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’’)
Sixteen 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).
This leaf continues the rare inclusion of the Psalter of St. Jerome – an abridgement of the Book of Psalms which could be recited in one day, for the benefit of those who had taken a vow to perform this daily and their circumstances changed making it impossible. St. Jerome reported that he had been told by an angel that this was a perfectly acceptable solution.
The illuminated “N” begins Psalm 26 (King James 27) 12: “Ne tradideris…” (Deliver me not to those that persecute me).
The illuminated “A” begins Psalm 27 (KJ 28) 1-3: “Ad te…” (Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord, my God…).
The illuminated “S” begins Psalm 27 (KJ 28) 9: “Salvum…” (Save, O Lord, Thy people…).
The illuminated “I” begins Psalm 30 (KJ 31) 2-6: “In te…” (In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped…).
The next illuminated “I” begins Psalm 30 (KJ 21) 17-18: “Illustra…” (Let Thy face shine upon Thy servant…).
The illuminated “F” begins Psalm 32 (KJ 33) 22: “Fiat…” (Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us…).
The illuminated “B” begins Psalm 33 (KJ 34) 2-3: “Benedicam…” (I will bless the Lord at all times…).
The illuminated “I” begins Psalm 34 (KJ 35) 1-2: “Iudica…” (Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
