GB-Ob MS. e Mus 7

Bodleian Library, Oxford, England

flyleaves: Mid-14th century

Archive Bodleian Library, Oxford, England (GB-Ob)
Shelfmark MS. e Mus 7
Surface Parchment
Numbering System Pagination
Format portrait
Measurements 365 x 232 mm
Other Identifiers
  • RISM: GB-Ob 7
  • RISM: E Mus
Notations
  • Ars Nova
  • post-Franconian
Relationships
External Links
Provenance
  • England
Contents 18 pieces from 1 composers
General Description

St. Augustine's commentary on Psalms (vi + 271) with polyphonic music on pages i-xii at the front and 529-540. Corpus from Bury St. Edmunds; one of 4 folio volumes given to the Bodleian in 1654 by Robert Nicholas of Queen's College, a judge. It would seem that the end flyleaves are simply a later part of the same codex as the front ones. The whole repertoire consists of three- and four-part motets, except for a textless piece in three-part score, which appears to be a Kyrie (no. 13). The French influence may be noted in the French texts of nos. 14 and 15, as well as in the original version of no. 16. An indication of later date as well as a confirmation of the French influence in the end flyleaves is the use of isorhythm with diminution.

DIAMM, 2017
Binding

brown leather over pulp boards; probably 17th century.

DIAMM, 2017
Notation

Ars Nova and Petronian

DIAMM, 2017
Ruling

12 or 13 red five-line staves at the end

DIAMM, 2017
Foliation

pages v-xii and 529-536

DIAMM, 2017
Foliation

no foliation, but the corpus bears a probably 17th century pagination at t.r.r. and t.l.r.. The supplementary flyleaves are numbered from i-xii at the front and 529-540 at the back. (Equivalent foliation used in RISM: f. I-VI and 266-269.)

DIAMM, 2017
Decoration

The front musical flyleaves have initials in blue-red, while those at the end have no initials but an occasional guide-letter

DIAMM, 2017
Surface

Paper for the bulk of the ms; but flyleaves with music are parchment.

DIAMM, 2017
DIAMM Note

The tenor of Omnis terra colere conetur / Habenti dabitur et habundabit (pp 530-1) is now identified conclusively as a melisma from the Gradual chant Viderunt omnes, specifically: [Viderunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri. Iubilate Deo] omnis terra. See Colton, 'Making Sense of Omnis/Habenti' (2020).

Lisa Colton (2021)
RISM Description

RISM B/IV 2: An early 12th century parchment manuscript of St. Augustine's commentary on Psalms 101-150 meas. 365 x 232 mm. and consisting of VI + 271 folios. Of this total there are 2 blank paper flyleaves at each end. The other 4 flyleaves at each end (f. Ill-VI and 266-269) are a mid-14th century set of pages of polyphonic music. The provenance of the codex is Bury St. Edmunds. It is one of 4 folio volumes given to the Bodleian in 1654 by Robert Nicholas of Queen's College, a judge. The binding of brown leather over pulp boards probably dates from this period. There is no foliation, but the corpus bears a probably 17th century pagination at t.r.r. and t.l.r., while the supplementary flyleaves are numbered from i-xii at the front and 529-540 at the back. Augustine's treatise ends at f. 255. On f. 256-265v is an incomplete legal treatise written in the late 13th century. The front musical flyleaves have initials in blue-red, while those at the end have no initials but an occasional guide-letter. The notation is of Ars Nova type on 12 or 13 red five-line staves at the end, but at the beginning Petronian notation is used. It would seem that the end flyleaves are simply a later part of the same codex as the front ones. The whole repertoire consists of three- and four-part motets, except for a textless piece in three-part score, which appears to be a Kyrie (no. 13). The French influence may be noted in the French texts of nos. 14 and 15, as well as in the original version of no. 16. An indication of later date as well as a confirmation of the French influence in the end flyleaves is the use of isorhythm with diminution.

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

Répertoire International des Sources Musicales

page viii

Click an entry to see more information about that item.

Folio / Pages Composition / Item title Source attribution Composers (? Uncertain)
page v Maria mole pressa criminum - Anonymous

Maria mole pressa criminum

Anonymous
Appears on: page v
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Maria mole pressa criminum
page v Zorobabel abigo / Zorobabel actibus - Anonymous

Zorobabel abigo / Zorobabel actibus

Anonymous
Appears on: page v
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Zorobabel abigo/ Zorobabel actibus
page vi–page vii Petrum cephas ecclesiae / Petre amas me / Petrus pastor potissimus - Anonymous

Petrum cephas ecclesiae / Petre amas me / Petrus pastor potissimus

Anonymous
Appears on: page vi–page vii
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Petrum cephas ecclesie / Petre [amas me] / Petrus pastor potissimus
page vi–page vii Rex visibilium/ Rex invictissime regnorum / Regnum tuum solidum - Anonymous

Rex visibilium/ Rex invictissime regnorum / Regnum tuum solidum

Anonymous
Appears on: page vi–page vii
Genres: Troped chant
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Rex visibilium/ Rex invictissime regnorum / Regnum t[uum] solidum
General Note

Tr incipit mainly conjectural
page viii Lux refulget monachorum - Anonymous

Lux refulget monachorum

Anonymous
Appears on: page viii
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: Lux refulget monachorum
General Note

Tr and T only
page ix Duodeno sidere mican - Anonymous

Duodeno sidere mican

Anonymous
Appears on: page ix
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c1
Voice Text: Duodeno sydere mican
General Note

Mot only

Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plate 50.

page ix Frondentibus florentibus silvis / Floret - Anonymous

Frondentibus florentibus silvis / Floret

Anonymous
Appears on: page ix
Genres: Motet
Voice: Tenor
Languages: Latin
Clef: c3
Voice Text: Floret
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c2
Voice Text: Frondentibus florentibus silvis
General Note

Mot and T only

Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plate 50.

page x–page xi Ave, miles caelestis curie / Ave, rex atrone patrie / Ave, rex gentis - Anonymous

Ave, miles caelestis curie / Ave, rex atrone patrie / Ave, rex gentis

Anonymous
Appears on: page x–page xi
Genres: Troped chant
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c3
Voice Text: A-, ave, rex [atrone patrie
Voice: Tenor
Languages: Latin
Clef: c4
Voice Text: Ave, rex [gentis]
Voice: Tenor secundus
Languages: none
Clef: c4
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c3
Voice Text: Ave, miles celestis curie
Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plates 51-52;.

page x–page xi De flore martirum modum militiae / Deus, tuorum militum / Ave, rex gentis - Anonymous

De flore martirum modum militiae / Deus, tuorum militum / Ave, rex gentis

Anonymous
Appears on: page x–page xi
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c3
Voice Text: De flore martirum modum militie
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c3
Voice Text: Deus, tuorum militum
Voice: Tenor
Languages: Latin
Clef: c4
Voice Text: Ave, rex gentis
Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plates 51-52.

page xii Templu, eia Salomonis in superne - Anonymous

Templu, eia Salomonis in superne

Anonymous
Appears on: page xii
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c2
Voice Text: Templu, eya Salomonis in superne
General Note

Tr only

Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plate 53.

page xii Barabas dimittitur dignus / Barrabas dimittitur in merito / Babilonis flumina - Anonymous

Barabas dimittitur dignus / Barrabas dimittitur in merito / Babilonis flumina

Anonymous
Appears on: page xii
Genres: Troped chant
Voice: Tenor
Languages: Latin
Clef: f4
Voice Text: [Babilonis flumina]
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c2
Voice Text: [Barrabas dimittitur in merito]
Voice: Triplum
Languages: Latin
Clef: c2
Voice Text: Barrabas dimittitur dignus
General Note

Tr and T only

Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plates 53, 153.

page 529 Cuius de manibus / Quadri... ivium - Anonymous

Cuius de manibus / Quadri... ivium

Anonymous
Appears on: page 529
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: [C]uius de manibus/ Quadri... ivium
page 530–page 531 Omnis terra colere conetur / Habenti dabitur et habundabit - Anonymous

Omnis terra colere conetur / Habenti dabitur et habundabit

Anonymous
Appears on: page 530–page 531
Genres: Motet
Voice: Tenor
Languages: none
Clef: c4
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c3
Voice Text: Habenti dabitur et habundabit
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c1
Voice Text: Omnis terra colere conetur
Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Colton, Lisa. 2020. Making Sense of Omnis/Habenti: An ars nova Motet in England. Music and Instruments of The Middle Ages: Essays in Honour of Christopher Page, edited by Lisa Colton, 221–246. Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer. Notes: The tenor of Omnis terra colere conetur / Habenti dabitur et habundabit is now identified conclusively as a melisma from the Gradual chant Viderunt omnes, specifically: [Viderunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri. Iubilate Deo] omnis terra.

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plates 55-56.

page 531 Kyrie (textless) - Anonymous

Kyrie (textless)

Anonymous
Appears on: page 531
Genres: Kyrie eleison, Mass Ordinary, textless
page 532–page 533 Deus creator omnium suum / Rex genitor ingeniti proles / Doucement mi reconforte cele - Anonymous

Deus creator omnium suum / Rex genitor ingeniti proles / Doucement mi reconforte cele

Anonymous
Appears on: page 532–page 533
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c1
Voice Text: Rex genitor ingeniti proles
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: French
Clef: c4
Voice Text: Doucement mi reconforte cele
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c1
Voice Text: Deus creator omnium suum
Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plates 57-58.

Stainer, John F. R, and Cécie Stainer (editors). 1901. Reprinted: Farnborough, 1967. Sacred and Secular Songs, together with other MS. compositions in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Early Bodleian Music.  Oxford. London. Pages: [facs.] plates XII-XIII.

page 534–page 535 Pura, placens, pulcra, pia / Parfundement plure Absolon - Anonymous

Pura, placens, pulcra, pia / Parfundement plure Absolon

Anonymous
Appears on: page 534–page 535
Genres: Motet
Voice: Tenor
Languages: none
Clef: no clef
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: French
Clef: c3
Voice Text: Parfundement plure Absolon
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: French
Clef: c2
Voice Text: Pura, placens, pulcra, pia
Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plates 59-60.

Stainer, John F. R, and Cécie Stainer (editors). 1901. Reprinted: Farnborough, 1967. Sacred and Secular Songs, together with other MS. compositions in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Early Bodleian Music.  Oxford. London. Pages: [facs.] plates XIV-XV.

page 534 Domine quis habitabit / De veri cordis adipe / Concupisco - Anonymous

Domine quis habitabit / De veri cordis adipe / Concupisco

Anonymous
Appears on: page 534
Genres: Contrafactum, Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Voice Text: [D]omine quis habitabit / [D]e ueri cordis adipe / Concupisco
Layout

De veri cordis adipe / Concupisco on p.534, Domine quis on p.535
page 536 Parce piscatoribus, Jacobe / Relictis retibus - Anonymous

Parce piscatoribus, Jacobe / Relictis retibus

Anonymous
Appears on: page 536
Genres: Motet
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c5
Voice Text: Relictis retibus
Voice: [no designation]
Languages: Latin
Clef: c2
Voice Text: Parce piscatoribus, Jacobe
General Note

Tr and T only

Layout

parts

Item Bibliography

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn (editor). 1963-. Early English Church Music.  London: Stainer & Bell. Pages: (26), [facs.] plate 61.

Composer Compositions
Anonymous
Composition Composers (? Uncertain) Folios / Pages
Ave, miles caelestis curie / Ave, rex atrone patrie / Ave, rex gentis Anonymous page x–page xi
Barabas dimittitur dignus / Barrabas dimittitur in merito / Babilonis flumina Anonymous page xii
Cuius de manibus / Quadri... ivium Anonymous page 529
De flore martirum modum militiae / Deus, tuorum militum / Ave, rex gentis Anonymous page x–page xi
Deus creator omnium suum / Rex genitor ingeniti proles / Doucement mi reconforte cele Anonymous page 532–page 533
Domine quis habitabit / De veri cordis adipe / Concupisco Anonymous page 534
Duodeno sidere mican Anonymous page ix
Frondentibus florentibus silvis / Floret Anonymous page ix
Kyrie (textless) Anonymous page 531
Lux refulget monachorum Anonymous page viii
Maria mole pressa criminum Anonymous page v
Omnis terra colere conetur / Habenti dabitur et habundabit Anonymous page 530–page 531
Parce piscatoribus, Jacobe / Relictis retibus Anonymous page 536
Petrum cephas ecclesiae / Petre amas me / Petrus pastor potissimus Anonymous page vi–page vii
Pura, placens, pulcra, pia / Parfundement plure Absolon Anonymous page 534–page 535
Rex visibilium/ Rex invictissime regnorum / Regnum tuum solidum Anonymous page vi–page vii
Templu, eia Salomonis in superne Anonymous page xii
Zorobabel abigo / Zorobabel actibus Anonymous page v

Images © Bodleian Library, Oxford

‡ denotes primary source study

Colton, Lisa. 2020. Making Sense of Omnis/Habenti: An ars nova Motet in England. Music and Instruments of The Middle Ages: Essays in Honour of Christopher Page, edited by Lisa Colton, 221–246. Woodbridge: Boydell & Brewer. Notes: Identification of the tenor of Omnis terra colere conetur / Habenti dabitur et habundabit (pp 530-1).

Colton, Lisa. 2009. Music and identity in medieval Bury St Edmunds. St Edmund, King and Martyr: Changing Images of a Medieval Saint, edited by Lisa Colton, 87-110. York Medieval Press. Notes: description of ms; list of contents; discussion.

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn. 1978. Polyphonic Music for a Chapel of Edward . Music & Letters, 420-428.

Apfel, Ernst. 1959. Studien zur Satztechnik der mittelalterlichen englischen Musik. 2 vols. Pages: I, 30f, 53f.

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn. 1958, second ed. 1963. Music in Medieval Britain.  London: Routledge. Pages: 148 (transcription of part of 06 7 12); 145,148f.

Harrison, Frank Llewellyn. 1954-1960. New Oxford History of Music. 89ff. Pages: III, 93 ff.

Bukofzer, Manfred F. 1950. Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Music. Pages: 29 ff (transcription of 06 7 7 and 8); ch. 1.

Reese, Gustave. 1940. Music in the Middle Ages: With an introduction on the music of ancient times.  New York: W.W. Norton & Co. Pages: 401 ff, 413.

Besseler, Heinrich. 1926. Studien zur Musik des Mittelalters: II. Die Motette von Franko von Köln bis Philipp van Vitry. Archiv für Musikwissenschaft, 137-258. Pages: I, 220, 222.

Wolf, Johannes. 1904; Reprinted: Hildesheim, 1965. Geschichte der Mensural-Notation von 1250-1460 nach den theoretischen und praktischen Quellen. 3 vols. Leipzig. Pages: I, 130, 365.

Stainer, John F. R, Cécie Stainer, and Edward W. B. Nicholson. 1901, 1913. Early Bodleian Music I-II (1901); Early Bodleian Music III. Pages: I, pl. X-XV (facsimile of Ob 7 2, 14 and 15); II, 24ff, 32ff, 37ff, 41ff (transcription of Ob 7 2 and part of 06 7 14, 15 and 16).

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Margaret Bent

Monday, 28 February, 2022

Re-organised the inventory for pp 534-5, to show 2 pieces: Pura placens/Parfundement at the top of both sides of the opening; Domine quis habitabit/De veri cordis adipe/Concupiscoat the bottom (both sides). Also identified 'Domine quis...Concupisco' as a contrafact of 'Se paour...Concupisco' in Ivrea.

Margaret Bent

Friday, 25 February, 2022

Margaret Bent

Monday, 19 October, 2020

'Surface' note added to clarify that flyleaves with music are parchment; use of pages not foliation made consistent (though cross-reference to RISM 's use of folio numbers). Previously-omitted 3vv Kyrie (textless) added to inventory for p.531.

Répertoire Internationale des Sources Musicales

Monday, 23 January, 2017

NB: Migrated from old site. Credit for notes may not be completely accurate. RISM Description