Songs of Holy Mary, Musicians’ codex
The Musicians' Codex is the only manuscript in the royal songbook to include all the poems.
In addition to the prologue and headings, it contains four hundred cantigas, a final prayer known as the pitiçon in which the king addresses Mary and asks her to intercede for his soul, and a group of pieces devoted to the Virgin’s feast days.
In this case the illustrations are limited to the prologue – a delightful scene where the king, surrounded by members of the court, appears to be attending the performance of a cantiga – and to every tenth poem, each of which is preceded by a vignette showing musicians and singers with a broad variety of musical instruments.
Cantiga 377 mentions a painter, Pedro Lourenço, who painted the books of Holy Mary well and quickly – the only specific reference we have to one of the illuminators involved in the Cantigas.
This manuscript was deposited in Seville Cathedral, and was probably designed to be used in ceremonies at the Royal Chapel.