{"id":8195,"date":"2016-10-04T03:39:54","date_gmt":"2016-10-04T03:39:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/?p=8195"},"modified":"2020-10-24T00:47:37","modified_gmt":"2020-10-24T00:47:37","slug":"seminar-on-the-evidence-of-manuscripts-september-1990","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/manuscriptevidence.org\/wpme\/seminar-on-the-evidence-of-manuscripts-september-1990\/","title":{"rendered":"Seminar on the Evidence of Manuscripts (September 1990)"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Corpus Christi College MS 139”
\nA Twelfth-Century Historical Miscellany<\/h2>\n
\"Invitation<\/a>

Invitation Letter for 28 September 1990<\/p><\/div>\n

The Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
\n29 September 1990<\/p>\n

In the Series of Seminars (and Workshops) on the Evidence of Manuscripts<\/a>
\nThe Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge<\/p>\n

Invitation Letter (with no RSVP form or slip) in pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

The previous seminar in the series considered
\nSixteenth-Century Interventions in Anglo-Saxon and Related Manuscripts<\/a>
\nParker Library, 22 April 1990<\/p>\n

[First published on 3 October 2016, with an update to add the diagram of sewing patterns<\/em>]<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

The Subject<\/h3>\n

The Invitation asks for collective help in guiding the course of the research work on one of the manuscripts selected for the Research Project proposal.\u00a0 It invites the selected specialists<\/p>\n

to join us for a workshop consultation concerning our MS 139, a twelfth-century composite manuscript which includes the unique medieval copy of the Historia Regum<\/em><\/a> attributed to Symeon of Durham<\/a>.\u00a0 It also has an erased ex-libris inscription of the Cistercian abbey of Sawley<\/a>, although it may not have been made there.<\/p>\n

At present it is undergoing conservation and research while disbound.\u00a0 This has provided a unique opportunity for examining and comparing the different sections of the manuscript, some of which originated separately.\u00a0 Before it will be rebound in the autumn, we wish to discuss the evidence thus revealed with a team of specialists in various disciplines.\u00a0 For example, we would like to consider how the evidence modifies the existing historiography of this important manuscript.\u00a0 The script and decoration may help to determine the date and place of origin of the manuscript and its components more satisfactorily.\u00a0 The character of the texts included in the manuscript might have further implications worth exploring.<\/p>\n

We would very much value your presence in these discussions.\u00a0 We hope that your expert knowledge might help provide some fresh evaluations of the evidence.\u00a0 In this way we hope to ensure that the research on the manuscript will be of the maximum benefit for future scholarship.<\/p>\n

\"Ruins<\/a>

Ruins of the Chapel of Salley \/ Sawley Abbey, Lancashire. Photograph by Chris Heaton via Wikipedia Commons.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Logistics<\/h3>\n

The time-frame for “the consultation over the disbound manuscript” was planned to begin at 11 a.m. and “to work until about 4:40 p.m.\u00a0 As for logistics:<\/p>\n

Although we are unable to reimburse fares, we will provide a buffet lunch.\u00a0 We might also, depending upon availability, be able to supply overnight accommodation in College free of charge on the 27th or 28th, if you require it.<\/p>\n

Some participants chose to stay in College for one night or the other.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Participants<\/h3>\n

Invitations were, in the first instance, sent to:<\/p>\n

Bernard Meehan, Patrick McGurk, Christopher Brooke<\/a>, Christopher Norton<\/a>, Anne Lawrence<\/a>, Derek Baker<\/a>, Tessa Webber<\/a>, Ian Doyle<\/a>, Alan Piper<\/a>, Martin Brett<\/a>, David Rollason<\/a>, Simon Keynes<\/a>, Julia Crick<\/a><\/p>\n

Most of them attended.\u00a0 The Research Group Archives contain correspondence relating to the preparations and the follow-up of the “consultation workshop”.<\/p>\n

\"Invitation<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Timing<\/h3>\n

It is probably important to tell that a principal reason for assigning this manuscript to our Research Project was the characteristic determination of our Director\/Librarian to wage polemics with his colleagues, with whatever methods and persons he had to hand.\u00a0 Shame that he found it appropriate to shackle people, tasks, and manuscripts to that base aim.<\/p>\n

MS 139 entered the sphere of our research work, from the very start, as we were embarking upon the integrated research of the Pilot Project, and as we designed the application for the follow-up Research Project, because R.I. Page wished to prove that one of his colleagues was wrong.<\/p>\n

He said so long and often.\u00a0 The issue had to do with something or other (specified, but so what, as it evolved, that wasn’t really the issue, it was the dominance, stupid, what a waste).\u00a0 Obedient and obliging, we responded earnestly to the directions.\u00a0 Set up the research, photographed the manuscript, began the integrated investigations, identified the relevant experts, invited the specialists to the workshop, and laid out the plan, with requests for advice and assistance.\u00a0 Wrote up the results, Tim and I.\u00a0 Ready to roll.\u00a0 Stupid, as it turned out.<\/p>\n

Fell into a trap.\u00a0 One hopeful scholar\/editor saw an opportunity, longed for a full facsimile (we’re talking analogue, remember), plus big-time commentary, and talked us into it.\u00a0 Another, our Boss, continued to want the shaming of that colleague.\u00a0 Whatever, it was a manuscript, and manuscripts have their complexities, which we could address.\u00a0 We set to work.\u00a0 Stupid.\u00a0 It was idiotic, as Hindsight states clear-sightedly, to assign our assembled resources (willing to photograph and to integrate research, and unfortunately being available to be exploited by all those political aims) to a manuscript of a date and genre for which our assembled expertise was inexperienced.<\/p>\n

We \u2014 that is, the Senior Research Associate (Yours Truly) and the new Research Assistant (being trained) \u2014 had to scrabble to learn about the texts, authors (or probable authors), monastic houses, scholarly controversies, individuals engaged in such studies, and all the rest.\u00a0 We did so, but it took time.\u00a0 And it deflected energy, time, and resources, from the other tasks for the Project.<\/p>\n

Soon, our Boss Got Bored.\u00a0 He had no experience with the work of preparing Monographs (we learned that already, alas, with the aims and efforts to produce a monograph study of the early Insular Gospel Fragment, about which another Post).\u00a0 In time, through a “conspiracy” of forces, both in Cambridge and far elsewhere, reaching into the heartlands of the United States, the earnest research work on Corpus MS 139 could not find a full publication.\u00a0 I still lament all that wasted work.\u00a0 And it cost a lot, my own money included.<\/p>\n

But let us return to the Workshop in its time and place, with taking a deep breath to start that entry.<\/p>\n

Follow-Up and Follow-Through<\/h3>\n

The follow-up from the workshop extended into paths unexpected, as requirements, opportunities, and obstacles arose.\u00a0 Their processes formed part of the larger external as well as internal contexts in which the Research Project had to operate.\u00a0 The Memoirs might Tell All.\u00a0 Meanwhile, let’s look at the Manuscripts and what we could learn about and through them.<\/p>\n

Reports of Sorts<\/h3>\n

The Consultation Workshop of September 1990 and the continuing work on the manuscript by the Research Group Research Team are reported in the Annual Reports to the Leverhulme Trust, starting with the First, as the meeting took place close to the end of the first year of the Research Project (on the calendar of the academic year, revolving at 30 September \/ 1 October), and as the series of Seminars and Workshops<\/a> had already begun before the Project began.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0 In the First<\/h4>\n

\"Front<\/a>The First Annual Report (1989\u20131990) cites this workshop and the work on this manuscript among the 3 “Manuscripts Studied in Detail”<\/strong> (MSS 197B, 23, and 139):<\/p>\n

MS 139. A late twelfth-century historical miscellany with a very complex structure, including rare or unique texts, from Northern England.\u00a0 While it is disbound Mr Graham and Dr Budny have recorded and analysed the different sections of the manuscript and its binding history, with reference to numerous studies which have been published on it.\u00a0 Ms H. Humphreys, a professional draughtswoman, was employed to make technical drawings recording the sewing patterns on the leaves.<\/p>\n

We presented our preliminary conclusions at a workshop attended by outside specialists.\u00a0 Present were:\u00a0 Drs A.I. Doyle and D.W. Rollason (Durham), Dr P. McGurk (London), Dr M. Brett, Ms J. Crick, Dr S.D.Keynes and Dr J.M. Sheppard (Cambridge), Dr C. Norton (York), Dr T. Webber (Southampton) and Prof. D. Baker (North Texas).\u00a0 Our text forms the core of a monograph on the manuscript, to which Prof. Baker and Dr Norton will contribute.<\/p>\n

Among the “Project Publications”<\/strong>, the Report observes:<\/p>\n

MS 139.\u00a0 The work on individual aspects of the manuscript is being planned for publication as a set of essays on the manuscript and its problems.\u00a0 Prof. Baker is preparing his contribution to the text and investigating the possibility of funding for a full facsimile, which we hope might become the first in a series of such publications.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0 Wait a Second<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Second Annual Report (1990\u20131991) continues the dual approach.<\/p>\n

“Studied in Detail”<\/p>\n

While it remains disbound Mr Graham and Dr Budny have advanced with recording and analysing the different sections of the manuscript and its production and history.\u00a0 We have followed up the suggestions given by the specialists who attended our workshop on the manuscript in the first year of our project.\u00a0 Prof. Baker, who is collaborating with us on its study, advised on the work and its publication.\u00a0 Dr Budny supervised the preparation of detailed technical drawings of the stitching patterns by Ms Helen Humphreys.\u00a0 These are now complete.\u00a0 Our text is undergoing revision in the light of our further discoveries.\u00a0 It will form the core of a monograph to accompany a full colour facsimile of the manuscript.\u00a0 The work is drawing to a close and the manuscript will be rebound next year<\/p>\n

“Project Publications”<\/p>\n

The detailed study by Mr Graham and Dr Budny approaches completion.\u00a0 Prof. Baker is preparing his contribution to the text.\u00a0 His intention to investigate the possibility of funding for a full colour facsimile, reported last year, has now borne fruit, as part of our wider plans for Research Group publications.\u00a0 The facsimile and monograph study will appear in two volumes.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0 Third Time Around (not exactly Third Time Lucky)<\/h4>\n

“Studied in Detail”<\/p>\n

Before its rebinding this year Mr Graham and Dr Budny completed the task of recording and analysing the different sections of the manuscript; identifying its numerous scribes, rubricators and annotators and the distribution of their work; and examining the evidence for its production and history.\u00a0 This included carrying out the photography for the full facsimile.\u00a0 Some of the photography recorded the pages or parts of pages revealed in the last stages of conservation before rebinding began in June.\u00a0 The conservation work is now complete.<\/p>\n

We have continued to follow up the suggestions given by the specialists whom we targeted in the first year of our project and who have provided additional assistance since then, as well as by other specialists whom we have identified through further work. These include Drs Brett, Doyle, Meehan, Piper, P. McGurk (London), C. Norton (York) and D. Park (London).\u00a0 Prof. Baker continues to assist in planning the publication of the full colour facsimile of the manuscript accompanied by our monograph study.\u00a0 Our text is undergoing revision in the light of our further discoveries.\u00a0 The publication will represent a major research took, as well as a landmark in manuscript facsimiles.<\/p>\n

“Project Publications”<\/p>\n

Our planned publication is taking shape as Mildred Budny, Timothy Graham and Derek Baker, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, MS 139:\u00a0 A Twelfth-Century Historical Miscellany from Northern England<\/em>, to appear within the series Manuscripts in Facsimile<\/em>.\u00a0 The facsimile and introduction are intended to form two volumes.\u00a0 Photography for the facsimile was carried out this year, mostly in March before the manuscript was rebound; portions revealed during conservation were photographed in June.\u00a0 The detailed study by Mr Graham and Dr Budny approaches completion.\u00a0 Prof. Baker is preparing his contribution to the text.<\/p>\n

“Links with Other Projects”:\u00a0 Namely “Academia”<\/p>\n

In May the Research Group helped to form Academia, a non-profit organisation now registered in the United States.\u00a0 The Directors are Mildred Budny, R.I. Page, Derek Baker (North Texas) and Donald Kagay (Texas).\u00a0 The Board of Advisers includes Prof. Godden.\u00a0 Academia plans to produce the in-house publications of the Research Group, the Texas Medieval Association and the Haskins Society.\u00a0 Medieval Institute Publications has agreed to distribute its publications.\u00a0 Dr Budny has received proposals for various publications and has commissioned works on specific subjects.\u00a0 In September Dr Baker visited us to consult in detail about the planned publications.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0 And So Fourth<\/h4>\n

By the Fourth Annual Report, it had become clear that “Prof. Baker was unable to meet his original commitments for the publication, and we no longer count on his assistance.\u00a0 We are now seeking an alternative route for the publication.”\u00a0 Sums it up.<\/p>\n

Under the heading of “Publications of the Research Group on Manuscript Evidence”, the Report puts it clearly, if deftly:<\/p>\n

Last year the plans for such publications were reported under the heading of Academia, a non-profit organisation which the Research Group helped to form in May 1992 at the suggestion of Prof. Baker.\u00a0 It aimed to produce the in-house publication of the Research Group and some groups in America.\u00a0 Prof. Baker visited us in October to discuss these plans as well as work on MS 139.\u00a0 Yet the registration of Academia in America appears to be delayed, for reasons we have not been able to ascertain.\u00a0 Therefore, as our Research Project nears completion, the Research Group has ceased to engage in Academia and has turned directly to Medieval Institute Publications for the distribution of its in-house publications.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0 Fifth and Done, or, Over and Out<\/h4>\n
\"Derek<\/a>

Derek Baker at the 1992 Kalamazoo Congress<\/p><\/div>\n

In the final year of the Research Project, which, while wrapping up the project, continued its work on many fronts (seminars and workshops included) and experienced additional challenges in the final months.\u00a0 Among them was the unexpected need in the Summer of 1994 to renegotiate the contracted position which had been signed on 14 February of that year for a position in the United States, and was scheduled to commence on 1 October, but which had changed unilaterally, unexpectedly and untenably.<\/p>\n

Without institutional support of any substance, the renewed efforts in 1994 to arrange for publication of the monograph and facsimile of MS 139 had come to nothing.\u00a0 There were other, more pressing, challenges to address (illnesses for some years after 1994 included), if strength permitted.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the world changed.\u00a0 And we were no longer deemed useful or worthy, it appeared.\u00a0 The Memoirs might name names.\u00a0 (But we digress.)<\/p>\n

The Fifth Annual Report put it bravely:<\/p>\n

Some results of our detailed study of MS 139 while it was disbound have now been reported in Dr Budny’s paper on ‘Physical Evidence and Manuscript Conservation’.\u00a0 She and Mr Graham have begun to replan the publication of their fuller study, after Prof. Baker abandoned his commitments to it and the proposed facsimile, despite Dr Budny’s appeal to him at the International Congress on Medieval Studies in May.<\/p>\n

6. Paying the Price<\/h4>\n

After the completion of the outside-funded project, after the move of the Research Group to the United States, as expected, but not to the expected address (see the Memoirs), and after a brief recovery from those illnesses (which returned, of course), the investor which Derek Baker had assembled for his “Academia” project held Mildred Budny accountable for the outlay for the photographic work.\u00a0 After all, she was the photographer, and had performed the work.\u00a0 Not that, after those disasters on both sides of the Atlantic, did she have any employment or savings.\u00a0 After all, Derek did not answer our calls.\u00a0 And some of the others, contributors and promised publishers or distributors included, had deserted as well.\u00a0 Hard going.\u00a0 Where were friends when we needed them?<\/p>\n

No Good Deed, Etc. (Memoirs, remember.)\u00a0 No wonder she fell ill for some years, for real.\u00a0 Running on empty has its costs.\u00a0 Not just money.\u00a0 And some things money cannot buy.\u00a0 No wonder, eventually, ReGrouping, we came to welcome, also, Donations in Kind.\u00a0 (UnKind not so much.)\u00a0 Good for those Donations!<\/p>\n

A Place-Holder or Sign of Life<\/h3>\n

The Final Report for the Leverhulme Trust Research Project could record that, at least, “some results of our detailed study of MS 139 while it was disbound” would appear in print as part of the essay on “Physical Evidence and Manuscript Conservation” within a volume on Conservation and Preservation in Small Libraries: Proceedings of the 5th Anniversary Conference of the Parker Library Conservation Project<\/em><\/a> (1994), pages 29\u201346, with many typos, of which some incorrect plate-numbers are remedied in the unnumbered full-page list of Errata<\/strong> solely for that essay.<\/p>\n

This volume publishes the updated proceedings of “The Parker Library Conservation Project, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, 5th Anniversary Conference on Conservation and Preservation in Small Libraries”, held at Corpus Christi College in September 1988.\u00a0 The completed paper includes black-and-white photographs of MS 139 (and other manuscripts) taken before or during their conservation, along with Helen Humphrey’s technical drawings of the exposed sewing patterns of MS 139 before the rebinding and reconstructed views of the former binding, with its clasping mechanism.\u00a0 That publication’s report was an effort to show something of the labors’ results, even if in a compacted and somewhat out-of-the-way publication.<\/p>\n

Technical Drawings as Study Aid<\/h4>\n

Mildred Budny had worked with Helen before, in the course of researching, photographing, and helping to guide the technical drawing of original artefacts, with technical drawings which had seen publication in several notable places. For example:<\/p>\n