Royal MS 7 B IV

DRAFTS, partly in the hand of Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury, for a projected revision of the Breviary. An account of this MS. is given in Edward VI and the Book of Common Prayer, by F. A. Gasquet and E. Bishop (London, 1890), and several parts of it are printed in the appendices. The contents, which clearly bring out the relation of the first Prayer Book of Edw. VI to the Breviary of Cardinal Quignon (I536), are wholly in Latin, and consist of three distinct drafts. Of these art. 2 seems to be earlier than art. 1 and was probably written between 1543 and 1547. Art. i may be later than the death of Henry VIII (jan. 1547), and art. 3 may be intermediate in date. One or more of the drafts was probably among the books asked for by Convocation in Nov. 1547.

1. The later draft in three parts, viz.:-(a) Calendar and table of psalms and lessons (three lessons at matins, two at vespers) arranged according to the civil year. Corrections and insertions in the calendar are in Cranmer's own hand. E 4,-(b) Scheme for Morning and Evening Prayer, including preface, rubrics for recitation of the Psalter, reading of Holy Scripture, &c., hymns and collects. In a secretary's hand, with a few corrections by Cranmer. f. 7;-(c) 'Sequuntur quarte lectiones prout festa quibus quartas lectiones duximus assignandas in ordine mensium emergent': the festivale or fourth lessons (from the Fathers, &c.) for saints' days. Many are left blank. As far as f. 47 in the same hand as art. i (b), but the rest in the same hand (Ralph Morice) as art. 2 (a). Additions by Cranmer. f. 22.

2. The earlier draft, viz.:-(a) ' Horarum canonicarum series': scheme for a breviary, retaining the canonical hours with abridged and simplified offices. Probably in the hand of Ralph Morice, Cranmer's secretary (cf Harley MS. 426). Corrections are by Cranmer (see pl. 49 a). f. 133;- (b) Table of lessons (three at matins, one at lauds, one at vespers) arranged according to the ecclesiastical year. Entirely in Cranmer's own hand (see pl. 49 b). f. 151.

3. Another calendar with table of lessons (three at matins, one at vespers). No corrections. Dr. Gasquet and Mr. Bishop are inclined to think the hand is the same as that of 1 (a), but this seems very doubtful. f. 157. The vellum fly-leaves (ff. 160, 1, 2, 161, in that order) are from a commentary on the Decretals of Gregory IX, in a late 13th cent. hand, containing lib. i, tit. iii capp 14-38. On f. 3 b a late 16th cent. hand has written the title 'Festivale et horarum canonicarum series'. Paper ; ff. 161. 12 in. x 8 in. Circ. A. D. 1543-1547. Belonged to [John, Lord] Lumley. Lumley cat. f. 48; cat. of 1666, f. 4; CMA. 8011.