted, and arranged as rectos only. To judge by the foliation, two folios, perhaps with illustrations of the Creation, have been lost. The two miniatures of the Virgin Mary (ff. 29r, 30r) are in a different style, closely copied from a Byzantine model.