UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst

Book of Hours, FOL 48

A portion of the poem La Vie de Sainte Marguerite by the Norman poet Wace (c. 1110-1174) The bookhand is Gothic textura semi-quadrata, a style of the High Gothic period. The text of this poem is in Old French, specifically Old Norman. The contained border design is illustrated with gold paint and floral decorations, which match up on recto and verso. Red line ruling is visible on both sides. There are several gold and blue line fillers on each side, and one decorated initial on the recto, the letter ‘T’ beginning ‘Theodorus’. A small chip is missing from the inside edge of the leaf. The lower front corner of the leaf is darkened, perhaps indicating frequent use. This portion of the poem about the life of St. Margaret of Antioch recounts her virtue and devotion to God between encounters with Olymbrius. The presence of this poem might indicate that this Book of Hours belonged to a young woman, as St. Margaret is the patron saint of pregnant women and childbirth.

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Mid to Late-15th century France or Belgium

Hannah Callahan

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Old French

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A son pere n’a ses amis.../...Un iour advint par adventure (ll. 25-64, p. 99-101)

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