For the month of December we’ll take a look at a C15th Book of Hours, so follow along and keep an eye out for images from this beautifully illustrated manuscript! https://www.ria.ie/book-hours-rouen-book-hours-sarum-use #BookofHours #IlluminatedManuscripts #MedievalTwitter

This manuscript belonged to Thomas, Lord Hoo, Chancellor of Normandy and France, and his portrait appears in the book. #BookofHours #IlluminatedManuscripts #MedievalTwitter

Here is the full page showing Lord Hoo kneeling in front of the Trinity.

Lord Hoo can be identified in the image as he wearing his heraldic tabard which bears his coat of arms.

Lord Hoo's wife Eleanor Welles is also depicted in the manuscript.

Here is the full page showing Lady Hoo, Eleanor Welles, kneeling before the Madonna and Child. Her gown (kirtle) shows her husband's coat of arms and her father's arms (Welles).

The manuscript has been dated to c.1444. Scholars think it was likely made for Lord Hoo as a wedding present to his bride. Some of the prayers in the text concern marriage. Don’t they make a lovely couple! #BookofHours #medievaltwitter

To give an idea of how miniature these miniatures are, the folios measure about 230mm by 160mm but the ruled text only takes up 104mm by 67mm. The rest of the page is taken over by elaborate borders of flowers and foliage. #BookofHours

Typical of medieval Book of Hours, the manuscript begins with a Calendar of church feasts. The book was made in Rouen and the saints mentioned in the calendar are associated with the city -St Gilard, St Nicas, St Mellon, and St Roman. #BookofHours

The first miniature of the book heads the sequentia of the gospels. It is quartered to show each of the four evangelists at work. #BookofHours

St Matthew with his angel is shown against a plain gold background. He is writing on a scroll. Is the angel holding an inkpot? #BookofHours

St Mark with his lion is also shown against a plain background. He sits on a chair writing on a scroll, with the lion at his feet. #BookofHours

St John with his eagle is shown in front of a landscape scene, he sits on the Island of Patmos writing the Apocalypse. See the eagle holding the inkpot in his beak and the cheeky impish devil spilling the ink? #BookofHours

St Luke with his ox is depicted sitting in a room, writing in a book rather on a scroll. Is that an ink pot and pen case on the table? #BookofHours

Folio 19v depicts the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is at prayer in a covered chapel while the angel greets her. The Holy Spirit descends from above, from the head of God the Father – this image is smudged. #BookofHours

This miniature is one of the nicest in the manuscript. There is a lot of detail – see the vaulted ceiling? #BookofHours

One of the most vivid miniatures in the manuscript can be found on folio 40. It depicts St Christopher carrying the Christ Child across the river. In the background do you see the hermit with a lamp? #BookofHours

The miniature on folio 41v shows a dramatic scene of St George slaying a dragon. The Princess (the ‘damsel in distress’) whom St George saves from being sacrificed to the dragon can be seen in the background, kneeling on the hillside in prayer. #BookofHours

According to legend St Katherine was martyred in 306 or 307. In the C11th her relics were brought to Rouen. This miniature includes the symbols traditionally attributed to St Katherine - books, a wheel and a sword. #BookofHours

The Penitential Psalms begin with a miniature of King David, kneeling with a harp, hands raised to shield his eyes from the vision of God above. Scene inspired by Psalm 26 ‘Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life …’ Is that a windmill in the background? #BookofHours

Here St Jerome is shown as a cardinal sitting in front of a reading stand with books. A lion sits at his feet raising his paw, a nod to the legend of St Jerome removing a thorn from a lion’s paw. #BookofHours