Liturgical and other influences on the carols of James Ryman, with a transcription of and notes on that part of his verse not easily accessible

Abstract

The first part of this study considers the mission of the Franciscan friars and their use of song and verse, with a detailed study of the carols of friar James Ryman (circa 1492). Special attention is paid to the liturgical background of the carols, and Ryman's unusual interest in scriptural and didactic material is examined. The carols of anonymous authorship are given in comparison with Hyman's songs throughout. In this way, a fuller picture can be built up of the variety and scope possible to the religious carol, and Ryman's carols in particular, with a final assessment of when, where and by whom these songs were used. The second part of the study consists of a description of the single manuscript of Ryman's work, and a transcription of the material on it which is not in carol-form, and which is consequently less accessible to the reader. Notes and longer articles on these Items are included wherever necessary. The thesis is concluded with a number of appendices of Information useful to the study of the manuscript.