Sixteenth-century binding of dark brown leather over wooden boards, blind-tooled frame and central ornament, with a boss at each of the four corners (now gone). Brass fittings from two clasps and one strap remain, and there are metal fittings to the top and bottom corners of both covers. On the spine in gold letters: \"Gregorii regula pastoralis\" and the classmark. A label formerly attached to the rear cover has been preserved on the front pastedown<\/a> (having formerly been attached to f. 3r<\/a>, when N.R. Ker examined the manuscript in the 1950s). The label reads: \"Pastoral: Gregorii ex Versione Aluredi regis saxon'\", written in a 16th-century hand. Other manuscripts donated by Matthew Parker were bound in the same way (see Acquisition). Monochrome photographs taken by Douglas Cockerell when the pastedowns were lifted in the course of repairs show that the boards had been used in a previous binding. These boards may be Anglo-Saxon (ex inf. Michael Gullick). On the fore-edge of the book is written \"Gregori Pastorale, Alfred R Saxon\" in black ink.<\/p> Rebacked by Douglas Cockerell and Son, Grantchester, May 1967.<\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Condition",
"value": " Fols 1<\/a>, 3-4<\/a>, 149<\/a>, 150-52<\/a> show evidence of damage caused by the four metal bosses that were once attached to the upper and lower covers.<\/p> Fols 5-28<\/a> show evidence of tears and missing portions now repaired with modern paper; fol. 13<\/a> was particularly badly damaged with losses to the upper and right-hand margins resulting in some loss of text.<\/p> There are small holes in some leaves which the scribe has written around, e.g. fol. 130<\/a>.<\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Script",
"value": " Written in English vernacular minuscule<\/i> by a single scribe throughout. The script is round and upright, sharing many of the principal characteristics of the Exeter type. Drage calls it 'the most calligraphically accomplished piece of insular minuscule produced at Exeter. When Latin is used, the letter forms are distinctly different' (Drage (1975), p. 173)<\/p><\/div><\/div>"
},
{
"label": "Physical Location",
"value": "Cambridge University Library"
},
{
"label": "Abstract",
"value": " Alfred the Great's translation of Gregory the Great's De cura pastorali<\/i> was the first work produced as part of a programme of translation of key works from Latin into Old English. Gregory's composed the text in the 590s, shortly after he became Pope, as a handbook for his bishops and other leaders detailing how they should teach and guide their people. It became an enormously influential text, widely disseminated across Christendom. <\/p> In producing his translation in the 890s, Alfred added a prefatory letter and a metrical preface in the voice of the book. In the letter addressed to his bishops, Alfred sets out some of his reasons for translating the text. He laments the decline of learning in England and the scarcity of people who could now understand Latin in contrast to earlier times. He sets out the aims of his translation project, to provide English versions of 'those works which are most necessary for all men to know' and to send copies to all his bishops. The translations formed part of a wider programme of educational reform; the bishops are also instructed to educate young men so that they can read the books. <\/p> Of the six manuscripts of the vernacular Pastoral Care that survive, two date from Alfred's own time. London, British Library, MS Cotton Tiberius B.xi seems to be the exemplar from which copies were made and distributed but was badly burned in the Cotton Library fire of 1731 and survives as five fragmentary charred leaves - and one unburned leaf now in Kassel which was removed before the Cotton fire. Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Hatton 20 is the copy sent to Bishop Wærferth of Worcester. Cambridge University Library, MS Ii.2.4 was copied in the eleventh century, testifying to enduring interest in the text. It is descended from the copy sent to Wulfsige, Bishop of Sherborne, as the opening line of greeting in the prefatory letter indicates.<\/p> The manuscript was acquired by Archbishop Matthew Parker in the 1560s, one of three copies of the text that he owned, the others being Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 12 and Cambridge, Trinity College, MS R.5.22. <\/p> Dr Suzanne Paul Parchment (HHFF<\/i>) (ff. 5-146). Folios 3-4, 150-51 are post-medieval parchment. Folio 149 is a medieval parchment endleaf. Folio 149bis is a modern paper leaf onto which documents have been pasted. Folios 2bis and 151bis are modern parchment leaves.<\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Collation",
"value": " The manuscript consists of 18 quires as follows: Written height: 280 mm, width: 160 mm. Ruled in hardpoint, frame and line, with double bounding lines on both sides of the frame, c. 10mm apart. Single columns, 24 lines to the page, written above top line.Pricking in the outer margins only, mostly trimmed but still visible e.g. on fol. 82r<\/a>.<\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Foliation",
"value": " Modern pencil foliation in the top right-hand corner of each recto 3<\/a>-146<\/a>, 149<\/a>-151<\/a>.<\/p> 16th-century Parkerian pagination 1-287 in red crayon in the top right-hand corner of each recto from fol. 3<\/a>-149<\/a>. This has been struck through in pencil.<\/p><\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Accompanying Material",
"value": "
Keeper of Rare Books and Early Manuscripts
Cambridge University Library<\/p>"
},
{
"label": "Former Owner(s)",
"value": "Parker, Matthew, 1504-1575"
},
{
"label": "Title",
"value": "De cura pastorali, in Old English"
},
{
"label": "Author(s) of the Record",
"value": "Suzanne Paul (2015), CUDL PID Workflow"
},
{
"label": "Material",
"value": "
Coloured initials at the start of each chapter, two or three lines in height, are alternately red, blue and green. They usually have guide-letters, and half of the initial is usually indented to the left."
},
{
"label": "Layout",
"value": "