A study of the hours of Charles Boddam

The paper is based on a study of an illuminated manuscript in the possession of St. David's College, Lampeter in Wales. Its title is derived from the name of an eighteenth-century owner of the book. As the title implies, the manuscript is a Book of Hours of the Virgin Mary, a favourite prayer-book of the laity in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Various features, such as border decoration, classic style architectural framework and interiors, and costume of possible donor, indicate that the manuscript was produced in Northern France, for the use of Rauen, about the end of the fifteenth century. After a brief reference to the historical background of Books of Hours and their content, the paper goes on to describe the structure of the book, assembly of gatherings, and content. A section on border and textual decoration includes references to some other manuscripts which contain similar motifs and initials. The following section discusses general features of the miniatures, including the framework within which each scene is presented, the two main types of background (landscape or domestic interior), and characterization of the figures portrayed. The miniatures are then discussed in detail, and some comparison with other manuscripts provides evidence for the use of pattern-books for fragments of a picture. Some links are identified between border and miniature and, in a few instances, between border, text, and miniature. The textual content is briefly referred to at the end of each commentary.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

ma

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

1981

Author dc:creator

• Hewerdine, Celia

• BR Cristnogaeth
• DA Prydain Fawr
• NC Darlunio Cynllun Dylunio

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:2507