A Medieval calendar

Content summary

The way of life in Medieval Europe (social, cultural, economic and political features) and the roles and relationships of different groups in society (ACDSEH008)

Students:

• describe everyday life of  men, women and children in Medieval European society
• identify the roles and relationships of key groups in Medieval Europe society, using a range of sources

Significant developments and/or cultural achievements, such as changing relations between Islam and the West (including the Crusades), architecture, medieval manuscripts and music (ACDSEH050)

Students:

• identify and describe significant developments and/or cultural achievements of Medieval Europe in at least ONE of the following areas: architecture, art, medieval manuscripts, literature and music

Background Notes for teachers

A Book of Hours is a book of prayers for the eight hours of the monastic day. It was lavishly illustrated and very popular during the Medieval Ages. Books of Hours were primarily owned by wealthy, literate people and used to assist them in their daily religious practice by telling them the appropriate prayers and the correct holidays during the year.

Only the wealthy could afford them because the printing press had not yet been invented. Each book was hand-written on parchment (sheepskin) or vellum (calfskin). Some of the colours used in the decorations were produced by crushing gemstones or applying gold or silver leaf.

In Medieval monasteries, twenty-four hour days were divided into eight segments called the ‘Liturgy of the Hours’. It was during these times or ‘hours’ that prayers from the book should be read. A day comprised of: 1. Matins (around midnight); 2. Lauds; 3. Prime; 4. Terce; 5. Sext; 6. Nones; 7. Compline, and finished with 8. Vespers (around 9 pm).

The content of the books typically included prayers, gospel stories, and commemorations of saints and calendars of holy days. They would usually be written in Latin and would be passed down as heirlooms in a family. People took their Books of Hours to bed, and to occasions like baptisms; they often asked the artists to include their own portraits in them. They were personal, precious, treasured objects. Books of Hours provide us with a unique opportunity to experience the private lives of everyday people from Medieval times and the illustrations in each book can tell us important information about daily in Medieval Europe.

This Book of Hours was produced in the workshop of Jean Colombe of Bourges around 1480 AD and contains 12 small double miniature illustrations for the calendar. Each illustration shows the appropriate labours for each month with signs of the zodiac. The subjects of the small miniatures are: January - feasting; February - digging; March - pruning vines; April - going on pilgrimage; May - lovers courting; June - scything; July - reaping; August - sowing; September - gathering acorns; October - treading grapes; November - stoking a fire; December - killing a pig.

Student Activities

• Activity 1

A Medieval Manuscript

Students  examine a Medieval manuscript and complete activities. 

Number of set tasks:

2

NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum History K-10

• Outcomes
• Historical skills
• Historical concepts
• LAC