The manuscripts include a book of Lamentations of Jeremiah, several Graduals, Antiphonals, Kyriales, Tropers, and a rare Processional. Among them are books for both Cathedral and Monastic use, including material from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries, with an emphasis on the fifteenth to the early seventeenth centuries. Consistent with Spanish practice, even those manuscripts of late dates contain much earlier medieval and other pre-Tridentine material. Many of the books focus on the period from Christmas to Epiphany. Although provenance for a number of these manuscripts cannot yet be established with any certainty, repertorial and decorative evidence in some of the books points to links with the liturgical agenda of Salamanca Cathedral. Two monastic antiphonals and one gradual are identified with religious communities (Servites, Jeronymites, Augustinians) and one of these appears to have been associated with a particular house of nuns (Our Lady of the Snows).

Recent Submissions

  • Poissy processional 

    Catholic Church
    Published 2021-01-12
    A written and illuminated book of plainchant music that contains the liturgical processions used by nuns at the Dominican convent of Saint-Louis de Poissy at the beginning of the sixteenth century, between 1500 and 1510. ...
    Open Access
    Book
  • [Officium de septem dolorium Hebdomade] 

    Unknown author
    Published 1500-01-01
    A manuscript on paper with 12 lines per page. To p. 168 it is by the same hand. The last gathering of 10 leaves is from an older manuscript, also on paper, with 16 lines per page. Bound with old oak boards with metal bosses ...
    Open Access
  • [Spanish antiphonal] 

    Unknown author
    Published 1575-01-01
    Written in red and black on 18 leaves of vellum with rubricated initials, with a mid 16th century full calf binding with gilt rules and decorations. Light worming on last 2 leaves.
    Open Access
  • [Officium tenebrae] 

    Unknown author
    Published 1580-01-01
    An entirely handwritten psalter which seems to be of Spanish origin. This book of plainsong was used to celebrate the Office of Darkness during Triduum Pascal (Feria V in Coena Domine, lectione IX-Feria VI in Parasceve, ...
    Open Access
  • Processional (without musical notation), with prayers and responsories for the dead. 

    Unknown author
    Published 1530-01-01
    Contents of the responsories focus on liturgical processions for the dead. The book is designed for personal use, with 8 lines per page, small in size and large in script, and without music notation. With its several Spanish ...
    Open Access

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