| Bernard? French Prayerbook and Benedictional in Latin from the second quarter of the sixteenth century for the use of Cistercian nuns. The opening and only illustrated office is for the profession of nuns who promise to live 'secundum regulam sancti Benedicti'. Three novice nuns in white mantles and veils are being presented by a nun in a white cowl and black veil for a priest's blessing. The priest is wearing a grey chasuble and holds his right hand up in blessing. He stands before an altar with a white cloth upon which are an open book and a chalice, indicating that this takes place during the Eucharist. At each end of the altar are two other tonsured monks, the deacon and sub-deacon in grey dalmatic and tunicle. The altarpiece appears to be a saint carrying a crozier - perhaps St Benedict or Bernard. Above an initial with staves of brown and gold, clasped by a putto against an infill of pink, with a ground of blue and white, framed in gold. Border on three sides decorated with fruit and flowers on a gold ground. The text is headed in red: The Order of Service for the Blessing of a Nun. In the first place the novice reads this professio'. and it continues: 'I, sister N, promise stability and conversion of life and obedience according to the Rule of St Benedict before God and the blessed martyrs whose relics are kept here and all the saints in this place which is called N built to the honour of the Blessed Mother of God always Virgin Mary in the presence of Lady Abbess N'. Then, again in red: 'Having read the profession the professed makes a sign of the cross'.
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