Pretiosa est in conspectu Domini mors sanctorum eius. The Chapter Book Necrologies of Mont Saint-Michel, Avranches, Bibl. patrimoniale, ms 214

Abstract

Examination of Avranches, Bibl. patrimoniale, ms 214 shows that it contains the Chapter Book used for memorialization of the dead in the office of Chapter from c. 1212 to c. 1450, with obits going back well into the tenth century; names were added throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, continuing sporadically into the late 16th century. Additional texts, a customary and a ceremonial, were added under Abbot Pierre Le Roy (d. 1411). Analysis of the texts links the monks to the major monastic reforms of the tenth and early eleventh century as key players, and suggests they had links with some of the finest intellectuals of their time. A selection of illustrative texts is given in an appendix.

Keywords

• Chapter book
• necrology
• martyrology
• martyrology-necrology
• obituary
• pitancier