The Litany of the Saints in a French Book of Hours, c.1450.

Recto:12 lines of text in Latin written on vellum in an accomplished gothic bookhand, Ruled in red. Eleven illuminated initials in raised and burnished gold on blue and salmon grounds outlined in black and finished with fine white penwork. Seven illuminated line fillers. Verso: Twelve similarly illuminated initials and twelve line fillers. Origin: Northern France. Date: c.1450. Content:The text is from the Litany of the Saints section of a Book of Hours. The first line of Recto reads: Omnes sci [sancti] monachi et hermit[a]e or te [orate pro nobis}. (All ye Holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us). Then follow the names of saints with the abbreviation or [ora pro nobis] (pray for us) Saint Mary Magdalene Saint Maria of Egypt Saint Katherine Saint Margaret Saint Juliana Saint Appolonia Saint Agatha Saint Barbara Saint Felicity Saint Emerenciana and on Verso: Saint Anna Saint Anastasia Saint Praxedis Saint Radegund Saint Cecilia Saint Lucy Saint Avia Saint Opportuna Saint Scolastica Saint Clara Saint Agnes Saint Fides (Faith) Condition: The leaf is in very good condition for its age. While there are a few pale brown spots, a small natural hole in the vellum and soiling from page turning in the outer margin, the text is perfectly legible, the illuminations show no colour loss and the high quality gilding shines brightly. The leaf is unconditionally guaranteed genuine. Size: Leaf: approx. 175x135 mm. Notes: Books of Hours were prayer books designed for the laity who wished to emulate the cycle of daily devotions followed by the clergy but without taking actual vows. The contents grew out of the psalter but included a mixed variety of other types of material - hymns, lessons, biblical readings, calendars, litanies etc. There are eight Hours: Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline. The "Hours" (times for prayer) are Matins and Lauds at night or upon rising Prime (first Hour) at 6:00 a.m. Terce (third Hour) at 9:00 a.m. Sext (sixth Hour) at noon Nones (ninth Hour) at 3:00 p.m. Vespers (evensong) in the early evening Compline before retiring. The Litany of the Saints consists of the hypnotic invocation of a list of saints to whom the medieval reader prayed. Each invocation of a saint's name is followed by the plea "Ora pro nobis" ("Pray for us"). It is among the most ancient and emotional Christian liturgical texts, dating in the West to at least the 5th century AD. Saints served as earthly guardians, helpers, and nurses. More approachable than God, they could intercede in Heaven on behalf of humans. Medieval believers appealed to them for both spiritual and daily assistance, especially in dangerous situations: sickness, travel, and childbirth. This leaf includes a number of unusual saints in the Litany including Saints Anastasia of Sirmium, Mary of Egypt, Avia and Saint Faith who was martyred by being tortured and burnt alive on a brazier. The centre of her veneration is the famous Abbey of Saint Foy in Conques.