| Order Number | CCA-DCc/AddMs/392 |
| Title | The Lyghfield Bible |
| Date | late 13th century |
| Description | A pocket Bible probably produced in Northern France, probably Paris.
With prologues of Jerome and Interpretation of Hebrew names, with 66 decorated initials, 72 historiated initials, 10 very large historiated initials and one full-page Genesis initial with seven scenes.
With inscription identifying it as the Bible of Master Thomas Trussel, who is likely to be the man of that name who was appointed Archdeacon of Middlesex in 1331 but did not take up the office. Also faded inscription identifying it as the Bible of 'Dominus' William Lyghfield ('Lighfyld'), a monk of Canterbury Christ Church. Lyghfield was one of the monks who received a pension at the Reformation, becoming a minor canon. A further faded inscription (legible only with UV light) almost certainly reads 'Christ Church Canterbury' in Latin.
The opening words of the second folio (secundo folio) read: '-tur pro occultis filii'.
Purchased at auction at Bloomsbury Book Auctions in July 2018 from the Schoyen Collection with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, the Friends of the National Libraries and a private donation. Described in the auction catalogue as 'The Canterbury Trussel Bible' and identified one leaf as being missing. |
| CustodialHistory | As taken from catalogue.
To July 2018: the Schoyen Collection
Which purchased it from Tenschert, book dealers, Switzerland, date not given
Which purchased it from collection of the Hon C A Lennox-Boyd at Christies sale, 1981
Who purchased it from Sanders of Oxford, date not given
Who purchased it at Sotheby's, 1967
In catalogue for Maggs Bros 1958
In catalogues for Bernard Quaritch 1889 and 1894
Owned by Henry Hunster (1823-1894) who probably it sold to Quaritch
Munster purchased it from collection of John Poynder (1779-1849) at Sotheby's, 1850
Owned by Thomas Rawlinson (1681-1725), from whose collection it was sold in 1734
Owned by William Cockes, clerk, mid/late 16th century
Owned by William Lyghfield, monk of Canterbury Cathedral, first half 16th century
In Canterbury Cathedral Priory book collection (according to probable reading of inscription)
Owned by Master Thomas Trussel, first half 14th century |
| Extent | 1 vol, 590 leaves |
| Physical Description | Illuminated manuscript on fine parchment; early 19th century blue morocco binding. |
| Language | Latin |
| AccessConditions | Please use digital images |
| AccessStatus | Open |