They were the bestsellers of the Middle Ages. In this episode, our host Sandra Hindman of Les Enluminures sits down with Richard Davies of AbeBooks to discuss books of hours. Sandra explains the contours of the bestseller: what books of hours contained, who owned them, how they were decorated and the purpose they served. These paraliturgical manuscripts provided access to private, personalized devotion. Sandra Hindman discusses the materiality of these manuscripts, the painting process for illuminations, and some of the most famous historical stories involving books of hours.  

Published by Abe Books March 8, 2021