The origins of liturgical music traditionally date back to St. Gregory the Great (d. 604), who was inspired by the Holy Dove to record the principles of 'Gregorian' chant. The Gradual contained the musical parts of the Missal and was sung from the steps (gradus) of the altar. The Antiphoner contained the musical sections of the Breviary. These terms have become interchangeable in modern times. Because of their size and complexity, these manuscripts were still being handmade in the traditional way for centuries after the introduction of printing. They were boldly hand-written and illuminated on large sheets of sturdy vellum so that the entire choir could read from one book.

This huge sheet of vellum is written with six staves of five-line music in red and black ink with three large initials in intricate pen work in red, blue, yellow, and green. The text describes the stoning of Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Beginning with the large initial "I" on recto, it translates as: "They attacked him with one accord and cast him out of the city, crying out and saying, 'Lord, receive my spirit'."

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Condition: B+

Light soiling and toning.