MS. Canon. Liturg. 311
Summary Catalogue no.: 19400
Psalter with Antiphons and Hours, Carthusian Use; Italy, Venice (?), 15th century, third quarter
Physical Description
Collation
Hand(s)
Formal Gothic book hands, black and brown ink.
Decoration
Rubrics in red ink; initials highlighted with yellow wash
Binding
Red leather over wood boards, worn and damaged by worms. Border of gilt laurel leaves round the outer edge of both covers. Sewn on four cords, four raised bands on spine, outlined with gilt fillet lines. Label on spine of dark green leather with gilt borders and gilt lettering ‘PSALTERIU(M) || ET || LECTIONAR. || ETC.’. Gilt lettering at the centre of spine: ‘COD . MEM’. ‘311’ painted white on spine. Pastedowns of paper with dark green and burgundy criss-cross and floral designs. Fly-leaves of laid paper, no watermarks. Fols. 122–123 have marks and perforations around the edges left by an earlier binding.
History
Provenance and Acquisition
Made for the Carthusian monastery of San Andrea de Lido, Venice (?). Partly erased inscription on fol. 1r, 15th century: ‘Psalterium est sancti Andreae de lictore ...’ (Pächt and Alexander, 1966–73). The addition of ‘blaxii’ to the litany suggests Venetian orthography.
Matteo Luigi Canonici of Venice (1727–c. 1806), but not from the libraries of Soranzo or Trevisan (Mitchell, 1969).
Bodleian Library: bought in 1817 from Canonici’s nephew Giovanni Perissinotti. Earlier shelfmark: ‘E codd Bodl. Miscell. Liturg. cccxi’ (fol. 1r).
MS. Canon. Liturg. 311 – Part 1 (fols. 1–93)
Contents
[items 1–7 occupy quires I–X]
Psalms 1–150 (‘Incipit psalterium secundum ordinem cartusiensium Amen’) laid out as prose, with titles ‘psalmus’ or ‘psalmus dauid’. Punctuated throughout with punctus used to mark metrum, minor pauses and the ends of verses. Psalms are in the biblical order, accompanied by antiphons, versicles, responses, invitatoria, chapters, hymns and collects with rubrics. There are textual divisions at psalms appointed to be recited first at Matins on Sunday and during the week, and Sunday and Saturday Vespers in monastic use: 20, 32, 45, 59, 73, 85, 101, 109 and 144: 10 (see ‘Decoration’). Subdivisions within psalms are marked by 2-line initials and rubrics ‘diuisio’ or ‘psalmus dauid’ at 9: 20 (fol. 3r), 17: 26 (fol. 6r), 36: 27 (fol. 14v), 67: 20 (fol. 27v), 68: 17 (fol. 28v), 77: 36 (fol. 33v), 88: 20 (fol. 39r), 103: 25 (fol. 46r), 104: 23 (fol. 47r), 105: 32 (fol. 48r), 106: 25 (fol. 49r), 138: 11 (‘Et dixi ... ) (fol. 65r), 143: 9 (fol. 67r), 144: 10 (fol. 67v). Psalm 116 (fol. 54r) has a rubric ‘diuisio’, rather than ‘psalmus’. Psalm 118 is subdivided into twenty-two 8-verse units. The text contains corrections in a 15th-century (?) hand, and antiphons, invitatoria, versicles, responses, collects and lessons added in the margins on fols. 7v–48r in a 16th-century (?) hand (e.g. fols. 7v, 12v, 16v, 19v, etc.).
Weekly canticles, each followed by antiphons, some with titles:
- (1) Confitebor tibi domine (Isaiah 12);
- (2) Ego dixi (Isaiah 38: 10–21) (‘canticum’);
- (3) Exultauit cor meum (1 Samuel 2: 1–11) (‘canticum’);
- (4) Cantemus domino (Exodus 15: 1–20);
- (5) Domine audiui (Habakkuk 3) (‘Canticum abacuc’);
- (6) Audite celi (Deuteronomy 32: 1–44); subdivided at verse 22, ‘Ignis succensus ...’.
Daily canticles, prayers and creeds, some with titles:
- (1) Benedicite omnia opera (fol. 74r);
- (2) Benedictus dominus deus (‘canticum’) (fol. 74v);
- (3) Magnificat (‘canticum’) (fol. 74v);
- (4) Nunc dimittis (‘canticum’) (fol. 75r);
- (5) Athanasian Creed (Quicumque uult ... ) (fol. 75r);
- (6) Pater noster (fol. 76r);
- (7) Apostles’ Creed (Credo in deum ... ) (‘Simbolum xij apostolorum’) (fol. 76r); each verse is followed by the name of one of the twelve apostles;
- (8) Nicene Creed (Credo in unum deum ... ) (‘Simbolum’) (fol. 76v);
- (9) Te deum laudamus (fol. 76v);
- (10) Salve regina (‘oratio’) (fol. 77r).
(fols. 77r (rubric), 77v–82r) Canticles for the year, many with rubrics:
- (1) Ecce dominus in fortitudine ueniet et brachium eius dominabitur (Isaiah 40: 10–17) (‘In aduentu domini et in annuntiatione diebus dominicis. Canticum ysaie prophete’);
- (2) Cantate domino canticum nouum laus eius ab extremis terre (Isaiah 42: 10–16);
- (3) Hec dicit dominus redemptor israel sanctus eius ... (Isaiah 49: 7–13);
- (4) Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris uidit lucem magnam ... (Isaiah 9: 2–7) (‘In natiuitate domini circumcisione et purificatione. canticum ysaie’);
- (5) Letare ierusalem et diem festum agite ... (Isaiah 66: 10–16, non-Vulgate text);
- (6) Urbs fortitudinis nostre syon saluator ponetur in ea ... (Isaiah 26: 1–12);
- (7) Deducant oculi mei lacrimas per diem et noctem ... (Jeremiah 14: 17–21) (‘In quadragesima diebus dominicis . Canticum Ieremie prophete’);
- (8) Recordare domine quid acciderit nobis intuere et respice obprobrium nostrum ...(Lamentations 5: 1–21) (‘canticum’);
- (9) Tollam quippe uos de gentibus et congregabo uos de uniuersis terris ...(Ezekiel 36: 24–28);
- (10) Quis est iste qui uenit de edom tinctis uestibus de bosra ... (Isaiah 63: 1–5) (‘In festo pasce et diebus dominicis usque ad octauam pentecostes. Canticum ysaie’);
- (11) Uenite et reuertamur ad dominum quia ipse cepit et sanabit nos ... (Hosea 6: 1–6);
- (12) Expecta me dicit dominus in die resurrectionis mee in futurum ... (Zephaniah 3: 8–13) (‘canticum’);
- (13) Uos sancti domini uocabimini ministri dei nostri ... (Isaiah 61: 6–9) (‘In festis apostolorum et plurimorum martirum. Canticum’);
- (14) Reddidit deus mercedem laborum sanctorum suorum ... (Wisdom 10: 17–20) (‘aliud in sapientia’);
- (15) Fulgebunt iusti et tanquam scintille in arundineto discurrent ... (Wisdom 3: 7–9) (‘aliud in sapientia’);
- (16) Beatus uir qui in sapientia morabitur ... (Sirach 14: 22 and 15: 3–6) (‘In festo martiris uel confessoris in ecclesiastico’);
- (17) Benedictus uir qui confidit in domino ... (Jeremiah 17: 7–8) (‘aliud canticum Jeremie’);
- (18) Beatus uir qui inuentus est sine macula ... (Sirach 31: 8–11) (‘aliud in ecclesiastico’);
- (19) Audite me diuini fructus ... (Sirach 39: 17–21) (‘Canticum in natalibus beate marie uirginis et aliarum uirginum in ecclesiastico’);
- (20) Gaudens gaudebo in domino et exultabit anima mea ... (Isaiah 61: 10–62: 3) (‘Aliud canticum ysaie’);
- (21) Non uocaberis ultra derelicta ... (Isaiah 62: 4–7) (‘Aliud canticum ysaie’).
Hymnal, with rubrics, comprising hymns for the year from Advent to Pentecost, followed by the hymns for the feasts of Corpus Christi, John the Baptist, the Virgin Mary and Exaltation of the Cross. Deus creator omnium polique (Chevalier, no. 4426), Eterne rerum conditor (Chevalier, no. 647), Splendor paterne (Chevalier, no. 19349), Conditor alme (Chevalier, no. 3733), Uenit redemptor gentium (Chevalier, no. 21243), Egressus eius a patre (Chevalier, no. 5268), Audi benigne conditor (Chevalier, no. 1449), Uexilla regis (Chevalier, no. 21481), Arbor decora (Chevalier, no. 1268), Hic est dies uerus dei (Chevalier, no. 7793), Misterium mirable ut abluat (Chevalier, no. 11831), Optatus uotis omnium sacratus (Chevalier, no. 14177), O grande cunctis gaudium (Chevalier, no. 13071), Ueni creator spiritus (Chevalier, no. 21204), Iam christus astra (Chevalier, no. 9215), Impleta gaudent uiscera (Chevalier, no. 8506), Pange lingua gloriosi corporis (Chevalier, no. 14467), Sacris solempnijs (Chevalier, no. 17713), Uerbum supernum prodiens nec patris (Chevalier, no. 21398), Ut queant laxis resonare (Chevalier, no. 21039), Antra deserti (Chevalier, no. 1214), O nimis felix meritique (Chevalier, no. 13311), Aue maris stella (Chevalier, no. 1889), Misterium ecclesie hymnum christo (Chevalier, no. 11828), Uere gratia plena es (Chevalier, no. 21408), Memento salutis auctor (Chevalier, no. 11446), Crux fidelis inter omnes (Chevalier, no. 4018), Christe redemptor omnium conserua tuos famulos (Chevalier, no. 2959), Iesu saluator seculi redemptis (Chevalier, no. 9677), Iam lucis orto sydere (Chevalier, no. 9272), Nunc sancte nobis spiritus (Chevalier, no. 12586), Rector potens uerax deus (Chevalier, no. 17061), Rerum deus tenax uigor (Chevalier, no. 17328), Christe qui lux es et dies ... (Chevalier, no. 2934), Crux fidelis inter omnes (Chevalier, no. 4018).
Hours of the Virgin (‘Incipit officium beate marie uirginis’), with rubrics.
Two masses of the Virgin Mary with variations for the year. Fol. 94r is ruled but blank. The top of the second column on fol. 94v contains versicles and responses (6 lines) in a different 15th-century hand.
Physical Description
Layout
Ruled in plummet for two columns, with single vertical bounding lines extending the full height of page; 29 lines per page (30 in quire 1); written below the top line. Written space c. 145 × 112 mm.
Decoration
15-line (one-column) pink Beatus-initial (fol. 1r) on gold background, decorated with foliage, flowers and arabesque designs. Infilled with King David, playing psaltery and looking up at half-figure of God, in clouds, blessing. Sprays of flowers, filigree scrolls and gold discs extending into the left and upper margins.
7- to 8-line pink, yellow and blue initials with white floral and arabesque designs, on gold background, with sprays of foliage and gold discs extending into the margins at the beginnings of psalms 20 (fol. 7v), 32 (fol. 12v), 45 (fol. 19v), 59 (fol. 25r), 73 (fol. 32r), 101 (fol. 44v), 109 (fol. 51v), 144: 10 (fol. 68r), the beginning of the canticles for the year (fol. 77v) and the beginning of the hymnal (fol. 82r).
Borders: see above.
4-line plain blue initial at the beginning of psalm 85 (fol. 38r).
2-line blue initial with red penwork at the beginning of psalm 41 (fol. 17v).
2-line alternating plain red and blue initials at the beginnings of psalms and canticles.
1-line alternating plain red and blue initials at the beginnings of verses and periods.
History
MS. Canon. Liturg. 311 – Part 2 (fols. 95–‘100–103’)
Contents
[item 8 occupies quire XI]
Common of the Saints of the breviary without lessons. Includes the feasts of apostles (‘In festiuitate apostolorum . Ad uesperas’, fol. 95r) and martyrs (‘In natiuitate plurimorum Martirum ad vesperas’, fol. 96r). Liturgical notes in the margins and chapters for the feasts of apostles (fol. 99v, col. 1) and martyrs (fol. 99v, col. 2) are added in the hand which added antiphons, invitatoria, etc. in the margins of the psalter (fols. 8–48). Fol. ‘100–103’ is blank except for ruling and an erased addition on the recto.
Physical Description
Layout
Ruled in hard point for two columns, with single vertical bounding lines extending the full height of page; 41 lines per page; written below the top line. Written space: c. 145 × 112 mm.
Decoration
Spaces left blank for 2-line initials at the beginnings of sections; 1-line initials highlighted in red.
History
MS. Canon. Liturg. 311 – Part 3 (fols. ‘104–105’–123)
Contents
[items 9–12 occupy quires XII–XIII]
Hours of the Virgin, beginning imperfectly at the end of the second lesson at Matins with ‘in senectute sua : Et his mensis est sextus illi ...’ (Luke I: 36). This is followed by ‘lectio iij’ ‘Exurgens maria abiit in montana cum festinatione ...’. Psalms are written out in full. Prime (fol. 108r–v) is followed by two masses of the Virgin Mary with variations for the year (fols. 108v–109v); offices of Terce, Sext, None, Vespers followed by a confession (fol. 112v); Compline and a second Prime, followed by a confession (fol. 115r).
Penitential Psalms (‘Incipiunt septem psalmi penitentiales’), with rubrics ‘psalmus’.
Litany, including Blandina among the virgins, followed by collects with rubrics ‘oratio’ (fol. 118r):
- (1) Deus cui proprium est misereri semper et parcere ...
- (2) Pretende domine famulis et famulabus tuis dextera [sic] celestis auxilij ...
- (3) Omnipotens sempiterne deus qui uiuorum dominaris simul et mortuorum ...
Carthusian Office of the Dead (‘Incipit officium defunctorum ...’) with rubrics.
Physical Description
Layout
Ruled in hard point for two columns, with single vertical bounding lines extending the full height of page; 41 lines per page; written below the top line. Written space: c. 145 × 112 mm.
Decoration
The style of decoration is very similar to part I. 5- to 6-line pink, yellow and blue initials with white floral and arabesque designs, on gold background, with sprays of foliage and gold discs extending into the margins at the beginning of Penitential Psalms and major sections of the offices (fols. ‘104–105’r, 108r, 108v, 109v, 110v, 111r, 111v, 115v, 118r).
Borders: see above.
2-line alternating plain red and blue initials at the beginnings of the sections of the text.
1-line alternating plain red and blue initials at the beginnings of verses and periods.
History
Additional Information
Record Sources
Bibliography
Printed descriptions:
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
Last Substantive Revision
2024-08: Convert full description from Solopova catalogue.