| Order Number | CCA-DCc/LitMs/E/17 |
| Title | 'Monastic quire psalter'/'Preces' |
| Date | 14th century x 15th century |
| Description | Psalter and prayers. Liber precum cuiusdam monachi Cantuariensis.
The Psalter was written in England, most likely for use at Christ Church, Canterbury. The main text was composed in the fourteenth century and features later fifteenth century additions. The text of the Psalms is accompanied by the liturgy for the feast of the Assumption, a litany of the saints and other prayers. The name of Thomas appears to have been crossed out in the litany from the list of male martyrs (f. 54r).
Decoration: Three initials of the Psalter are decorated with gold: ‘B’[eatus] at the opening of Psalm 1 accompanied by full page border of blue and gold (f. 8r); ‘D’[omine] at the opening of Psalm 6 (f. 40r), the beginning of the Penitential Psalms; and ‘B’[eati] at the opening of Psalm 118 (f. 66r), the beginning of the Gradual Psalms. The capitals throughout are in red and blue.
The small size of the book (approx. 70 mm x 48 mm) and the choice of decorated openings suggest the book was made for private devotion by a Christ Church monk during the Divine Office and special designated feast days. A possible ownership note appears at the foot of the first page: 'Iste liber constat (---) obliterated, monacho ecclie Xi Cant'. |
| Extent | 1 vol |
| Physical Description | Vellum leaves. 2 3/4 in. by 1 7/8 in. |
| Language | Latin |
| AccessConditions | Please use digitised copy |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| Open |
| Copies | Digitised |
| Publication Note | N. R. Ker, Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries, vol. II, p288 |