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IM-10443: (195 x 140mm) Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours Leaf.  18 lines of Latin gothic textura script in dark brown and red ink on animal vellum.  Two illuminated two-line initials in burnished gold on a red & blue ground with delicate white tracery.  Elaborate panel rinceaux border with vines & flowers (including strawberries - symbol of perfect righteousness), in burnished gold, red, green and blue. Rouen (Use of Beauvais),  c. 1430.

Historic Provenance: From the Beauvais Hours sold at Sotheby's (London) 14 July, 1981. Presumed to have been made for Pierre Cauchon (1371-1442) Bishop of Beauvais and infamous judge in the trial of St. Joan of Arc (1431). 

The illuminated ''I'' begins  Acts 8:14-17: ''In diebus...'' (In those days: When the Apostles who were in Jerusalem had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter & John...they laid their hands upon them, & they received the Holy Spirit).  This is followed by Psalm 32 (King James 33) 12, 6 & a prayer: ''Beata...'' (Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance...Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love). The two-line illuminated ''V'' begins Veni Sancte Spiritus: (Come, Holy Spirit, send forth the heavenly radiance of your light. Come, father of the poor, come, giver of gifts, come, light of the heart. Greatest comforter, sweet guest of the soul, sweet consolation...).