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an old book with a cross and a flower on itan old book with a picture of a bird and flowers on it
ALDE

15 - BREVIARY OF MONT-SAINT-ÉLOI. A manuscript produced for the A…
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Estimate €8,000 - €10,000
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Description
BREVIARY OF MONT-SAINT-ÉLOI. A manuscript produced for the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Éloi, in the diocese of Arras, c. 1439. In-8 (122 x 185 mm), comprising 2 handwritten flyleaves, 221 handwritten folios in bastard script of various sizes and in various handwriting styles, written in 20 lines for the main body of the breviary, 2 handwritten flyleaves, 1 folio handwritten by François Ansay in 1566 (verso blank); supple vellum, title in brown ink, parchment straps (modern binding). A precious manuscript produced during the Peace of Arras, during the abbacy of Jean IV Bullot (1424–1452), shortly after the transfer of the relics of Saint Andrew, Saint Adrian and Saint Vidician and the consecration of the altar. The main sections required for the recitation of the breviary are included here. The calendar lists various feasts observed at the Abbey of Mont-Saint-Éloi, written in red ink: Saint Vidician on 11 March, the Translation of Saint Vidician on 7 July and the Feast of Saint Eloy on 1 December. The calendar ends with the date 1439 in red ink. The manuscript’s decoration includes a variety of red and blue gouache initials arranged at the head of the various sections and incorporated into the body of the text. Five polychrome coats of arms painted in the margins in the 16th century depict the arms of the Duisans (f. 18r), Conchy-sur-Canche (f. 34v), Coullemont (f. 47v), Bailleulval (f. 111r), and Blessy (f. 143r). A rare record of the Augustinian presence at Mont-Saint-Éloi, from the first third of the 15th century until the mid-16th century. The Abbey of Mont-Saint-Éloi, a famous Augustinian monastery founded in the 7th century by Saint Vindicinus, a disciple of Saint Éloi and Bishop of Arras and Cambrai. Destroyed by the Normans, it was re-established in 928 by the Bishop of Arras, who founded a monastery there whose monks adopted the Rule of Saint Augustine. From that time onwards, it became one of the most powerful abbeys in the kingdom and housed the tomb of Saint Vindicinus, who is mentioned here in the calendar. During the Revolution, it was dismantled and sold as national property. Today, only ruins remain. Provenance This manuscript was preserved within the Order by several successive owners before returning to François Ansay in the 16th century, with a handwritten note on the final flyleaf: ‘This little book belongs to Sir François Ansay, monk and provost of Mont Saint-Eloy in the year 1566. And his arrival at the site took place in the year of our Lord 1526 on the Thursday before Easter / Fac. Benigne ihii xve’ [on 15 June]. The reverse of folio 9 contains 24 lines providing valuable information about its first owner: ‘My first arrival at Mont St Eloy was on the Thursday before Easter in the year [15]26 and my investiture on 11 October [15]28, etc. ” Leroquais, I, 42 – Adolphe Cardevacque, *L’Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Éloi, 1068–1792*, Arras, Brissy, 1859, p. 167 (manuscript cited).
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About the sale Fine antique books – A library in the Languedoc
Auction location
Auction time 10/20/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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