Ritual (Carthusian use, portable), Antiphons and responsories from Office and ritual of the dead, with square notation on four-line staves. — 15th century, second half; French, North

Title

Ritual (Carthusian use, portable), Antiphons and responsories from Office and ritual of the dead, with square notation on four-line staves. — 15th century, second half; French, North

Shelfmark

MS. Lat. liturg. f. 28

Place of origin

French, North

Date

15th century, second half

Language

Latin

Middle French (ca. 1400-1600)

Contents

Form

codex

Support

parchment

Physical extent

iv (original parchment) + 119 + ii (original parchment) leaves.

Decoration

One four-line initial D[ilexi] in reddish and blue with white decoration, infilled with red, green, and blue foliate scrolls, on a gold ground (fol. 22r). Three-line intials in gold, on a blue and rose ground with white tracery to major divisions (fols. 13r, 74r, 81v, and an offset of a three- or four-line initial on fol. iv verso); similar two-line initials to psalms. lessons, etc.

One-line initials alternately in plain red or blue, to verses and other minor divisions.

Very simple line-fillers, alternately plain red or blue, in the litanies.

Musical notation

Music (see van Dijk 1957).

Binding

Sewn on four cords, and bound in polished dark brown leather over oak boards; the covers stamped with patterns of numerous lozenge-shaped fleurs-de-lis stamps, and rectangular stamps, and fillets; with two nails and two textile straps at the fore-edge of the upper board, two corresponding holes in the lower cover and board: the remains of strap-and-pin clasps; rebacked.

Acquisition

Given by F. E. Norris, 1952.

Provenance

Written for the Nuns of Mont-de-Sainte-Marie, Gosnay, Pas-de-Calais. ‘Chest a chartruses de lez Gosnay’ (fol.ii) and cf. feminine forms in litany and some prayers (fols. 82–85v, 89v, 91); St. Bruno [canonised 1516] is added in the litany (fol.15v).