This well-used Book of Hours of circa 1400, previously catalogued as being of the Use of Châlons in the Champagne region, is more likely identifiable as being produced in the diocese of Mons, as its litany includes saints Ghislain (fol. 94v), and Waltrudis, (fol. 95v). The book was owned in the 17th century by the Jesuit College at Louvain, bolstering the Wallonian provenance. The book lacks a calendar but appears to be otherwise intact. There are French prayers added in another hand on folios 144r-160v.
Support: Parchment; Extent: i+166+i; 135 x 92 mm bound to 150 x 108 mm; Foliation: Modern foliation in pencil, upper right recto; Collation: 1-12 (8), 13 (8, -8), 14-19 (8), 20 (9, +9), 21 (6)
One column of thirteen lines; frame-ruled in faint brown ink (text often crosses over right-hand margin); some prickings are visible on outer edges of pages (the fore-edge); written area: 80 x 55 mm
Gothic--textualis
Four four-line illuminated initials with floral spray extensions; one five-line red and blue initial; seven four-line red and blue initials; alternating red and blue one- or two-line initials throughout
For a full list of Decorations in this manuscript please see the Content and Decorations section by clicking on the [i] button in the top left corner of the image viewer above.
On the lower margin of fol. 1r is the seventeenth-century ownership inscription of the Jesuit College at Louvain, "Collegii Soctis Jesu Lov. M.B."; written in pencil on fol. 166r: "6/11/1908"; printed catalog entry pasted onto fol. 166r; parchment is stiff and discolored
Prayers on fols. 144r-160v are in French
Châlons, France
Use of Châlons, as currently listed for this book, is likely erronenous: the particular combination of Aniphons and Chapters in the Hours of the Virgin is equally valid for Mons, Belgium, and the litany includes two saints, Ghislain (fol. 94v), and Waltrudis, (fol. 95v), closely associated with this diocese; circa 1400
Contemporary stamped calf over wooden boards; remains of clasp visible on top cover; rebacked; stamped in gold on spine: "LATIN BREVIARY MS. XV. CENTURY"
Latin; Middle French (ca. 1400-1600)
Jesuit College at Louvain (17th century); Collection of Harrison Wright, of Wilkes-Barre (sold Philadelphia, 11 June 1908, no. 240, as "Breviary"; written in pencil on fol. 166r: "6/11/1908," printed catalog entry pasted onto fol. 166r.); John Frederick Lewis, Philadelphia; given by his widow, Anne Baker Lewis, to the Free Library of Philadelphia in 1936"
Châlons, France
Use of Châlons, as currently listed for this book, is likely erronenous: the particular combination of Aniphons and Chapters in the Hours of the Virgin is equally valid for Mons, Belgium, and the litany includes two saints, Ghislain (fol. 94v), and Waltrudis, (fol. 95v), closely associated with this diocese; circa 1400
Latin; Middle French (ca. 1400-1600)
Jesuit College at Louvain
This well-used Book of Hours of circa 1400, previously catalogued as being of the Use of Châlons in the Champagne region, is more likely identifiable as being produced in the diocese of Mons, as its litany includes saints Ghislain (fol. 94v), and Waltrudis, (fol. 95v). The book was owned in the 17th century by the Jesuit College at Louvain, bolstering the Wallonian provenance. The book lacks a calendar but appears to be otherwise intact. There are French prayers added in another hand on folios 144r-160v.
On the lower margin of fol. 1r is the seventeenth-century ownership inscription of the Jesuit College at Louvain, "Collegii Soctis Jesu Lov. M.B."; written in pencil on fol. 166r: "6/11/1908"; printed catalog entry pasted onto fol. 166r; parchment is stiff and discolored
Prayers on fols. 144r-160v are in French
Gothic--textualis
Four four-line illuminated initials with floral spray extensions; one five-line red and blue initial; seven four-line red and blue initials; alternating red and blue one- or two-line initials throughout
For a full list of Decorations in this manuscript please see the Content and Decorations section by clicking on the [i] button in the top left corner of the image viewer above.
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