It is generally accepted that medieval illuminated manuscripts are very beautiful things. Something to do with all that gold-leaf maybe. While we cannot hold them in class, close-up digital reproduction will allow us to see if they really are as beautiful as we are told. Indeed, are none of them ugly? Join this course to find out.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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Explore the vivid, gilded and highly decorative medieval manuscript, learning about different types of books from the Book of Hours, to the Psalter, the Apocalypse to the Bestiary. We will learn about the different types of imagery found on the pages and in the margins; as well as learn how to recognise the iconography, rich in narrative and sometimes even fun content. We will start by looking at an Anglo-Saxon manuscript such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and then we will concentrate on the Gothic period, with a study of manuscripts such as the Luttrell Psalter, one of the most famous manuscripts of the 14th century where we see the patron of the book – Sir Geoffrey Luttrell having supper with some of his friends.
What will we cover?
Learn how the manuscripts were illuminated and decorated and gain a basic framework for types of design, composition, how the books are laid out with scribe and illustrations for example.
Learn about some of the types of patrons who commissioned medieval books, including female patrons.
Start to be accustomed to some of the terminology used when discussing medieval manuscripts.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify different types of medieval books. • Learn to recognise some of the imagery and iconography used by the illuminators. • Gain confidence in talking about a type of ’book’ art. • Develop an informed opinion on what might constitute ‘beauty’ in the Middle Ages.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, and be able to operate basic Zoom software elements such as microphone, camera and chat.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date. Tutors are unable to email documents because of copyright and data protection restrictions.
Please note: this is a live, online course that will not be recorded for reasons of data protection, copyright and digital infrastructure.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Origins of the Italian Renaissance: The Primitivi Reimagining the Renaissance
Emma Rose Barber is an art historian who has been teaching adults for over 25 years. She specialises in the visual culture of the Middle Ages and the Italian and Northern Renaissance. She has also taught classes on British art and has designed many different courses such as Last Suppers in Florence and Bosch, Breughel and the Surrealists. She has also given lectures on Women and Art. She used to run the history of art department at the British Institute in Florence and works for many institutions such as the Open University, Morley College and the department of continuing education at the University of Oxford. Her book – 111 Churches that you Shouldn’t Miss in London - is coming out in the autumn of 2020. She has spent the last five years with a Mini A-Z looking for churches to write about, many of which can be found on her blog – https://theitinerantchurchgoer.wordpress.com/. She is also writing a Cultural History of Wayfaring and writes articles for Selvedge Magazine.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-beauty-of-the-medieval-manuscript319436The beauty of the medieval manuscripthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb106-2.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Courses/vm/Summer courses/Summer courses in humanities/Courses/Online courses2285113611771904134571357217311228511771136165313457It is generally accepted that medieval illuminated manuscripts are very beautiful things. Something to do with all that gold-leaf maybe. While we cannot hold them in class, close-up digital reproduction will allow us to see if they really are as beautiful as we are told. Indeed, are none of them ugly? Join this course to find out.152720244The beauty of the medieval manuscript129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb106-2_4.jpgInStockDaytimeTueOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-06-02T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB106129129The beauty of the medieval manuscript10384129Emma Rose Barberthe-beauty-of-the-medieval-manuscript/vb106-2526It is generally accepted that medieval illuminated manuscripts are very beautiful things. Something to do with all that gold-leaf maybe. While we cannot hold them in class, close-up digital reproduction will allow us to see if they really are as beautiful as we are told. Indeed, are none of them ugly? Join this course to find out.0000-Available|2026-06-02 00:00:00Explore the vivid, gilded and highly decorative medieval manuscript, learning about different types of books from the Book of Hours, to the Psalter, the Apocalypse to the Bestiary. We will learn about the different types of imagery found on the pages and in the margins; as well as learn how to recognise the iconography, rich in narrative and sometimes even fun content. We will start by looking at an Anglo-Saxon manuscript such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and then we will concentrate on the Gothic period, with a study of manuscripts such as the Luttrell Psalter, one of the most famous manuscripts of the 14th century where we see the patron of the book – Sir Geoffrey Luttrell having supper with some of his friends.It is generally accepted that medieval illuminated manuscripts are very beautiful things. Something to do with all that gold-leaf maybe. While we cannot hold them in class, close-up digital reproduction will allow us to see if they really are as beautiful as we are told. Indeed, are none of them ugly? Join this course to find out.<ul><li>Learn how the manuscripts were illuminated and decorated and gain a basic framework for types of design, composition, how the books are laid out with scribe and illustrations for example.</li><li>Learn about some of the types of patrons who commissioned medieval books, including female patrons.</li><li>Start to be accustomed to some of the terminology used when discussing medieval manuscripts.</li></ul>• Identify different types of medieval books.<br/>• Learn to recognise some of the imagery and iconography used by the illuminators.<br/>• Gain confidence in talking about a type of ’book’ art.<br/>• Develop an informed opinion on what might constitute ‘beauty’ in the Middle Ages.<p>This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, and be able to operate basic Zoom software elements such as microphone, camera and chat.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date. Tutors are unable to email documents because of copyright and data protection restrictions.</p><p>Please note: this is a live, online course that will not be recorded for reasons of data protection, copyright and digital infrastructure.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.<p>Origins of the Italian Renaissance: The Primitivi<br/>Reimagining the Renaissance</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldvirtual10312984VB106NONETue02/06/26 - 23/06/2613:30 - 15:3013:3015:304 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineEmma Rose BarberBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-02T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJun 2026Culture, history & humanities129129The beauty of the medieval manuscriptthe-beauty-of-the-medieval-manuscript/vb106-2526It is generally accepted that medieval illuminated manuscripts are very beautiful things. Something to do with all that gold-leaf maybe. While we cannot hold them in class, close-up digital reproduction will allow us to see if they really are as beautiful as we are told. Indeed, are none of them ugly? Join this course to find out.0000-Available|2026-06-02 00:00:00Explore the vivid, gilded and highly decorative medieval manuscript, learning about different types of books from the Book of Hours, to the Psalter, the Apocalypse to the Bestiary. We will learn about the different types of imagery found on the pages and in the margins; as well as learn how to recognise the iconography, rich in narrative and sometimes even fun content. We will start by looking at an Anglo-Saxon manuscript such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and then we will concentrate on the Gothic period, with a study of manuscripts such as the Luttrell Psalter, one of the most famous manuscripts of the 14th century where we see the patron of the book – Sir Geoffrey Luttrell having supper with some of his friends.It is generally accepted that medieval illuminated manuscripts are very beautiful things. Something to do with all that gold-leaf maybe. While we cannot hold them in class, close-up digital reproduction will allow us to see if they really are as beautiful as we are told. Indeed, are none of them ugly? Join this course to find out.<ul><li>Learn how the manuscripts were illuminated and decorated and gain a basic framework for types of design, composition, how the books are laid out with scribe and illustrations for example.</li><li>Learn about some of the types of patrons who commissioned medieval books, including female patrons.</li><li>Start to be accustomed to some of the terminology used when discussing medieval manuscripts.</li></ul>• Identify different types of medieval books.<br/>• Learn to recognise some of the imagery and iconography used by the illuminators.<br/>• Gain confidence in talking about a type of ’book’ art.<br/>• Develop an informed opinion on what might constitute ‘beauty’ in the Middle Ages.<p>This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, and be able to operate basic Zoom software elements such as microphone, camera and chat.</p><p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date. Tutors are unable to email documents because of copyright and data protection restrictions.</p><p>Please note: this is a live, online course that will not be recorded for reasons of data protection, copyright and digital infrastructure.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.<p>Origins of the Italian Renaissance: The Primitivi<br/>Reimagining the Renaissance</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldconfigurable
19041136Ancient & medieval worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/ancient-medieval-world1/2/285/1177/1136/19041/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world
