Name and date Junius manuscript

an illustration of ship cædmon manuscript.

the name of codex popularly called junius manuscript formerly called cædmon manuscript , after theory poems contains might work of cædmon; name has stuck though theory no longer considered credible. in more recent works commonly referred either bodleian designation ms junius 11 , junius manuscript , or codex junius ; junius here franciscus junius, published first edition of contents in 1655.

it has been established on palaeographical grounds compilation of manuscript began c. ad 1000. recent work has suggested earlier, narrow window compilation date 930-960, based on coincidence of style of illustrations.

the compilation in 2 stages: initial version of manuscript contained genesis, exodus, , daniel, , work of single scribe. later final poem, christ , satan, added several other scribes. manuscript contains numerous illustrations fine demonstration of anglo-saxon drawing on religious topics; appears 2 illustrators worked independently on manuscript. first scribe left spaces in text other illustrations never completed.