Approximately 275 leaves, written on both sides in red ink, single column, generally 30 lines per page, with numerous small decorative initials. 5¼x3¼, period wooden boards covered with leather.
Rare manuscript breviary from the 15th century, in neat minuscule hand. Accompanied by two letters and a draft of another, from Bernard Gordon, regarding the breviary, and whether it is of Hereford Use. The first, on King's College, Cambridge, letterhead: "29/i/26, Dear Father, I'm sorry, or perhaps glad, to say that it is not Hereford pure and simple. The differences in the offices are not important, except in the lessons, which are completely different..." The second presents the breviary, "Dear Felix, Here is the... breviary which my father wished you to have. He thought it was of Hereford Use because of the attention paid to St. Ethelbert, but on reading it more attentively than I have previously been able to I am become slightly doubtful - was St. Guthlac honoured in Hereford for example? That sounds more like Crowland..." In the draft, Gordon notes, among other things, that "The book is unfortunately mutilated at both ends and in the middle, probably by design..."
Condition:
Covers well worn, especially spine, leather gone from most of rear board; some leaves at beginning and end missing, mutilation to a number of others near the middle of the manuscript with removal of some leaves, occasional notes or scrawls in the margin, corners to some leaves missing, a well used relic, exhibiting centuries of service in holy orders, still quite legible throughout, sold with all faults.