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.

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

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

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.

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

Staff height 9-11

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

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.

Paper

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

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.

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.