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Harley MS 2341

Record Id:

040-002048172

Hierarchy Root Ancestor Record Id:

040-002048172

MDARK:

ark:/81055/vdc_100000000709.0x000351

LARK:

SLARK:

Format:

ISAD(G)

Reference (shelfmark):

Harley MS 2341

Title:

Prayer book

Scope & Content:

Contents:

ff. 2v-13r: Calendar featuring English saints; and with Thomas Becket's name inked out; featuring a rhyme in English on the number of days in twelve months (f. 3r), written in the same hand as the rest of the calendar: 'Thirti dayes hath November / April, June, and September / Of xxviii is but oon. / And alle the remenaunt xxx and i' [DIMEV 5649-1].

ff. 13v-14v: Berengar of Tours, Prayer to Christ, beginning: 'Iuste iudex ihesu Christe rex regum et domine qui cum patre regnas semper et cum sancto flamine'.

ff. 15r-37v: The Psalter of Jerome, preceded by a long rubric: 'Sanctus vero Jeronimus in hoc mundo disposuit breviter hoc psalterium ubi angelus domini docuit eum per spiritum sanctum deo gracias'.

ff. 38r-51v: Psalms of the Passion, with the rubric: 'Hic incipiunt Psalmi de passione domini'.

ff. 52r-61v: The Fifteen Oes [Quindecim Orationes], without introductory rubric, beginning: 'O domine ihesu CHriste eterna dulcedo te amancium iubilus'.

ff. 61v-65r: Prayers to Christ, beginning: 'Gracias tibi ago domine'; 'Deus propricius esto michi'; and 'Domine ihesu Christe qui hanc sacratissimam carnem tuam de gloriose virginis marie utero assumpsisti'.

ff. 65r-67r: O Intemerata, with the rubric: 'Oracio venerabilis ad virginem gloriosam'; beginning: 'O intemerata et in eternum benedicta specialis et incomparabilis virgo dei genitrix'.

ff. 67r-70v: Obsecro Te, with the rubric: 'Alia oracio de sanctae mariae'; beginning: 'Obsecro te domina sancta maria virgo mater dei pietate plenissima'.

ff. 70v-71r: Short prayer to the Virgin Mary, with the rubric: 'Oracio'; bginning: 'O virgo virginum regina regina regia sola'.

ff. 71r-71v: Short prayer to God, beginning: 'Deus qui in cruce pendens pro salute nostra virginem matrem'.

ff. 71v-77v: Litany of St Mary, entitled: 'Letania de sancta Maria'.

ff. 77v-78r: Prayer to the Virgin Mary, beginning: 'O Maria piissima stella maris clarissima mater misericordie et aula pudicie'.

ff. 78r-79v: Prayer to God with an instruction for a thousand Hail Maries: 'A thousand tymes Ave maria etcaetera þe shulle sey . and they shalbe sayde .x. dayes that ys every day an hundred and they may be seyde goyng ryding sytting knelyng or lying. And ye shalle have a certeyne almes in youre hande whyle ye make youre prayere and after seyeth this orisoun with good devocioun'; beginning: 'Adonay domine deus magne et mirabilis qui dedisti salutem in manus sancte marie virginis per uterum et viscera dulcissime matris tue'; ending with another rubric: 'And when ye have seyde this orison kys your almes and aftyr yeve it to a pore man or woman in the honoure of that blisful ioye that seynt gabriel gret our lady. And for what thynge that ye pray fore possible these .x. dayes ye shalle have youre bone yef this prayer be seyde wyth a goode devocion' [see Harley MS 494, ff. 89v-90r, edited in Barratt, Anne Bulkeley and Her Book (2009), pp. 242-44, with reference to other copies, but without this manuscript].

ff. 79v-80r: Prayer to the Trinity, with the rubric: 'Oracio ad sanctam trinitatem'; beginning: 'Benedicat me deus pater . custodiat me ihesus Christus . illuminet me spritus sanctus'.

f. 80r: Prayer to Christ, with the rubric: 'Oracio ad dominum'; beginning: 'Deus omnipotens ihesu Christe qui tuas manus mundas propter nos in cruce posuisti'.

ff. 80v-81r: Salutations to Christ, beginning: 'Ave Ihesu Christe verbum patris filius virginis agnus dei'.

ff. 81r-82r: Prayer to Christ, beginning: 'Dulcissime ihesu inspira cordi meo tuum sanctissimum amorem'.

f. 82r: Short prayer to Christ, beginning: 'Deus qui per crucem passionis tue nos redemisti'. ff. 82r-83r: Prayer to Christ against sudden death, with the rubric: 'Ista oracio debet bis dici per mortem subitanea'; beginning: 'Vita vivencium Christe ab iniqua et subitanea morte libera me'. ff. 83r-83v: Prayer to God and the Virgin Mary for protection, beginning: 'Omnipotens sempiterne deus non me perire permittas quia tua creatura sum sed concede mihi spacium vite vivendi'.

ff. 83v-84v: Prayer for blessing from God, beginning: 'Benedictio dei patris cum angelis suis sit super me'.

ff. 84v-85r: Prayer for blessing from God, beginning: 'Benedicat me deus qui me creavit'.

f. 85r: Prayer to God for protection, beginning: 'Judica domine nocentes me expugna impugnantes me'.

f. 85v: Prayer to God for protection at night, beginning: 'Gracias tibi ago omnipotens pater qui me dignatus es in hac nocte custodire'.

ff. 85v-86r: Prayer to god for protection during the day: 'Gracias tibi ago omnipotens pater qui me dignatus es in hac die custodire'.

ff. 86r-86v: Prayer to God for wisdom, beginning: 'Veni sancte spiritus et infunde mihi illud consilium'.

ff. 86v-87r: Prayer to God for salvation, beginning: 'Deus propicius esto michi peccatori et tocius populi Christiani'.

ff. 87r-87v: Prayer to the Holy Spirit, with the rubric: 'Oracio de sancto spiritu'; beginning: 'Veni sancte spiritus et emitte celitus lucis tue radium'.

ff. 87v-88r: Prayer to God for protection from the Cross, witht the rubric: 'Oracio de sancta Cruce'; beginning: 'Sacra me domine signaculo sancta + crucis'.

ff. 88r-89r: Prayer to God for protection from the Cross, beginning: 'Domine ihesu Christe pro sancta cruce tua apud me sis ut me defendas'.

f. 89r: Prayer to the Cross, beginning: 'Salve crux salve salve quoque salve'.

ff. 89r-89v: Prayer to God against evil, beginning: 'Domine ihesu Christe qui totum corpus tuum sanctissimum in cruce extendi voluisti'.

ff. 90r-91v: Prayer to the Guardian Angel, with the rubric: 'Oracio ad proprium Angelum'; beginning: 'Ave et gaude dulcissime angele spriitus alme qui a deo anime mee custos es constitutus'.

ff. 91v-94r: Three prayers to St Thomas Becket [crossed out], with the rubric: 'De sancto Thoma martire'; beginning: 'Gaude lux londoniarum'; 'Deus qui beatum Thomam martirem tuum atque pontificem die martis pro ecclesia tua variis tribulacionibus oppressum gloria et honore coronasti'; and 'Supplico tibi sancte et electe dei preciose martir thoma'

ff. 94r-95v: Prayer on the Seven Joys of the Virgin Mary, with the rubric: 'De sancta maria'; beginning: 'Gaude flori virginali honore que speciali'; ending with the prayer, beginning: 'Domine ihesu Christe fili dei vivi qui beatissimam genitricem tuam virginem mariam'.

ff. 95v-97r: Prayers to St Anne, with the rubric: 'De sancta Anna'; beginning: 'Anna mater generosa diu prole caruisti'; and 'Deus qui beatam annam diu sterilem gloriosa et salutifera sobole fecundasti'

f. 97r: Short prayer to the Virgin Mary, with the rubric: 'Ad beatam virginem maria'; beginning: 'Ave et gaude virgo maria mater domini nostri ihesu Christi regina celi domina mundi'.

ff. 97r-97v: Prayer to Christ for protection, beginning: 'Omnis virtus te decorat'.

ff. 97v-98r: Prayer to Christ for compassion, beginning: 'Domine ihesu Christe dulcis filius virginis qui pro nobis peccatoribus mortem in cruce tollerasti'.

f. 98r: Prayer to Christ in verse, beginning: 'Salve ihesu rex glorie / Qui te sub panis specie'.

f. 98v: Ave Verum Corpus, beginning: 'Ave verum corpus natum ex maria virgine'.

ff. 98v-99r: Prayers to St Alban, with the rubric: 'De sancto Albano'; beginning: 'Gloriose ac semper venerante martir albane intercede pro nobis ad dominum deum nostrum'; and 'Concede quaesumus omnipotens deus ut qui gloriosi anglorum prothomartiris albani'.

ff. 99r-100r: Prayers to St Julian the Hospitaller, with the rubric: 'De sancto Juliano'; beginning: 'Hospes ihesu Christi iuliane fundo tibi preces mane'; and 'Deus qui das bestijs escas ipsarum et omnibus volantibus'.

ff. 100r-100v: Prayers to St Barbara, with the rubric: 'De sancta Barbara'; beginning: 'Gaude barbara cum Christo regina conservata a ruina in pudoris lilio'; and 'Deus qui beatissimam virginem barbarem roseo martirij cruore perfusam hodie in thalamo regni tui collocasti'

ff. 100v-101v: Prayers to St Apollonia, with the rubric: 'De sancta Appollonia'; beginning: 'Beata appollonia virgo et martir fuit inclita cui pro Christi nomine dentes extracti fuertunt'; and 'Deus qui beatam appolloniam de manibus inimicorum liberasti'.

ff. 101v-102r: Prayers to the Holy Helpers, beginning; 'Sancti dei beati et privilegiati orate pro nobis'; and 'Omnipotens sempiterne deus ut qui sanctorum martirum tuorum [etc.]'; lists 31 saints, including the English saints Cuthburga, Ursula and Winifred.

f. 102v: Prayer for a friend, with the rubric: 'Oracio pro bono amico infirmo'; beginning: 'Amen dico vobis omnia quaecumque orantes petitis credite quia accipietis et fiet vobis'.

ff. 103r-103v: Short prayers to the archangels Michael, Grabriel, and Raphael, beginning: 'Michael archangele princeps milicie preliare pro me in tempore angustie mee'.

ff. 103v-104r: Prayer for help from heaven, with the rubric: 'Alia bona oracio'; 'Alia bona oracio'; beginning: 'Obsecro vos sanctos et archangelorum duces eximios Michael. Gabriel. Raphael cum universis superne felicitatis agminibus'.

ff. 104r-104v: Prayer to St John the Bapist, with the rubric: 'Oracio ad santum Johannem baptistam'; beginning: 'Sancte Johannes baptista electe dei tu es angelus dei'.

f. 104v: Prayer for protection against sudden death, beginning: 'Domine ihesu christe fili dei vivi spes mea [...] mea te deprecor ut corpus meum miserum a subitanea et inprovisa morte digneris custodire'.

The manuscript contains later additions:

ff. 1r, 51v: Latin notes on the manuscript's contents; perhaps added by Robert Burscough (b. 1650/51, d. 1709).

Decoration:

3 large initials in gold on coloured grounds (ff. 16r, 38r, 52r). Large initials in blue with red pen-flourishing or red penwork decoration. Smaller plain initials in red or blue. Capitals marked in red. Rubrics in red.

Collection Area:

Western Manuscripts

Project / Collection:

Harley Collection

Hierarchy Tree:

[{ "id" : "040-002048172", "parent" : "#", "text" : "Harley MS 2341: Prayer book" , "li_attr" : {"class": "orderable"} }]

Hierarchy Record Ids:

032-002045828
040-002048172

Is part of:

Harley MS 1-7661 : Harley Manuscripts

Harley MS 2341 : Prayer book

Hierarchy:

032-002045828[2342]/040-002048172

Container:

View / search within Archive / Collection: Harley MS 1-7661

Record Type (Level):

File

Extent:

1 volume

Digitised Content:

Languages:

English, Middle
Latin

Scripts:

Latin

Start Date:

1400

End Date:

1449

Date Range:

1st half of the 15th century

Era:

Access:

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User Conditions:

Physical Characteristics:

Materials: Parchment.

Dimensions: 110 x 65 mm (text space: 75 x 40 mm).

Foliation: ff. 104 (+ 3 unfoliated paper flyleaves at the beginning + 2 at the end); 2 unfoliated parchment stubs between f. 14 and f. 15; 1 between f. 37 and f. 38; ff. 17, 25-29 are stubs of folios that have been trimmed away; ff. 38-39 are cut through at the centre; 1 unfoliated paper pastedown on f. [ii]recto (bibliographical notes).

Script: Gothic.

Binding: British Museum in-house; red half leather with the Harleian arms gold stamped on the outside covers.

Custodial History:

Origin:

England.

Provenance:

Robert Burscough (b. 1650/51, d.1709), prebendary of Exeter in 1701, archdeacon of Barnstaple in 1703, rector of Cheriton Bishop in 1705: sold by his widow on 17 May 1715 to Robert Harley, along with other manuscripts (see Diary, ed. by Wright and Wright (1966), I, p. 11 n. 6; Wright, Fontes Harleiani (1972), p. 88).

The Harley Collection, formed by Robert Harley (b. 1661, d. 1724), 1st earl of Oxford and Mortimer, politician, and Edward Harley (b. 1689, d. 1741), 2nd earl of Oxford and Mortimer, book collector and patron of the arts, inscribed as usual by their librarian, Humfrey Wanley ‘17 May 1715’ (f. 1r).

Edward Harley bequeathed the library to his widow, Henrietta Cavendish, née Holles (b. 1694, d. 1755) during her lifetime and thereafter to their daughter, Margaret Cavendish Bentinck (b. 1715, d. 1785), duchess of Portland; the manuscripts were sold by the Countess and the Duchess in 1753 to the nation for £10,000 (a fraction of their contemporary value) under the Act of Parliament that also established the British Museum; the Harley manuscripts form one of the foundation collections of the British Library.

Publications:

A Catalogue of the Harleian Manuscripts in the British Museum, 4 vols (London: Eyre and Strahan, 1808-12), II (1808), pp. 658-659 (no. 2341).

Rossell Hope Robbins, Secular Lyrics of the XIV and XV Centuries, 2nd edn (Oxford: Clarendon, 1955), p. 62.

The Diary of Humfrey Wanley 1715-1726, ed. by Cyril Ernest Wright and Ruth C. Wright, 2 vols (London: Bibliographical Society, 1966), I: 1715-1723, p. 11 n. 6.

Theodore Silverstein, Medieval English Lyrics (London: Arnold, 1971), p. 144.

Cyril Ernest Wright, Fontes Harleiani: A Study of the Sources of the Harleian Collection of Manuscripts in the British Museum (London: British Museum, 1972), p. 88.

Maxwell Sidney Luria and Richard L. Hoffman, Middle English Lyrics (New York: Norton, 1974), p. 109.

Douglas Gray, The Oxford Book of Late Medieval Verse and Prose (Oxford: Clarendon, 1985), p. 131.

Alexandra Barratt, Anne Bulkeley and her Book: Fashioning Female Piety in Early Tudor England: A Study of London, British Library, MS Harley 494 (Turnhout: Brepols, 2009), pp. 242-44 [without this manuscript].

‘London, British Library Harley 2341', The Digital Index of Middle English Verse [=DIMEV] [accessed 4 April 2022].

Material Type:

Archives and Manuscripts

Legal Status:

Not Public Record(s)

Names:

Berengar of Tours, Archdeacon of Angers, c 1000-1088,
see also http://isni.org/isni/0000000062365823,
see also http://viaf.org/viaf/89270968

Places:

England