Exultet roll

The Exultet roll takes its name from the opening words of the chant in Latin: Exultet iam angelica turba coelorum ('Let the angelic host of heaven exult'). These words were sung by the deacon during the blessing and lighting of the Paschal candle at the Easter Vigil. The chant included prayers, canticles and lections. Although based on the Pontifical liturgy, the form of the ceremony and the Exultet as practised in southern Italy is attributed to Archbishop Landulf I of Benevento (r. 957–982). It spread throughout southern Italy largely through the influence of the abbey of Montecassino.

Outside of their one annual liturgical function, Exultet rolls were objects of display. They featured initials decorated with interlace in a distinct Beneventan style and miniatures in a "Byzantinizing" style. They were large, consisting of parchment membranes up to 30 by 80 centimetres (12 in × 31 in) bound end to end to a total length of up to 9 metres (30 ft). The luxurious miniatures are among the largest found in European manuscripts up to that time.