A gradual is a chant or hymn sung during a Christian Mass. The word can also refer to a bound collection of the music used in the celebration of the Mass. This volume was made for the Cistercian Abbey of San Stefano al Corno in Lombardy, Italy. It contains six decorated initials, which introduce the introits, or psalms, for the major feasts. The verso, or reverse side, of folio 106 includes the decorated letter ‘B’, introducing the introit for Trinity Sunday: ‘Benedicta sit Sancta Trinitas’, meaning ‘Blessed be the Holy Trinity’.