Book of Hours (Paris)
Identity Statement
Reference code(s) | : GB 0096 MS 906 |
Held at | : Senate House Library, University of London Click here to find out how to view this collection at http://www.senatehouselibrary.ac.uk/our-collections › |
Full title | : Book of Hours (Paris) |
Date(s) | : Early 15th century |
Level of description | : Collection (fonds) |
Extent | : 85 leaves |
Name of creator(s) | : Unknown |
Detailed catalogue | : Click here to view repository detailed catalogue |
Context
Administrative/Biographical history:
During 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.
Content
Scope and content/abstract:
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.
Access & Use
Language/scripts of material:
Latin, English. Written in textura semi-quadrata.
System of arrangement:
Single item.
Conditions governing access:
Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Access to archive collections may be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details.
Conditions governing reproduction:
Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.
Finding aids:
Collection level description.
Archival Information
Archival history:
The Book of Hours was created in northern France in the early 15th century, but by the later part of the century had made its way to Tawstock in Devon, as shown by the dedication of the church added to the calendar and the addition of Nectan and Urith, who are particularly associated with the West Country.
Immediate source of acquisition:
Purchased by Neil R. Ker from Maggs Bros. in 1979, and given to the Library by his executors in 1984.
Allied Materials
Related material:
Publication note:
Nicholas Orne, 'Two early prayerbooks from North Devon', Devon and Cornwall notes and queries, XXXVI, Part X, Autumn 1991.
Description Notes
Archivist's note:
Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.
Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Date(s) of descriptions:
Feb 2002
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