The origins of liturgical music traditionally date back to St. Gregory the Great (d. 604), who was inspired by the Holy Dove to record the principles of 'Gregorian' chant. The Gradual contained the musical parts of the Missal and was sung from the steps (gradus) of the altar. The Antiphoner contained the musical sections of the Breviary. These terms have become interchangeable in modern times. Because of their size and complexity, these manuscripts were still being handmade in the traditional way for centuries after the introduction of printing. They were boldly hand-written and illuminated on large sheets of sturdy vellum so that the entire choir could read from one book.

This impressive elephant folio sheet of vellum contains five-line music in red and black ink with two large initials in intricate red and blue pen work. The song includes part of Matthew 28, which translates as:

When it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen and the other Mary, to see the sepulchre.

References:

Condition: B

Light soiling with a dampstain at top and light toning on verso. There is an old vellum repair in the bottom margin that has been hand stitched. The grayish hue along the edges of the sheet is caused by our scanner (due to the waviness of the vellum) and is not present on the physical sheet.