Supra-textuality in The Sekenesse of Wymmen in Glasgow, University Library, MS Hunter 307 (ff. 149v-165v).

Abstract

The codex Glasgow, University Library, MS Hunter 307, which dates from the first half/middle of the fifteenth century, houses several texts: an anonymous Middle English treatise on humours, elements, uroscopy, complexions, etc. (ff. 1r-13r); the Middle English Gilbertus Anglicus (ff. 13r-145v); an anonymous Middle English treatise on buboes (ff. 145v-146v); The Sekenesse of Wymmen (ff. 149v-165v); a Middle English version of Guy de Chauliac’s On Bloodletting (ff. 165v-166v); and a Middle English version of the Circa instans (ff. 167r-172v). The texts comprised within folios 1r and 166v constitute a medical compendium, which has been labelled System of Physic (Young and Aitken 1908: 245-246; Cross 2004: 24-25). This paper takes into consideration the gynaecological and obstetrical treatise known as The Sekenesse of Wymmen, held in folios 149v-165v, which is a translation in the vernacular of Gilbertus Anglicus’s work. The main objective is to analyse supra-textual devices in the treatise, including layout, punctuation, decoration, marginalia and other visual language in order to delimit how the information is organised and knowledge transmitted. This can shed light on the function and usability of the manuscript and can help to place it in its material and cultural context.