Script: Written by one scribe in large round gothic bookhand. Index added later by Frater Elia Pinelli, in humanistic script.

Three historiated initials; that on f. 3r (Sts. Peter and Andrew), the Calling of Sts. Peter and Andrew, is of high quality; purple with white floral highlights; ornate purple, blue and green fruit and floral border, inner margin, with candelabra, hairspray and gold dots. The two other historiated initials are of inferior quality: f. 78v (Holy Cross) Cross with Arma Christi and f. 220r (Mass of the Dead) two roundels: skull and cross-bones against a landscape and skeleton with scythe against a black ground. Very fine penwork 3- and 2-line initials: done in red or blue (one on f. 57r in gold), decorated with white bands and jewels, with blue and red penwork, large illusionistic jewel studs and simple fruit and floral borders, painted in purple, blue, green, and yellow or in pen, red, blue with some black and yellow; initial on f. 189r with two seraphim. Some 2-line initials incorporate ivy or fruit swags. 1-line initials, red or blue, divided, with blue or red penwork, jewel studs, circles and lozenges, in green, yellow and tan. Square musical notation on 4-line red staves. Rubrics throughout.

Binding: 17th-18th centuries. Original sewing on 6 double cords, each covered with brown leather and probably nailed to inside of boards. Red and gold wound endbands. Heavy boards are covered with thick leather (cowskin?) and the spine is covered separately with leather nailed to the edge of each board. There are four brass corner pieces and a large central boss on each board, bosses protruding from the three outer edges, and a strap and pin fastening, the pin on the lower board.

An additional leaf with a historiated initial depicting St. Felicitas was removed from this manuscript at some point prior to its acquisition by the Beinecke Library. This leaf is currently cataloged as Beinecke MS 712.129.

In Latin.

Record created by Beinecke staff from catalog description by Barbara Shailor.

Shailor, B. Catalogue of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, MS 42.

Gradual. General Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Catholic Church > Liturgy.

Manuscripts, Medieval > Connecticut > New Haven.