Manuscripts

Fragment from a Sanctorale (late 13th century)

This is by far the earliest item in the collection, probably written in Northern France towards 1300, judging by the delicate initials and the slender, lozenge-shaped notes. A sanctorale such as this, which would have been associated with an antiphonal, contains plainchant specifically for the feast-days of particular saints, in this case St Mary Magdalene.

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Chants for the feast of Mary Magdalene. The major item, with the large initial M, is the responsory “Maria Magdalena et altera Maria ibant.”