Press Releases09 Jun 04

First time together since the Reformation

FIRST TIME TOGETHER SINCE THE REFORMATION

Medieval manuscripts brought together for the first time since the Reformation, including a 13th century register of Christian saints and martyrs, will feature in an exhibition in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin until the end of August.

The manuscripts are on loan from the Bodleian Library, Oxford and the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.

The British Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency M.r Stuart Eldon O.B.E. is to officially open the exhibition entitled ?The Christ Church Psalter in Context? in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on Monday, 14 June 2004 at 7 p.m.

The opening will be preceded by a short recital, by the cathedral choir, of music associated with the manuscripts in the exhibition researched by Andrew Johnstone, the cathedral?s associate organist.

Church of Ireland Archivist Dr. Raymond Refaussé said: ?The manuscripts have been brought together for the first time since the Reformation. There are six manuscript books which were associated with Christ Church before the Reformation and which reflect something of the administrative and liturgical life of the medieval priory. Two volumes come from the cathedral?s own collections.

?The 14th century Liber Niger and the 16th century Liber Albus are cartularies ? registers of documents, such as papal bulls and royal charters, relating to property, rights and privileges, a knowledge of which would have been necessary for the smooth running of priory business.

?Two liturgical manuscripts are on loan from the Library of Trinity College, Dublin. The first is a composite volume which contains the 15th century book of obits, the 13th century martyrology and a portion of the rule of St Augustine. The martyrology, which is the oldest surviving priory manuscript, is a register of Christian saints and martyrs. Also from Trinity is a 15th century processional ? a large format musical volume which would have been used for the recitation of divine office in the choir.?

The centre piece of the exhibition is the Christ Church psalter which is on loan from the Bodleian. The psalter is believed to have been made in East Anglia and the purchase of such a fine work emphasizes that Holy Trinity (Christ Church) was one of the wealthiest religious houses in medieval Ireland. It is the earliest source of information for music in the priory.

For some 500 years, from the episcopate of Archbishop Laurence O?Toole, in the 12th century, until the dissolution of the religious houses, in the 16th century, Christ Church was a cathedral priory of Augustinian canons.

The exhibition has been mounted in the Treasury in the cathedral?s restored medieval crypt. It has been coordinated by the cathedral?s Treasury Committee, chaired by Mrs Lesley Whiteside.

For further information contact Dr Raymond Refaussé on 01-4923979.