Bernardus Souter. Antwerp, 1491

SINTE BERNARDUS SOUTER TOT ONSER LIEVER VROUWEN MARIA.
Antwerp: Gerard Leeu, 8 October 1491.

Derived from Latin writings attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090–1153), St. Jerome (c. 346–420), and St. Bonaventure (c. 1217–1274), the texts of the “Psalter of our Blessed Lady Mary” are not the biblical Psalms, but 150 prayers in Dutch dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Each of the prayers begins with a line from an actual Psalm, then continues with its own Christianized sentiments. Intended for daily recitation by lay people, these prayers reflect the intense devotion to the Virgin Mary that characterized vernacular piety in the late Middle Ages. Shown is an opening with lively hand-colored woodcut borders. Bridwell Library’s copy is one of only five known to exist.

The Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Bible Collection