Initial E with two Apostles This initial begins the hymn 'Exultet celum laudibus resultet terra gaudiis ...' (Let heaven rejoice with praise), sung at first Vespers for the Common of Apostles. The hymn sung at Lauds begins on the reverse or true verso. Initial D with a Martyr Initial E begins the hymn 'Eterna Christi munera apostolorum gloriam...,' sung at Lauds for the Common of Apostles. The initial D begins the hymn 'Deus tuorum militum fors et corona premium ...,' sung at first Vespers for the Common of One Martyr. The reverse of this leaf is the true recto. Initial D with King David The initial D begins Psalm 38:1, 'Dixi custodiam vias meas ut non delinquam in lingua mea ...' (I said, I will take heed to my ways that I offend not with my tongue), recited at Matins on Tuesdays. The Old Testament king David, who was believed to have composed the psalms, is pictured in the initial pointing to his mouth, a reference to the first verse of the psalm. The front of this leaf is... This reverse of this leaf, the true recto, contains the final verses of the hymn 'Splendor paternae gloriae' (O Splendor of God's glory), sung at Monday Lauds. Initial M The front of this leaf, the true verso, begins with the hymn 'Rerum deus tenax vigor immotus ...' (O strength and stay upholding all creation), sung daily at None, and continues with the antiphons for Sundays and special feast days, followed by the Psalm reading read daily at None, beginning with Psalm 118:129. This side is the true verso. The reverse of this leaf, the true recto, contains the end of the psalm and the final prayers recited daily at Sext. Initial A The decorated initial begins the hymn 'Ad cenam agni providi ...' (Foreseeing the supper of the Lamb), sung at Vespers on Sundays during Eastertide. The text above, which continues from the reverse, or true recto, is from the hymn 'Lustris sex qui iam peractis tempus implens corporis ...' (Thus did Christ to perfect manhood in our mortal flesh attain ...). This reverse of this leaf, the true recto, contains verses from the hymn, 'Pange lingua gloriosi proelium certaminis ...' (Sing my tongue the Savior's glory), sung daily during Holy Week. Initial I with a Virgin saint The initial begins the hymn 'Ihesu corona virginum que mater illa concepit ...' (Jesus, the Virgin's crown, born of that Mother), sung here at Vespers for the Common of Virgins. This side of the leaf is the true recto. The reverse of this leaf, the true verso, contains the hymn, 'Virginis prolex opifexque matris ...' (Jesus, Son of the Virgin, and your Mother's creator), sung at Matins for the Common of Virgins. Initial S with a Martyr saint This initial begins the hymn, 'Sanctorum meritis inclita gaudia pangamus socii gesta ...' (Let us sing with glorious praise the triumphs of the saints), sung at Vespers for the Common of Several Martyrs. This side of the leaf is the true verso. This side of the leaf, the true recto, contains the last verses of the hymn at Vespers for the Common of One Martyr, and the beginning of the hymn 'Martir dei qui unicum patris sequendo filium ...' (Martyr of God, follower of the Father's only Son), sung at Lauds of the Common of One Martyr. Initial D This side of the leaf, the true verso, contains last verses of the hymn 'Rector potens verax deus ...' (Mighty ruler, faithful God), sung daily at Sext, and the first verses of the psalm reading for Sext, beginning with Psalm 81:118, 'Defecit in salutare tuum anima mea ...' (My soul pines for your salvation). This side of the leaf, the true recto, contains the last verse of the psalm reading (Psalm 118:80), the remaining prayers said at Terce, and the beginning of the hymn 'Rector potens verax deus ...' (Mighty ruler, faithful God), sung daily at Sext. Initial S with David in the Waters This initial begins Psalm 68, 'Salvum me fac deus quoniam intraverunt aquae usque ad animam meam ...' (Save me, O God, for the waters have come even into my soul), recited at Matins on Thursday. Traditionally, the iconography for the illustration of this psalm calls for the Old Testament king David in the waters praying to God in heaven. Here, the representation of David as Classical male nude... This side of the leaf, the true recto, contains the beginning of Matins on Thursdays, including the hymn, 'Nox atra rerum contegit terre calores omnium ...' (Night's pall has shrouded in darkness the colors of creation). This initial begins the first of two psalm readings for Prime on Sundays, beginning with Psalm 53:3, 'Deus in nomine tuo salvum me fac ...' (O God, by your name, save me). The second psalm is Psalm 117, 'Confitemini domino quam bonus ...' (Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good). This side of the leaf is the true recto. The text on this side of the leaf, the true verso, continues Psalm 117, 'Confitemini domino quoniam bonus ...' (Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good), which begins on the front. This psalm is the first psalm recited at Prime on Sunday. Initial C with St. John the Baptist With this initial, the illuminator has made a small mistake. The initial C should be a U, beginning the hymn 'Ut queant laxis resonare furbris (sic) mira gestor[um] famuli tuorum ...' (So that your servants may, with loosened voices, resound the wonders of your deeds), sung at first Vespers for the feast of the Birth of St. John the Baptist (June 24th). Mistakes such as these could result from... This side of the leaf, the true recto, contains the hymns 'Quodcumque vinclis super terram strinxerit ...' (Anything that you fasten on earth with chains) and 'Iam bone pastor Petre clemens accipe ...' (Now good shepherd Peter mercifully receive). These hymns were sung at first Vespers and Lauds for the feast of the Chair of St. Peter (Feb. 22). Initial D with David This initial begins Psalm 26, 'Dominus illuminatio mea et salvus mea ...' (The Lord is my light and salvation), recited at Matins on Mondays. The Old Testament king David, who is traditionally believed to have composed the psalms, is shown pointing to his eyes, enacting the first words of the psalm. According to medieval theories of vision, the eyes received the light of divine illumination... This side of the leaf, the true verso, continues the text of Psalm 26 which begins on the front. Lewis E M 45:15-25 are from the same manuscript. The leaves are not continuous, however, and the current numbering does not follow the original order. Script: Rotunda
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