IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0117 MS 45
Held at: Royal Society
Title: Ecclesiastical and astronomical calendar
Date(s): 15th century
Level of description: sub-fonds
Extent: 1 volume
Name of creator(s): Unknown
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
An ecclesiastical and astronomical calendar, together with the tables and figures of the zodiac: folding calendar on a sheet of parchment. Originally two rows, each of twenty four folds, but the first folds in the lower row ( lower if the sheet is looked at from the side containing art. 1) are missing and the first fold in the upper row has been sewn to the foot of the second fold. Three membranes were joined to make a sheet.
In both rows on one side, the calendar is in blue, red, green and black, four folds to a month. The second half of January is missing. Entries in red include Edwardii Regis and Translacio Edwardi Regis (20 March, 13 October); in black, Translacio Mildride (13 July). Each feast is illustrated by a conventional head, sideways, in coloured penwork: kings crowned, abbots tonsured etc. The ruling is in red and green inks.
On the other side, the other way up: (a) in the upper row, the sign of the zodiac in each month, followed by its occupation; (b) in the lower row, an astronomical calendar, 1 january to 15 June on 22 folds, four to a month.
(a) The January sign and occupation are missing. The December occupation came on the fold which was exposed when the sheet was closed and has been rubbed away.
(b) The first two folds were left blank.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: Latin
System of arrangement:
As set out above in Scope and Content.
Conditions governing access:
Open
Conditions governing reproduction:
No publication without written permission. Apply to Archivist in the first instance.
Physical characteristics:
Vellum, folding sheet, in a slip case. Measuring, when closed 97 x 62 mm and when open twenty four times 62mm in width and twice 97 mm in height.
Finding aids:
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information:
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
ALLIED MATERIALS
Existence and location of originals:
Existence and location of copies:
Related material:
Seven colour digital images, Richardiii/Images general TIffs/IM/005739 1-7
See N R KER 'Medieval Manuscripts in British Libraries; I London' (1969) Oxford. Clarendon Press.
P Robinson, 'A 'very curious Almanack'; the gift of Sir Robert Moray FRS, 1688'. in NR 2008 vol 62 pp 301-314
Publication note:
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Note:
Archivist's note: Copied from the Royal Society catalogue by Sarah Drewery.
Date(s) of descriptions: Feb 2009.