Présentation du contenu

Source des données : Mmmonk

• Robert of Melun (d. 1167) was an English scholastic theologian and, later in life, bishop of Hereford. Among two works with Quaestiones, he wrote - but did not finish - a work called Sententiae or Summa Theologica. In this work he posed some significant statements regarding the position of princes. According to Robert, Biblical grounds exist for opposing a tyrannic ruler, and if a prince harmed the Church, excommunicating him was a rightful reaction. This position is likely connected to his own experiences: he was a participant in the conflict between Henry II of England and Thomas Becket and showed considerable sympathy for the latter. This manuscript is written in the early thirteenth century (or possibly somewhat earlier). The text is presented in two columns per page. The larger initials are bichrome and decorated in red and blue, while the smaller ones are monochrome; mostly in red, occasionally in blue. Special attention is given to the initial of the first part, which is illuminated and decorated with gold leaf. Within a 'N' a scribe (Robert?) is seated, writing on wax tablets. The broad outer margins are filled with notes and remarks. The first and last leaves carry the cross-shaped stamp of Ten Duinen. Of special interest are the two fly leaves at the front. They are at least two centuries older than the manuscript and once formed part of a collection of homilies written in the tenth century. As more leaves ended up in the bindings of books that formerly belonged to Ter Doest, it can be assumed that it was disbound and reused at the end of the Middle Ages. The pastedown at the back, detached during restauration in 2010, once formed part of a late medieval copy of the Venerable Bede's Expositio in Marci evangelium. The binding is restored with conservation (and partial restoration) of the wooden boards. The spine is renewed and covered with white leather. [Summary by Dr. Mark Vermeer]