The National Library of Wales
Nativity Images on National Library Website
Tue, 16 Dec 08 15:22:00
With the signs of the commercial Christmas all around you, why not enjoy the more tranquil images of The De Grey Book of Hours, a medieval manuscript depicting scenes from the Nativity on The National Library of Wales website?
The beautiful illustrations contained in the manuscripts include the stable scene with Mary and Joseph, the adoration of the Magi with the three wise men arriving with their gifts for Jesus and the annunciation to the Shepherds by the angel Gabriel. The manuscript also contains images of the later half of the nativity story showing the Flight to Egypt by Mary, Joseph and the Christ child and the Massacre of the Innocents by King Herod.
Books of Hours were the most popular texts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in Western Europe. Surviving examples range from exquisite and highly decorated volumes to modest texts devoid of illustration. The Books of Hours enabled pious lay people throughout Western Europe to observe a private programme of regular daily devotion at home based on the church's daily services of Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, Noe, Vespers and Compline. Due to the highly decorative nature of their illustrations the books also became popular symbols of wealth and prestige among the higher ranks of society during the later Middle Ages.
The De Grey Book of Hours at The National Library of Wales contains highly colourful and intricate illustrations with gold used as highlights – showing that the book belonged to a particularly wealthy family.
The manuscript is believed to originate from the collection of the De Grey Family from the Rhuthin area who’s ancestor’s feud with Owain Glyndwr lead to his rebellion.
Andrew Green from the Library stated, “The De Grey Book of Hours is a fantastic example of the kind of collection in the Library’s possession which is a reflection of European culture at its best. As we today learn and appreciate the nativity from the television or the web, it’s fitting to imagine that 500 years ago, books like the de Grey would have fulfilled the same role and excitement.”
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Medi Jones-Jackson
medi.jones-jackson@llgc.org.uk
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