A Book of Hours Leaf "In thee O Lord have I hoped" c 1450

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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’’) 

Fifteen 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 “I” begins Psalm 70 (King James 71) 1-3, 8-9, 12, 14: “In te…” (In thee, O Lord, I have hoped…).

The illuminated “N” begins Psalm 73 (KJ 74) 19-20: “Ne tradas…” (Deliver not up to beasts the souls that confess to Thee…).

The illuminated “A” begins Psalm 78 (KJ 79) 9: “Adiuva…” (Help us, O God, our savior; and for the glory of Thy name, O Lord, deliver us…).

The illuminated “E” begins Psalm 79 (KJ 80) 3-4: “Excita…” (Stir up Thy might and come to save us…).

The illuminated “C” begins Psalm  84 (KJ 85) 5-6: “Converte…). Convert us, O God our savior…).  

Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat

  • Inventory# IM-12147
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