The Isabella Breviary
The Isabella Breviary (London, British Library, Add MS 18851) is another 15th century breviary, but very different in its appearance. It was presented to Isabella I of Castille in c.1497 by Francisco de Rojas, an ambassador for Emperor Maximilian I, after he had negotiated a marriage between Isabella's children and those of Maximillian.¹
Just like the Fisher Breviarium Romanum, this book also contains the key texts of a calendar, Temporale and Psalter, but it is a lot longer since it also contains the Sanctorale for the whole year as well as many additional liturgical texts.
What makes this manuscript so different is that it reflects the wealth of de Rojas and truly appears fit for a Queen:
The first images here are two pages of the calendar which begins the book, first that for January and also that for July. Most striking is the artwork which surrounds the writing space, with the scenes depicted progressing through the seasons as the calendar does. Also displaying the cost of the production is the use of gold in the writing and decorated initials.
The third image shows part of the Temporale for the advent period. Even on these pages which take up the majority of the manuscript there is still a lot of artistry added, both in the capitals and the floral border work.
Another key aspect to note about this manuscript is its personalisation.
f.436v shows the arms of Ferdinand and Isabella (centre), while the smaller shields reflect the marriages that had been arranged between their children and those of Maximillian I. On the left is Isabella's son John with Margaret of Austria. On the right is her daughter Joanna with Philip of Austria.² The scrolls around the page contain extracts from various Psalms that are pertinent to the theme of royal offspring.
In the next image f.437r we have a splendid image of the Virgin Mary's coronation, but at the bottom of the page there is also the arms of Francisco de Rojas. The text box on the right in red gives in Latin the offering of this text to Isabella by de Rojas 'breviari hoc ex obsequio obtulit' [He presents this Breviary out of allegiance].
Unlike the Fisher Breviarium, this manuscript does not show signs of use, like the addition of new Feasts to the calendar, or additional people adding text in the book's margins. This leads us to ask if the book was really used and engaged with as the liturgy evolved, or rather if it should be understood more as a piece of art to be admired but not physically engaged with.
Although it is hard to tell in these first two manuscripts, many of the liturgical texts breviaries contain would have been sung. This is most visible in a particular category: Noted Breviaries
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¹ 'Ownership', Add MS 18851, The British Library <https://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Add_MS_18851>
² 'Ownership', Ibid.