A Contratenor partbook from a set of 6 volumes. First layer (Masses 1-11) copied by an unidentified scribe. Second layer (Masses 12-18) copied mostly by William Forrest (see below); Masses 16-18 and end of Mass 15 in S book copied by John Baldwin, who also wrote LonBLM 24 d.2, OxfC 979-83, part of OxfC 984-8, and 'My Ladye Nevells Booke' (last-named manuscript not within scope of this catalogue). A fourth scribe added some accidentals (see BrayIM). In early 17th century, a fifth scribe (probably William Heyther or Richard Nicholson) added three English anthems in the Sextus book; other voices for these pieces copied in OxfBMS d.212-6.

First layer copied in Oxford, for use at Cardinal College (later Christ Church). Owned in 1530 by William Forrest, a petty canon at Cardinal College (inscription on f. 1 of A); Forrest copied second layer of Masses after becoming chaplain to Mary Tudor, Queen of England. There is no evidence to indicate that the partbooks were owned by John Baldwin of Windsor (c. 1581 – they were not part of his estate on his death) other than his 'professional' copying hand appearing towards the end, adding some works and completing missing parts for others. Baldwin copied some music from these books into his own collection (the 'Baldwin' partbooks). Later owned by William Heyther (d. 1627), gentleman of the Chapel Royal and founder of the Professorship of Music at Oxford University. Donated to Oxford University Music School in 1626; passed to Bodleian Library in 1885.

All books in highly fragile condition; some folios damaged by ink corrosion, but most music still legible.

DATBQ books bound in identical original covers of brown tooled leather, decorated with English royal arms supported by greyhound and dragon or griffin, Tudor rose, and pomegranate.

(1) Main watermark in DATBQ: shield with initials "PS" (not in Briquet); (2) grape cluster with initials "AR", resembles Heawood #2174; (3) unidentified grape cluster.

(1)Main watermark in S is Heawood #2495, not found in other books of this set; two other unidentified watermarks, also unique to S book: (2) pot with initials "PK" or "PR"; (3) pot with three(?) indeterminate initials

black void mensural

New pencil foliation 1–120

Other numberings: original numbering of Masses, 1-18

Inked calligraphic initials; large initial at beginning of Taverner's Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas in each book (except S) decorated with portrait of the composer.

Original indices of Masses at beginning of all books except Q: some indices list only the first 11 Masses.

paper

Digitized with funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK) for the Tudor Partbooks project at the Universities of Oxford and Newcastle.

18 Masses, 3 anthems (later additions) = 21

Allwood-1, Ashwell-2, Aston-2, Bull-1, Burton-1, Byrd/(T. Mudd II)-1, Fayrfax-4, Merbecke-1, Nicholson [R N]/(Edward Smith)-1, Norman-1, Rasar-1, Shepherd-1, Taverner-3, Tye-1

6 paper partbooks (D-i + 135 folios, A-i + 137, T-i + 120, B-120, Q-iii + 120, S-67), 190 x 245 (S measures 145 x 195). All books in highly fragile condition; some folios damaged by ink corrosion, but most music still legible. New pencil foliation (D: 1-135; A: 1-137; T: 1109a + 1090-119; B: 1-120; Q: 1-120; S: 1-67); original numbering of Masses, 1-18. Blank folios or blank staves only-D: 2-3, 126'-135'; A: 1-3', 137-137'; T: 1-2, 3-3', 101'-109b, l09b'-119; B: 1-2, 3-3', 106'-120'; Q: 1-3', 115-120'; S: 1-4', 59'-60', 66-67'. DATBQ books bound in identical original covers of brown tooled leather, decorated with English royal arms supported by greyhound and dragon or griffin, Tudor rose, and pomegranate. Covers of S book (probably dating from late 16th century) also of brown tooled leather, but with different heraldic emblems (see BergsFH). Original indices of Masses at beginning of all books except Q: some indices list only the first 11 Masses.

First layer (Masses 1-11) copied by an unidentified scribe. Second layer (Masses 12-18) copied mostly by William Forrest (see below); Masses 16-18 and end of Mass 15 in S book copied by John Baldwin, who also wrote LonBLM 24 d.2, OxfC 979-83, part of OxfC 984-8, and "My Ladye Nevells Booke" (last-named manuscript not within scope of this catalogue). A fourth scribe added some accidentals (see BrayIM). In early 17th century, a fifth scribe (probably William Heyther or Richard Nicholson) added three English anthems in S book; other voices for these pieces copied in OxfBMS d.212-6.

Inked calligraphic initials; large initial at beginning of Taverner's Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas in each book (except S) decorated with portrait of the composer. Main watermark in DATBQ: shield with initials "PS" (not in Briquet); second watermark (grape cluster with initials "AR") resembles Heawood #2174; third watermark (grape cluster) unidentified. Main watermark in S is Heawood #2495, not found in other books of this set; two other unidentified watermarks, also unique to S book: (1) pot with initials "PK" or "PR"; (2) pot with three(?) indeterminate initials.

Ca. 1528-30 (first layer); ca. 1553-8 (second layer); some additions or recopying in S book during 1590's; other additions in S book (anthems) ca. 1615-25. First layer copied in Oxford, for use at Cardinal College (later Christ Church). Owned in 1530 by William Forrest, a petty canon at Cardinal College (inscription on f. 1 of A); Forrest copied second layer of Masses after becoming chaplain to Mary Tudor, Queen of England. Partbooks acquired by John Baldwin of Windsor ca. 1581; Baldwin completed or recopied several Masses in S book, and was probably responsible for having S book rebound in present covers. Later owned by William Heyther (d. 1627), gentleman of the Chapel Royal and founder of the Professorship of Music at Oxford University. Donated to Oxford University Music School in 1626; passed to Bodleian Library in 1885.