Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 18 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink & red rubrics in fine gothic script on animal vellum. (158 x 112mm – 6 ¼ x 4 3/8’’)
Four illuminated two-line initials in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork; several initials heightened with red.
Flanders (Use of Sarum), c. 1450 – produced to follow the English rites, for the English market. The Litany of the Saints from this book listed several Saints associated with Britain, including George (patron of Britain), Swithin (Bishop of Westminster), Eusebius (martyred Irish Benedictine), Burinus (Apostle of Wessex), and Julian (early English Martyr).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins the prayer: “Deus qui…” (God who by thy Holy Cross…).
The next two-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus qui miro…” (O God, who in a marvelous order hast established the ministries of angels and of men, mercifully grant that as Thy holy Angels ever do Thee service in heaven, so at all times they may succor us here upon earth).
The two-line illuminated “P” begins a prayer to Saint John the Baptist.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
