Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- [14 cent.]. (Creation)
Level of description
File
Extent and medium
65 ff. : Vellum ; 304 x 210 mm. Calf.
Context area
Name of creator
Archival history
Purchased at the sale of Louis Philippe's books (book-stamp 'Bibliotheque du roi, Palais royal' on p. 1; sale-cat., 1852, pt I, lot 1306); formerly in the possession of N. J. Foucault (d. 1721); bookplate of arms of N. J. Foucault ('Nicolai Joseph Foucault, Comitis Consistoriani') and also his arms stamped in gilt on covers, surmounted by those of Louis Alexandre de Bourbon, Comte de Toulouse, Amiral de France (d. 1737), or his son Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, Duc de Penthievre, Amiral de France (d. 1793) (see J. Guigard, Nouvel Armorial du Bibliotheque, vol. I, 1890, pp. 53, 54); a signed note by Foucault on the fly-leaf states that the manuscript was sent to him on 12 November 1703 by 'M. de Charance, directeur des fermes de Languedoc a Montpellier'.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
A 14th century manuscript in French prose containing the romance of Ywain (Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri, otherwise Owain Lawgoch, otherwise Yvain de Galles (c. 1300-1378)). There is a rubric heading: 'Ceste liure est le liure de monseignor Y. et parole de maint buen cheualiers' and the text begins 'En ceste partie dit li contes que misser Yuain le fis au roi Vrien cheuauchait par une grant forest qui estoit apellee la perilleuse foreste ...'. The episode of the lion and dragon fighting (cf. Chrestien de Troyes, Le Chevalier au Lion, ll. 3341 sqq.) occurs on p. 1. There is a lacuna after p. 2. The text ends imperfectly. Inserted at the beginning is a letter to Lord Ashburnham from Thomas Boone the bookseller, 29 New Bond Street, 10 April [1852], concerning his purchase, on 'Ld. A.'s' behalf, of the following lots [at the Louis Philippe sale]: 1108 [Ashburnham Appendix 16] for 1605 fr., 1115 (Ashburnham Appendix 152) for 2150 fr., 1303 (Ashburnham Appendix 167, formerly Williams MS 529, now NLW MS 443D) for 1250 fr. and 1306 (formerly Williams MS 530, now NLW MS 444D) for 1960 fr. The manuscript includes coloured drawings illustrating the text, and a few illuminated initials.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access to the original manuscript by authorised permission only. Readers are directed to use surrogate copies.
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright laws apply.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
French, Middle (ca. 1300-1600).
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Digital version available http://hdl.handle.net/10107/5152608 (February 2020)
Available on microfilm at the Library.
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Formerly Ashburnham Appendix 164 (Sotheby's sale-catalogue, 1 May 1899, lot 103); Williams MS 530.
Note
Title based on contents.
Note
Preferred citation: NLW MS 444D [RESTRICTED ACCESS].
Alternative identifier(s)
Virtua system control number
GEAC system control number
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri, ca. 1340-1378 (Subject)