Trinity Hall : Life of St Martin of Tours

Severus, Sulpicius (363-425?), Gregory of Tours (c538- 594)

Trinity Hall

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p>This collection of texts relating to St Martin of Tours is the oldest manuscript at Trinity Hall, dating to the second half of the 11th century. The manuscript includes the <i>Vita Sancti Martini</i> (Life of St Martin) by Sulpicius Severus’ (363–c.425), his <i>Dialogii</i> (<a href='' onclick='store.loadPage(57);return false;'>fol. 21-40</a>), which are divided into three books; and three letters (<i>Epistolae</i> I, II, and III), <a href='' onclick='store.loadPage(41);return false;'>fols. 14-18</a>, concerning the miracles and death of Saint Martin.</p><p>These writings by Sulpicius are supplemented by other texts relevant to St Martin (the Martinellus): Gregory of Tours’ <i>Transitu S. Martini</i> (<a href='' onclick='store.loadPage(149);return false;'>fol. 66</a>); and two excerpts on miracles from his <i>De miraculis s. Martini</i> (<a href='' onclick='store.loadPage(152);return false;'>fol. 67v-69r</a>). There is also John the Deacon of Naples’ (fl. 9th century), <i>Vita S. Nicholai</i> (<a href='' onclick='store.loadPage(163);return false;'>fol. 73</a>), which ends imperfectly f. 77b. This manuscript is damaged and has lacunae between chapters 7 and 10, 15 and 23.</p><p>The cult of St Martin gained support in England following William the Conqueror’s invasion (reigned 1066–1087), perhaps because the saint was popular among the Normans. It is likely that this manuscript was produced in England, and James suspected it originated from Christ Church Cathedral Priory in Canterbury.</p></p>