The Medieval Calendar Year

A celebration of the pictorial convention known as "The Labours of the Months" and the ways it was used in the Middle Ages.

It provides insights into prevailing social attitudes and values of the culture of mediaeval Europe.

The "Labours" cycle was most popular during the High Middle Ages.

The traditional cycle depicts the year as a round of seasonal activities on the land.

Each month has its allotted task, and each of these represents one stage in the never-ending process of providing food for society.

Examples from different media are described, but most of the illustrations have been taken from manuscripts, primarily "Books of Hours".

The author has spent 15 years studying different calendars, and she demonstrates the social reality that lies hidden, even masked, behind the stylized representation.