Books of Hours
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3. Hours of the Virgin
Infancy Cycle
Terce
Annunciation to the Shepherds
Workshop of the Master of Raoul d’Ailly
The traditional illustration for Terce of the Hours of the Virgin is the Annunciation to the Shepherds. In this miniature, the single angel in the sky has caught the attention of all three of the shepherds who stand mesmerized at the news of Christ’s birth. In an unusual compositional move, the artist shows two shepherds who have turned their backs toward the viewer, while the third shepherd practically steps out of the frame of the miniature as he gazes upwards.

Made to order for Philippot of Nanterre, the wife of Thierry de la Cloche, the Seigneur of Roquoncourt, the Nanterre Hours is illustrated by artists from the Amiens workshop of Raoul d’Ailly. The workshop takes its name from the eponymous Hours of Raoul d’Ailly, executed for the Vidame of Amiens.

Hours of Philippot de Nanterre for Amiens use, France, Amiens, c. 1420 (Private Collection, f. 58v).
   
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
3. Hours of the Virgin
Infancy Cycle
Vespers
f. 67r
Flight into Egypt, Miracle of the Cornfield,
and the Massacre of the Innocents
The Gospel of Matthew (2: 12-22) describes how Joseph with his wife Mary and the Christ Child, after the visit of the magi, fled into Egypt. When the magi informed Herod of the newborn “King of the Jews,” Herod feared that the Child would threaten his reign. During the ensuing Massacre of the Innocents, Herod ordered all first-born children killed. Jesus was spared partly because an angel appeared to Joseph and warned him to take the family to Egypt. According to an apocryphal account, Herod’s army followed close behind, but they encountered a farmer who, when asked if he had seen a family pass by, replied affirmatively but added that they passed when he was seeding the corn (now miraculously fully grown). The soldiers therefore turned back.

The Virgin Mary, holding the swaddled Christ Child, sits on a bridled ass led by Joseph, who grasps the reins and carries a bundle. In left background, an armored soldier gestures to a man, who stands beside a cornfield. In the right background, another soldier holds a bleeding infant by the arm and fights off the mother. The foliate and floral margins include a hybrid man and a fantastic animal with huge fangs eating a bird.
Morgan MS M.1093, f. 67r  
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.
 Calendar Labors
Zodiac		  
2. Gospel Lessons John on Patmos
Luke
Matthew
Mark
  
3. Hours of the Virgin      
Infancy cycle
      
  Matins Annunciation  
Lauds Visitation  
  Prime Nativity  
  Terce Annunciation to Shepherds  
Sext Adoration of Magi  
  None Presentation  
  Vespers Flight into Egypt
or Massacre of the Innocents		  
Compline Coronation of the Virgin
or Flight into Egypt
or Massacre of the Innocents		  
  Passion cycle      
  Matins Agony    
  Lauds Betrayal    
  Prime Christ before Pilate  
Terce Flagellation    
  Sext Christ Carrying the Cross    
  None Crucifixion  
  Vespers Deposition    
  Compline Entombment    
4. Hours of the Cross Crucifixion    
Hours of the Holy Spirit Pentecost  
5. "Obsecro te'' Virgin and Child
   
  "O intemerata'' Lamentation
or Pietà		  
6. Penitential Psalms David in Penance
or David and Bathsheba
or Christ Enthroned
or Last Judgment		  
7. Office of the Dead Praying Office of the Dead
or Burial
or Last Judgment
or Job on the Dungheap
or Raising of Lazarus
or Lazarus and Dives
or Death Personified
or Three Living and Three Dead		  
8. Suffrages Saint with attribute
or Episode from life of the Saint		  

9.

 Accessory Texts various