TheRicemarch Psalter is an 11th-centuryWelshilluminatedpsalter, in a lateInsular style, that has been described as "Hiberno-Danish", instead of the usual "Hiberno-Saxon", as it reflectsViking influence.[1] Its 159 pages arevellum, and include the following sections: Letter of St. Jerome toChromatius andElidorus; Breviarius Apostolorum; Martyrologium Hieronymianum, and Various Tables. It is one of two surviving manuscripts from the scriptorium atLlanbadarn Fawr inWales, established by the father of the scribe and the first owner. The other is a manuscript ofSt. Augustine'sDe Trinitate in Cambridge, by the same scribe. The psalter is now atTrinity College Dublin as MS 50.[2]
The Psalter was presented between 1064 and 1082 by a scribe named Ithael to his brotherRhygyfarch (Ricemarch in theOld Welshorthography of the eleventh century), who was a resident of the school atSt. David's.[3] Their father, Sulien (Latinized as Sulgenus), who would eventually become the Bishop of St. David's in 1072, had previously lived in Ireland for 13 years for the purpose of study; the decoration is heavily influenced by contemporary Irish styles.[4]
It is possible that Rhygyfarch penned a few sections of the manuscript himself, as the hand is not always consistent. He certain composed several verses himself, even if he did not scribe those sections of manuscript. Hugh Jackson Lawlor is of the opinion that the psalter was not written primarily by Rhygyfarch himself, as mentioned above, unlike other scholars.[5][6] The large initials in the beginning lines of the manuscript pages are typical of other illuminated manuscripts of the time, with colorful Celticinterlace with animals. It is likely that Ithael wrote the text, while John provided the large initials andminiatures. The designs, while limited in variety, are highly regarded by scholars of illuminated manuscripts.[7]
Other Insular illuminated manuscripts from Wales may include theLichfield Gospels and theHereford Gospels.