Medieval Book of Hours Leaf

Original leaf from a medieval, manuscript Book of Hours. 14 lines of ruled text, written in Latin on animal vellum. In fine gothic, textura script. Eight illuminated one-line initials alternating in blue and gold with red/blue tracery – some extending into the margin.This leaf is for the Hour of Lauds. The illuminated E” begins Psalm 64 (KJ 65):3-10: “Exaudi orationem?” ( O hear my prayer?Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken to thee: he shall dwell in thy courts. We shall be filled with the good things of thy house; holy is thy temple, wonderful in justice?)English manuscript Books of Hours are very uncommon. In 1533 Henry VIII decreed that books relating to the practices of the Church of Rome should be destroyed. Most of the remaining examples were held secretly in private hands.

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