Middle English Manuscripts : Pore Caitif

Middle English Manuscripts

<p style='text-align: justify;'>This manuscript comprises nine quires from a more extensive volume, containing parts 1, 2 and 8 of The Pore Caitif, together with the Mirrour of Sinners and six other theological pieces. The Pore Caitif (Poor Wretch) was a popular fourteenth-century compilation of fourteen treatises intended for the religious instruction of the laity, and has variously been attributed to John Wycliffe and Richard Rolle. It survives in more than fifty manuscripts.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>(1) Folios <a dir='auto' href='' onclick='store.loadPage(40);return false;'>1r-34v</a>, Parts 1, 2, 8 of The Pore Caitif. Jolliffe, A check-list of Middle English prose writings of spiritual guidance, B. Begins imperfectly in part 1 (Creed), 'þe þridde is sorowe'. Part 2 (Commandments) begins on folio 6v, and part 8 (Horse) on folio 30r.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>(2) Folios <a dir='auto' href='' onclick='store.loadPage(107);return false;'>34v-39r</a>, Mirrour of Sinners. '[F]or þt we ben in þe wey... wt his herte blood. Amen.' Jolliffe, F.8.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>(3) Folios <a dir='auto' href='' onclick='store.loadPage(117);return false;'>39v-42r</a>, De officio militis. '[S]eþ no man mai come to blisse... to þe blisse euerlastinge Amen.'</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>(4) Folios <a dir='auto' href='' onclick='store.loadPage(122);return false;'>42r-43r</a>, '[I]ohannes eat nomen eius. Manie men han þis name... makinge redi his wey.'</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>(5) Folios <a dir='auto' href='' onclick='store.loadPage(124);return false;'>43r-48r</a>, '[S]eint Austyn þe holi doctour techeþ... haue mercy on me. Amen.' Jolliffe, I.32.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>(6) Folios <a dir='auto' href='' onclick='store.loadPage(134);return false;'>48r-49v</a>, '[T]his lore þat folewt techeþ crist... stinkynge bifore god. and so knowen to god.' Jolliffe, K.12: this copy only.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>(7) Folios <a dir='auto' href='' onclick='store.loadPage(138);return false;'>50r-72r</a>, '[M]emorare nouissima. ecclesiastici 7. þe help and þe grace... þe siȝt of þi face. Amen.' Also in Bodleian Library, Rawlinson C.751.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>(8) Folios <a dir='auto' href='' onclick='store.loadPage(182);return false;'>72r-72v</a>, '[T]hou shalt loue þi lord god... for to deceyue men wiþ' (ends imperfectly: catchword 'whanne he'). Jolliffe, G.27.</p>