{"product_id":"medieval-latin-manuscript-fragment-deus-creator-omnium-hymn-of-st-ambrose-c-13th-14th-century","title":"Medieval Latin Manuscript Fragment — Deus Creator Omnium — Hymn of St. Ambrose — c. 13th\/14th Century","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn original \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emedieval Latin manuscript fragment on parchment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, preserving portions of the ancient Christian hymn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeus creator omnium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (“God, Creator of All Things”), traditionally attributed to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSt. Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLikely dating to approximately the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e14th century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with a possible broader range of the late 13th–15th century, the fragment is written by hand in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGothic bookhand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e using dark ink with rubrication in red. Most striking is the large decorated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ered-and-black initial “D”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, marking the beginning of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeus creator omnium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe surviving text corresponds closely with the established Latin hymn, beginning:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeus creator omnium, polique rector…\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e“God, Creator of all things, and Ruler of the heavens…”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdditional surviving portions correspond with later verses including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtus solutos ut quies\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrates peracto iam die\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTe cordis ima concinant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUt cum profunda clauserit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeus creator omnium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is an ancient evening hymn associated with the Ambrosian tradition and is documented in medieval manuscripts for use in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDivine Office, including Vespers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fragment likely originated from a medieval liturgical manuscript containing hymns for the Divine Office, potentially a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehymnary, psalter-hymnal, breviary, or related service book\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf particular interest is the fragment’s later history. A prominent longitudinal fold accompanied by piercing\/sewing holes and localized wear is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003econsistent with the parchment having been reused as medieval or early-modern bookbinding material\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e after the original manuscript was dismantled. Such recycling was a common fate for older manuscript leaves as books were rebound and obsolete manuscripts repurposed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis fragment therefore preserves not only an authentic example of medieval manuscript production, but a recognizable Christian hymn whose tradition reaches back to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLate Antiquity and St. Ambrose\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, one of the most influential figures of the early Western Church.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Latin manuscript on animal-skin parchment; Gothic bookhand; black\/dark brown ink with red rubrication; decorated red-and-black initial; approximately 14th century, with a possible broader late 13th–15th-century range. The fragment shows expected age, staining, folds, losses, holes, and wear associated with its centuries of survival and probable later reuse. Please examine all photographs carefully for condition and exact dimensions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthenticity \u0026amp; Research:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Every effort is made to describe and research our historical pieces accurately. Dating and identification of medieval manuscript fragments necessarily involve paleographic and textual assessment, and statements concerning precise date, origin, and original parent volume should be understood as scholarly attribution rather than absolute certainty.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWant to learn more?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Watch \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Divine Library\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on YouTube for videos exploring medieval manuscripts, early printed books, biblical artifacts, and other fascinating objects from Christian history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Divine Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62698150166609,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0669\/0059\/0673\/files\/IMG-4852.png?v=1790036202","url":"https:\/\/thedivinelibrarystore.com\/products\/medieval-latin-manuscript-fragment-deus-creator-omnium-hymn-of-st-ambrose-c-13th-14th-century","provider":"The Divine Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}