Montreal, Private collections [3], D:03z73

Cantus Siglum

Cantus D:03z73

Holding Institution

Montreal, Private collections [3]

Manuscript/Print

Manuscript

Summary

Breviary leaf, 225 mm x 166 mm, 15th century, possibly originating from Prague. Initials and rubric penned in red. Previously recovered from a binding.

Description

A leaf from a breviary written in a double column format. The leaf was recovered from a binding, where it was used as a wrapper. There is fading and soiling on both sides. On the recto are two paper labels, which would have been visible on the spine of the host volume. One label, possibly dating to the 18th century, bears the host volume title (Runceus: cros. dialect.). The other label, dating to the 19th or early-20th century, bears a location or call number (XXI 66). The verso, which was previously pasted down, contains remnants of paper and glue that partially obscure some of the text. The creases of the host volume spine and turn-ins are clearly defined. Rubrication is penned in red ink.

The leaf was initially listed as a bifolium from a missal by the seller. However, the references to the Office in the rubric, namely second vespers in the second column on the recto and compline in the first column on the verso, indicate that the leaf was part of a breviary. The order of the text also suggests that it was written in a double column format, rather than as a bifolium. This was flagged by Dr. Anna de Bakker. The seller also listed the leaf’s origins to be German. However, the rubric, particularly in the first columns of both the recto and verso, are nearly identical to the rubrics in XV A 10 (fol. 122r-v) and XIV A 19 (fol. 92r-v). Based on the origins of those manuscripts, it is possible that the leaf derives its origin from Prague, or Bohemia more broadly.

The leaf contains text used during Lent. On the recto is text used during the first Sunday in Lent (Dominica I in Quadragesima). The first column begins with the end of an oration (Super populum tuum domine quaesumus) on the upper turn-in, which can be seen on right-side of the verso. It continues with an antiphon to the choir (Vigilate omnes et orate nescitis) and another antiphon (sive) that is largely illegible, but may be Media vita in morte sumus. This column then contains a rubric: Iste ordo processionis teneatur usque dominicam palmarum exceptis responsoriis que assumuntur de hystoriis singularum dominicam. The rubric is followed by the propers of the Mass for the first Sunday in Lent: introit (Invocavit me), oration (Deus qui ecclesiam), epistle (Hortamur vos), gradual (Angelis suis), tract (Qui habitat), and gospel (Ductus est ihesus). The second column begins with the end of an antiphon (Dominum deum tuum adorabis et) on the upper turn-in, which is partially visible on the left-side of the verso. It continues with parts of 2 Corinthians 6, followed by a response (Septies in die laudem dixi) and two versicles (Erravi sicut ovis que perierat and Scapulis suis). The text and chants were intended for use at none. The column then contains an antiphon (Dixit dominus) and additional part of 2 Corinthians 6 for second vespers. In the first column on the verso is text also intended for use on the first Sunday in Lent. It contains an antiphon (Reliquit eum tentator et) for second vespers that is largely concealed by paper remnants that can only partially be lifted. The column then contains a rubric, which is likewise partially concealed by remnants of paper from the binding. The paper can be partly lifted so that the rubric reads: Oratio dici ? sola ad completorium antiphona Miserere mihi domine cum psalmis, hymno ? ut sola super Nunc dimittis antiphona. The rubric is followed by an antiphon (Pacem tuam quaesumus domine et) for compline and another rubric that is partially obscured by bookbinding glue. By cross-referencing what is legible with the two manuscripts that contain similar rubrics (XV A 10 and XIV A 19), it seems to read: Hec antiphona cantatur super Nunc dimittis ferialibus diebus per duas ebdomadas. The second column on the verso contains Matthew 25:31 and part of Commentarii in Matthaeum (25:31-33) by Hieronymus (Jerome), which was intended for use during the Monday after the first Sunday in Lent (Feria II post Dominica I in Quadragesima).

There are several marginal additions in different hands on both sides. Notably, on the bottom of the left-side of the verso, partially obscured by the turn-ins, is what appears to be a Hellenized name ([Georgius?] Backmeysteriades). On the bottom of the right-side of the verso, there are also three lines of Greek, referencing Homer and the Iliad (ΟΜΗΡΟΣ ΙΛΙΑΔΟΣ [Β?] ΡΑΨΩΔΙΑς).

Selected Bibliography

Prague (Bohemia, CZ), Knihovna Národního muzea, XV A 10, fols. 122r-123r. https://www.manuscriptorium.com/hub/catalog/default/detail/single/manuscriptorium%7CAIPDIG-NMP___XV_A_10_____0MGV3O0-cs?lang=cs.

Prague (Bohemia, CZ), Národní knihovna České republiky, XIV A 19, fols. 91v-92v. https://www.manuscriptorium.com/hub/catalog/default/detail/single/manuscriptorium%7CAIPDIG-NKCR__XIV_A_19____1U2A1JF-cs?lang=cs.

Full/Partial Inventory

Full Inventory

Complete Source/Fragment

Fragment

Fragmentarium ID

F-3z73

DACT ID

D:03z73