The english register of Godstow nunnery, near Oxford : written about 1450 / edited with an introduction by Andrew Clark.

About this Item

Title
The english register of Godstow nunnery, near Oxford : written about 1450 / edited with an introduction by Andrew Clark.
Author
Godstow nunnery.
Publication
London :: Pub. for the Early English Text Society by K. Paul, Trench, Trübner,
1911 [i.e.1905-11.]
Rights/Permissions

The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes. These materials are in the public domain. If you have questions about the collection, please contact mec-info@umich.edu. If you have concerns about the inclusion of an item in this collection, please contact libraryit-info@umich.edu.

DPLA Rights Statement: No Copyright - United States

Cite this Item
"The english register of Godstow nunnery, near Oxford : written about 1450 / edited with an introduction by Andrew Clark." In the digital collection Corpus of Middle English Prose and Verse. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/AHA2738.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 18, 2024.

Pages

PREFIXED LITURGICAL PIECES

ARTICLES OF EXCOMMUNICATION

(two first leaves cut out)

[folio 2] In constituc[ione] Oct[obonis], ca[pitul]o 'q[uu]m in armis.'

¶ Alle þat helpeth þe sareȝenes aȝens cristen men, in armys or in any oþer þinge. In q[ua]d[a]m ex[tra]uagante in cle[mentinis], qu[a]e incipit 'multa multis.'

¶ Alle men of religion þat howselith, or weddith, or anelith any man or woman, with-out leve of his propur preste; or assoyleth any man a pena & culpa, with|out special priuelege of þe pope; or makith or ledith any man, be fayre wordes, or be-hestis, to be-hote or to swere to be biried among hem, from his parissh church: or ȝif þei haue chose her birieng among hem, for to lette hem for to change hit, þey be acursed. extra de priuilegiis c[apitul]o 'Religiosi.' & extra de penis & re. ca[pitul]o 'Cupientes inde.'

¶ Alle þat knoweth heresy, wicchecrafte, enchauntement, Nigromancy, coniurisones or any fals beleve aȝens the feyth of holichurch, but ȝif þei distroye hit be þer power. And al þat ben ordened to enquere þer-on, ȝif þei leue the sute þerof. Extra de sentencia ex[communicationis] 'quicunque' li[br]o 5o.

¶ Alle lordes þat maketh her prestes to synge her messe in churchis enterdited, and with bellis ryngyng clepith folke to messis; or forbedith her subiectes þat ben acursed to go out of þe church, and al þat beth done out of church by name, but ȝif þei gone out anon when þei ben bede by þe preste thryes, & hold hem out of al churches vntil þei be reconciled and y-come to Amendemente, þei mowe

Page 2

not be assoyled of her rebelte but of þe pope alone. Extra de sentencia ex[communicationis] ca[pitulo] 'Grauis' in cle[mentinis].

¶ Alle þo been A-cursed þat in parelle of dethe beth assoyled of hym þat hath no power be þe lawe, and haue y-hote to seche absolucon of hym þat hath power, ȝif þei do hit not anon as sone as þei may, þei falle aȝen in þe cursyng þat þei were in before & worse for her vnbuxumnesse. extra de sententia ex[communicationis] 'eos qui' li[br]o 5o.

¶ Al þo þat by name be acursed for lechery, men or women, but ȝif þei departe company anon, and al þat comenyth with hem þat be acursed, in etynge or in drynkyng, helpyng or receyvyng or faueryng, but onlich in hope to brynge hem in-to amendement.

¶ Alle þo þat lettith, by worde or be dede, partyes þat ben wrothe, or in stryvyng, or in pletyng, to be made at oone, ben acursed and mow not be assoyled tille þey haue restorid þat yat was wronge and so moch more to pore men. In constitucione oct[obonis] ca[pitul]o 'Cum propter.'

¶ Alle secular lordes and bayles þat lettith the ordinaryes of holichurch to dispose the goodis of men dyinge with-out testa|mentes in paying of her dettis or in almes ȝevyng for her sowles. In constitucione Strafford ca[pitul]o 'Accidit.'

¶ Alle þo þat customably come to lyches and occupy hem with vanytees and rybawdry, wher þei shuld pray for þe sowle.

Many oþer poyntes þer be sette in þe lawe of holichurch, for þe wiche he þat vseth hem customablich, and wil not amend hym þer-of, is acursed and putte out of comenyng of cristen men. Of þe wiche oon is þis: he þat customablich swerith by þe here of criste, [folio 2b] or by his hede, or any oþer maner vsith blasphemyng aȝens god or his seyntis, ȝif he is in order of holichurch, he shal be deposid þerfor; And ȝif he be A lewde man he shal be acursed þerfor, as hit is seyd in Canon. [causa]. 22. q[uest.] 1. Siquis per capillum dei uel per caput iurauerit uel amodo blasphemia vsus fuerit, si in ecclesiastico ordine est: deponatur. Si laycus est: Anathematiȝetur.

Page 3

¶ Also al maner of haserdowres and comyn dyes players, ȝif þei at warenyng of holichurch sease not ther-of, þei shulle be acursed, as lawe of holichurch seyth. d[istinctione] ȝij. ca[pitul]o . . .: ȝif a bisshop or a preste vse such haserdyng or dyseplayng, but ȝif he leue hit, certenly he is dampned: ȝif a deken or a subdeken or any clerke vse hit, he shal be put out of comenyng of cristen men: Also ȝif he be a lay man, he shal be a-cursed. ¶ Also in þe ciuile hit is wrytten. Codice de episcopis & clericis. Auctentica. We interdiȝten al bysshopes, prestis, dekenes, subdekenes, and al men of religion what-soeuer þei be, þat vsen haserdyng or dyseplayng, or ellis maken hem parteneres or ellis come to be-holden such maner men playng. ¶Siquis autem ex hijs in hoc deliquerit, iubemus hunc tribus annis venerabili misterio prohiberi & in mona|sterio redigi. Sed si medio tempore se penitentem ostenderit: liceat sacerdoti sub quo constitutus est muner . . . t . . . Et hunc rursus proprio misterio reddere. tj l.l

¶ Excommunicacio.

By þe auctorite of oure lorde god almyȝti, and our lady seynt mary, and al þe seyntes in heuen, of angelis and archaungeles, patriarkes and prophetis, apostolis and euaungelistis, Marteres, confessoris and virgynes, and also by þe power of holichurch þat oure lorde Ihesu christe ȝaue to seynt Petur and to al his successoris,

We denownce al þo openly acursed þat we haue þus rekened to ȝow; and al þo þat maynten hem in her synnes, or ȝeve þem any helpe þerto or counsell. So þat þei be departed fro god an[d] al holy church, and þat þei haue no parte of þe passion of criste ne no parte of prayeres amonge cristen folke, but þat þei ben acursed of god and of al holichurch, fro þe sole of her [fote] to þe crowne of her hede, slepyng and wakyng, sytting or stondyng, And in al her workes workyng and in al her wordes spekynge. And but ȝif þei haue grace of god for to amende hem here by her lyfe, for to dwelle in þe payne of helle for euer with-out ende. And riȝt as þis Candelle is qwenched and departed fro liȝt: so þei for to be departed fro god þat is liȝt of þis worlde for euer and to dwelle in helle all way in derkenesse without ende. Fiat Fiat. Amen.

Page 4

DEVOTIONAL PIECES

[Invocation to the Cross.]
[folio 3] Here begynneth þe . A . B . C . of deuocion:·
✗ of ihesu criste be euer oure spede, Line 1 And kepe vs from perel of synnes and payne. Blessid be þat lorde þat on þe crosse dide blede, Crist, god and man, þat for vs was slayne: Dede he was and rose vp agayne. Line 5 Euer helpe us, crosse! with hym to a-ryse Fro deeth to lyue, and synne to dispise. Line 7
Gracyous crosse! now grawnt us þat grace Line 8 Hym for to worship with al oure mynde, In wordes, in werkes, and in euery place Knelyng and kyssyng þe, where we þe fynde. Late us be neuer to hym vnkynde Line 12 Mercyfully þat made vs to be men Nomore to kepe but his heestis ten. Line 14
O blissful crosse! teche us al vertu Line 15 Plesyng to god for oure saluacion, Quenchyng alle vices in þe name of ihesu Raunson payng for oure dampnacion. Sende us suche grace of conuersacion Line 19 That we may stye and glorified be Where crist is kyng þat dyed on tre. Line 21
Crist, þat dyed on þe holy roode! Line 22 I pray þe, good lorde! with al my myght, Sende us summe part of al thy goode, And kepe us from yuel euer day and nyght, Contynuyng þi mercy sauyng al ryght. Line 26 Titulle of þi passion Poynt us saue As to thy ✗ reuerence we may haue. Line 28
[Metrical versions of some General Acts of Devotion.]

Page 5

In nomine patris & filij et spiritus sancti. Amen.
In the name of þe blessid trinyte, Line 29 The fader, þe sone, and þe holi goost, I make þis ✗ to defende me Fro myne enemyes and þer boost. Blesse me, lorde ihesu, þat I be not lost, Line 33 Thorgh vertu and grace of þis ✗ holy syne, Where-on þow suffred þi passyon pyne. Line 35
[folio 3b] Pater noster, qui es in celis, sanctificetur nomen tuum.
Oure fader in heuen halowed be þi name, Line 36 As Ihesus þi sone tawþt us to say: Kepe us þi children from synne and blame, That we ben saued at oure laste day. Thi name in us halowed be may Line 40 Iff we make clene oure tempil with-ynne. Now kepe us, fader! fro deedly synne. Line 42
Adueniat regnum tuum.
Fader! þi kyngdom late come to us, Line 43 That we may come and dwelle with the: Thy sonne, oure broþer and oure lorde, ihesus, Bought us þat kyngdome on þe rode tre. Now, for his loue þat dyed for me Line 47 And hath oure flessh þere in his region, Lete me come aftur with true confession. Line 49
Fiat uoluntas tua, sicut in celo, & in terra.
Fader! þi wille late euer be done, Line 50 With us in erthe, as it is in heuen: And as ofte as we make any trangression, The werkes of mercy late helpe us seuen In oure a-countes þat we stande euen, Line 54 So þat þi wil fulfilled may be With feyth and hope and trew charite. Line 56

Page 6

Line 56
Panem nostrum cotidianum da nobis hodie.
Geue us þis day oure euery dayes brede, Line 57 Oure bodily sustynaunce and gostely also, That wheþer we be a-lyue or dede Oure gostely fode with us may go To make us stronge a-ȝenst oure fo, Line 61 Euer vpon us þat lythe in a-wayte To take þi children with hokes and bayte. Line 63
Et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut & nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris.
And also, fader! forȝeue oure dettes, Line 64 To al oure dettours as we forȝeue; And when oure enemye wil caste his nettes To cacche þi children,-ȝeue hym no leue. Suffre us neuer þe for to greue, Line 68 Forȝeuyng al þat ys done before; And grawnt us grace to greue þe nomore. Line 70
[folio 4] Et ne nos inducas in temptacionem.
And lede us not, fader! in-to temptacion, Line 71 Ne suffre us neuer to falle þer-ynne. The fende bryngeth us fals delectacion; Our flessh is redy euer to synne; The worlde is besy us for to blynne. Line 75 When þer temptaciones meueth our entent, Suffer us neuer to graunt nor consent. Line 77
Sed libera nos a malo.
But, fader! delyuer us from al ylle Line 78 Thorgh þese peticiouns þat ihesus vs taught, And suffre oure sowles neuer to spylle For whom þi sone so manly hath faught. And in oure batayle ȝif we be caught Line 82 Raunsom us, fader! with mercy and grace, And bryng us al to þi blisful place. Amen. Line 84

Page 7

Line 84
Aue, maria, gracia plena; dominus tecum: benedicta tu in mulieribus, & cetera.
Hayle mary, virgyn so ful of grace! Line 85 Oure lorde almyghty is fully with þe. This salutacion is oure solace. A-boue al women blessid mot þow be, And blessid be þe frute of þi wombe so fre. Line 89 Ihesus, oure lorde god is sone and þyne, Pray hym for us, blessid lady myne. Line 91
Credo in deum patrem, & cetera.
I beleue on god in persones þre, Line 92 The fader, and sone, and holigost, Maker of heuen, with angels degre, And erthely þinges, both leste and most. All þis he made with-oute any cost: Line 96 His worde was seyd, and al was done. And lyke myghty is euery persone. Line 98
I beleue on ihesu christ, þe secound persone, Line 99 The sone of god, þe holygost worchyng, Was man conceyued, a-boue al resone; And borne of a mayde with-out hyre hurtyng. But he was hurte, with myche payne suffryng: Line 103 Crucified, deed, and leyde on his graue, Descendyng to helle his seruauntes to saue. Line 105
[folio 4b] The þridde [day] aftur þo he a-roos, Line 106 And to his discipullis ofte he dide apere. He stied to heuen with his body cloos, Sendyng his holygost þem for to chere: And atte domes-day he wil come nere Line 110 To deme þe worlde, al qwykke and dede, Aftir þe lyfe as þei dide here lede. Line 112

Page 8

Line 112
I bileue also in al holichurch, Line 113 With þe seuen sacramentis after þe feith. Crist grawnt us grace truly to worch, With true bileue as holichurch seith. The communion of seyntis now for vs preith, Line 117 In whom I beleue, as holichurch techith, And as þe clergy to þe pepul prechith. Line 119
I bileue more-ouer, in fulle remyssyon Line 120 Of al oure synnes, in worke or þought, With shrifte of mowth and herte contricyon, Thorgh crist is mercy, þat us hath bought. Than, synful man! dispayre þe nought; Line 124 For ȝif þi synnes be many and grete, Aske mercy, and amende, and god wil forgete. Line 126
I bileue at þe laste in þe resurreccyon, Line 127 When al oure bodies shal rise aȝeyne. Then cristes passion be oure proteccyon, When he shal see al oure lyif pleyne. God saue us from euerlastyng peyne, Line 131 Helpyng oure lyfe her to amende; And graunt us þe life þat neuer ende. Line 133
Confiteor deo, & cetera.
I knowlech to god, with veray contricon, Line 134 Vn-to seynt mary, and his seyntis alle, Þat, þorgh my frealte and wrecchid condicion, In-to many synnes ofte haue I falle. But aftir mercy now wille I calle, Line 138 With true confession, repentaunce, (God graunt me space), and due penaunce. Line 140

Page 9

Line 140
[folio 5] First: I knowlech þat I haue broken Line 141 His x. commaundementis in many a place, In werke, in worde, in þought, in token; And ofte be vnkynd vn-to his grace; Sweryng by his body, or by his face, Line 145 Taken in ydul his blessid holy name: Wherfore y knowlech me gretely to blame. Line 147
I haue not loued hym and dred as I shuld, Line 148 Neither serued hym in kepyng myne holyday; But rather to playes and Iapes y wolde, Then to serue god, rede, syng, or pray. Al þe circumstaunce y can not say, Line 152 So synful y am and so vnstable, For my defautes ben innumerable. Line 154
My fader and moder I haue not obeyed, Line 155 As y shuld haue done, with helpe or mekenesse. The balance of vertues I haue mysweyed, With sleyng of tonge, or with wilfulnesse, With lechory, or with þefte, or fals witnesse, Line 159 Couetyng wykkydly man or mannes wyfe And oþer gode þat longed to þer lyfe. Line 161
The seuen dedely synnes I can not excuse: Line 162 For I am gylty, in many maner wyse, With delectacyon, consente, and vse; Al now to reherce I may not suffyse; In Pryde, Envye, wrath, Lechory, & couetyse, Line 166 Sleuth, and Glotony, with al þer spices. Alas! al my life is ful of vices. Line 168

Page 10

Line 168
And my fyue wyttes I haue ofte myspend; Line 169 To many vanytes castyng my syght, And with my heeryng ful ofte y offend; My smellyng, my tastyng, I spend not ryght; My handes to synne haue ben ful light. Line 173 Thus haue I gouerned my wittes fyve, And in synne mispended al my lyve. Line 175
[folio 5b] The werkes of mercy I haue not fulfilled, Line 176 Aftir my power, as ofte as I myght. To helpe þe pore I was not beste willed, With mete and drynke and cloþing þem dyght, Ȝeuyng no herborogh a-dayes or nyght, Line 180 Helpyng no prisoners, ne vysyting þe seeke; To bery þe dede I was not meke. Line 182
The gostely werkes y haue lefte also, Line 183 To councel and teche þem þat were lewde, Geuyng no comfort in socour and wo, Neyther to chaste such as were shrewde, And so þer harmes not sore me rewed, Line 187 Neyther forȝeuyng with true pacience Or prayed for þem þat dide me offence. Line 189
I haue not reuerensed þe seuen sacramentes Line 190 Þat ben ordenyd for my saluacion, But of sore synned þat me repentes. Aftir my baptym and confirmacion, My orders or wedlok standith in accusacion. Line 194 God graunt me penawnce, and holy brede, And holy anoyntyng, or I be dede. Line 196

Page 11

Line 196
Al þis I knowlech in general, Line 197 Of synnes doyng, and leuyng good werkes. Ȝif I shulde nombre þe branches especial, I shulde occupy to wryte þer-of many clerkes. With synful lyfe my sowle derkes Line 201 That I can not see and lasse my defautes, And euer my enemyes maketh many sautes. Line 203
Now light me, holygost! with þi presence; Line 204 And ȝeue grace my lyfe to amende, With drede, and pyte, and trew science, With gostely strength to make a good ende. Thy gracyous councel to me now sende, Line 208 With such vnderstondyng, and clere wisdome, That y may come to þi kyngdome. Line 210
[folio 6] Precor sanctam mariam, omnes sanctos, et cetera.
I pray þe, lady! þe moder of crist, Line 211 Praieth ȝoure sone me for to spare, With al angels, and Iohn Baptist, And al ȝoure company þat now ys thare. Al holichurch, for my welfare, Line 215 Graunt me of ȝoure merites a participacion, And praieth oure lorde for my saluacyon. Line 217
Misereatur mei omnipotens deus, & cetera.
Now, god almyghty! haue mercy on me, Line 218 For maryes prayers and al þi sayntes, To whom, wepyng and knelyng on kne, Thus now I make my complayntes. For sorow and shame my hert ful fayntes; Line 222 Wherfor of al my synnes mercy I cry, And pray the to bryng to heuen an hy. Line 224

Page 12

Line 224
In manus tuas, & cetera.
In-to þi handes, lorde! I take my soule, Line 225 Whom þou boughtist with þi bittur passion. Assoyle me, for seynt petur and poule, And al þi seyntis supplicacion; And, by þe vertu of þis confession, Line 229 Saue me fro payne and fro þe fende, And bring me to blis þat hath none ende. Line 231
Pro graciis Agendis.
Afore mete, and aftir, gracias say we, Line 232 Thankyng þe, lorde! of al þi grete grace; And for al þi ȝiftes blessid mote þou be, Of mete, of drynke, and oþer solace: At al due tymes, and in euery place, Line 236 Thyne almes is redy to riche and pore: Euer blessid þou be, good lorde! þerfore. Line 238
Retribuere dignare. & cetera.
Lorde, þat ȝeuest us many þinges, Line 239 Rewarde to al oure benefactours, To al oure frendes, and wel wyllynges, Thy reste of heuen, after þer labours. Graunt us al þyne helpe and socours, Line 243 As ofte as we pray þi mercy and grace, While þat we lyue in þis short space. Line 245
[folio 6b] Anime omnium fidelium defunctorum, et cetera.
And al þe soules now paste byfore, Line 246 Abydyng þi mercy in payneful place, Suffre þem, lorde! be payned nomore; But send þem soon þi fauour and grace, That þei may come before þi face, Line 250 And sey gracias þere byfore þe. Amen, lorde! amen! so mote hit be! Line 252
Explicit.

[Kalendar: (i) lunar, (ii) dominical, (iii) Roman, (iv) church.]

Page 13

[folio 7] Ianuarius.
(1)
iij A KL O Ihesu lorde! for þi Circumsicyon,
b iiij Ns In þe begynnyng as of þe new ȝere,
xi c iij N Kepe me euer from al confusyon.
d ij Ns When þat I shal stonde at myne answere,
xix e Nonas Lorde graunt me grace wel for to apere;
viij f viij Ids And for þi worshipful Epyphanye,
g vij Ids Graunt þou me good lyfe, and wel for to dye.
(2)
xvj A vj Ids Now pray for me, blessid Seynt lucyan,
v b v Ids That I myght be hadde forth vnto ȝoure daunce,
c iiij Ids There god reulith both angel and man
xiij d iij Ids In right true loue with-outen variaunce.
ij e ij Ids Ȝiffe me some comfort as of acqueyntaunce,
f Idus Confessour and bisshop Seynt hillary,
x g xix Kls With good Seynt felice þat ioyeth þe by.
(3)
A xviij Kls O sacred abbot Maure! kepe me from vyce,
xviij b xvij Kls With help of þe, pope and martir, Marcel.
vij c xvj Kls I pray þe teche me, blessid Seynt sulpice,
d xv Kls With þat holy virgyn Prisce, syng nowel.
xv e xiiij Kls O bysshop wlstan, ȝif me good councel,
iiij f xiij Kls And þese martirs Fabian and sebastian,
g xij Kls With þe virgyn Agnes þat wel help can.
(4)
xij A xj Kls Sette my pacience, halowed vincent,
j b x Kls That hit may grow with ynne my inwarde saule.
c ix Kls Conuert þou us from al euel entent,
ix d viij Kls Glorious conuersion of seynt Paule,
e vij Kls That we escape þe wikked fendes braule.
xvij f vj Kls Help us, Seynt Iulyan! to be vnbound,
vj g v Kls With þe virgyn Agnes now þe secound.
(5)
A iiij Kls Kepe us dayly from al maner of synne,
xiiij b iij Kls Quene Batylde! in especyal from pryde:
iij c ij Kls Suffer us neuer for to dye þere-ynne.

Page 14

[folio 7b] Februarius.
d KL Ihesu! for þi holy virgyn Seynt Bryde.
xj e iiij Ns O puryfied lady, be now oure gyde.
xix f iij Ns Teche us to lyue wel, o bysshop Seynt Blase,
viij g ij Ns For þis wrecchid lyfe is but as a mase.
(6)
A Nonas Lede þou us, virgyn and martir Agas,
xvj b viij Ids And þe bisshopes Vedast and Amand.
v c vij Ids We walke now here in þis derkenes, alas!
d vj Ids Teche us þe trouth for to vnderstond,
xiij e v Ids Delyueryng us from the fendes bond.
ij f iiij Ids Help þu us, holy virgyn Seynt scolast,
g iij Ids Until þis short lyfe here be ouer past.
(7)
x A [ij] Ids Be of good comfort and ioye now, hert myne:
b Idus Wel mayst þu glade and verray lusty be.
xviij c xvj Kls For, as I hope truly, Seynt valentyne
vij d xv Kls Wil schewe us loue, and daunsyng be with me.
e xiiij Kls O virgyn Iulyan, I chese now the
xv f xiij Kls To my valentyne, both with hert and mouth:
iiij g xij Kls To be true to þe wold god þat I couth.
(8)
A xj Kls I hope and trist to lerne for to pursewe
xij b x Kls Aftur þese valentynes be metre.
j c ix Kls I loue þem al wel, both olde and newe,
d viij Kls With cathedracion of Seynt petre.
ix e vij Kls No more of loue y me entremetre.
f vj Kls I pray þe now, apostil Seynt Mathye,
xvij g v Kls For cristes true loue I to lyue and dye.
(9)
vj A iiij Kls O true valeyntyne is oure lord to me.
b iij Kls Al his body on þe crosse he spredde,
xiiij c ij Kls And for þat my soule his spouse shuld be.

Page 15

[folio 8] Marcius.
iij d Kl With his blode, Seynt dauid! he did me wedde:
e vj Ns Pray for me now, with sacred Seynt Chedde,
xj f v Ns That I to hym my couenaunt wole holde
g iiij Ns That for me was both bought and solde.
(10)
xix A iij Ns In þis world here shul not we longe ben;
viij b ij Ns Vn-to a noþer contrey we ben bought.
c Nonas Now pray for us, moost holy virgyn!
xvj d viij Ids That in oure wey no wise we erre nought,
v e vij Ids But al oure werkes both in worde and þought
f vj Ids Be made so plesaunt vnto þi hyȝe spouse
xiij g v Ids That we may ben seruantes in his hyȝe house.
(11)
ij A iiij Ids O holy doctour, blessid pope Gregour!
b iij Ids That sendist seynt Austyn in to Englonde,
x c ij Ids In my temptacion I may fynde socour
d Idus. By comfort of þi moost gracyous soonde:
xviij e xvij Kls But ȝit by þi writyng I vndurstonde
vij f xvj Kls That al þis wrecchid lyfe is here ful harde.
g xv Kls Now pray for us, blessid kyng Seynt Edwarde.
(12)
xv A xiiij Kls We ben ful myche dayly in goddes dette;
iiij b xiij Kls Good bisshop Cuthbert, pray þu now for us;
c xij Kls And þou holy Abbot, good Seynt Benette,
xij d xj Kls Help whyle we stond in þe myre now þus,
j e x Kls That oure good lord now, swete ihesus,
f ix Kls May make us þerof a mytigacion
ix g viij Kls In reuerence of his Annunciacion.
(13)
A vij Kls O blessid lady! with þis Emanuel,
xvij b vj Kls Now for his glorious Resurreccion,
vj c v Kls Helpe us, with þine angel Gabriel
d iiij Kls For his worshipful salutacion,
xiiij e iij Kls And for his mervelous incarnacion
iij f ij Kls Which þat wrought was þorgh þe holigost.

Page 16

[folio 8b] Aprilis.
g Kl Kepe us, lady, vnder þi blessid ost.
(14)
xj A iiij Ns Now thenke on gentil oft chose,
b iij Ns For þe riȝt good prayer of Seynt Richard,
xix c ij Ns And for þe huge loue of doctour Ambrose,
viij d Nonas. For þis world is now ful fals and hard.
xvj e viij Ids Turne not, swete lady, þi chere a-wayward,
v f vij Ids For, al þogh þat we ryȝt synful be,
g vj Ids The more nede, lady! haue we now to þe.
(15)
xiij A v Ids Who spareth to speke, he spareth to spede:
ij b iiij Ids Therfor we aught to cry, both day & nyght,
c iij Ids Now helpe us, good lady! in oure nede,
x d ij Ids For þi halowed son ys ful of myght.
e Idus. Of the blessid sonne-beem ȝeue us summe light,
xviij f xviij Kls For Seynt Tyburce and for Valerian,
vij g xvij Kls And shew us þu art a gentil woman.
(16)
A xvj Kls Whiles þat I lyue, y wil no wyse sese
xv b xv Kls To crye on hym þat ys my souerayn lege.
iiij c xiiij Kls Halowed kyng Ihesu! now sende us pese,
d xiij Kls For þe holy prayer of Seynt Alphege.
xij e xij Kls I wil now me walke from sege to sege,
j f xj Kls And pray to help me now euery saynt,
g x Kls For vn-to hym I made þere my complaynt.
(17)
ix A ix Kls O sacred Seynt George! oure lady knyght,
b viij Kls To þat lady þu pray now for me.
xvij c vij Kls Ȝeueth me, Seynt Marke! some goostely sight
vj d vj Kls Þat I may my self þe bettur to se.
e v Kls Alas! myne yȝe is blynd in his degre,
xiiij f iiij Kls But ȝitte y pray þe, marter Seynt vital,
iij g iij Kls Helpe me to lyue wel when þat I dye shal.
(18)
A ij Kls And ȝe two apostelis, now both in fere,

Page 17

[folio 9] Mayus.
xj b Kl Philip and Iacob! maken mencyon
c vj Ns To god of us al in ȝoure good prayere.
xix d v Ns Now, for the holy Crosse Inuencyon,
viij e iiij Ns Heuen blisse we axe for oure pension,
f iij Ns Thorgh meryte of þy dyuyne Ascencion,
xvj g ii Ns With þe helpe of Seynt Iohn at porte latyne.
(19)
v A Nonas. Now, glorious seynt Iohn of Beuerlay,
b viij Ids I pray þe hertely draw not a-bache:
xiij c vij Ids Gadre us floures of heuenly maye,
ij d vj Ids With martyrs Gordian and Epimache,
e v Ids And cureth þer-with oure grete soules ache.
x f iiij Ids Now Nerei, Achille, And Pancrace,
g iij Ids Seyth forȝeuenesse as of oure trespace.
(20)
xviij A ij Ids Good seyntes! make ȝe al oure soules hole
vij b Idus. A-ȝenst þe hyȝe fest as of Pentecost,
c xvij Kls Þat we ben cladde in a snow-whyȝt stole
xv d xvj Kls Thorgh þe vertue of þe holy goost.
iiij e xv Kls He us comfort, þat is of myghtes moost,
f xiiij Kls With þe holy prayers of seynt Dunston,
xij g xiij Kls For with-out hym forsoth wytte haue we noon.
(21)
j A xij Kls God, þat is but one in persones thre,
b xj Kls Holy Trynyte, with-oute begynnyng,
ix c x Kls Sende us such grace þat we saued may be
d ix Kls When we shal passe at þis lyues endyng.
xvij e viij Kls Helpe us, Seynt Aldelme, for oure amendyng,
vj f vij Kls With þe feste of corpus Christi; and Seynt Austyne,
g vj Kls Which þat taught us, to his feyth enclyne.
(22)
xiiij A v Kls O þou blessid bysshop Seynt German,
iij b iiij Kls I pray þe my petycyon fulfyl.
c iij Kls I pray þe same as hertily as I can.
xj d ij Kls Helpe us, gentil virgyn, Seynt Petronyl!

Page 18

[folio 9b] Iunius.
e Kl Also, Seynt Nichomede! I pray þy good wille.
xix f iiij Ns Teche me ȝoure daunce, Marcellyne and petre!
viij g iij Ns To whom I syng with þis sympul metre.
(23)
xvj A ij Ns I cry vn-to ȝow now, al on a rowe,
v b Nonas. In special to martyr Boneface
c viij Ids With al þi felowes, both hyȝe and lowe,
xiij d vij Ids That ȝe gete to us repentaunce and space.
ij e vj Ids Medard and Gildard, now where is ȝour grace?
f v Ids Prayeth for oure synnes, with [Seynt Edmund],
x g iiij Ids And aftur þis lyfe to haue þe secund.
(24)
A iij Ids Now, blessid Seynt Barnard! for us þou pray,
xviij b ij Ids With þe good Batylde, þe martyr and preste,
vij c Idus. That we be cloþed al in ȝoure aray,
d xviij Kls Where as he sitteth at his ryal feste.
xv e xvij Kls Kepe ȝoue, now I pray ȝoue, Vite and Modeste,
iiij f xvj Kls Cyryce and Iulytte, kepe us fro þe wulfe;
g xv Kls And lyght oure goost eclipsed, Seynt Botulfe.
(25)
xij A xiiij Kls Prayeth for us, Marcellyan and Marke,
j b xiij Kls Wyth Geruase and Prothase, martyrs ylkone.
c xij Kls This world now, Seynt Edward! wexyth darke,
ix d xj Kls For oure ynward syght ys al-most a-gone.
e x Kls Lede us, oure first martyr, Seynt Albone.
xvij f ix Kls Etheldrede of Ely, I pray now helpe me,
vj g viij Kls Wyth Seynt Iohn Baptist þe natiuite.
(26)
A vij Kls Bryng us mydsomer of heuenly blys,
xiiij b vj Kls I pray ȝow, martyrs both, Paule and Iohn;
iij c v Kls Wherof gladsom myrth we shal not mys,
d iiij Kls For þat Leo pope endureth al one.
xj e iij Kls Now Petre and Paule, I trist ȝow vpon;
f ij Kls And Seynt Paule þi commemoracyon.

Page 19

[folio 10] Iulius.
xix g Kl Helpe us euer to oure saluacyon,
(27)
viij A vj Ns O ȝe martirs Martynyan and Processe!
b v Ns Now al oure floures begynneth to fade;
xvj c iiij Ns In þis erth, Martyn, is but wrecchidnesse,
v d iij Ns Syth þat Adam put þer-on his spade.
e ij Ns Now mercyful god, þat al þinges hath made,
xiij f Nonas. For þe translacyon of Seynt Thomas
ij g viij Ids Bryng us ones to his endeles solace.
(28)
A vij Ids Lo now, tyme passith of chyrry fayre;
x b vj Ids Therfor I pray ȝou þen, Brethren seuyn,
c v Ids That I may be one of Benet ys heyre,
xviij d iiij Ids Where ȝe ben yn Relyques of heuyn.
vij e iij Ids Ientyl broþer Ihesu! bryng us þer euyn:
f ij Ids That were to me a gracyous fortune.
xv g Idus Now help þe holy bysshop Swithune.
(29)
iiij A xvij Kls I mette a-while with blessid Seynt Botulphe:
b xvj Kls Now, sacred Seynt Kenelme! with þe I mete,
xij c xv Kls Prayng þe with hert, þis Seynt Arnulphe,
j d xiiij Kls Bryng me to þat mery daunsyng so swete.
e xiij Kls A! gentyl mayden, O Seynt Margarete,
ix f xij Kls And noble Praxede, lete me bere ȝoure trayne,
g xj Kls And ȝoure also, Lady Magdalayne.
(30)
xvij A x Kls Seynt Appollinare, teche me ȝoure games.
vj b ix Kls Make us, Seynt Crystyn! heuenly lepars.
c viij Kls Lete us dispute with þe, good Seynt James;
xiiij d vij Kls Bryng us to Seynt Anne to oure versepars.
iij e vj Kls Make us to study, þe seuen slepars;
f v Kls Lede us, Seynt Sampson, to þe hyȝe scoles,
xj g iiij Kls For þedir, Felyce! comen no foles.
(31)
xix A iij Kls O Abdon and Sennen! I me redresse.
b ij Kls Good Seynt German, bring us to heuen blys.

Page 20

[folio 10b] Augustus.
viij c Kl The bondes of Seynt petur of lammesse
xvj d iiij Ns Vnbynde us, blessid pope Steven!
v e iij Ns And, sacred Stephen deken,
f ij Ns Help with þi merytes many afolde,
xiij g Nonas. With þis kyng and martir Seynt Oswolde.
(32)
ij A viij Ids Seynt Sixte þe pope, for goddes loue and sake,
b vij Ids With Donate Bysshop, do þi diligence.
x c vj Ids And with þi felowes, Seynt Cyriake,
d v Ids With Seynt Romane, helpe þou oure conscience.
xviij e iiij Ids O þow worthy martir Seynt Laurence,
vij f iij Ids Pray for us now, with þis Seynt Tyburce:
g ij Ids I hope now hit wil be neuer þe wurse.
(33)
xv A Idus. Seynt ypolyte, here my peticyon,
iiij b xix Kls With Seynt Euseby, the holy confessour.
c xviij Kls Now, lady! for þyne hyȝe Assumpcyon,
xij d xvij Kls Ȝeue us þi hande, and þi holy socour,
j e xvj Kls That we nowe mowe styȝe in-to þi hyȝe toure,
f xv Kls Where þat glorious Seynt Magne is with þe.
ix g xiiij Kls Lady in octavis, only socour me.
(34)
A xiij Kls To my valentyne, lady! I chese þe,
xvij b xij Kls Whom þat I wyl chaunge neuer for no newe.
vj c xj Kls Now pray for me, halowed Seynt tymothe,
d x Kls To my lady þat I euer be trewe.
xiiij e ix Kls Help me nowe I pray þe, Seynt Bartilmewe,
iij f viij Kls So worthy apostil as þow art one,
g vij Kls For better helpe þan prayer can I none.
(35)
xj A vj Kls Helpe us, Seynt Ruphe, þe martir of crist;
xix b v Kls And Seynt Austyn, þe worthy hyȝe doctour,
c iiij Kls With Decollacyon of Seynt Iohn Baptyst:
viij d iij Kls Seynt Felice! pray Ihesu chryst, oure saviour,
e ij Kls With blessyd Seynt Cuthburge, þat virgyn flour,

Page 21

[folio 11] September.
xvj f Kl So þat we may daunse with holy Seynt Gyle,
v g iiij Ns In heuen an hyȝe aftir þis litul whyle.
(36)
A iij Ns Al þis world ys ful of care and pyne:
xiij b ij Ns Now pray for us, holy bysshop Seynt Cuthbert,
ij c Nonas. With þe holy Abbot Seynt Bertyne,
d viij Ids That we may now gracyously astert.
x e vij Ids Ȝitte I pray to þe, with al myne hert,
f vj Ids Lady! for þi ioyful Natyuyte,
xviij g v Ids That, with Seynt Gorgone, þow þenke on me.
(37)
vij A iiij Ids Souerayn lady! þyne Vtas we done holde
b iij Ids With Prothe and Iacincte, A commemoracyon.
xv c ij Ids Muche grace of the, lady! haue I herde tolde:
iiij d Idus. Now helpe, lady! in oure temptacyon.
e xviij Kls For þy holy Crosse Exaltacyon,
xij f xvij Kls Pray for us now, martyr, atte oure moost nede,
j g xvj Kls With virgyn Edythe, for þe bettyr spede.
(38)
A xv Kls Now, þow bysshop and martyr, Seynt lambert!
ix b xiiij Kls Pray here for us al to swete Ihesu Crist
c xiij Kls That he pourge and clense oure soules and hert
xvij d xij Kls Fro al wikked, synful, and derkely myst.
vj e xj Kls Help us, Seynt Mathew þe euaungelist,
f x Kls And al þi felowes of Seynt Mauryce,
xiiij g ix Kls With þe virgyn Tecle, to take a spyce.
(39)
iij A viij Kls That heuenly spyce hit is ful swete:
b vij Kls Help us þerof, good bysshop Fermyne.
xj c vj Kls Sacred Cipriane, ȝif hit wold be gete,
xix d v Kls With Cosme and damiane wold I dyne.
e iiij Kls Lede us þederward, as ryght as a lyne,
viij f iij Kls Seynt Myghel! To þat heuenly kyngdome,
g ij Kls Helpyng þe holy doctour Seynt Ierome.

Page 22

[folio 11b] October.
(40)
xvj A Kl Now, holy Seynt Remyge! with al angeles,
v b vj Ns Thorgh þe prayer of Seynt Leodegare,
xiij c v Ns Bringe us now from al wrecchidnesse,
ij d iiij Ns Beyng ful of synne, wrecchid sorow, and care.
e iij Ns I wyl not loue þis world; I wil be wel ware:
x f ij Ns For me hit is tyme as to leue þat warke,
g Nonas. By help of ȝow, martirs, Marcelle and Marke!
(41)
xviij A viij Ids I wyl be as stedfast as any stone.
vij b vij Ids Helpe, with þi felowes, Seynt Dyonyse,
c vj Ids So þat I may dwelle with Seynt Gerone,
xv d v Ids And with Seynt Nichase, in hyȝe paradyse;
iiij e iiij Ids For of þis lyfe I sette ful litul pryce.
f iij Ids I pray þe, Seynt Edward, confessour and kyng,
xij g ij Ids That I may with Kalyxte both hoppe and syng.
(42)
j A Idus. Teche me þe way, glorious Seynt Wolfran!
b xvij Kls To Myghel in þe mount wold I ryde:
ix c xvj Kls Flessh is my hors, sowle ys þe man.
d xv Kls I pray þe, Seynt Luke! for to be my gyde.
xvij e xiiij Kls Helpe me, Ientyl virgyn, Seynt Fryswyde,
vj f xiij Kls One of þe floures here of Englond,
g xij Kls With al holy virgyns Eleuen þowsond.
(43)
xiiij A xj Kls That was a present made, al in a day,
iij b x Kls Ful worthy to god, Seynt Romaman.
c ix Kls Hys floures, in october as wel as I[n] may,
xj d viij Kls God gaderyth, Seynt Cryspyn and Cryspynian.
xix e vij Kls Some of þem fadeth and wexith al wan.
f vj Kls Why? for her maners be so lewde and rude,
viij g v Kls But prayeth for us now, Symon and Iude.
(44)
A iiij Kls I chese al seyntes to my valentyne;
xvj b iij Kls Trewly I hold hit ryght as for þe beste.
v c ij Kls Teche us for to Daunse, blessid Seynt Quyntyne.

Page 23

[folio 12] Nouember.
d Kl With Al halowen, in þis moost hyȝe feste,
xiij e iiij Ns Al Cristen sowles God ȝeue þem good reste
ij f iij Ns A-bydyng hys mercy in purgatory,
g ij Ns Suffryng for her synnes peynes bitturly.
(45)
x A Nonas. Lord Ihesu Christ! þo peynes ben ful scharpe,
b viij Ids Now, Seynt leonard, Helpe us þerfore;
xviij c vij Ids Make þem easy with þy moste dowcet harpe:
vij d vj Ids And þe Foure crowned I pray ȝow euermore,
e v Ids Helpyng with þy sawtry, Seynt Theodore!
xv f iiij Ids That hit may aswage some-what oure grete peyne,
iiij g iij Ids With þe prayers of holy Seynt Martyne.
(46)
A ij Ids For þis holy daunce, mynstralcy ys goode:
xij b Idus. Now, Seynt Bruce! helpe with þy sownded lute.
j c xviij Kls That cryste wassh me with his precyous blode,
d xvij Kls Pray for us now al, sacred Seynt Machute!
ix e xvj Kls Edmunde of Pounteney, now in ȝoure sute
f xv Kls I wold þat I were, with sacred Seynt Hewe,
xvij g xiiij Kls Wheþer hit were coloure whyte, rede, or blewe,
(47)
vj A xiij Kls I wold be cloþed in cristemasse lyueray:
b xij Kls Helpe me þer-to, holy Edmund þe kyng.
xiiij c xj Kls Of al þat huge feste þere ys but a day,
iij d x Kls Where þat Seynt Cecily ys euer beyng,
e ix Kls And þere Seynt Clement ys euer enduryng.
xj f viij Kls Bring me þere, Crysogone, with my valentyne,
xix g vij Kls So þat I may daunse with Seynt Kateryne.
(48)
A vj Kls Ȝeue me þy blessid hond, Seynt Lyne þe pope,
viij b v Kls Wold god I cowth þy steppes wel to sewe!
c iiij Kls Helpe me to daunse in þy halowed cope,
xvj d iij Kls With Seynt Saturne, þe martyr ful trewe.
v e ij Kls Pray for us þen, Apostel Seynt Andrewe,

Page 24

[folio 12b] December.
xiij f Kl As a-ȝenst oure lordes Secund aduent
[ij] g iiij Ns So at domes day þat we be not shent.
(49)
A iij Ns A! lord Ihesu Christ! to þe now I cry,
x b ij Ns Whome þis þat we we offende with synnes, Alas!
c Nonas. Lord! haue mercy, for þy moder mary,
xviij d viij Ids And also for þe loue of Seynt Nicholas.
vij e vij Ids As truly, lord! as she þy moder was
f vj Ids Kepte from fylthed in her Concepcyon,
xv g v Ids Wassh us from synne with þy swete passyon.
(50)
iiij A iiij Ids Saue, lord! þy blessid spowse, holy church,
b iij Ids From erroures and heresyes þat doon spryng;
xij c ij Ids And tech with feyth truly for to wurch,
j d Idus. With deuoute Seynt Lucy, þyn own derlyng.
e xix Kls Graunt us þyne hert as for to ioye and syng,
ix f xviij Kls With al oþer seyntes in þy presence,
g xvij Kls Thy worthy so grete song, O sapience.
(51)
xvij A xvj Kls Kepe al þy peple which þat ben on lyue,
vj b xv Kls Them especyal þat I haue of mynd,
c xiiij Kls And al good sowles þat with þy woundes fyue
xiiij d xiij Kls Whoom hit pleasith þe from peynes vnbynde.
iij e xij Kls Graunt us for to be with Thomas of ynde.
f xj Kls A curyous caral þis Crystemasse
xj g x Kls As to syng nowel when þat we hens passe.
(52)
xix A ix Kls Lo! now ys come þe moost glorious feste,
b viij Kls The holy Natyuyte of oure lorde.
viij c vij Kls Goode Stephen, make us al, moste and leste,
d vj Kls With Seynt Iohn, in vertues to acorde
xvj e v Kls That we may sitte at Innocentes borde,
v f iiij Kls With Thomas of Caunturbury, oure frende.
g iij Kls Now saue us, fader! with, oure flessh, þy worde,
xiij A ij Kls For Seynt Siluester loue, at oure laste ende.

Notes

Do you have questions about this content? Need to report a problem? Please contact us.