Manuscript B.11.22 is a book of hours produced in Flanders c.1300. The featured marginal ornamentation is captioned with M.R. James’ description.
It all starts out innocently enough …
Monkeys playing bowls. f. 5vMonkey turning a somersault. f. 7r
… but things takes a sinister turn
Monkey and dog attack hare. f. 19rFox dragged by the feet by monkey mounted on dog. f. 22rMonkey hangs hare by the ears. f. 42vTwo monkeys with axes, whetting them? on square table. f. 63rRabbits in a hill. Monkey approaches with axe. f. 137v
The manuscript was given to the College by a former Chaplain Dr Anthony Scattergood in 1671.
Worcester Cathedral Library contains nearly 300 medieval manuscripts, 5500 printed books, and 20,000 archival documents. The aim of this blog is to open up the fascinating collection of a Medieval English Cathedral to the wider world.