Breviary (WLC/LM/1)

Latin; late 12th or early 13th century. 38 ff.

This incomplete book contains readings, prayers and anthems from the 'sanctorale' section in an English breviary, giving details of services for particular saints. The materials here run from early in the service for St Margaret (celebrated on 20 July) to the anthem following the sixth lection for St Giles (celebrated on 1 September). The text predates the development of the Sarum Use, to which it conforms only in the outlines of the services.

The volume lacks its boards and has lost leaves. The text is written in double columns and includes musical notation as well as words.

Dating is based on the most recent catalogue description (reference: The Wollaton Medieval Manuscripts).

Image shows f. 29 recto.  

View catalogue record

View a zoomable image of f 6 verso, with a transcription and translation of part of the text, on our Wives, Widows and Wimples online learning resource.

Further Reading

• Historical Manuscript Commission, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton Preserved at Wollaton Hall, Nottinghamshire, compiled by W. H. Stevenson (London:, 1911), p. 212.
• Catalogue description by R. Hanna, in Ralph Hanna and Thorlac Turville-Petre (eds), The Wollaton Medieval Manuscripts: Texts, Owners and Readers (Boydell and Brewer, 2010)