Written in 'gothic textura semiquadrata'. The decoration includes a
series of exceptionally fine historiated initials. The calendar
points toward production for use in St Omer or its neighbourhood,
through the inclusion of saints related to the abbey found at
Sithiu (present St Omer) by Omer (d. 667) himself and whose first
abbot, Bertin (d. 698) gave it the name by which is known. It seems
the manuscript arrived in England by the early fourteenth century
and, by the fifteenth century, it was in non-religious English
ownership. There is a set of additions to the calendar in
'secretary', all associated with Sir Edmund Rede the younger of
Boarstall, Bucks. (1413-89). It is unclear when this manuscript
arrived at Christ Church, as it does not contain a note of donation
nor is it recorded in the Donors' Register. This manuscript is
discussed in detail by Rowena E. Archer, 'Piety, Chivalry and
Family: the Cartulary and Psalter of Sir Edmund Rede of Boarstall
(d. 1489)' in Peter Coss and Christopher Tyerman ed., Soldiers,
Nobles and Gentlemen: essays in honour of Maurice Keen (Woodbridge,
2009), 126-49.
For a detailed description, please see
www.chch.ox.ac.uk/library-and-archives/digital-library.
