Gallery

Reading and writing aids in the Middle Ages

Desktops, books carousels, lamps and candles were helpful when reading or writing in the Middle Ages.

Curated by Hunt Museum for the Art of Reading in the Middle Ages project.

Defunctus (Defunct) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 481
Genevieve from BL YT 3, f. 283v
Presentation of the Virgin Mary from BL YT 13, f. 59
Burial of the dead from BL YT 3, f. 211
Canon sive Canones (Canon or Canons) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 216v
Symbol of St. Matthew: angel, with (1) Christ-child and kneeling angel, (2) three crowns, …
Symbol of St. Luke: ox, with (1) St. Gabriel, (2) Christ-child holding sceptre and knife, …
Requiem Mass from BL King's 6, f. 106v
St. Margaret of Antioch holding a book and St. Cecilia of Rome holding an oil-lamp
The Evangelist St. Mark writing, with his symbol the lion
The Evangelist St. Mark writing with his symbol the lion
The Evangelist St. Luke writing, with his symbol the ox
Jean de Meun writing in his study from BL YT 21, f. 69v
Jerome from BL King's 9, ff. 240v-241
Author from BL Harley 4425, f. 133
Translator reading from BL Royal 16 F IX, f. 1
Student reading from BL Royal 20 B XX, f. 1
Boccaccio and Petrarch from BL Royal 14 E V, f. 391
Translator at work from BL Royal 18 E III, f. 24
Bernard from BL YT 3, f. 275v
Vincent of Beauvais from BL Royal 14 E I, f. 3
Prudence from BL Royal 19 C II, f. 48v