The L'Isle Adam liturgical choral books and other illuminated liturgical and devotional codices in Maltese collections

Abstract

This thesis aims at grouping liturgical and devotional illuminated manuscripts in Malta. In so doing it hopes to give a coherent study of the majority of known illuminated manuscripts of this genre on the island, a large number of which have never or have sparingly been written about. Formerly unknown works shall be integrated into this study. Furthermore, it is intended to give a thorough description of the manuscripts. The history, attribution and nature of some illuminated manuscripts will be re-evaluated and the case for the production of such books on the island will be considered. Available secondary sources were consulted, though the content of some of these had to be treated with reservation. Consequently, an accurate and exhaustive catalogue of illuminated manuscripts in Malta had to be drawn up. This led to the treatment of the manuscripts as the major primary sources themselves. Other difficulties were encountered since the availability of essential handbooks was virtually negligible. Moreover, the vastness of the subject, encompassing manuscripts produced over a period of some five centuries, their stylistic differences and their functions, necessitated a descriptive approach since expertise in all fields is an impossibility. Where analogous works were found, comparisons were drawn and stylistic attributions were attempted, this, however, not being the primary aim of the thesis. Comprehensivity was not sought and the material was handled with the consideration of further research, in this and other related fields, in mind.