Ramsey Psalter
Encyclopedia
The Ramsey Psalter is an illuminated manuscript
of the tenth century. Its script and decoration suggest that it was made at Winchester
, but certain liturgical features have suggested that it was intended for use at the Benedictine monastery of Ramsey
, or for the personal use of Ramsey's founder St Oswald. The litany
includes a gold-lettered triple invocation of St Benedict of Nursia, and at the time of writing, probably before Oswald's death in 992, Ramsey was the only monastery dedicated to this saint.
Unsurprisingly for a manuscript with such strong connections to a monastic reformer like Oswald, the decoration shows strong Continental influence, including a famous tinted line drawing of the Crucifixion executed in the style of the Utrecht Psalter
, and in its painted panels shows use of acanthus
, a popular form of decoration on the Continent at this time; equally, however, there is use of insular interlace
designs.
It is believed that the monks of Ramsey were the first to produce illuminated capitals. The psalter probably was produced between 980 and 1000.
Illuminated manuscript
An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniature illustrations...
of the tenth century. Its script and decoration suggest that it was made at Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
, but certain liturgical features have suggested that it was intended for use at the Benedictine monastery of Ramsey
Ramsey
Ramsey may refer to:In places in the United Kingdom:* Ramsey, Cambridgeshire, small market town in England* Ramsey, Essex, a village near Harwich, England* Ramsey Abbey, historic ecclesiastical centre near Ramsey, Cambridgeshire...
, or for the personal use of Ramsey's founder St Oswald. The litany
Litany
A litany, in Christian worship and some forms of Jewish worship, is a form of prayer used in services and processions, and consisting of a number of petitions...
includes a gold-lettered triple invocation of St Benedict of Nursia, and at the time of writing, probably before Oswald's death in 992, Ramsey was the only monastery dedicated to this saint.
Unsurprisingly for a manuscript with such strong connections to a monastic reformer like Oswald, the decoration shows strong Continental influence, including a famous tinted line drawing of the Crucifixion executed in the style of the Utrecht Psalter
Utrecht Psalter
The Utrecht Psalter is a ninth century illuminated psalter which is a key masterpiece of Carolingian art; it is probably the most valuable manuscript in the Netherlands. It is famous for its 166 lively pen illustrations, with one accompanying each psalm and the other texts in the manuscript...
, and in its painted panels shows use of acanthus
Acanthus (ornament)
The acanthus is one of the most common plant forms to make foliage ornament and decoration.-Architecture:In architecture, an ornament is carved into stone or wood to resemble leaves from the Mediterranean species of the Acanthus genus of plants, which have deeply cut leaves with some similarity to...
, a popular form of decoration on the Continent at this time; equally, however, there is use of insular interlace
Interlace (visual arts)
In the visual arts, interlace is a decorative element found in medieval art. In interlace, bands or portions of other motifs are looped, braided, and knotted in complex geometric patterns, often to fill a space. Islamic interlace patterns and Celtic knotwork share similar patterns, suggesting a...
designs.
It is believed that the monks of Ramsey were the first to produce illuminated capitals. The psalter probably was produced between 980 and 1000.