Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Hours of Henry VIII
France, Tours, ca. 1500
MS H.8 fol. 3r

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Miniature:
Month, Occupation: May -- Man and woman, carrying branches, accompanied by two dogs, walk hand-in-hand along road through forest. In background is landscape.
Margins:
Below miniature, historiated border frames calendar.
Left border:
1) Apostle Philip, nimbed, holds cross-staff in right hand. Feast celebrated May 1.
2) Apostle James, nimbed, holds book in both hands. Feast celebrated May 1.
3) Tau-cross. Feast of Finding the True Cross celebrated May 3.
Right border:
1) Bernardinus of Siena, nimbed, hooded, wearing Franciscan habit, holds disk with rays in right hand and open book in left hand. Translation of Relics celebrated May 17; feast celebrated May 20.
2) Bishop, nimbed, wearing miter and bishop's vestments, raises right hand in blessing and holds crozier in left hand.
3) Pope, nimbed, wearing triple-crowned tiara, half-figure, raises right hand in blessing and holds papal cross with left hand.
Lower border:
1) Saint, male, nimbed, half-figure.
2) Saint, male, nimbed, half-figure, tonsured, holding open book.
3) Zodiac Sign: Gemini -- Couple, both nude, embrace within roundel.
4) Petronilla of Rome, nimbed, wearing wimple, half-figure. Feast day celebrated May 31.
5) Saint, male, nimbed, half-figure, holding staff with both hands.