Egerton MS 3311-3312

OFFICE AND MASS OF THE DEAD, in Latin, with musical notation: two of a set of volumes written for the anniversary of Everard de la Marck, Bishop of Liége (d. 1538), to be celebrated in the cathedral church of St Lambert at Liège on 30 December; see the endowment deed of 18 Feb. 1531 printed by J. Chapeavillus, Qui gesta pontificum Tungrensium ... scripserunt auctores, iii, Liége, 1616, pp. 298-304, where this date is explained as that of Marck's election to the See. For a third volume in the set, in the possession of Major J. R. Abbey, containing 17th-18th cent. directions to place it 'au pulpitre du coté du grand doien' (cf. further below), see E. P. Goldschmidt, Gothic and Renaissance Bookbindings, 1928, i, pp. 250-252, ii, pls. lxi, lxii, and J. Brassinne, Reliure Mosane, ii, Liége, 1932, pp. 56-66, frontispiece, and pls. cxcxii. Two vols., vellum. 385 mm. x 275 mm. Circ. 1531-1538. Gatherings of 8 leaves except, in Vol. I, i², iii¹⁰ with 2 cancelled. Ruled and written in double columns, with flourished pen-work initials, occasionally in gold and colour, throughout. Each volume opens with a full-page representation in colour of Marck's arms (Vol. I, f. 2, Vol. II, f. 1; cf. Brassinne, op. cit., ii, frontispiece), and has a roll-stamped brown calf binding (rebacked) incorporating rectangular stamps of St Jerome in cardinal's robes, and of St Lambert; cf. Goldschmidt and Brassinne, locc. citt., the latter of whom assigns the execution of the bindings to the Brethren of the Common Life at Liège. Belonged, 20th cent., to John St Clair Upton of Market Drayton (labels of ownership, Vol. I, f. ii, Vol. II, f. i). Two vols.