Non Nobis Domine and Its Impact in the Kingdom of Calontir
The history of the Latin hymn “Non Nobis Domine” 1 spans several centuries and has seen various adaptations and uses. It originated from the Latin hymn, with the opening words taken from Psalm 115. The hymn expresses humility and thanksgiving.
Non nobis, Domine, Domine! Non nobis, Domine! Sed nomini, sed nomini! Tua da gloriam!
Translation: Not to us, O Lord, O Lord; Not to us, O Lord, O Lord; But to your name, but to your name Give to you the glory!
Based on Ps 115:1 “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”
In medieval history, the Latin expression was inscribed on the façade of the Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, a Renaissance palace in Venice, Italy. It was also recited liturgically as part of the Easter vigil, with participants kneeling when this verse was reached. The war flag of the Knights Templar, known as Baucent, was inscribed with the verse as well.
During the Renaissance period, composer Jean Mouton composed a motet based on the “Non Nobis” text to celebrate the birth of a daughter to Louis XII and Anne of Brittany in 1510. Additionally, the verse became popularized through a canon derived from the motet “Aspice Domine” by Philip van Wilder, a South Netherlandish composer who worked at the English court during the 16th century. This canon was sung in Elizabethan “hidden” Catholic circles and is found in Tudor manuscripts.
In more modern history, the canon became part of glee club repertoires in 18th and 19th-century England and was traditionally sung as a grace at public dinners. It also received a new setting by Patrick Doyle for the 1989 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play Henry V. This film version of “Non Nobis” gained popularity within the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), particularly in the Kingdom of Calontir. People started spontaneously singing it at SCA events, creating magical moments of shared harmony.
In the SCA, the tradition of singing “Non Nobis Domine” took on a deeper meaning when it became a way to honor the passing of a member. Master Andrixos “Drx” Seljukroctonis and others organized a set time for all event attendees to join together and pay tribute to the departed individual. This practice eventually extended to online gatherings, allowing people from throughout the SCA to participate privately in honoring the deceased. Drx call the song “our paean of victory, and our elegy for fallen comrades, often sung at mundane funerals and memorials”. 2
Thus, “Non Nobis Domine” has traversed centuries and cultures, finding its place in religious ceremonies, artistic compositions, and SCA traditions, serving as a reminder of humility, gratitude, and the power of communal harmony.
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