Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Breviary
Belgium, Bruges, ca. 1500
MS M.52 fol. 3v

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Historiated border containing cama³aeu figures, medallions, and miniature in lower border frames calendar.
Top border, in cama³aeu:
Scene, Sports and Games: Rounders -- Group of male figures playing rounders.
Left border, in cama³aeu, and containing medallion and panel:
1) Statue of male figure surmounting column decorated with foliate ornament, in illusionistic architectural niche. Capital of column decorated with supporting figures.
2) Below, within medallion, Evangelist Mark, seated in chair at desk within room, writes in book with pen held in right hand. Lion, winged, lies at his feet.
Feast celebrated April 25.
Below, in cama³aeu, two wild men battle.
3) Zodiac Sign: Taurus -- Bull in landscape with buildings.
Below, TAURUS inscribed in cama³aeu.
Right border, in cama³aeu:
Within illusionistic architectural niche, George of Cappadocia slaying dragon with sword.
Lower border:
Month, Occupation: April -- Within farmyard, woman milks cow with bell around its neck. To right, man pushes sheep out of sheepcote. Shepherd, holding lamb in left hand and crozier in right hand, looks on. Flock of sheep and one goat follows second shepherd along path leading from sheepcote. Lamb nurses ewe.
Beyond, woman churns butter within farmhouse. To left, second woman follows cattle out of stable beside farmhouse. Cock, hens, and chicks peck ground before farmhouse.