Book of Hours, Use of Rome 'Hore beate Marie Virginis secundum Ordinarium sacrosancte Romane Ecclesie', written in the 15th cent. on the Lower Rhine or the Netherlands
Preceded by a calendar (fol. 1, with added Franciscan entries), and Capitula (fol. 10v). Followed by:
- (fol 47) 'Septem Psalmi penitenciales cum letania'
- (fol. 58) 'Vigilie Mortuorum'
- (fol. 80) 'Hore sancte Crucis minores'
- (fol. 85) prayers
- (fol. 89) hymns
- (fol. 92) suffrages
- (fol. 104) more added prayers, partly in French.
There are many finely drawn miniatures, borders, etc., see Waagen's Art Treasures (1854), iii. 100, including the Trois Vifs et Trois Morts (fols. 57v, 58r), a tournament (fol. 100v, cf. 80v), and cross-bow shooting (fol. 101): and from them and the calendar the book appears to be written on the Lower Rhine under Flemish influence.
A leaf is lost after fol. 88.
The miniature of the Crucifixion is peculiar in having a personification of the Church seated on a beast with four heads, representing the Evangelists (fol. 100v).
The lady for whom the book was written is represented on fol. 84v, and bore the arms, party per pale, on the dexter side quarterly 1st and 4th or a lion rampant gules, 2nd and 3rd argent a lion rampant of the second, on the sinister side gules ten lozenges argent conjoined, three three three and one (for Lalaine): see also fols. 57v, 58r, 85, 101r, where 'R. Y' is also found, and other arms.
On fol. 84v is added '... James de Biey [?], votre Marie de B' (about A.D. 1500: cf. fol. 83v).
Dates
- Creation: written in the 15th cent. on the Lower Rhine or the Netherlands
Extent
134 Leaves
Language of Materials
- Latin
- French
Conditions Governing Use
Select.
Shelfmark
MS. Douce 93
Other Finding Aids
Falconer Madan, et al., A summary catalogue of western manuscripts in the Bodleian Library at Oxford which have not hitherto been catalogued in the Quarto series (7 vols. in 8 [vol. II in 2 parts], Oxford, 1895-1953; reprinted, with corrections in vols. I and VII, Munich, 1980), vol. IV, no 21667
Our best descriptions for medieval items in this collection are in Medieval Manuscripts in Oxford Libraries under MSS. Douce.
Physical Facet
On parchment, illuminated, binding: red velvet with gold ornament on leather inside, silver clasps (18th cent. ?)
Dimensions
8 1/2 × 6 1/4 in.
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk