----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, November 20, 2004 3:58
PM
Subject: VMs: VMS Critical Discovery -
Author Identified?
Hello all,
It has been my habit, over the last four years, in the odd hour here and
there, to scour the internet for a possible VMS precedent. A few years
back this led to the 'discovery' of an Italian manuscript (I forget its name),
which showed some vague similarities to the VMS and caused a little excited
chatter. Most of the leads have been disappointing, a few intriguing,
but on the whole the exercise has been fruitless.
Until today (20th November 2004)...
On a routine check of the Bodleian, Oxford, I came across MS 66
(Commonplace book of Humphrey Newton, 1466-1536, of Pownall, Cheshire, in
Latin and English). My blood literally ran cold when I examined the
scans.
You can view pages of this remarkable MS at-
I cannot help but get excited about this one. It's hard not to draw
any conclusions, and await your opinions on the matter with eagerness.
Things to note:
Folio 8v:
(1) Writing at top-centre of page, resembling VMS
f17r.
(2) Fan-like structure resembling that of some drawings in
VMS.
(3) Key to what appears to be some sort of cipher. Several
VMS-like characters in this key, including virtually the entire character set
of the "Michiton" text of f116v.
Folio 94v:
(1) Writing at top-centre of page.
(2) Use of concentric
circles (parts of) with characters written around circumference.
(3)
Embellished characters or doodles.
Folio 95r:
(1) Another alphabet or cipher (to right of hand).
(2)
Doodles of women's faces in a style very similar to VMS nymphs, some with
headgear resembling that seen in VMS.
Folio 95v:
(1) Birds, very similar to those seen in VMS f86v.
(2)
Faces and headgear, as per Folio 95r. Some of the figures are strikingly
similar to the VMS.
(3) A dragon, middle-right of page very similar to one
on VMS f25v.
(4) Truncated roots of plant, like many in VMS herbal
drawings.
(5) The word 'ospray' on the bird at the top of the page is in a
hand strongly resembling that of the VMS month names.
(6) Evidence of more
alphabet/cipher play at bottom of page.
Folio 106v:
(1) Embellished 'gallows' characters on first line, very
VMS-like.
(2) Truncated roots of plant.
There are many other similarities. I should point out that the
above observations do not come from 'just a few folios I found similarities
on' - the above represents the majority of the scans on the Bodleian
site. I've tried reading some of the English text (a stiff drink helps)
- it's not hard to imagine Humphrey scribing something like the VMS, or
misspelling most of the month names!)
Anyway, I am too excited to be impartial. With luck, you all will
be too!
Rob Hicks
Win a castle for NYE with your mates and
Yahoo! Messenger