The Morris R. Cohen Library Division of Archives and Special Collections is home to a hand-copied book, or manuscript, produced during the European Middle Ages. This illuminated manuscript is a copy of Latin Church liturgical texts, including passages from the Latin Vulgate Bible and instructions to the priest regarding the conduct of the service compiled in a service book known as a missal.
A missal is the service book used by the priest for the celebration of the mass, including chants, prayers, and readings, together with ceremonial directions.
This missal was copied during the late 14th century (1375-1400). The combination of colors used to decorate the initials and the floral motifs added in the margins point to it being made in Italy in the late fourteenth century because certain, but not all, of the motifs seen in this manuscript are also featured in manuscripts made in Italy and in Northern Europe. The illuminated capitals of the City College Missal share more features with manuscripts produced during the fourteenth century, rather than those produced during the fifteenth century.
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