Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
France, ca. 1511
MS M. 8 fol. 136v

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Trinity: Three Persons -- God, Christ, and Holy Ghost, each with crossed nimbus, each raising right hand in blessing and extending left hand to cross-surmounted globe, all draped with single mantle, sit on draped throne. In lower margin, escutcheon decorated with heraldry of Guy de Castelnau-Bretenoux (quarterly 1 and 4 gules a castle with 3 towers; 2 and 3 azure a lion argent) surmounted by a black papal prothonotary’s hat from which hang tassels. Crozier behind the escutcheon. All flanked by curtains. Initial I flanked by strawberry and forget-me-not (?). All enclosed by camaieu architectural frame of two decorated columns supporting lintel. In niches at top of the columns, statues of men wearing hats, one gesturing, the other, with purse at waist, hands in sleeves. Text is invitatory for Matins on Trinity Sunday.