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 “E” begins Psalm 34 (King James 35) 23-24: “Exurge…” (Rise up and be attentive to my judgment…).
The illuminated “P” begins Psalm 35 (KJ 36) 11-12: “Pretende…” (Extend Thy mercy to them that know Thee…).
The illuminated “E” begins Psalm 38 (KJ 39) 13-14: “Exaudi…” (Hear O Lord my prayer…).
The illuminated “T” begins Psalm 39 (KJ 40) 12-14: “Tu autem…” (O Lord, withhold not Thy tender mercies from me…).
The illuminated “E” begins Psalm 69 (KJ 70) 6: “Ego…” (I am needy and poor; O God, help me…).
The next illuminated “E” begins Psalm 40 (KJ 41) 5: Ego dixi…” (I said: O Lord, have mercy on me…).
The next illuminated “E” begins Psalm 43 (KJ 44) 23: “Exsurge…” (Arise, why sleepest Thou…).
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
