Pocket monastic choirbook, in Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment [France, fifteenth century (perhaps early in that century)]

Pocket monastic choirbook, in Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment [France, fifteenth century (perhaps early in that century)]

73 leaves (plus 3 modern paper endleaves at front, and 4 at back), wanting a few single leaves throughout and leaves at end, collation: i6, ii8, iii9 (iv wanting), iv8, v10 (vi-vii bound in as bifolium stitched into quire in correct place), vi8, vii7 (last leaf wanting), viii-ix8, x1 (single leaf from following, and now lost, quire), single column of 2 or 3 lines of text in late gothic bookhand, with music on a 4-line red stave (note-like squares arranged in chessboards or diamonds at end of some sections of music), capitals touched in yellow, red rubrics, initials in split penwork with yellow wash and elaborate hairline penwork (some of this penwork picking out human faces) or red and blue with ornate purple and red penwork surrounds, some text overwritten, small hole in last leaf, spots, scuffs and stains, overall in fair and legible condition, 102 by 70mm.; later and perhaps eighteenth-century limp parchment binding with yapp edges and paper doublures printed with red diamonds

Some of the longer rubrics here give directions to the user where to stand when singing the readings, and on one occasion specify that the congregatio conventum should assemble in cimeterio (cemetery) for the ceremony.