Illuminated Manuscripts

An introduction to the illuminated manuscripts of the early and later middle ages
The work and lives of the scribes and artists who made these glorious documents
How did they work it out? How were the colours made? Did they ever make mistakes?
A case study, looking closely at one manuscript in particular

The Bayeux Tapestry

The Road to Hastings: the events leading to the main battle fought in what is supposed to be the memorable date in our history.
The Dog That Didn’t Bark: what is and isn’t shown and what we might learn from that.
Was it made in France or England? Was it commissioned by victor or vanquished?
The Tapestry itself: a close look at the tapestry with its astonishingly vibrant colours and details.

Signs of the Times

An introduction to signs and symbols in churches and manuscripts.
This expands on the Signs of the Times lecture, so the basic ground will be covered such as the meaning of certain animals, the significance of numbers, how to spot which saint is which and so on.
We will also have time to look at the less expected things such as the Laudable Conditions of Mary (how to work out precisely which verse of St Luke's Gospel is being illustrated in an Annunciation scene) and will be able to dissect and analyse some well-known paintings for their underlying messages.

Anglo-Saxon Canterbury

his is a half day tour.

We start at the new statues of King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha on Lady Wootton Green before walking up to the ancient church of St Martin’s. This is arguably the oldest parish church in England still in regular use. The oldest part is held to have been used by Bertha herself when she married Ethelbert at the end of the sixth century. It was because of her presence in Kent that St Augustine’s mission arrived there in 597.
We then walk down the hill to St Augustine’s Abbey where Saxons kings of Kent as well as the first archbishops of Canterbury are buried. We can also see the site of St Theodore’s grave who died in 690 aged 88, having been the greatest single influence on education in England at that time. The outlines of the original churches are still visible, so we can see Continental influences in the way they were laid out which are copied in the north at Monkwearmouth, amongst other places.

This usually comprises a tour around perhaps four churches in a nominated county, mainly looking at how to interpret the contents and decoration as opposed to the history of those specific buildings. The ideal churches might house unusual carvings whether wooden or stone, frescos, screens, fonts or memorial brasses.