Manuscript Identification
settlement
Bergen University Library, Art and Humanities Library
repository
Bergen University Library
idno
MS 1549, 7b
altName
MS 410, 7b
altName
Gjerløw: Mi 91 (Gjerløw has included 1549, 7a-c under Mi 91, even though the
fragments come from different manuscripts)
altName
The fragment is repeatedly called 1549, 4b in the literature on the stave
church of Kaupanger.
Manuscript Content
The fragment is described and transcribed by Hans Buvarp. It appears under
the title “Oratio devota de beata Maria” in Horae Eboracenses (printed Rouen
1536, reprinted by the Surtees society, vol. 132, 1920) (Buvarp 1969, p.
60). It is also available on-line, in the Burnet Psalter, University of
Aberdeen, f. 90v-92v, see Bibliography.
The prayer invokes saint Mary, the mother of God (in our version the words
“mater” and “maria” have switched places, curiously enough), by her many
virtues, by the miracle of the annunciation, and by her grief at the sight
of her dying son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to always come to his aid in
hardships and in hours of need. While our fragment ends, the prayer
continues to ask for help to do what is right, keep the faith, and be
protected from the seven mortal sins until the last days of his life, when
he asks that she show him her face, let him know the hour of his death and
grant him eternal life.
Parchment (or paper?), one fragment ca 12 x 9 cm.
Lay-out: The ruling is not visible. Size and more specific lay-out of the
page is difficult to figure out because of the limited size of the fragment.
Script: The script is a Gothic cursive. It would be quite clear and easily
readable if not for the sorry state of the fragment.
Initials: No initials visible.
Condition: The fragment is in poor condition, and has been strengthened with
thin, stiff paper. Only one side is readable.
Unknown origin, 15th century (?). Hans Buvarp suggests the first half of the 15th
century (Buvarp 1969, p. 59-60).
Was probably used in Kaupanger in the Middle Ages. Was found underneath the
floorboards of the stave church of Kaupanger during the excavations in 1964-65.
Given to the University Library by Hans Emil Lidén in 1965 after the excavations
in the stave church of Kaupanger.
Buvarp, Hans 1969: ”To liturgiske fragmenter”, Kaupanger stavkirke, Fortidsminner
56, Oslo, p.57-62.
Lidén, Hans-Emil 1969: ”Utgravningene under kirken”, Kaupanger stavkirke,
Fortidsminner 56, Oslo, p. 5-24. (see p. 19)
Lidén, Hans-Emil and Bjerknes, Kristian 1975: The stave churches of Kaupanger,
Oslo. (see p. 46)
Tveitane, Mattias et. al.: Bergen University Library Manuscript Catalogue
[unpublished]