New 12th century medieval manuscript acquisition: De claustro animae
Hugh of Fouilloy (d. ca. 1173). De claustro animae. France? Ca. 1150.
The Fisher made another interesting acquisition this spring for lovers of medieval manuscripts. Hugh of Fouilloy’s ‘De claustro animae’ is an allegorical treatise that relates monastic architecture to the complexities of Christian spirituality. The Fisher copy was clearly copied very close to the time of its original composition – certainly while its author was still alive. While several different hands contributed to its creation, the result is a masterpiece of medieval calligraphy. Written in brown ink in a beautiful 12th-century Praegothica minuscule script, the text marks an important transitional moment between the earlier Caroline minuscule and the Gothic which would dominate European writing for the next three hundred years. It is bound in a most interesting 16th-century tacketed, limp vellum ledger binding of Italian origin. Although its origins are likely French, it was part of the library of S. Salvador Convent in Venice by the end of the 15th or beginning of the 16th century.
Though the son of a French noble family from the region of Amiens, Hugh renounced wealth and position to join the Benedictines, and became prior in his community at a very young age. Renowned as an author during his own lifetime, he is particularly well-remembered for his allegorical writings including this one and another on birds which was incorporated into several medieval bestiaries.
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