Skip to main content

Reference: NLW MS 15536E

The Sherbrooke Missal's content

Sarum Missals were books produced by the Church during the Middle Ages for celebrating Mass throughout the year. According to William Marx it is thought that the Sherbrooke Missal is one of the earliest examples of a Missal of an English source, as there are only two others which pre-date this manuscript. This manuscript differs from other Missals of the same period as it includes many images which represent the text. The manuscript has attracted a lot of attention recently as its decoration and the style of its pictures and figures are very similar to the ones found in the Queen Mary Psalter manuscript which is now held in The British Library. The Queen Mary Psalter is a remarkable manuscript from the beginning of the 14th century which was given to Queen Mary during her reign as Queen of England (1553-1558). Just like the Queen Mary Psalter, the Sherbrooke Missal is exceptional due to the vast and unusual amount of colourful and beautiful miniatures which can be found in the manuscript.

Further reading

  • Marx, William, ‘Iconography and meaning in the Sherbrooke Missal’, in Edwards, A.S.G., (ed.), Decoration and Illustration in Medieval English Manuscripts, English Manuscript Studies 1100-1700, volume 10, (London: The British Library, 2002)