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’’)
Two illuminated two-line initials in burnished gold on red and blue ground with delicate white penwork; fourteen illuminated one-line initials alternating in deep blue with delicate red penwork and burnished gold with delicate violet penwork.
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 one-line illuminated “A” begins Psalm 118 (King James 119) 31-32: “Adhesit…” (I have stuck to thy testimonies, O Lord: put me not to shame. I have run the way of thy commandments, when thou didst enlarge my heart).
The two-line illuminated “L” continues verses 33-40: “Legem…” (Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord: and I will always seek after it. Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart. Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired…).
The two-line illuminated “E” continues verses 41-46: “Et veniet…” (Let thy mercy also come upon me, O Lord: thy salvation according to thy word. So shall I answer them that reproach me in anything; that I have trusted in thy words…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
