GB-Ob MS. Mus. c. 784 (Willmott Manuscript)

Bodleian Library, Oxford, England

partbook: 1591

Archive Bodleian Library, Oxford, England (GB-Ob)
Shelfmark MS. Mus. c. 784 (Willmott Manuscript)
Surface Paper
Numbering System None / Unknown
Format landscape
Measurements 208 x 283 mm (page)
Other Identifiers
  • CCM: SpetchB s.s.
  • olim (Former shelfmark): Private Library of R. J. Berkeley
Notations
  • black void mensural
Copyists
Relationships
Provenance
  • Norwich, Norfolk, England
Contents 29 pieces from 11 composers
General Description

A Contratenor partbook from a set probably of 5 volumes (Ob Tenb. MS 1486, the Tenor partbook from this set, known as the Braikenridge manuscript, is the only other known survivor). Both books contain the name of John Sadler, a Norwich Grocer (not a Northamptonshire Parson), who is also linked to Ob Mus. e. 1-5.

Given to Thomas Chapman by Charles Spisar, of 'Fulsham', Norfolk (i.e. Foulsham), in 1709 (inscription on f. 46). Given to Elizabeth Becher by Dr. Peckard, Dean of Peterborough, in 1788; passed to Mary Cranfield Becher (niece of Elizabeth Becher) in 1838. Later owned by the collector Ellen Ann Willmott (d. 1934), of Great Warley, Essex. Latter's library sold by Sotheby's in 1935; present manuscript purchased by Willmott's nephew, R. G. Berkeley. Acquired by the Bodleian Library from Berkeley's grandchild 2022.

DIAMM, 2017
Physical Description

Original folios also missing between ff. [10]-[11]; [13]-[14]; [15]-[16].

DIAMM, 2017
Binding

Original covers of dark brown leather over cardboard, blind tooled and gold tooled with ornamental designs; modern red morocco slipcase.

DIAMM, 2017
Ownership

Given to Thomas Chapman by Charles Spisar, of 'Fulsham', Norfolk (i.e. Foulsham), in 1709 (inscription on f. 46). Given to Elizabeth Becher by Dr. Peckard, Dean of Peterborough, in 1788; passed to Mary Cranfield Becher (niece of Elizabeth Becher) in 1838. Later owned by the collector Ellen Ann Willmott (d. 1934), of Great Warley, Essex. Latter's library sold by Sotheby's in 1935; purchased by Willmott's nephew, R. G. Berkeley of Spetchley Park, Worcester - the grandfather of the current owner.

DIAMM, 2017
Watermark

Grapes with AG letters, Briquet #13163 (Autun, 1580; Narbonne 1583-89)

Simon Maguire
Ruling

Staff height 9-11

DIAMM, 2019
Foliation

No foliation or pagination. Other numberings: Original numbering of pieces, 1-26 (last two motets included under #26).

DIAMM, 2017
Decoration

large calligraphic initials, some elaborately decorated with red, green, gold, blue, silver, and gray floral designs, animals, monsters, and grotesques; some text in red ink.

DIAMM, 2019
Surface

Paper

DIAMM, 2017
DIAMM Note

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

DIAMM, 2023
DIAMM Note

Part of the set including the 'Braikenridge' MS in the Bodleian Library (MS. Tenbury 1486), copied by John Sadler in 1591. The description partly refers to that given in the Census Catalogue for the Braikenridge MS.

DIAMM, 2017
Census Catalogue of Music Description

This information is reproduced here by kind permission of the publishers. It is COPYRIGHT and copying/reproduction of this content without permission may result in legal action.

1 hymn, 26 motets (6 incomplete) = 27

(Byrd)-9, (Byrd/Taverner)-1, (R. Johnson I)-1, (W. Mundy)-1, (R. Parsons I)-1, Sadler-1, Tallis-6, (Taverner)-1, R. White-2, anon-4

1 paper partbook (A-48 + iv folios), 208 x 285. OxfBT 1486 is T book from same set; other books apparently lost. No foliation or pagination. Original numbering of pieces, 1-26 (last two motets included under #26). Original covers of dark brown leather over cardboard, blind tooled and gold tooled with ornamental designs; modern red morocco slipcase. No index. Copied by John Sadler, who also wrote OxfBM e.1-5 and OxfBT 1486 (FelAP). Staff height 9-11. Large calligraphic initials, some elaborately decorated with red, green, gold, blue, silver, and gray floral designs, animals, monsters, and grotesques; some text in red ink. Watermark is Heawood #2168, also found in OxfBM e.1-5 and OxfBT 1486.

1591 (date on f. 18'). Probably copied in or near Sudborough, Northampton. The compiler, scribe, and original owner was John Sadler, a schoolmaster and Anglican priest. Given to Thomas Chapman by Charles Spisar, of Fulsham, Norfolk, in 1709 (inscription at end). Given to Elizabeth Becher by Dr. Peckard, Dean of Peterborough, in 1788; passed to Mary Cranfield Becher (niece of Elizabeth Becher) in 1838. Later owned by the collector Ellen Ann Willmott (d. 1934), of Great Warley, Essex. Latter's library sold by Sotheby's in 1935; present manuscript purchased by Willmott's nephew, R. G. Berkeley, grandfather of current owner.

Census-Catalogue of Manuscript Sources of Polyphonic Music 1400-1550

18v

Click an entry to see more information about that item.

Folio / Pages Composition / Item title Source attribution Composers (? Uncertain)
1r–3v Salve intemerata dei mater Master Thomas Tallys
Appears on: 1r–3v
Genres: Motet
Source Attribution: Master Thomas Tallys
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Salve Intemerata
4r–5r Laudate Dominum omnes gentes, laudate eum -
Appears on: 4r–5r
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Laudate Dominum
5v–7r Ave Dei patris filia Master Robert Johnson
Appears on: 5v–7r
Genres: Motet
Source Attribution: Master Robert Johnson
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Ave Dei Patris
8r–9r Ne irascaris Domine [2p. Civitas sancti tui] Master Wyllyam Byrde
Appears on: 8r–9r
Genres: Anthem
Source Attribution: Master Wyllyam Byrde
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Ne Irascaris
9v–10r Tribulationes civitatum [2p. Timor et hebitudo, 3p. Nos enim pro peccatis] -
Appears on: 9v–10r
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Tribulationes Civitatum
11r–13v Miserere mei Deus [2p: Cor mundum crea] -
Appears on: 11r–13v
Genres: Miserere mei Deus, Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Miserere Mei
14r–15v Gaude plurimum [2p. Gaude Maria, Jesu mater; 3p. Eundem igitur Jesum] -
Appears on: 14r–15v
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Gaude Plurimum
16r–18v Ave Dei patris filia Off master thomas tallys
Appears on: 16r–18v
Genres: Motet
Source Attribution: Off master thomas tallys
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Ave Dei Patris
19r–20r Ave Regina Caelorum -
Appears on: 19r–20r
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Ave Regina Coelorum
20v–22v Infelix ego omnium (2p. Quid igitur faciam; 3p. Ad te igitur) -
Appears on: 20v–22v
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Infelix Ego
23r–25r Deus venerunt gentes (2p. Posuerunt morticinia; 3p. Effuderunt sanguinem; 4p. Opprobrium facti sumus) -
Appears on: 23r–25r
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Deus Venerunt Gentes
25v–26r Petrus beatus - 1a pars (of 3): Petrus beatus Master William Birde
Appears on: 25v–26r
Genres: Motet
Source Attribution: Master William Birde
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Petrus Beatus
26r–26v Petrus beatus - 2a pars (of 3): Quodcumque vinclis -
Appears on: 26r–26v
Genres: Motet
26v Petrus beatus - 3a pars (of 3): Gloria Deo - Per immensa saecula -
Appears on: 26v
Genres: Motet
27r–28r Cunctis diebus quibus nunc milito -
Appears on: 27r–28r
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Cunctis Diebus
28r–29r Retribue servo tuo -
Appears on: 28r–29r
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Retribue Servo Tuo
29v–31r Domine quis habitabit [2p. Ad nihillum deductus] -
Appears on: 29v–31r
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Domine, Quis Habitabit
31v–32r O quam gloriosum est regnum (2p. Benedictio et claritas) -
Appears on: 31v–32r
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: O Quam Gloriosam
32v–34r Ave rosa sine spinis -
Appears on: 32v–34r
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Ave Rosa Sine Spinis
34r O Salutaris Hostia - Anonymous

O Salutaris Hostia

Anonymous
Appears on: 34r
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: O Salutaris Hostia
34v–37v Vox Patris caelestis -
Appears on: 34v–37v
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Vox Patris Coelestis
38r–40v Miserere mei Deus -
Appears on: 38r–40v
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Miserere Mei
41r–41v Anima Christi -
Appears on: 41r–41v
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Anima Christi
42v–43v Domine, quando veneris (2p. Hei mihi DOmine) -
Appears on: 42v–43v
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Domine, Quando Veneris
43v–44v Absterge Domine -
Appears on: 43v–44v
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Absterge, Domine
45r–45v Quare Tristis es anima mea -
Appears on: 45r–45v
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Quare Tristis es anima mea
46r–47r Domine quis habitabit (II) [2p. Ad nihillum deductus] -
Appears on: 46r–47r
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Domine, Quis Habitabit
47v–48 In resurrectione tua -
Appears on: 47v–48
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: In Resurrectione tua
48–48v Laetentur caeli (2p. Orietur in diebus) -
Appears on: 48–48v
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Letentur Caeli
Layout

Not displayed as separate piece, but continuing from the previous one. (hence the 2a pars is counted as '3a pars')

Composer Compositions
Anonymous
Boni, Guillaume
Byrd, William (ca. 1540–1623)
Gerarde, Derrick (fl. c1540–1580)
Johnson (I), Robert (ca. 1500–ca. 1560)
Mundy, William (ca. 1528–ca. 1591)
Parsons 'of Wells', William
Parsons (I), Robert (ca. 1535–ca. 1572)
Tallis, Thomas (ca. 1505–1585)
Taverner, John
White, Robert (ca. 1538–1574)
Composition Composers (? Uncertain) Folios / Pages
Absterge Domine 43v–44v
Anima Christi 41r–41v
Ave Dei patris filia 5v–7r
Ave Dei patris filia 16r–18v
Ave Regina Caelorum 19r–20r
Ave rosa sine spinis 32v–34r
Cunctis diebus quibus nunc milito 27r–28r
Deus venerunt gentes (2p. Posuerunt morticinia; 3p. Effuderunt sanguinem; 4p. Opprobrium facti sumus) 23r–25r
Domine quis habitabit (II) [2p. Ad nihillum deductus] 46r–47r
Domine quis habitabit [2p. Ad nihillum deductus] 29v–31r
Domine, quando veneris (2p. Hei mihi DOmine) 42v–43v
Gaude plurimum [2p. Gaude Maria, Jesu mater; 3p. Eundem igitur Jesum] 14r–15v
In resurrectione tua 47v–48
Infelix ego omnium (2p. Quid igitur faciam; 3p. Ad te igitur) 20v–22v
Laetentur caeli (2p. Orietur in diebus) 48–48v
Laudate Dominum omnes gentes, laudate eum 4r–5r
Miserere mei Deus 38r–40v
Miserere mei Deus [2p: Cor mundum crea] 11r–13v
Ne irascaris Domine [2p. Civitas sancti tui] 8r–9r
O quam gloriosum est regnum (2p. Benedictio et claritas) 31v–32r
O Salutaris Hostia Anonymous 34r
Petrus beatus - 1a pars (of 3): Petrus beatus 25v–26r
Petrus beatus - 2a pars (of 3): Quodcumque vinclis 26r–26v
Petrus beatus - 3a pars (of 3): Gloria Deo - Per immensa saecula 26v
Quare Tristis es anima mea 45r–45v
Retribue servo tuo 28r–29r
Salve intemerata dei mater 1r–3v
Tribulationes civitatum [2p. Timor et hebitudo, 3p. Nos enim pro peccatis] 9v–10r
Vox Patris caelestis 34v–37v

Images © Bodleian Library, Oxford

Set: TUDOR PARTBOOKS

Type: Project Collection

No images available

GB-Lbl Royal Appendix 41

No images available

GB-Lbl Royal Appendix 42

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GB-Lbl Royal Appendix 43

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GB-Lbl Royal Appendix 44

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GB-Lbl Royal Appendix 57

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GB-Lbl Royal Appendix 59

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GB-Lbl Royal Appendix 60

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GB-Lbl Royal Appendix 61

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GB-Lbl Royal Appendix 62

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GB-Lcm [pr. bk.] B187

No images available

GB-Lcm [pr. bk.] B190 [Altus]

No images available

GB-Lcm [pr. bk.] B190 [Bassus]

No images available

GB-Lcm [pr. bk.] B190 [Discantus]

No images available

GB-Lcm [pr. bk.] B190 [Tenor]

No images available

GB-Ob MS. Tenbury 807

No images available

GB-Ob MS. Tenbury 808

No images available

GB-Ob MS. Tenbury 809

No images available

GB-Ob MS. Tenbury 810

No images available

GB-Ob MS. Tenbury 811

No images available

GB-Och Mus. 45

No images available

IRL-Dm [pr. bk.] Z4. 3. 1-5

No images available

US-NYp Mus. Res. Drexel 4182

denotes primary source study

Blezzard, Judith H. 1995. Monsters and Messages: The Willmott and Braikenridge Manuscripts of Latin Tudor Church Music, 1591. The Antiquaries Journal, 311–338.

Gaskin, Hilary Lorna. 1985. Music copyists in late sixteenth-century England, with particular reference to the manuscripts of John Baldwin. University of Cambridge Faculty of Music, PhD.

Mateer, David G. 1979. John Sadler and Oxford, Bodleian MSS Mus. e. 1-5. Music and Letters, 281-95. Pages: 281, 285, 287. Notes: mention of MS.

Morris, Christopher (compiler). 1978. The Oxford Book of Tudor Anthems.  London. Pages: 272. Notes: contents list (partial); concordances (partial).

Hofman, May. 1977. The Survival of Latin Sacred Music by English Composers 1485–1610. University of Oxford Faculty of Music, DPhil.

Josephson, David Sholom. 1972. John Taverner: A Documentary Study of His Life and Musik. Columbia University, Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. Pages: 259. Notes: contents list (partial).

Bray, Roger W. 1971. The Part-Books Oxford, Christ Church, MSS 979-983: An Index and Commentary. Musica Disciplina, 179-97. Pages: 184-9. Notes: contents list (partial); concordances (partial).

Benham, Hugh Raymond. 1969. The Music of John Taverner - A Study and Assessment. University of Southampton, Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation. Pages: 44. Notes: physical description (partial); contents list (partial).

Satterfield, John. 1969. A Catalogue of Tye's Latin Music,. Studies in Musicology: Essays in the History, Style, and Bibliography of Music in Memory of Glen Haydon, 51-9. Chapel Hill, N.C. Pages: 56, 59. Notes: mention of MS; contents list (partial).

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: II, 217; XXV,171; XXVIII,125,130; XXIX, 129,132-3. Notes: physical description (partial); contents list (partial); concordances (partial).

Kerman, Joseph. 1963. Communication. Journal of the American Musicological Society, 110. Notes: contents list (partial); concordances (partial).

Kerman, Joseph. 1961. Byrd's Motets: Chronology and Canon. Journal of the American Musicological Society, 359-82. Pages: 364. Notes: mention of MS; contents list (partial).

Noble, Jeremy. 1955. La Répertoire Instrumental Anglais: 1550-1585. La Musique Instrumentale de la Renaissance, 91-114. Paris. Pages: 105. Notes: contents list (partial); concordances (partial).

Fellowes, Edmund H. 1948. William Byrd.  London, New York, and Toronto. Pages: 113, 131, plate opp. 72. Notes: contents list (partial); concordances (partial); facsimile (partial).

Fellowes, Edmund H. 1948. Tudor Church Music: Appendix with Supplementary Notes.  London. Pages: 5-6, 36-7, 42-9. Notes: physical description (partial); contents list; transcription (partial); mention of MS; discussion.

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Edward Tambling

Thursday, 4 July, 2024

Identified Quare tristis est anima mea (on fols 45r-45v) to be the setting by Derrick Gerarde, also found in GB-Lbl Roy. App. 17-22 and 26-30.

Magnus Williamson

Friday, 30 August, 2019

Incorrect attribution fixed

Census-Catalogue of Manuscript Sources of Polyphonic Music 1400-1550

Monday, 23 January, 2017

NB: Migrated from old site. Credit for notes may not be completely accurate. Census Catalogue of Music Description