Background The forms of parish worship in the late mediaeval church in England, which followed the Latin Roman Rite, varied according to local practice. By far the most common form, or "use", found in Southern England was that of Sarum (Salisbury). There was no single book; the services provided by the Book of Common Prayer were found in the Missal (the Eucharist), the Breviary (daily offices), Manual (the occasional services of baptism, marriage, burial etc.), and Pontifical (services appropriate to a bishop—confirmation, ordination). The chant (plainsong, plainchant) for worship was contained in the Roman Gradual for the Mass, the Antiphonale for the offices, and the Processionale for the litanies. The Book of Common Prayer has never contained prescribed music or chant, but in 1550 John Merbecke produced his Booke of Common Praier noted, which sets much of Mattins, Evensong, Holy Communion and the Burial Office in the Prayer Book to simple plainchant, generally inspired by Sarum Use.
Background The forms of parish worship in the late mediaeval church in England which followed the Latin Roman Rite varied according to local practice By far the most common form or "use" found in Southern England was that of Sarum (Salisbury) There was no single book; the services provided by the Book of Common Prayer were found in the Missal (the Eucharist) the Breviary (daily offices) Manual (the occasional services of baptism marriage burial etc) and Pontifical (services appropriate to a bishop—confirmation ordination) The chant (plainsong plainchant) for worship was contained in the Roman Gradual for the Mass the Antiphonale for the offices and the Processionale for the litanies The Book of Common Prayer has never contained prescribed music or chant but in 1550 John Merbecke produced his Booke of Common Praier noted which sets much of Mattins Evensong Holy Communion and the Burial Office in the Prayer Book to simple plainchant generally inspired by Sarum Use