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VI.—Phillippe De Mézières' Dramatic Office For The Presentation of The Virgin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2020

Extract

The present study originated in a suggestion of Monsieur Marius Sepet, of Paris. In his famous monograph, Les Prophètes du Christ, in describing the so-called Festum Asinorum of Rouen, M. Sepet contributes the following note:

Telle est aussi la voie que suit le cortège dans l'Office de la Présentation, par Philippe de Maizières. Cet office est un document des plus précieux pour l'histoire de la mise en scène. Notre confrêre et ami M. Anatole Lefoullon se propose de la publier d'après le mss. Celestins 15, B. I.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Modern Language Association of America, 1911

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References

page 181 note 1 I am glad of every opportunity for expressing my gratitude to Monsieur Sepet for numerous favors extending over a number of years. In the present instance I owe M. Sepet suggestions and encouragement without which I should never have undertaken the task in hand.

page 181 note 2 Bibliothèque de l'École des Chartes, Vols, xxviii (1867), 1-27, 211-264; xxix (1868), 105-139, 261-293; xxxviii (1877), 397-443. These articles are reprinted and united to form the volume, Les Prophètes du Christ, Paris, Didier, 1878. I make my references to the single volume.

page 181 note 3 Sepet, p. 45, note 1. The new press-mark of this manuscript in the Bibliothèque Nationale is Latin 17330. In his Notice sur la vie et les ouvrages de Philippe de Mézières (Ecole Imperiale des Chartes. Positions des Thèses soutenues par les élèves de la promotion 1864-65, Paris, 1865, p. 41), M. Lefoullon refers to this document as follows: “Dans le manuscrit 15, Célestins, mise en scène de l'office de la Présentation de la Vierge; des noms des 22 personages, des vêtements et ornements, de l'arrangement du lieu, de la processions, de la représentation de Marie, de la Messe et du sermon.”

page 182 note 1 For the apocryphal texts see C. Tischendorf, Evangelia Apocrypha, Leipzig, 1876, pp. 14-17 (Protevangelium Jacobi, cap. vii-viii); pp. 117-119 (De Nativitate Mariae, cap. vii-viii). Cf. K. A. H. Kellner, Heortology, London, 1908, p. 265; SS. D. N. Benedicti XIV Opera in duodecim tomus distributa, t. x, Romae, 1751, p. 532; F. Vigouroux, Dictionnaire de la Bible, Vol. iv, Paris, 1904-08, col. 782-783; Realencyklopädie für protestantische Theologie und Kirche (Herzog-Hauch), Vol. xii, Leipzig, 1903, p. 320; A. F. James, Dictionnaire … de la Bible par le Révérend Père Dom Augustin Calmet (Encyclopédie Théologique par Migne), t. iii, Paris, 1846, col. 1233; Migne, Dictionnaire des Apocryphes (Troisième et Dernière Encyclopédie Théologique par Migne), t. i, Paris, 1856, col. 1017, 1053, 1065; Rohault de Fleury, La Sainte Vierge, t. i, Paris, 1878, pp. 47-53. As to the general tradition concerning the presentation of virgins in the temple see Benedicti XIV Opera, t. x, pp. 532-534; P. Canisius, De Maria Virgine incomparabili et Dei Genitrice sacrosancta libri quinque, Ingolstadii, 1577, pp. 81-86; [Gosselin], Instructions historiques, dogmatiques et morales sur les principales Fêtes de l'Eglise, t. iii, Paris, 1850, pp. 362-363; Vigouroux, Dictionnaire, Vol. iv, col. 783-784.

page 183 note 1 See Photii Patriarchae Constantinopilitani Nomocanon cum Commentariis Theodori Balsamonis, Titul. vii, cap. i, in Bibliothecae Juris Canonici Veteris, t. ii, Paris, 1661, p. 921; Benedicti XIV Opera, t. x, p. 534; Kellner, p. 266; Vigouroux, Dictionnaire, Vol. iv, col. 784; Realencyklopädie für protestantische Theologie und Kirche (Herzog-Hauch), Vol. xii, p. 320; J. Hastings, A Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. iii, Edinburgh, 1900, p. 291; F. A. Zaccaria, Onomasticon Rituale Selectum, t. i, Faventiae, 1787, pp. 102-103. Kraus and Schrod (Wetzer und Welte's Kirchenlexikon, 2d edit., Vol. viii, Freiburg, 1891, col. 817) assign the introduction of this feast at Constantinople to the year 730; but their evidence in not trustworthy. Cf. Kellner, p. 266, note 1. G. Moroni (Dizionario di Erudizione Storico-Ecclesiastica, Vol. 55, Venezia, 1852, p. 171) speaks of this feast as being mentioned “ ne' più antichi martirologi.” For other statements as to the early observance of the feast in the East see P. Guéranger, The Liturgical Tear, Vol. vi, Stanbrook Abbey, Worcester, 1903, p. 345; J. Baudot, The Roman Breviary, London, 1909, p. 84; F. G. Holweck, Fasti Mariani, Freiburg, 1892, p. 267.

page 184 note 1 Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, ms. latin 17330, fol. 4r-4v. A description of the manuscript and a complete text of the letter will be found below.

page 184 note 2 The definitive life of this interesting personage is that of N. Jorga, Philippe de Mézières, Paris, 1896 (Bibliothèque le l‘École des Hautes Études, Fascicule 110). A short account of Philippe de Méziêres’ career is to be found in A. Molinier, Les Sources de l'Histoire de France, t. iv, Paris, 1904, pp. 112-116.

page 185 note 1 See Jorga, pp. 402-404.

page 185 note 2 See Jorga, p. 404.

page 185 note 3 See Jorga, p. 412.

page 186 note 1 L. Delisle, Inventaire des Manuscrits latins de Notre-Dame et d'autres fonds conservés à la Bibliothèque Nationale sous les numéros 16719-18613, Paris 1871, p. 41.

page 186 note 2 29. a. is the mark given the manuscript in the library of the Celestines of Paris. The same mark is found on fol. 24r. The possession of this codex by the Celestines of Paris is explained by the fact that after the death of Charles V (1380), Mézières associated himself with this community for the rest of his life. See Jorga, pp. 443 ff.

page 187 note 1 ms. represententibus.

page 188 note 1 That this document should have been so generally neglected by liturgiologists seems little short of incredible.

page 188 note 2 Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, ms. latin 17330, fol. 4r-5v. A 15th century text of this letter is found in Bibl. Nat. ms. latin 14454, fol. 2r-4v, and an incomplete text of the early 15th century is found in Bibl. Nat. ms. latin 14511, fol. 182v-183r. Jorga (pp. 411-414) quotes sparingly from a text of this letter in Meurisse, Lettres de Charles cinquième et de Philippe de Maisières, Metz, 1638, in -12, pp. 6 ff. Since this print is not to be found in the Bibliothèque Nationale, in the British Museum, or in the Bodleian Library, it may fairly be considered inaccessible. In Historia Universitatis Parisiensis … autore Caesare Egassio Bulaeo, t. iv, Paris, 1668, p. 441, the opening sentences of our Epistola are quoted “ex Epistola Philippi erga B. Virginem toto animo affecti irtelligitur, quae legitur in libello excusso Metis anno 1638.”

page 189 note 1 A later hand has added: A Magnifico D. Philippo De Maseriis Edita.

page 189 note 2 Supplied from a contemporary entry in the right margin.

page 190 note 1 This word is written above the line, in a later hand.

page 191 note 1 A contemporary entry in the left margin.

page 191 note 2 A contemporary entry in the left margin.

page 192 note 1 A tick over this word refers to the words: grece Marie, in the margin.

page 193 note 1 A contemporary entry in the left margin.

page 193 note 2 Supplied from a contemporary entry in the left margin to replace the words sanctissimus pater, which are crossed out.

page 193 note 3 Supplied from a contemporary entry in the left margin to replace the word mea, which is crossed out.

page 194 note 1 This word is repeated.

page 195 note 1 A tick at this point refers to the following, written in the upper margin in a hand of the 17th or 18th century: Ad augmentationem uero dictae solenitatis assistantes in dicto officio recitando, item sanctissimus Papa Gregorius omnibus qui interfuerunt ad dictam solemnitatem tres annos et tres quadragenas de indulgentiis misericorditer concessit.

page 195 note 2 This word is repeated in the manuscript.

page 195 note 3 I have no confidence in this expansion.

page 198 note 1 Concerning Mézières' visits to Venice see Jorga, pp. 236-244, 402-404.

page 199 note 1 For statements as to the introduction of the feast at Avignon, based upon Mézières' letter, see Histoire Universitatis Parisienis … autore Caesare Egassio Bulaeo, t. iv, Paris, 1668, p. 441; Benedicti XIV Opera, Vol. x, p. 534; Acta Sanctorum … editio novissima, curante Joanne Carnandet. Propylaeum ad septem tomus Maji, Parisiis et Romae, 1868, Paralipomena addendorum, mutandorum, aut corrigendorum in conatu Chronico-Historico ad catalogum Romanorum Pontificum, p. 108, col. 2. With the further history of the feast we are not concerned here. See Benedicti XIV Opera, t. x, pp. 535-536; S. Bäumer, Histoire du Bréviaire (trans. by R. Biron), Vol. ii, Paris, 1905, pp. 72, 110, 252, 275, 380, 386; Guéranger, Vol. vi, pp. 345 ff.; Kellner, p. 266.

The letter of Charles V, of Nov. 10, 1374, to the College of Navarre at Paris, urging the yearly celebration of the feast, is an important document concerning the history of the Festum Praesentationis in the West. Charles' letter, however, gives no important details as to the nature of the celebration itself. The letter is found in Joannis Launoii Constantiensis Parisiensis Theologi Regii Navarrae Gymnasii Parisiensis Historia, Pars Prima, Parisiis, 1677, pp. 77-79. Cf. Benedicti XIV Opera, t. x, p. 534; G. Moroni, Dizionario di Erudizione Storico-Ecclesiastica, Vol. 55, Venezia, 1852, p. 171; J.-B.E. Pascal, Origines et Raison de la Liturgie Catholique, Paris, 1844, col. 1038.

page 200 note 1 This note is found in Bibl. Nat. ms. lat. 17330, fol. 17v. The note is written in a hand of the early 15th century, a hand seen nowhere else in the manuscript.

page 202 note 1 Bibliothèque Nationale, ms. latin 17330, fol. 18r-24r.

page 203 note 1 Preceded by the words: nouisque actibus, which are crossed out.

page 203 note 2 This word is repeated in the manuscript.

page 207 note 1 The manuscript reads: autem dextra] autem tenebit.

page 207 note 2 ms. quo.

page 209 note 1 ms. sufficipienti.

page 211 note 1 ms. canentum.

page 212 note 1 This word is repeated in the manuscript.

page 212 note 2 ms. duas.

page 217 note 1 The words, ecce puritas, are repeated in the manuscript.

page 218 note 1 seipsum cum manu propria ostendendo; deinde Mariam cum manu ostendendo dicet:1

Ecce illa cui dabitur precium humane redemptionis, donum infinite estimationis, et premium summe perfectionis. Hec est illa Virgo Mater Filii Dei humilis que a spiritu sancto obumbrabitur ancilla elec<fol. 22r>tissima uocabitur, et cum Deo Patre in eternum premiabitur.

Pulsantibus autem instrumentis et ix. angelis in ordine suo, secundum quem gradiebantur in processione in terra expectantibus inter solarium et hostium chori, Anna mater Marie surget et stando pedibus in loco suo instrumentis

page 218 note 11 underlined in black.

page 219 note 1 The marks of parenthesis are mine, the words enclosed being underlined in black in the manuscript.

page 219 note 2 The marks of parenthesis are mine.

page 220 note 11 underlined in black.

page 220 note 2 The marks of parenthesis are mine, the words enclosed being underlined in black.

page 220 note 33 underlined in black.

page 221 note 1 The marks of parenthesis are mine, the words enclosed being underlined in black.

page 221 note 22 underlined in black.

page 223 note 11 underlined in black.

page 223 note 22 underlined in black.

page 223 note 3 ms. alteri.

page 224 note 1 ms. Iohacim.

page 228 note 1 It is understood, of course, that the drawing is merely schematic, The dimensions of the platform are obviously out of proportion to the dimensions of the church itself.

page 232 note 1 The comedy attached to Synagoga and Lucifer deserves emphasis.

page 232 note 2 According to the note, or “recommendatio” printed above, the bishop wears the vestments of a Jewish high priest (habitu summorum pontificum Iudeorum). See above, p. 201.

page 233 note 1 See the passage: Temporibus … musice notatum, quoted above, p. 184.

page 233 note 2 Had there been a dramatic office for the feast at Constantinople it might have been mentioned in Georgius Codinus Curopalata de Officiis Magnae Ecclesiae et Aulas Constantmopolitanae, Parisiis, 1648, cap. xv, § vi, p. 113, where the celebration of the Festum Praesentationis is recorded.

page 233 note 3 Concerning the officia propria of Cyprus I have no information at all.

page 233 note 4 In Mézières' Epistola printed above we read: … dictam solempnitatem iam pluribus annis elapsis in aliquibus partibus Ytalie, uidelicet in preclara ciuitate Venetiarum, aliquibus electis deuote Virginis ipsius ciuitatis adiuuantibus, solempniter celebrari fecit cum representatione figurata. Concerning Méziêres' soujourn in Venice in 1370, see Jorga, pp. 402-404. I find nothing in regard to the play in Vita del Glorioso San Giovanni apostolo ed evangelista con alcuni miracoli della Santissima Croce …, Venezia, 1752, pp. i ff., or in Notizie storiche delle chiese e monasteri di Venezia, e di Torcello … illustrate da Flaminio Corner, Padova, 1758, pp. 371-375. Each of these works mentions certain events connected with Méziêres' soujourn in Venice in 1370.

page 233 note 5 See Mézières' Epistola printed above: … Bertrandus Glandatensis … aliqua propria manu correxit … pro tempore et loco cultum diuinum corrigere, modificare, tollerare, augmentare, et de nouo instituere. See above, pp. 193-194.