A Contratenor Decani partbook from a set of eight volumes. Copied mostly by Stephen Bing; later additions by two other scribes, one of whom was John Gostling (ShawG). Probably copied in London. Original owner presumably Stephen Bing (d. 1682), minor canon at St. Paul's Cathedral. Acquired by John Gostling (d. 1733), who made several additions. Bookplate and signature of William Gostling (son of John) inside front covers. Manuscript in York Minster Library by mid 19th century (listed in 1850 catalogue of library's holdings).

A few folios are half-leaves or small scraps.

Original covers of dark brown leather over cardboard, gold stamped front and back with initials of voice designations

fleur-de-lis on crowned shield (not in Briquet or Heawood)

not indicated

Staff height usually 10, sometimes 11

Original ink pagination in each book, with some errors and inconsistencies; new pencil foliation in each book

Small inked initials

Original index at beginning of each book lists Services, followed by anthems, grouped alphabetically by first letter of text

paper

2 motets, 41 Services, 1 Service section, 249 anthems, 8 psalm-tone formulas = 301 *

*Several pieces copied twice in some partbooks; such duplicates not included in above count.

Aldrich-8, Amner-3, A. Batten-19, A. Batten/(N. Giles)-1, A. Batten/Ward-1, Bevin-1, Blackwell-3, Blow-26, Blow-Humfrey-W. Turner I-1, Bryne-3, Bull-2, Byrd-4, Byrd/(Coste)-1, Byrd/ (T. Mudd II)-1, Child-19, Cranford/(Lamb)-1, Cutts-8, Cutts/ Ward-1, Deering/(T. Wilkinson)-1, J. Farrant II-1, R. Farrant-3, J. Ferrabosco-1, C. Gibbons-10, Gibbons-10, Gibbons/(N. Giles) -1, N. Giles-1, W. Gregory-2, Hall I-2, A. Hecht-7, Henstridge -1, Hirdson-2, Hooper-1, Hooper/(R. Farrant/J. or W.? Mundy) -1, Hooper/(J. or W.? Mundy)-1, Humfrey-12, G. Jeffries-6, W. King-2, H. Lawes-2, W. Lawes-2, Locke-3, Loosemore-3, Lowe-1, Morley-2, J. or W.? Mundy/(Shepherd/R.? White)-1, W. Mundy-2, W. Mundy/(Wood)-1, R. Parsons I/(Byrd/Stro-gers/R. White)-1, Patrick-1, Peerson-1, Portman-3, Purcell-18, T. Purcell-1, Ramsey-2, Read-1, Rogers-10, Sargenson-1, Edward Smith-1, Strogers-2, Tallis-3, Tallis/(Byrd)-1, Tallis/ (Weelkes)-1, S. Taylor-1, J. Tomkins-1, Tomkins-7, W. Tucker -15, Tudway-3, W. Turner I-18, Tye-2, Ward-2, W. White/(M. White/R. White)-1, W. White/(R. White)-1, T. Wilkinson-4, Wise-13, anon-1

8 paper partbooks (Médius Cantoris-87 folios, Contratenor Cantoris-i + 99 + i, Tenor Cantoris-93 + v, Bassus Cantoris-85 + i, Medius Decani-i + 115 + i, Contratenor Decani-i + 108 + i, Tenor Decani-i + 112 + i, Bassus Decani-109 + i), 293-8 x 185-92. A few folios are half-leaves or small scraps. Original ink pagination in each book, with some errors and inconsistencies; new pencil foliation in each book. Original covers of dark brown leather over cardboard, gold stamped front and back with initials of voice designations. Original index at beginning of each book lists Services, followed by anthems, grouped alphabetically by first letter of text. Copied mostly by Stephen Bing (see below); later additions by two other scribes, one of whom was John Gostling (ShawG). Staff height usually 10, sometimes 11. Small inked initials. Watermark: fleur-de-lis on crowned shield (not in Briquet or Heawood).

Ca. 1668-97 (GriffY). Probably copied in London. Original owner presumably Stephen Bing (d. 1682), minor canon at St. Paul's Cathedral. Acquired by John Gostling (d. 1733), who made several additions. Bookplate and signature of William Gostling (son of John) inside front covers. Manuscript in York Minster Library by mid 19th century (listed in 1850 catalogue of library's holdings).