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; nine 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 “N” begins Psalm 145 (King James 146) 2-10: “Nolite…” (Put not your trust in princes: in children of men, in whom there is no salvation. His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into earth: in that day all their thoughts shall perish. Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is in the Lord his God: who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them. Who keepeth truth forever: who executeth judgment for them that suffer wrong: who giveth good to the hungry…).
The two-line illuminated “D” begins: “Deus…” (O God, whose property is always to have mercy…).
The two-line illuminated “I” begins: “Inclina…” (Incline Thine ear, O Lord, unto our prayers, wherein we humbly pray Thee to show Thy mercy upon the soul of Thy servant…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
