The Ritson Manuscript (GB-BL Add.5665) is so called as it once belonged to antiquarian Joseph Ritson, who donated the volume to the British Museum in 1795. This 146-page volume is believed to have originated at a monastery in Devon, England, and it is most famous for its selection of 44 early Christmas carols; these come from the earliest layer of the book, and were copied by 1475. Composer Thomas Pack is thought to have copied part of the Ritson Manuscript and had a hand in its compilation; the five compositions known by Pack all originate with this source. Other named composers represented in this volume are Cornysh, Hawte, Henry VIII (not identified by name, but the music is known to be his), Mower, Norman, Petyr, Smert, and Trouluffe (both together and separately), Edmund Sturges, Gilles Binchois, a work jointly composed by Dunstaple and Power, and two pieces identified by initials only. All told, attributed works account for 33 pieces out of the 96 works included; the rest are all anonymous. Compilation and copying of the book was finished by 1510, making it a contemporary of the Eton Choirbook. © Uncle Dave Lewis, All Music Guide

Below are works by Anonymous, Ritson Manscript that every music lover should explore: