Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
England, ca. 1440-1450
MS G.9 fol. 100r

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Scene, Liturgical: Obsequies -- Bier, covered with cross inscribed drapery, with four lit candles at cardinal points, is flanked by four clergy, hooded, and by five clerics, tonsured, two wearing copes with morse, all standing before open book on lectern (Scene, Liturgical: Chanting). Draped altar, with side curtains, and cross inscribed (?) frontal, is in background. Scene in windowed church.
Margins decorated with border of foliate and floreate ornament, inhabited by: wild man wearing cardinal's hat (?), holding right index finger in ear, with either snake or tongue emerging from mouth; monkey, with mouth open, gesturing; wrens; hybrid man, wearing hood or cap.