English MS 87

The Pore Caitif, end of 14th/beginning of 15th century

Size: 150 x 105 mm, v + 119 + v folios.

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.

In this copy part one, on the Creed, begins imperfectly (probably eight leaves are missing), and eight further leaves are missing elsewhere in the volume. On f. 120 are directions for masses. There are 3-line initials in blue ink with red penwork flourishes.

Former owners include Thomas Dodd (inscription dated 1555); Thomas Martin (1697-1771), antiquary; Bertram, 4th Earl of Ashburnham (1797-1878) (Appendix no. 27D); and Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928).

Related links

• Catalogue entry for English MS 87
• Conservation report

Manuscript Index