Maastricht Hours (BL Stowe MS 17)

A woman in prayer before a crucifix, f. 157v.

Colloquial name(s): the Maastricht Hours

Official name(s): British Library, Stowe MS 17

Date: 1st quarter of 14th C (source)

Origin: Liège, Netherlands (source)

Online facsimile available via: British Library Digitised Manuscripts

This book of hours is thought to have been made for an aristocratic woman, possibly the one represented kneeling and wearing a vair-lined cloak in ff. 18r, 130v, 140r, 157v and 256r (source). It once had pilgrim badges in it - traces of these remain on f. 1r (source).

The manuscript is decorated with 16 full-page miniatures, which usually have roundels in the corners and are executed in colours and gold; 11 large historiated initials; 24 architectural historiated borders (for the calendar); and several other miniatures and smaller initials (source).

Basic descriptions of the illustrations are provided by the British Library with the facsimile.