Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Hours of Henry VIII
France, Tours, ca. 1500
MS H.8 fol. 5v

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Miniature:
Month, Occupation: October -- Man sows seeds in plowed field held in apron. Second man plows field plow pulled by two horses. In background is landscape with buildings.
Margins:
Below miniature, historiated border frames calendar.
Left border:
1) Remigius of Reims, nimbed, wearing bishop's miter and vestments, raises right hand in blessing and holds crozier in left hand. Feast celebrated October 1)
2) Francis of Assisi: receiving Stigmata -- Francis, nimbed, tonsured, wearing Franciscan habit, kneeling on one knee, receives stigmata from seraph (possibly as Christ) affixed to cross. Feast celebrated October 4.
3) Saint, bishop, possibly Cerbonius of Piombino, nimbed, wearing bishop's miter and vestments raises right hand in blessing and holds book in left hand. Feast of Cerbonius celebrated October 10.
Right border:
1) Saint, bishop, nimbed, wearing miter and vestments, raises right hand in blessing and holds open book in left hand.
2) Evangelist Luke, nimbed, arms crossed at breast. Feast celebrated October 18.
3) Apostle Simon, nimbed, holds club in right hand. Feast celebrated October 28.
Lower border:
1) Saint, bishop, nimbed, wearing miter and vestments, half-figure, holds open book in right hand and crozier in left hand.
2) Calixtus I, nimbed, wearing triple-crowned tiara, half-figure, raises right hand in blessing and holds papal cross in left hand. Feast celebrated October 14.
3) Zodiac Sign: Scorpio -- Scorpion within roundel.
4) Apostle Jude, nimbed, half-figure, holds open book in left hand. Feast celebrated October 28.
5) Ivo of Brittany, nimbed, wearing hat, half-figure, points with right hand toward Apostle Jude and holds roll in left hand. Feast celebrated October 27.