Add MS 41506

OFFICE-BOOK, in Latin, of a Kaland confraternity in Gieboldehausen, near Göttingen, in Hanover. These confraternities arose in the thirteenth century, and spread most widely in North and Central Germany. In origin they were associations of rural parish priests, meeting on (and named from) the first day of the month, 'semel singulis mensibus in kalendis eorum' in the words of the Rule (f. 10b), for spiritual, social and charitable purposes. See Christian G. Blumberg, Kurze Abbildung des Kalandes, 1721 ; L. von Ledebur, 'Die Kalands-Verbrüderungen in den Landen Sächsischen Volks-Stammesmit besonderer Rücksicht auf die Mark Brandenburg'in Märkische Forschungen, iv, 1850, pp. 7-76; J. Rautenstrauch, Die Kalandbrüderschaften das kulturelle Vorbild der sächsischen Kantoreien, 1903. Contents:-(1) Office (Vespers and Compline) and Mass for Corpus Christi, the latter with the offertorium ('Portas celi') and communio ('Qui manducat') as in the Hildesheim missal (1511). ff. ib-7b;-(2) 'Salutacio Pel'agii pape', introducing 'Pelagii ammonicio', i.e. the Rule of the Confraternity. Beg. 'Pelagius sancte romane ecclesie et apostolice sedis minister ... Audite filii dilectissimi ammonicionem'. The reputed founder may be either Pelagius I or Pelagius II, both of the sixth century. Included are instructions for the washing of the feet and the feeding of twelve poor men at the monthly meetings (f. 12 b). The proceedings end with a fraternal repast supplied by each brother in turn (f. 16b). For a poetic paraphrase of the Rule in German, see G. Sello, 'Des Pfaffen Konemann Gedicht vom Kaland zu Eilenstedt am Huy' in Zeitschrift des Harz- Vereinsfür Geschichte und Altertumskunde, xxiv, 1891, pp. 99-170. ff. 8-17 b;(3) Office of the Dead. ff. i8-48;-(4) Vespers of the Office of the Virgin (ff. 48-54b), followed by memorials of the Holy Spirit, Patrons, All Saints, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors and Virgins (ff. 54b-58), and variants for Vespers of the Office of the Virgin within the octave of her Nativity (ff. 58-59 b) and between Easter and Pentecost (ff. 59 b-65 b). ff. 48-65 b;(5) Prefaces, Ordinary and Canon of the Mass. ff. 65 b-73;-(6) Votive masses, viz. 'De Sancto Spiritu' and 'Pro fidelibus defunctis'. ff. 73 b-84 b;-(7) 'Benedictio elemosinarum'. ff. 84b-88b;-(8) Litany, including SS. Gereon, Gangolf, Eucharius, Maternus, Godehard, Gall, Lull and Walpurgis. ff. 88b-91;-(9) Masses of the Virgin, viz.: 'Salue sancta parens', f. 9Ib; 'Infra octavam Natiuitatis', f. 100b; 'Infra Pascha et Pentecosten', f. 106b; 'De Uisitacione', imperf., f. 110b. Vellum; ff. i + 111. 9¼ in. x 7¼ in. xiv-xv cent.( with additions of the latter century on flyleaves, etc.). Gatherings irregular. Penwork initials, mainly in red and blue. Musical portions with Gothic notation. Original binding of bevelled beech boards (rebacked), with brass clasps. On f. i is a damaged note (16th or 17th cent.): 'Liber hic pertinet ad fraternitatem Cal... Gibelhausen', and on a flyleaf at the end (f. 111) are partly erased lists of persons and places associated with the Confraternity in hands of the 15th-16th centt. On f. i is the stamp of the Séminaire des Missions Étrangères [of Paris].