Leaf on vellum from a manuscript Book of Hours.

Vellum leaf from an early French Book of Hours with decoration typical of the scriptoria of northern France in the second half of the 14th century. There are a number of large initials in red, blue, white and burnished gold. The marginal decoration on the verso includes a small dragon biting its own foot. The text is from the Hours of the Holy Spirit. A partial translation of the prayer is: Thou, O Lord, wilt open my lips and my mouth shall declare thy praise. Incline unto my aid, O God. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father as it was. Come, O Holy Ghost, replenish the hearts of thy faithful: and kindle in them the fire of thy love.