Hours, use of S.-Arnoul-les-Metz[circa 1325-75]latManuscript on parchment of a book of hours, decorated with elaborate illuminated miniaturesIn Latin.Script: probably copied by two hands, both writing Northern Gothica Textualis Formata: A copied the Calendar, B all the rest in a more formal script in two sizes, except ff. 102r-103r, which are in a different hand. Rich decoration. Rubrics in gold. Calendar written in blue and gold. Majuscules stroked in yellow. Line fillers in gold and colour. Numerous 1-line versals (dentelle initials). 2-line foliate initials with marginal extensions, or with a one-margin gold and colour foliate bar border, extending into the upper and lower margins; some of them contain a human face, a flower or a geometrical design. 6-or 7-line historiated initials, always accompanied by a full gold and colour foliate bar border. Several marginal portraits of a woman (ff. 21r and 83r) are probably of the original owner.Elaborate illuminated miniatures, decorating a calendar, Short Hours of the Cross, Hours of the Virgin, Penitential Psalms, and the Office of the Dead. The manuscript also includes the beginning of the Gospel according to John, a litany, and petitions.Binding: 20th century binding by Douglas Cockerell (1926): dark red morocco over pasteboard. Spine with five raised bands, with gold-tooled title “HORAE BEATAE / MARIAE VIRGINIS // MS. SAEC. XIV”. Green silk endbands. Two leather straps with silver clasps and catches engraved with the Hornby crest.