The Hastings Hours

The original copy of the Hastings Hours is held in the British Library and was written around 1480. This is a small book reproduces, in colour, a selection of the main carpet pages from the manuscript. Although not a full reproduction of the entire manuscript this is still a lovely book. There is a series of well painted scenes from the bible and scriptures. Many of these are surrounded by an equally well painted border of flowers and insects and the beauties of nature. At times its hard to know what to look at - the central picture or the intricate borders. Interspaced between full page pictures the author Janet Blackhouse presents the reader with a short history of illuminated manuscripts in England and the lowlands and the people who were behind the production of this particular book. This little book is highly recommended for lovers of illuminated manuscripts or those who enjoy Medieval art. While not the last word on the Hastings Hours, it is still inspiring to browse through and enjoy these gems of the middle ages which rarely get seen in larger books on illuminated manuscripts.