Volume 2

Universal palaeography, or, Fac-similes of writings of all nations and periods, copied from the most celebrated and authentic manuscripts in the libraries and archives of France, Italy, Germany, and England / by M.J.B. Silvestre ; accompanied by an historical and descriptive text and introduction by Champollion-Figeac and Aimé Champollion, fils ; translated from the French and edited, with corrections and notes, by Sir Frederic Maddan ... in two volumes.

  • Silvestre, J. B. (Joseph Balthazar), 1791-1869.
Date:
1849-1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Universal palaeography, or, Fac-similes of writings of all nations and periods, copied from the most celebrated and authentic manuscripts in the libraries and archives of France, Italy, Germany, and England / by M.J.B. Silvestre ; accompanied by an historical and descriptive text and introduction by Champollion-Figeac and Aimé Champollion, fils ; translated from the French and edited, with corrections and notes, by Sir Frederic Maddan ... in two volumes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/458 (page 375)
    bj Alderis in these terms :—Signum f manus A Iderissi, vivo ejus, et A Idefusi, genitore, et eonsentientes hanc cartula morgin- caput commanter fieri rogavimus. Alderis only makes the sign of the cross, which is followed by the attestation of many witnesses, among whom are two females, who also add me teste to their names. The word morgincaput (line 7) explains the special nature of this deed, in connexion with the words (lines 5 and 6) in alia die nuptiarum. We have therefore here an instance of the celebrated donation termed morgineap, and morgengab by the ancient Franks, and so called, because it was made in the morning after the wedding. It is more commonly called chartula libelli dotis, or libellus dot is, which the notary has written hellibellum (line 12). We see by this document, that the Frankish name and custom were equally in use among the Lombards in Italy in the eighth century. The writing of this curious deed (of which about two- thirds are represented) is Lombardic, both as to its origin and use. We may remark, however, on comparing it with other specimens, that it approaches to the Merovingian form. The ligatures are very numerous, arising from the efforts of the scribe to render it as expeditious as possible. As to the Latin, it is not more rude than that of the charters of the French monarchs of the same period.