A Medieval Christmas

Author: Frances Lincoln

The Christmas story is illustrated with miniatures selected from the Books of Hours found in The British Library

Some of the greatest European painters of the Middle Ages were employed in the decoration of these manuscripts: Gerard Horenbout, one of the illuminators of The Sforza Hours, illustrates a simple Nativity using rich reds, greens and blues; the Annunciation to the Shepherds, depicted by the Master of the Duke of Bedford, is marvelously detailed and surrounded by classic miniatures; the Master of the Dresden Hours, a prolific Flemish artist of the late 1400’s, has strewn his Epiphany with flowers, so realistic that it seems possible to pick them off the page. Intricate in scale and radiant with gold and colors, these manuscripts represent the popular ideal of the medieval illuminated book.

The well-loved story is recounted in the words of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. This masterly translation of the New Testament complements the magnificent illustrations, making this the perfect Christmas gift to be treasured by young and old.

With the combination of the beautiful RSV translation and the glorious color miniatures, readers will be deeply inspired by both word and art. The RSV has been acclaimed for many decades as the most accurate, readable and beautiful translation of the Bible in English.