An Altus partbook from a set of five volumes; the remaining partbooks are in Chicago (US-Cn Case MS VM1578.M91). Copied by the same scribe as BolC Q21 (Mitchell Brauner); this copyist was probably Gianpiero Masacone, who wrote FlorD 4, 11, 27, and 28 (Rifkin).

The sixty compositions are copied in three series: 14 four-voiced motets; 16 five- and six-voiced motets (the last of these now lost from the Altus); and 30 four-, five- and six-voiced madrigals.

Copied in Florence; presented to Henry VIII of England, apparently as a gift from the city of Florence. In the early 17th century, the books were in the possession of the Catholic recusant Francis Tregian the Younger (1574-1619), who copied a madrigal from them into LonBLE 3665, and a motet into NYorkP 4302. Nothing is known of the subsequent history of the books until the 19th century.

At some point, the Altus became separated from the rest of the books; it was acquired in the second half of 19th century by Francis Kerril Amherst (1819-83), Roman Catholic Bishop of Northampton. Passed to Oscott College, Sutton Coldfield, after Amherst's death. Re-discovered by Herbert Keilman in 1976.

Some folios damaged by water stains; other folios mutilated due to removal of decorative initials. Original ff. [1], [37-41], [71-81], [121], and [125] now missing.

Original covers of dark brown morocco leather, with ornamental decorations and voice designations stamped in gold; see ChiN M91 for other manuscripts bearing same stamps.

resembles Briquet #6305.

black void mensural

Other numberings: Original ink numbering of pieces in three series, I-XIV (4-voice motets); I-XV (5- and 6-voice motets; original 'XVI' now missing due to lost folios); I-XXX (Italian madrigals).

No foliation or pagination

Illuminated initials (most cut out by later vandal) were work of Giovanni Boccardi (1460-1529).

paper

29 motets (3 incomplete), 30 Italian secular pieces (3 incomplete) = 59

(Arcadelt/Verdelot)-1, (Conseil)-1, (A. Ferrabosco I/Verdelot)-1, (Jaquet of Mantua/Lafage/Sermisy)-1, (Jhan of Ferrara)-1, (Josquin/Verdelot)-1, (Lhéritier)-3, (Richafort/Verdelot)-1, (Sermisy) -2, (Silva)-1,(Verdelot)-30 + 12?, (Willaert)-3, anon-1

1 paper partbook of an original 5 (A-111 folios of an original 130), 140 x 225. DTBQ books from same set now ChiN M91. Some folios damaged by water stains; other folios mutilated due to removal of decorative initials. No foliation or pagination. Original ff. [1], [37-41], [71-81], [121], and [125] now missing. Original ink numbering of pieces in three series, I-XIV (4-voice motets); I-XV (5- and 6-voice motets; original "XVI" now missing due to lost folios); I-XXX (Italian secular pieces).

Original covers of dark brown morocco leather, with ornamental decorations and voice designations stamped in gold; see ChiN M91 for other manuscripts bearing same stamps. No index. Probably copied by Gianpiero Masacone, who also wrote BolC Q21, FlorD 4, 11, 27, and 28. Illuminated initials (most cut out by later vandal) were work of Giovanni Boccardi (1460-1529). Watermark resembles Briquet #6305.

1527-9. Copied in Florence; presented to Henry VIII, King of England, apparently as gift from city of Florence. Owned in late 16th and early 17th century by the Catholic recusant Francis Tregian the Younger (1574-1619), who copied a madrigal from the partbooks into LonBLE 3665, and a motet into NYorkP 4302. Acquired in second half of 19th century by Francis Kerril Amherst (1819-83), Roman Catholic Bishop of Northampton. Passed to Oscott College, Sutton Coldfield, after Amherst's death. Re-discovered by Herbert Keilman in 1976.