Psalter
A book containing the Book of Psalms to be used for daily devotions.
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Plainsong
Also known as Gregorian chant, this refers to the body of single-line melody sacred music used in public ceremonies. Plainsong could be decorated with flourishes and miniatures.
Gradual
A collection of chants or hymns sung during Mass for public, communal devotion. The name derives from the Latin word gradus meaning step as the practice of singing the verse responses on the steps of a raised pulpit.
Choir Book
A large format service book containing the parts of the Mass to be sung by the choir in cathedrals or churches. Music manuscripts were bound in large volumes so the entire choir could gather around the books to sing.
Vellum
Writing support that is made specifically of the untanned skins of young calves (veal). Vellum is also denoted for its higher quality, smoothness, and durability as compared to parchment. It was expensive and time consuming to prepare vellum and parchment…
Antiphonary
A book containing the sung portion of the Divine Office.
Scribe
A person engaged in the physical copying of text within manuscripts and documents.
Parchment
Writing support that is made of the untanned skins of animals primarily young sheep and goat. The skins are specially treated through the processes of soaking, dehairing, scraping, and tension drying to achieve the thin and flexible qualities desired by…
Illuminator
An artist who creates illustrations within manuscripts. This includes initials, flourishes, etc. On occasion, the illuminator could also be the scribe of a manuscript but traditionally, these were separate roles.
Hair side
The side of parchment or vellum that can bear speckled traces of hair follicles and sometimes a darker, more yellow tonality. The animal species and preparation methods used on the skin can sometimes make the hair side and flesh side…