Royal MS 2 A VIII

HOURS OF THE VIRGIN, secundum usum Sarum', &c., VIZ. :-

1. Calendar, with English saints, as Brigid, Milburg, Edward king, Cuthbert bp. (20 Mar., 4 Sept.), Richard bp., Brendan bp., Aldhelm bp., Kenelm bp., Transl. of Edward Conf., Fredeswith, Edmund abp., Edmund king. f. 1.

2. 'Memoriae' of saints; preceded by a prayer. f 8. The saints are: S. Veronica, 'Salve, sancta facies' (Chevalier, no. 18189), f. 9; S. John Bapt. 'Gaude Iohannes baptista' (ib. no. 2 88), f. 10; S. George, 'Georgi, martyr inclite' (ib. no. 7242), f. 11; S. Thomas mart., 'Gaude, lux Londoniarum' (cf ib. no. 26999), f. 12; S. Anne, 'Gaude, felix Anna' (ib. no. 6773), f. 13; S. Margaret, 'Gaude, virgo Margareta' (ib. no. 27200), f. 14; S. Katharine, 'Gaude, virgo Katherina' (ib. no. 6993), f. 15.

3. 'Incipit officium horarum b. Marie uirginis secundum usum Sarum.' f 17.

4. 'Salve uirgo uirginum I Stella matutina' (see 2 A. iv, art. 5, followed by a prayer; headed by the six lines 'Has uideas laudes', &c. f. 45.

5. Two prayers to the Virgin, '0 intemerata' and 'Obsecro te domina'. f. 49.

6. 'Septem gaudia': the hymn 'Virgo templum Trinitatis', in 22 6-line stanzas (Chevalier, no. 2i899). f. 52.

7. Hymn on the Passion, in 22 6-line stanzas, divided into eleven parts, each on a different subject. The first, 'Ad ymaginem Christi crucifixi', beg. 'Omnibus consideratis' (Chevalier, no. 14081). f 56.

8. 'Oracio uen. Bede presbiteri de septem uerbis Christi in cruce pendentis', &c., beg. I Dom. Iesu Christe qui septem uerba'. f. .58. Followed by other prayers, including (f. 61) the prayer 'inter cleuacionem corporis Christi et tercium Agnus Dei', to the repeaters of which Pope Boniface [VIII, 1294-1303] granted 2000 years' indulgence 'ad supplicacionem Philippi Francorum regis' [IV, 1285-1314].

9. 'Decem psalmi [sc. xxi-xxx] qui dicendi sunt ad honorem passionis Domini', &c. f. 64.

10. 'Septem psalmi penitenciales' and Litany, the last four male saints being Swithun, Cuthbert, Dunstan and Botulph. f. 70.

11. 'Vigilie mortuorum' and 'Commendaciones ani- Manum'. ff. 85, 102.

12. 'Sequitur psalterium beati Ieronimi abbreuia-

tum.' f. 114. Preceded (f. iii b) by a prayer and a rubric, viz. 'Beatus uero Ieronimus in hoc modo disposuit psalterium, sicut angelus domini docuit eum per spiritum sanctum. Porro propter hoc abbreuiatum est', &c.

Vellum; ff. 123. 6.1/8 in. x 41 in. Early XV cent. Miniatures, on diapered backgrounds, somewhat poorly executed and much rubbed, viz. :-

1. The Father seated, supporting the Crucifix. f. 7 b.

2. The Annunciation. f. 16b.

3. The Virgin crowned the Child in her arms. f. 44 b.

4. The Eucharistic 'Eycce Homo', or 'Image of Pity'. f. 55 b.

5. The Crucifixion, with the Virgin and S. John. f. 63 b.

6. The Last judgement: Christ seated on a golden bow, showing His wounds; above, two angels with trumpets; below, the Virgin and S. John-kneeling, and several open graves. f. 69 b.

7. A bier (black pall, with gold crosses crosslet), with priest and choir. f. 84 b.

8. Christ, half-length, holding an orb; below, two angels bearing three naked souls in a sheet. f. 101 b.

9. S. Jerome, seated, in cardinal's robe and hat. f. 113 b. Illuminated initials and borders, the latter somewhat French in style. Binding of calf, with central tool.