RISM Supplement: This book was last recorded in 1903, when it was included in T. Wainwright, 'A Calendar of the Ancient Records of the Borough of Bridport', as: 'Names of the brethren and sisters of the Holy Cross in St Andrew's chapel on the feast of the Epiphany this year [1400], the ordinances and regulations then made and the yearly accounts of the confraternity, 1401-1461 and 1474-1487 (2069)' (DOr, B3/PQ 28, fol. 223). Wainwright's transcripts from this volume are now DOr, B3/ PQ 30/2, fols. 96-111. The book was described by H. T. Riley for the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts in 1877 as follows:
'A small parchment book, of about 40 leaves, duodecimo size, bound in, apparently, goat leather, fastened with a strap. The first leaf contains a list of names, the date being, from the second page, about A. D. 1434. The third page begins, in fine writing, in Latin, - "These are the names of the brethren and their fellow-sisters (consororum) of the Brotherhood of the Light of the Holy Cross, in the church of St. Andrew of Brudeport, ordained and begun among the same brethren and their fellow-sisters on Sunday after the Feast of Our Lord's Epiphany 1399, for maintaining a light in the church aforesaid; to the honour of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Cross, and of his most Blessed Mother, Mary, and all Saints." ... On the 7th leaf there is some little musical notation, in two parts; a fragment, in a hand, probably, of the close of the 14th century. It begins abruptly - "tu scez bien de qeor verra qe jeo teyme damour entière: (next line) ferrai tant cum vive rai, ne ja men irray arere".... Below is written, "Tenor de A toute hure" .... Unfortunately the music has been written over with a list of names; though, after a prolonged examination, both words and notation might perhaps be made out.'
Riley's comment that the page had been written over may indicate that the music was palimpsest. It should not necessarily be assumed that Riley was able to read the opening of the text of the upper voice: the text 'tu scez ...' and the tenor of A toute hure may have been all that remained visible at the foot of the page.
NOTES ON CONTENTS
Two voices; all music and possibly the beginning of the text of the upper voice lost.
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