The first text that appears in this volume, entitled 'Compendium of theological truth', was originally written in the middle of the thirteenth century by the Dominican friar Hugh Ripelin of Strasbourg (c.1205-c.1268), although it was erroneously attributed to Saint Albert Magnus for centuries. It was a popular manual that was often used as a schoolbook, comprising seven sections that explain and discuss the nature of God, creation, sins (including the expulsion from Eden), the humanity of Christ, the effects of grace and Christian virtues, the sacraments, and the end of the world. This copy also includes a list of chapter titles before the work, and a list of its main themes after it, which are presented in alphabetical order alongside chapter references.

Follows a second work, entitled 'On the sections about temporal and spiritual matters', which provides brief explanations on relevant themes in the Compendium that are suitable for sermons. It was written by a near-contemporary of Hugh: the Cistercian monk Bernoldus of Cesarea (active in the early fourteenth century).

This copy was produced by Richard Pafraet, a printer based in Deventer (Netherlands) between 1477 and 1512. Deventer was a well-known centre for education and an important city in the Hanseatic League – a chain of cities that were part of a defence system that ran through the coats on the North and Baltic seas – meaning it was a notable trade hub. As the school in Deventer held a high reputation, there would have been a promising market for schoolbooks.

Bibliographic description
Chancery paper folio. [190] leaves, first and last are blank. Printed signatures: a-r⁸ s¹⁰ t-v⁶, 2a-2d⁸; leaf g2 appears before g1 erroneously, so g7 and g8 are also swapped. Double columns of 39 lines; paragraph signs; rubrics underlined in red ink (inconsistent). Simple red ms. initials; red strokes added to the minims of capitals.

Binding description
Alumn tawed pig skin. Covers decorated with blind fillet to form a border; blind fillets on turn-ins; sewn on five cords. Spine with two false raised bands and gilt titling. Bound by Mr New of Eton.