Missal fragment (12th century)

This material is held atSenate House Library Archives, University of London

  • Reference
    • GB 96 MS 838
  • Dates of Creation
    • 12th century
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • Latin
  • Physical Description
    • 2 items

Scope and Content

Two fragments cut from the head of two bifolia from a noted Missal, foliated 51 and 54, 56 and [-] in a 13th century hand, and containing part of the temporale from the introit for the 3rd feria of the 3rd week after Quadragesima to the 4th feria. The manuscript was written in the Low Countries or North-east France in the late 12th century.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Missal is a liturgical book which contains the prayers said by the priest at the altar as well as all that is officially read or sung in connection with the offering of the holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the ecclesiastical year.

Access Information

Access to this collection is unrestricted for the purpose of private study and personal research within the supervised environment and restrictions of the Library's Palaeography Room. Uncatalogued material may not be seen. Please contact the University Archivist for details.

Other Finding Aids

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

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

The two fragments measure 65 x 205 mm and 65 x 110 mm.
Musical notation on staves of 4 ruled lines; F and C clefs; F line ruled in red.
Hard point ruling, with writing above top line; pricking in inner margin; 2 columns, with 5 lines surviving; part of a 2-line initial P in red; red capitals.
The covers of the binding are decorated with a stamp very similar to that used by Joseph and Roger Barnes, bookbinders in Oxford in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

Archivist's Note

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

Conditions Governing Use

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.

Custodial History

Said to have been removed from a 16th-17th century binding of George Buchanan, Rerum Scoticarum Historia (Edinburgh 1582), now in the University of London Library, on the occasion of its rebinding in 1949. Inscribed on the last leaf in a neat 17th century secretary hand is 'Francis Bacon his booke'.

Related Material

The binding of this volume also included a fragment of paper containing four staves of 16th century musical notation, which is described as MS 839.