Missal

Missale Lemovicense Castrense

Vellum leaf from an illuminated Medieval Manuscript
France (Limoges); Middle 15th Century
Latin Text; Angular Gothic Script
31 by 24 cm

The provenance of this manuscript is clearly designated as Limoges because of the inclusion of certain parts of the masses proper to this diocese, and because of the presence of the coat of arms and obituary records of the noted de Rupe family of that city. Frequently, without such data, it would be impossible to determine whether a fragment written in this period and country was from Amiens, Dijon, or Limoges. The national book hand had become amazingly uniform. In this manuscript as in many manuscripts of the 15th century there is an increasing tendency to speed and slackness. France was no longer setting the standard for manuscripts. This example shows that they were greatly influenced by contemporary Italian manuscripts.

Keywords:1400s, France, formal, gothic, initials, Missal

Manuscripts | Cary Collection