MS 53: Missal (Carthusian), second half of the 14th century
Contents
The manuscript is an Italian Missal from the second half of the 14th century. A missal is a liturgical book containing all instructions and texts necessary for the celebration of Mass throughout the year. This specific manuscript is according to Carthusian Use.
The Kalendar is from f.i to f.vi. It is missing January to April.
The Proprium de Tempore starts on f.1r. The Proprium de Tempore comprises the prayers etc. appointed for the days of the year having special Masses or Offices. In this manuscript, it is missing one folio at the beginning and one at the end.
The Ordinarium et Canon Misse starts on f.173r. The Ordinary of the mass employs texts that remain the same for every mass, while the Canon of the Mass is the name given to the part of the Mass of the Roman Rite that begins after the Sanctus with the words Te igitur. In this manuscript, the first folio of this section and a folio at the beginning of the Canon (after f.183) are missing. Also, this manuscript features musical notation in this section.
The Proprium Sanctorum starts on f.187r. This section is devoted to the Offices of the Saints.
The In Dedicatione Ecclesie starts on f.232r.
The Commune Sanctorum starts on f.234r. The Common of Saints is a part of the Christian liturgy that consists of texts common to an entire category of saints, such as apostles or martyrs.
The Missae Votive starts on f.241r. This section is incomplete at the end.
The Missa Sancte Anne matris beate Virginis (the Mass of Saint Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin) is on f.255r. This section is to be inserted in its place in the Sanctorale.
The Missa de Sancto Gorgonio Martyre (Mass of Saint Gorgonius, Martyr) is on f.255v.
The Missa contra infideles (Mass against the unbelievers) is on f.255v.
The Benedictiones (Blessings), Roman Use start on f.256r. This section was added in the 17th century by a Ferrarese (a citizen of Ferrara, Italy) entering religion. It includes De Benedictione Mapparum (incomplete); De Benedictione Corporalium; and De Benedictione Novae Crucis.
The Benedictio panis, ovorum, herbarum et fructuum (Blessing of bread, eggs, herbs, and fruits) starts on f.257v. This section is in the original hand.
Written in a fine bold Italian Gothic script, well spaced, and with good wide margins. The illumination consists entirely of red and blue filigree initials of varying sizes, those marking the special feasts being most elaborately ornamented.
Dates
- Creation: second half of the 14th century
Language of Materials
Latin
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to all. The manuscripts can be consulted in the Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh University Main Library.
Extent
1 bound MS volume
Custodial History
The hand is Gothic, of North Italy. The Missal is according to Carthusian Use, and both Litany and Kalendar are Carthusian. The Litany contains no names of local significance, and the Kalendar is very incomplete. Collation with a printed Carthusian Missal of 1771 (Missale Sacri Ordinis Cartusiensis, Gratianopoli, 1771) reveals few significant variations except in the Sanctorale. Rubrics in the manuscript are fewer and simpler throughout, indicating a much greater simplicity in ceremonial, but in all essentials variations are slight and insignificant.
There is a partially erased inscription on the inner cover, probably of the 15th century, which seems to read, Iste liber est domus sanctorum et Gorgonii [?] et Joannis Evangeliste ... Pisani dyoc ... and, on the end board, the word Pisa can be distinguished, written by the same hand.
This coincides with the addition by the original scribe on f. 241, in the opening Votive Mass, of the words ac beati Johannis Evangeliste et beati Gorgonii Martyris. Any House of this name, either at Pisa or elsewhere, has not yet been identified.
The Benedictions added on f. 256 may indicate that the book was in Ferrara in the 17th century. Further marks of ownership consist of pencil jottings on the inner cover in a modern hand: MS. Misc. No. 8. Missale secundum ordinem Cartusienscm. Fine bold MS. 15th century. Wanting first two leaves of Kalendar, and other leaves probably cut out for the ornaments thereon.
Previous reference
Laing 19
Physical Facet
Material: Vellum
Binding: Oak boards covered brown pigskin, lettered ‘Missale Carthusiense’.
Collation: I6 (2 f. blank), a9 (wants 1), b10-r10, s3 (wants 3, 5, 6, 7, 8), t10, v9 (wants 2), x10-C10, D6 (wants 3 and 6), E1=264.
Dimensions
33.97 cm x 24.45 cm
General
Secundo folio: text Dominus prope
Foliation and number of lines to a page: ff. 264 (258+6), double columns, 26 lines to a page.
Source
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
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Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
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