A lecture in relation to 'Unfolding Time: The Medieval Pocket Calendar' exhibition.
Light and labour were linked by custom and law in the Middle Ages, when, for example, statutes dictated that agricultural workers were to leave their tasks while there was sufficient light to make their way home. We see the connection in medieval calendars. The average hours of daylight and darkness for each month were often recorded on pages along with lively images of seasonal activities, known as the Labours of the Months. Both elements take pride of place in late medieval concertina-fold almanacs—tiny, mass-produced books, made to be worn on the body.
Within their folds, one encounters brightly painted pictures of people busily turning earth, trimming vines, sowing, slaughtering, baking and so on. Beside them are circular diagrams depicting the hours of daylight and darkness. Whereas the Labours were a standard feature of calendars, the diagrams are uncommon; and the tight juxtaposition of the two, near unique. This paper considers what this unusual pairing tells us about the experience of time and work—manual and devotional—in late medieval Europe.
This event is also available to watch online. Please book a separate ticket if you wish to join us online instead of in person for this lecture: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/7360fa81-385b-4726-86ff-41d53dbb9823@95e2463b-3ab0-47b4-9ac1-587c77ee84f0
Please note that tickets must be booked individually for security purposes.
All are welcome, but those wishing to attend should book a free ticket at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/megan-mcnamee-light-and-labour-in-late-medieval-concertina-fold-almanacs-tickets-1216583196089?aff=oddtdtcreator or email archives@churchofengland.org, phone 020 7898 1400 no later than Tuesday 18 February.
Get a National Art Pass and explore Lambeth Palace Library
You'll see more art and your membership will help museums across the UK
Visitor information
Address
15 Lambeth Palace Road, London, Greater London, SE1 7JT
020 7898 1400
Opening times
Library exhibitions open free to the general public: Mon – Fri, 10am – 5pm. Reading room open to pre-booked readers: Mon, Weds, Fri, 10am – 5pm, Tues, 11am – 5pm, Thu, 10am – 7.15pm
From 4 March 2023, we will be open one Saturday a month - check our website for the dates.
Visitor information
What else is on at Lambeth Palace Library
Events nearby
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.