Book of Hours (Paris)
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TitleBook of Hours (Paris)
Reference codeMS906
DateEarly 15th century
Scope and ContentDuring the late Middle Ages, the Book of Hours developed as a popular devotional text for the laity, who would recite the particular prayer for the hour of the day and time of year according to the ecclesiastical calendar. The accompanying illuminations and miniatures of saints, the Virgin Mary, and Christ provided an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayer for salvation.
Book of Hours written in the early 15th century in northern France, possibly Paris, and including a Calendar with additions in a late 15th century hand of Saints Nectan, Urith and a translation of Richard of Chichester, as well as 'dedicacio ecclesie de Towstock' (ff.1-6v); fifteen Hours, beginning abruptly 'memoriam harum ante crucem tuam passionem' (ff.7-9v, 15r-v, 10r-v); Commemoracio Georgi martyris (ff.11-11v); Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Use of Sarum), with the beginning of each Hour lost (ff.12-40v); Penitential psalms, beginning abruptly in Psalm 31, v. 5 'meam a domino et tu remisisti impietatem peccati mei' (ff.41-46v); the fifteen Gradual Psalms (ff.46v-48v); Litany, ending abruptly (f.48v); prayers, beginning abruptly 'pretende super famulos tuos et super cunctas congregaciones' (ff.49-49v); the Office of the Dead, beginning abruptly in Vespers, Psalm 137 v. 2 'misericordia tua et ueritate' (ff.51-69v); commendatio animae, beginning abruptly in Psalm 118, v. 20 '...re justificaciones tuas in omni tempore' (ff.70-80v); and psalms of the Passion, beginning abruptly in Psalm 21, v. 17 '...as et pedes meos' (ff.81-84v). There are also medical recipes (ff.50, 50v, 84) and prayers (ff.37v, 84v) all in English added by several hands of the late 15th and 16th century.
Book of Hours written in the early 15th century in northern France, possibly Paris, and including a Calendar with additions in a late 15th century hand of Saints Nectan, Urith and a translation of Richard of Chichester, as well as 'dedicacio ecclesie de Towstock' (ff.1-6v); fifteen Hours, beginning abruptly 'memoriam harum ante crucem tuam passionem' (ff.7-9v, 15r-v, 10r-v); Commemoracio Georgi martyris (ff.11-11v); Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Use of Sarum), with the beginning of each Hour lost (ff.12-40v); Penitential psalms, beginning abruptly in Psalm 31, v. 5 'meam a domino et tu remisisti impietatem peccati mei' (ff.41-46v); the fifteen Gradual Psalms (ff.46v-48v); Litany, ending abruptly (f.48v); prayers, beginning abruptly 'pretende super famulos tuos et super cunctas congregaciones' (ff.49-49v); the Office of the Dead, beginning abruptly in Vespers, Psalm 137 v. 2 'misericordia tua et ueritate' (ff.51-69v); commendatio animae, beginning abruptly in Psalm 118, v. 20 '...re justificaciones tuas in omni tempore' (ff.70-80v); and psalms of the Passion, beginning abruptly in Psalm 21, v. 17 '...as et pedes meos' (ff.81-84v). There are also medical recipes (ff.50, 50v, 84) and prayers (ff.37v, 84v) all in English added by several hands of the late 15th and 16th century.
Conditions governing accessOPen for research. At least 24 hours notice is required for research visits.
Extent85 leaves
Physical descriptionParchment. Foliated 1-9, 15, 10-59, thereafter only intermittently.
180 x 130 mm. Written space 105-9 x 70-75 mm; 20 long lines.
5-line blue initial on gold and pink field, within initial plant spray, full page border with bright green and blue branches terminating in blue and orange leaves, sometimes green and pink, and sprays of ink-drawn stems ending in little gold buds (f.29). Full-page borders, initials cut out (ff.17, 33). 5-line gold initial on blue and pink ground decorated with white filigree, with sprays extending into margin terminating in blue or pink and white three-petalled flowers (f.11). 2-line gold initials on a field of blue and pink which colours alternate inside and outside the letter, both decorated with white filigree. 1-line initials alternately in blue or gold with flourishing respectively in red or blue. Rubrics. Disbound.
180 x 130 mm. Written space 105-9 x 70-75 mm; 20 long lines.
5-line blue initial on gold and pink field, within initial plant spray, full page border with bright green and blue branches terminating in blue and orange leaves, sometimes green and pink, and sprays of ink-drawn stems ending in little gold buds (f.29). Full-page borders, initials cut out (ff.17, 33). 5-line gold initial on blue and pink ground decorated with white filigree, with sprays extending into margin terminating in blue or pink and white three-petalled flowers (f.11). 2-line gold initials on a field of blue and pink which colours alternate inside and outside the letter, both decorated with white filigree. 1-line initials alternately in blue or gold with flourishing respectively in red or blue. Rubrics. Disbound.
System of ArrangementSingle item.
Finding aidsCollection level description.
Level of descriptionfonds