WRITTEN CONTENT
In matching our text and melody to existing graduals, we could determine that the page that preceded our manuscript leaf may have contained an illumination which would have marked the beginning of the psalm.
The image to the right shows in the printed psalm that precedes our manuscript leaf's text - or the illuminated "B" of Benedicite Domi-."
Therefore, if looking for leaves that may have accompanied this leaf in a codex, we would be looking for leaves with the text shown below:
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The doxology on the WestConn Leaf is known as the Lesser Doxology. The Lesser Doxology derives its difference from the Greater Doxology in that the Greater Doxology (Gloria in excelsis Deo) is a full length hymn while the Lesser Doxology (Gloria Patri) is a common ending to psalms and canticals. An interesting point about the doxology on the WestConn leaf is that it is a shortened version of the typical Lesser Doxology. According to the Catholic Dictionary the full Lesser Doxology reads as follows: "Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen." This translates to: "Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,As it was in the beginning, and now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen." The WestConn leaf doxology reads as: "Gloria Patri, et filio Saeculorum Amen." Which roughly translates to: "Glory to the father, and son, Ages upon Ages Amen." While, at first, the shortening may seem strange or unique it is actually neither. This is not the first example of a shortened doxology and the reason for it is actually quite simple. The chorus, along with most religious people at the time, would have been extremely familiar with the full Lesser Doxology and would most likely have it memorized by heart. Because of this, the doxology could be shortened in order to save precious parchment space while still leaving enough of the doxology to guide the singer of the psalm.