15th-century book of hours, according to the Use of Paris, written in France.

Item

Identifier: Adv.MS.18.8.12

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The contents are as follows:

(i) Calendar in French in red and black. Entries in red include Saints Eloi (24 June) and Marcel (3 November) (folio 2).

(ii) Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary (folio 14).

(iii) Penitential Psalms and Litany (folio 54).

(iv) Hours of the Cross (folio 72).

(v) Hours of the Holy Ghost (folio 76).

(vi) Office of the Dead (folio 79 verso).

(vii) The Sept Requestes and a hymn to the Cross in French (folio 102).

(viii) Sequences of the Gospels. The text is incomplete, including Saints John, Matthew and Mark only (folio 105).

Folios 104 and 111 are misplaced and should follow folio 30. A number of folios are missing.

Written in littera gothica textualis. Ruled in red ink. Folios 1 and 53 verso blank. Four large miniatures survive, all rather rubbed: David in prayer (folio 54), the Crucifixion (folio 72 verso), Pentecost (folio 76), and Death striking a man with his spear (folio 79 verso). Initials and line-endings are in gold, blue and red throughout, and there are full and partial borders of ivy-leaves, flowers and foliage.

Dates

Creation: 15th century.

Language of Materials

Mainly in Latin, but some parts are in French.

Extent

1 Volumes (vi + 111 folios.)

Additional Description

Arrangement

Collation: 1² (-1 blank), 2¹², 3⁸, 4[?]⁸ (-2 to 7), 5[?]⁸ (-3 to 6), 6⁸ (-4, 5), 7-8⁸, 9⁴, 10-15⁸, 16[?]⁴ (-1, 4), 17⁸ (-1, 8 replaced by 6⁴⁻⁵). 14 lines.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Vellum. 18th-century binding of brown calf, gilt stamped.

Custodial History

The name David is written on folio 95 in an 18th-century hand. Sir James Balfour`s symbol appears on folio 111 verso, and the title. ‘Manuale S. Davidis primi Scottorum Regis` is written on folio 1 in his hand. The manuscript was bought by the Advocates’ Library in 1698.