15th century parchment missal, made for Bishop Johann von Venningen (1458-1478). The expenditure records of Bishop Johann von Venningen permit tracing the individual stages of the making of this missal. This manuscript was created at the same time as ms. 2 and ms. 3. In 1462/1463, the final touches were added to the almost completed manuscript, the illumination, the initials, the fleuronné initials, and especially the attachment of the cover. For convenience, the order of the Ordo and the Canon was changed. Originally meant to be at the beginning of the manuscript, they were finally placed in the middle.
Online Since: 04/09/2014
Pontifical of Johann von Venningen, Bischop of Basel (1458-1478), produced at his request (first part). The expenditure records of Bishop Johann von Venningen permit tracing the individual stages of the making of this Pontifical. This manuscript was created at the same time as ms. 1 and ms. 3. In 1462/1463, the final touches were added to the almost completed manuscript, the illumination, the initials, the fleuronné initials, and especially the attachment of the cover.
Online Since: 04/09/2014
Pontifical of Johann von Venningen, Bischop of Basel (1458-1478), produced at his request (second part). The expenditure records of Bishop Johann von Venningen permit tracing the individual stages of the making of this Pontifical. This manuscript was created at the same time as ms. 1 and ms. 2. In 1462/1463, the final touches were added to the almost completed manuscript, the illumination, the initials, the fleuronné initials, and especially the attachment of the cover.
Online Since: 04/09/2014
This manuscript contains a Latin version of Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, translated and glossed by Robert Grosseteste (1175-1253), Bishop of Lincoln. The decoration of monochrome as well as red and blue fleuronné initials at the beginning of the chapters (e.g., 3r) and the colorfully decorated initials at the beginning of the books (e.g., 1r) attest to an origin in Southwestern Germany in the third quarter of the 15th century. The manuscript was originally part of the episcopal library; during the French Revolution it came to the library of the Jesuit College of Porrentruy; in the 20th century it finally became part of the collection of the Library of the Canton of Jura.
Online Since: 09/23/2014
Missal following the liturgical custom of the Diocese of Basel, datable to around 1300. In the 15th century, a part containing the Ordo Missae was added, preceded by a Crucifixion miniature. The binding was restored in 1992 and replaces the unpreserved original binding.
Online Since: 04/09/2014
First part of a Bible (second part in Ms. 6b) containing the books of the Old Testament from Genesis to Iesus Sirach. The manuscript was produced in the same workshop as Ms. 6b and 6c; based on the style of the initials, it was made in Southwestern Germany during the second third of the 15th century. The decoration consists of small red and blue filigreed initials for the prologues and of larger ornamental initials at the beginning of the books. The manuscript is mentioned in the inventory of Prince-Bishop Philipp von Gundelsheim (1487-1553); according to a note on f. 1r, during the 19th century it became the property of the Jesuit College of Porrentruy, after which it became part of the collection of the Library of the Canton of Jura.
Online Since: 09/23/2014
Second part of a Bible (first part in Ms. 6a) which, as also Ms. 6a and 6c, was produced in Southwestern Germany during the second third of the 15th century. The manuscript consists of two parts: the first part contains the remaining books of the Old Testament (Isaia to II Maccabeorum), the second part contains those of the New Testament. The books in the second part (105r-219v) are introduced by historiated or ornamental initials, while the beginnings of the chapters have blue red filigreed initials. The manuscript is mentioned in the inventory of Prince-Bishop Philipp von Gundelsheim (1487-1553); according to a note on f. 1r, during the 19th century it became the property of the Jesuit College of Porrentruy, after which it became part of the collection of the Library of the Canton of Jura.
Online Since: 09/23/2014
This manuscript contains the Additiones ad postillam Nicolai de Lyra by Paulus Burgensis, also called Paulus de Santa Maria, a Spanish Jew who converted to Catholicism and became bishop, chancellor and exegete. The manuscript was produced in the same workshop as codex Ms. 6a and Ms. 6b, probably in Southwestern Germany during the second third of the 15th century. It is mentioned in the inventory of Prince-Bishop Philipp von Gundelsheim (1487-1553). According to a note on f. 1r, it was owned by the Jesuit College of Porrentruy in the 18th century. In the 19th century, it became the property of the Collège de Porrentruy, after which it became part of the collection of the Library of the Canton of Jura.
Online Since: 03/17/2016
Missal following the liturgical custom of the Diocese of Basel, commissioned by Christoph of Utenheim, prince-bishop of Basel between 1502 and 1527; he had his coat of arms, crossed with that of the Diocese of Basel, painted in the lower margin of f. 2r. The Canon of the Mass, decorated with a historicized initial depicting the Mass of St. Gregory, is not original but was added later. The border with flower decoration in the side margin and the presumed miniature of the Crucifixion in the beginning were removed.
Online Since: 04/09/2014
Given the liturgy and the presence of the Office for the Saint, this breviary originated in St. Lebuinus Church in Deventer (Netherlands). It belonged to Swibert de Keyserswerth (died after 1551), paternal grandfather of the Dutch organist and composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621).
Online Since: 04/09/2014
Book of Hours following the custom of the Diocese of Besançon, with the calendar in French. Its decoration is incomplete, which makes it possible to reconstruct the various stages of its production.
Online Since: 04/09/2014
15th century Pontifical. The ceremonies are represented as full page miniatures with ornamental initials, marginal decorations and several lines of text on the model of books of hours; in the text there are many colorful borders and ornamental initials, often with depictions of the liturgical objects mentioned in the text. In addition to the frequently recurring coat of arms of Melchior von Lichtenfels, Archbishop of Basel (1554-1575), there is the coat of arms of Charles de Neufchâtel, Archbishop of Besançon (1463-1498; visible on f. 1r), which gives an indication of the manuscript's date of origin. As many other manuscripts from religious institutions, this manuscript came into the possession of the Jesuit College of Porrentruy during the French Revolution, until in the 20th century it became part of the collection of the Library of the Canton of Jura.
Online Since: 09/23/2014
This manuscript contains the De institutis coenobitorum and the Collationes patrum by John Cassian. It was acquired new by Schönensteinbach Cloister (France), thanks to a donation for this purpose from the nun Magdalena Bechrerin. The manuscript belonged to Franz Joseph Sigismund von Roggenbach, Bishop of Basel from 1782 to 1794. A manuscript with identical content and similar colophon, dated 1408, originated in the Dominican Convent of Nuremberg and is now held in that city's library.
Online Since: 04/09/2014
Paper manuscript dated 1457; it contains a register of canon law with glosses, attributed in the codex itself to Dominicus de S. Geminiano.
Online Since: 04/09/2014
According to the colophon on f. 329v, this Vocabularius brevilogus was copied by the scribe Martinus Hartmann in Hildesheim in 1452. The lemmas are set off by rubricated initials; space was left for larger initials which, with few exceptions, were not realized. In 1505 the then-owner of the manuscript, Johannes Hertlin from Augusta Regia, donated it to the Church of Sts. Alexander and Theodor in Ottobeuren; in the 20th century it has been in the possession of the Library of the Canton of Jura.
Online Since: 09/23/2014
This codex consists of various fragments: the Speculum perfectionis attributed to Leon of Assisi, various legends of St. Polycarp, St. Thecla, St. Maria Romana, St. Radegund, and a part of the legend of St. Elizabeth of Hungary by Dietrich of Apolda, all of which are taken from the the same Dutch manuscript. Before this manuscript reached Porrentruy, it was the property of Canon Nicolas-Antoine Labbey de Billy, vicar general in Langres († 1825).
Online Since: 03/17/2016
A 15th century Psalter following the liturgical custom of the Collegiate Church of Saint-Ursanne; in form and content it is a perfect copy of the Basel manuscript AN VIII 39. Both pastedowns consist of fragments of Vincent of Beauvais' Speculum historiale; on f. 36r there is a 16th century pen drawing of the Virgin Mary. The manuscript remained in the Collegiate Church of Saint-Ursanne until it came into the possession of the Library of the Canton of Jura in the 20th century.
Online Since: 09/23/2014
Gradual dating from the 12th century, used by the Prémontré order at the Abbey of Bellelay.
Online Since: 04/26/2007
This missal is preceded by a calendar of saints (September-December) containing saints from the regions of Lausanne and of Basel, as well as by a dedication to the cathedrals of these two dioceses. Some parts of the text follow the usage of the diocese of Lausanne, others follow that of the diocese of Basel. A note on the inside cover indicates that the missal comes from Saint-Ursanne.
Online Since: 03/17/2016
This manuscript contains the Legenda aurea by Jacobus de Voragine. Lacunas in the manuscript are due to the loss of several sheets which probably contained historiated initials. The presence of the legend of St. Antidius as well as characteristics of the decoration suggest that the manuscript originated in Besançon.
Online Since: 04/09/2014
This 13th/14th century florilegium cites mainly the saints Bernard, Augustine and Gregory as well as biblical books with the Glossa ordinaria, Ambrose, Seneca, Aristotle and many others. The pastedowns consist of 12th century parchment fragments on which several lines from Virgil's Georgica are legible.
Online Since: 09/23/2014
This breviary was meant for use in the diocese of Basel. There are still partially visible traces of coats of arms that were painted on ff. 33r, 41r, 129r and 279r and were later erased; these allow the codex to be attributed to Arnold of Rotberg, Bishop of Basel from 1451 to 1458. His successor, Jean de Venningen (1458-1478) noted on f. 5r the repurchase of the manuscript from Porrentruy Castle on June 29th 1461.
Online Since: 03/17/2016
This manuscript contains a treatise on penitence in German. It is dated April 25th 1453 (f. 72r). The guardleaves consist of fragments from the Prima collectio decretalium Innocentii III by Rainerius of Pomposa.
Online Since: 03/17/2016
This manuscript consists of only 19 leaves containing the lives of several Southern German saints, among them the Vita Erhardi and the Vita Adelberti. Before the manuscript reached Porrentruy, it was the property of Canon Nicolas-Antoine Labbey de Billy, vicar general in Langres († 1825).
Online Since: 03/17/2016
The treatise on the passion Do der minnenclich got contained in this manuscript was written or commissioned in 1428 by Joan of Mörsberg; she was a member of the Gnadenthal Convent of Poor Clares near Basel and from 1430 on a penitent in the Convent of Sankt Maria Magdalena an den Steinen, also near Basel.
Online Since: 03/17/2016
This paper manuscript, heavily damaged by woodworm, contains among other items, the following treatises on grammar: the Ars minor cum commento by Donatus (1r-61r), the Regulae grammaticales cum commento by Nicolaus Kempf (69r-91r) and the second part of the Doctrinale by Alexander of Villedieu, with an additional commentary (95r-220v).
Online Since: 03/17/2016
A 9th century volume containing the Gospels, originally from Saint-Ursanne.
Online Since: 03/24/2006
This catalog of the residents of the college of Belleleay was drawn up in 1791, as indicated by the label on the front cover of the manuscript. Nevertheless, it contains the names of residents who attended this institution from 1772 to 1797, at which point 464 names were registered. On the last five written pages, dated 1835, M. Jean de Montherot (no. 305) provides numerically ordered notes regarding the careers of some them.
Online Since: 12/14/2018
This composite manuscript is dated 1839 (p. V2) and contains texts about the history of the abbeys of Bellelay and Lucelle; it was compiled by Joseph Trouillat when he was librarian at the college of Porrentruy: De Bellegagiensi monasterio (pp. 1-7); Relation de l'invation de l'abbaye de Bellelay par les troupes françaises 15 novembre 1797 par le père Voirol - this name was crossed out and replaced by that of Marcel Helg, former monk at Bellelay (pp. 8-61); Notes diverses sur Bellelay by Father Voirol (pp. 61-102), followed by seal impressions and coats of arms pasted on (p. 105) or painted (pp. 111, 113, 115, 117); Notes sur l'ancienne abbaye de Lucelle, in Latin with notes in French and with painted coats of arms of various abbots (pp. 121-220) as well as affixed seals (p. 192) and a wax seal (p. 208); various French translations of Latin documents, carried out by abbot Grégoire Voirol (pp. 221-236).
Online Since: 06/14/2018
This volume contains the first part of a series of notes by Father Grégoire Voirol (Les Genevez, 1751 – Porrentruy, 1827) – the second part can be found in A2044/2. Among the texts copied between 1770 and 1823, there is a Journal de 1790 à 1792; two Supplementum directorii ecclesiastici ad usum Ecclesiae Bellelagiensis, one for the year 1777 (pp. 363-374), the other for the year 1787 (pp. 375-395); Remarques sur la retraite les 28, 29, 30 et 31 décembre 1770, etc. Inserted into these handwritten notes is a print (pp. 401-440): Ordo officii divini juxta rubricas breviari praemonstratensis annus 1789, published in Charleville in 1787.
Online Since: 12/14/2018
This volume contains the second part of a series of notes by Father Grégoire Voirol (Les Genevez, 1751 – Porrentruy, 1827) – the first part can be found in A2044/1. The notes and the copies of texts primarily refer to the Premonstratensian Bellelay Abbey. Some pages from a printed work, including a part of a calendar, have been inserted into the manuscript (pp. 117-124), and ten loose leaves have been added at the end.
Online Since: 12/14/2018
Bound in parchment, this Premonstratensian ordinary was copied on paper, probably in the 16th century. It begins with a short prologue (Br), followed by a table of contents (Br-Cv). Next is the text of the ordinary, which corresponds to the edition of Pl. F. Lefèvre (L'ordinaire prémontré d'après des manuscrits du XIIe et du XIIIe siècle, Louvain, 1940). Several notes of ownership allow us to reconstruct the work's route. According to a signature dated 1610 (Br), it belonged to the Bellelay canon and prior of la Porte-Du-Ciel, Jean Grosjean de Porrentruy († 1617). In the 19th century it was successively owned by Father Grégoire Voirol - Recuperavit ao 1802, G. Voirol, ? - , by P. Migy - ex-libris P. Migy, parochi Bruntruti, 1809, and then by L. Vautrey, par. Delemont (pastedown).
Online Since: 06/14/2018
Paper volume containing the renewals of vows of the canons and abbots of the Premonstratensian Bellelay Abbey between 1735 and 1797.
Online Since: 12/14/2018
This manuscript contains numerous notes by Abbot Grégoire Voirol (Les Genevez, 1751 - Porrentruy, 1827). The notes differ in content and in language (Latin or French); they were bound together at an unknown date. Among the notes are various obituaries from the Premonstratensian Bellelay Abbey and from Roggenburg Abbey in Bavaria, where Voirol fled after the French invasion of 1789, the catalog from the library of Bellelay, historical souvenirs, letters, etc.
Online Since: 10/04/2018
This work has the title Théologie de Bellelay written on a piece of paper that is glued to the page containing the original Latin title: “Cursus logica compendiarius data collegio Bellagensi S.R.S. Gregorio Voirol professore anno supra millegissimum septingentesimum octogesimo quinto“. It is the notebook of a student, L'Hoste (p. 131), who followed a shortened course in logic by Abbot Grégoire Voirol (1751-1827), probably when the latter taught at the Premonstratensian Bellelay Abbey.
Online Since: 06/14/2018
List of the “titres d'acquisitions, les permutations, obligations, sentences, transactions, jugemens [sic] compromissorials [sic], lettres de fiefs, d'admoniations, etc.” (p. 1), found in the archives of the Abbey of Lucelle, followed by a place index at the end of the manuscript (N32-N36). Ex-libris on the title page: “Par moi Jean Baptiste Etienne, archiviste”.
Online Since: 10/08/2020
This list was drawn up by Jean-Baptiste Etienne (N5-N6), director of the archives, to give the abbey an overview of its assets and its duties. It begins with a summary of the founding of the abbey. Ex-libris on the title page: “J. Baptiste Estienne, profès en l'Abbaye de Lucelle, directeur des archives”.
Online Since: 10/08/2020
This manuscript, also called “Cartulaire de Lucelle no 2”, is the second volume of a collection of documents containing the transcriptions of the titles of goods and temporal privileges of the Abbey of Lucelle. The texts are in Latin and German.
Online Since: 10/08/2020
This manuscript, entitled “Protocol 3”, contains election documents, credentials and other documents by Louis, Abbot of Lucelle: “Protocol 3, anno 1473 super varia instrumenta electioni chartas visitatorias, litteras commendatitias credentiales, coeteraque formularia à Ludovico abbate Lucellensi”. It comprises an index (ff. 159r-162v) and an ex-libris dated 1630 on the flyleaf (V1r).
Online Since: 10/08/2020
This manuscript contains records as well as documents “tirés de l'insigne Chapitre de Moutier-Grandval”, collected mainly by J.P. Voirol. These documents concern the rights and duties of citizens towards their ruler.
Online Since: 10/08/2020
Indictment by the ecclesiastical body of Moutier-Grandval Abbey to the Prince-Bishop of Basel against persons of public life in order to recover goods stolen from the abbey over time: “Mémoire pour l'Eglise Collégiale de Moutier Grandval contre Monsieur le Procureur général de la Chambre des finances de Sa Rev. Illustr. Monseigneur le Prince Evêque de Bâle prince du Saint Empire, servant de réponse à son plaidoyer fait le 19 décembre 1785 pardevant le Conseil aulique dudit Prince Evêque”. The indictment was written by Jean-Germain Fidèle Bajol, canon of the Chapter of Moutier-Grandval (V5).
Online Since: 10/08/2020
Document in two parts. The first part is by François Jacques Joseph Chariatte (1700-1765), provost of Moutier-Grandval Abbey, and tells the history of Moutier-Grandval Abbey from its founding in the 7th century until 1764 (pp. 1-139). The manuscript was completed in 1814 by the canon Jean Germain Fidèle Bajol, Chariatte's nephew (pp. 147-162).
Online Since: 12/10/2020
Contains copies of regulations and agreements signed between the Priory of Moutier-Grandval and various regions of French-speaking Switzerland.
Online Since: 12/10/2020
This manuscript, written in French, tells the story of Moutier-Grandval Abbey: "où sont rapportés les événements les plus remarquables qui sont arrivés dans l'Evêché de Bâle depuis l'origine et fondation du monastère de M.G.V. jusqu'à nos jours". This is followed by a Latin print, "Pièces justificatives" (pp. 103-220). It contains an index (pp. N1-N4), and, at the end of the volume, four pages titled: "Mémoire des liaisons helvétiques du chapitre de Moutier-Grand-Val" (pp. N5-N8). The document was most likely written by Jean Germain Fidèle Bajol, who was largely inspired by the Latin manuscript Historicum insigni ecclesiae collegiatae Monasterii Grandis-Vallis by François Jacques Joseph Chariatte (see A2445).
Online Since: 12/10/2020
A collection of rights, revenues and customs of Moutier-Grandval Abbey, introduced by a table of contents (p. V1-V2), occupies the first part of this manuscript (pp. V1-1_0135). This is followed by an "Extrait des protocoles du chapitre de Moutier Grand Val depuis l'an 1500 jusqu'en l'an 1788" (p. 1_0138).
Online Since: 12/10/2020
This manuscript contains a topographical description of the region of Moutier-Grandval, decrees tracing the political history of Moutier-Grandval Abbey, and isolated articles on the role of the Priory of Saint-Ursanne. The text was written in Latin and translated into French in the second column.
Online Since: 12/10/2020
Alphabetical inventory of all the rules governing life in general at the Chapter of Moutier-Grandval, be it the life of the canons or relations with the villages of the Chapter. They include, for example, the dress code for the canons on certain occasions, the notary's salary, the mills, etc., for the period from 1499 to 1759.
Online Since: 10/08/2020
This document lists the rules that govern the relationship between the Diocese of Basel and the Chapter of Moutier-Grandval, with regard to, for example, watercourses, hunting, forests, tributes, borders, minerals, etc., as well as the characteristics of each local community of the Chapter, for the period between 1462 and 1731.
Online Since: 10/08/2020
This Latin chronicle was written by ninety-six successive hands. Until the abolition of the Jesuit Order in 1773, these annals, present the application of the Jesuits' pedagogical principles in a pragmatic manner and over a long period of time, and also provide interesting information about the people.
Online Since: 06/23/2016
Divided into three parts, this manuscript relates year by year all noteworthy events regarding the monastery. The document contains the religious vows, the deaths of the sisters as well as their obituaries, all of which are significant elements of the religious history of Porrentruy at this time.
Online Since: 06/23/2016
Historical notes collected by Henri Joseph Comman, schoolmaster in Courgenay. The exact title is Recueil de notes historiques sur le Pays de Pourrentruy ou Evêché de Bâle. According to the preface, H.J. Comman collected these notes with the intention of transmitting an objective history of the region and mitigating the lack of documentation on this topic. Until 1782 the history is very detailed.
Online Since: 10/13/2016
Diary with daily notes about life in the Jesuit seminary in Porrentruy between 1727 and 1754.
Online Since: 10/13/2016
Diary with daily notes about life in the Jesuit seminary in Porrentruy between 1754 and 1771.
Online Since: 10/13/2016
Diary with daily notes about life in the Jesuit seminary in Porrentruy between 1657 and 1670.
Online Since: 10/13/2016
Diary with daily notes about life in the Jesuit seminary in Porrentruy between 1671 and 1680.
Online Since: 10/13/2016
This paper manuscript, paginated 108-286, is one of four surviving copies of the writings of Nicolas Godin (Besançon, 1727 – Porrentruy, 1805), surgeon for the last four archbishops of Basel. His 24 medical-surgical “observations” are followed by a last one, which consists of a “description abrégée” (abbreviated description) of the principality of Basel, with a medical topography and meteorological observations (p. 236-283).
Online Since: 10/04/2018
Antoine Biétrix (1817-1904) wrote numerous texts in dialect, especially La lettre de Bonfol. Originally from Fregiécourt, he was interested in the spoken dialect of his region, the Ajoie, and hence the words from his dictionary are used in the district of Porrentruy. It is presented in the form of a dictionary in two columns, with the dialect on the left and the French on the right.
Online Since: 10/13/2016
A two-column dictionary compiled by Ferdinand Raspieler, parish priest of Courroux (? – 1762). A note at the beginning of the dictionary indicates that it was written in order to serve justices and clergy in the Bernese Jura, who were impeded in their work because they did not know the dialect.
Online Since: 10/13/2016
This manuscript contains two grimoires (magic textbooks), the Dragon rouge (pp. 4-100) and the Poule noire (pp. 101-108), which were copied in 1846 from a 1521 original. The Dragon rouge “ou l'art de commander les esprits célestes, aériens, terrestres et infernaux” (p. 2) is a collection of writings in French, Italian and Latin. As for the Poule noire, this is a ritual for conjuring ghosts. Several ungainly drawings embellish the work, depicting, for instance, the devil (p. 33, 55) or cabalistic diagrams (p. 19, 54).
Online Since: 10/04/2018
Book of folk songs from the Ajoie, collected by Antoine Biétrix.
Online Since: 06/23/2016
This autograph by Antoine Biétrix contains anecdotes in patois which he collected and wrote down himself. The short stories give the people of Bonfol a terrible reputation. Even if the stories don't concern the people of Bonfol directly, they are attributed to them, undoubtedly because the name of the village lends itself to such.
Online Since: 06/23/2016
An autograph (?) of François-Joseph Guélat, from Adrien Kohler. This work is a regular encyclopedia of the patois; the main part consists of two large dictionaries French-Patois and Patois-French. In compiling this manuscript, F.-J. Guélat, who was from the Ajoie, draws upon the dialect of his region.
Online Since: 06/23/2016
This manuscript by Jean-Georges Quiquerez is a complement to Ferdinand Raspieler's Dictionnaire patois with several changes. The dictionary contains translations in Latin and German, less frequently towards the end. In 1849 this work was used for the edition of the Paniers by Xavier Kohler and Ferdinand Feusier.
Online Since: 06/23/2016