A 500-Year-Old Melody Revived: Monastic Music Returns to Devon Abbey

In a remarkable discovery, a piece of monastic music from the 15th century has been uncovered in a book originally from Buckland Abbey in Devon. The music, a plainchant, is believed to have been used by monks to seek God’s mercy, forgiveness, and protection from harm during a time of crisis, possibly in response to the Tudor “sweating sickness.” After being housed in the British Library for over 250 years, the Buckland Book has been loaned back to the abbey, and the music is set to be performed for the first time in nearly 500 years.

The discovery was made by a historian at the University of Exeter during a research project, and the National Trust has worked with the university to prepare the music for its revival. The performance will be given by the University of Exeter’s Chapel Choir as part of a new exhibition at Buckland Abbey. According to Daisy Gibbs, a National Trust music historian, the music shares a real feeling of anxiety and fear, and it’s believed to have been sung as a complete sequence to help the monks through a crisis.

Performing music that is over 500 years old comes with its challenges, including deciphering the notation and interpreting the rhythm and dynamics. Michael Graham, the university’s director of chapel music, notes that this process requires making decisions about how the pieces should sound. Despite the challenges, the performance is expected to be a unique and moving experience, bringing to life the sounds of medieval monasticism.