The manuscript is an Ordinal from 1527, when it was written in and for the Benedictine monastery of Ottenburg in Swabia (Germany). Ordinals get their names from the ordo (ritual and rubrics) for celebrations and provide a general guide to the liturgy for a particular church.

The Kalendar starts on f.2r. This is Benedictine, of Augsburg Diocese, and written for the monastery itself.

Prominent saints commemorated in the Kalendar are as follows. 17 January: Anthony, Abbott and Confessor (in red); 5 February: Agatha, Virgin and Martyr (in red); 10 February: Scholastica (Scolastice sororis sancti patris benedicti); 21 March: Benedictus, Abbott and Confessor; 28 March: Octave, Saint Benedictus, Abbott and Confessor; 22 May: Romani, Abbott and Confessor; 15 June: Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia, Martyrs (in red); 4 July: Ulrich of Augsburg, Bishop and Confessor (in red); 10 July: Saint Felicitas and the Seven Brothers [of Augsburg?] (in red); 17 July: Octave, Septem Fratrum (Seven Brothers); 7 August: Afre [of Augsburg?], Martyr (in red); 12 August: Hylarie [of Augsburg?] and companion (in red); 15 August: Transitus of Rupert; 6 September: Magnus of Augsburg, Abbott and Confessor (in red); 28 September: Dedicatio Uttenburgensis (the Dedication of Ottenburg) (in red); 5 October: Placidus and companion; 16 October: Galli of Augsburg, Abbott and Confessor (in red); 28 October: Narcissus, Bishop and Martyr (in red); 3 November: Pirminii, Bishop of Augsburg; 9 November: Theodore, Martyr and patron (in red); 16 November: Octave, Saint Theodore; Othmari, Abbott of Augsburg; 20 November: Commemoratio omnium benefactorum (in red); 27 November: Translation of Saint Alexander, patron.

The Proprium de Tempore starts on f.10r. The Proprium de Tempore contains liturgical texts for days that have special Masses or Offices (e.g. prayers, lessons). In this manuscript, it begins with ‘Individue sancteque trinitatis nomine incipit ordo breviarii per anni circulum secundum consuetudinem monasterii Sanctorum Martirum Alexandri et Theodori in Ottenbiirem ad libros nostri chori concorditer collecti.’

The Tabulae pro libris historiis starts on f.51r. This section ends on f.69v: ‘Explicit per me fratrem Jo[hn] Väschler p[riorem] in divisione apostolorum [15 July] Anno 1527.’ This explicit states that the manuscript was produced by John Väschler, the prior of the monastery in Ottenburg, in 1527.

The Proprium Sanctorum starts on f.73r. This section contains the Offices of the Saints. In this manuscript, it begins ‘Incipit proprium sanctorum secundum modum et libros monasterii sanctorum martirum Alexandri et Theodori in Ottenbüren: concorditer correctum secundum Mellicensium, etc. Item nota quod quidquid deest de aliquo proprio sanctorum illud supplendum est de communi. Et si propria responsoria desunt, incipitur a secundo responsorio in communi nisi aliud assignetur in rubrica specialiter.’ It ends on f.136v: ‘Explicit agenda per anni circulum de sanctis secundum rubricam breviarii monasterii sanctorum allexandri et theodori et monasterii melicens[is] A.D. 1526 feria quarta ante albani martyris.’ This incipit and explicit state when and where the manuscript was produced and explain some of its rubrics.

The next section, concerning the Virgin Mary starts on f.136v. It begins ‘ Sequitur modus dicendi cursum beate et gloriose virginis marie, institutus in concilio claromontensi sub urbano papa secundo audita captivitate Jerusalem secundum autem consuetudinem monasterii Melicens[is] dicitur cursus indirectum, etc.’

The De officio seu agenda defunctorum (the Office of the Deceased) starts on f.138r.

The Tabula festorum, etc. starts on f.139v. This section includes ‘Festa quae per totam dyocesim Augustanam generaliter celebrantur' (festivals celebrated by the diocese of Augsburg) and also ‘Ceremonie secundum modum et formam monasterii Sanctorum Alexandri et Theodori in Ottenbiiren’ (the manner and form of the ceremonies of the monastery of Saints Alexander and Theodore, in which the manuscript was made). It ends on f.156: ‘Et sic est completum.’

The Declaration by Abbot Leonard, Prior Nicolas, and all the members of the House of Ottenburg as to the order to be observed in the commemoration of the souls of brothers and sisters of the Order, with collects for benefactors, etc. starts on f.156v. It is dated January 1512. It ends on f.158v: ‘Explicit per me fratrem Jo[hn] Väschler priorem tunc temporis in octava die sanctorum apostolorum petri et pauli inter 2am et tertiam post meridiem A.D. 1527’.