Book of Hours (incomplete)

Two consecutive vellum leaves from a Book of Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of Roman use, containing part of the office of Lauds. Perhaps written in France in the 15th century.

During the late Middle Ages, the Book of Hours developed as a popular devotional text for the laity, who would recite the particular prayer for the hour of the day and time of year according to the ecclesiastical calendar. The accompanying illuminations and miniatures of saints, the Virgin Mary, and Christ provided an opportunity for spiritual reflection and prayer for salvation.

Single item.

Access to the items in the collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the controlled environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Access to archive collections may be restricted under the Freedom of Information Act. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Given by Dr. John Geoffrey de Cusance Mead in 1963.

See R. Watson 'Descriptive list of fragments of medieval manuscripts in the University of London Library' (1976).

7" x 5¼". Lines ruled in red; 2-line initials in gold with red and blue decoration touched with white, from which tracery with red and blue fruit touched in white extends into the left hand margin; initials in gold, with dark blue ornament and in blue with red ornament; gold and blue line fillers; rubricated.

Compiled by Sarah Aitchison as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Copies may be made, subject to the condition of the original. Copying must be undertaken by the Palaeography Room staff, who will need a minimum of 24 hours to process requests.