Benedictional of Aethelwold
Type:
Illuminated manuscripts
Date:
971–84
Location or Findspot (Modern-Day Country):
United Kingdom
Medium:
Parchment
Dimensions:
29.2 × 22.5 cm
Description:
This manuscript was created at the behest of Aethelwold (or Æthelwold), who began his career at the the court of the Anglo-Saxon King Athelstan (r. 924–39) and later became the bishop of Winchester (963–984). He was a prominent monastic reformer and also a patron of the arts. A benedictional is a book that contains liturgical prayers recited by the bishop, but this manuscript also includes exuberant full-page miniatures and historiated initials. It was made at Winchester, whose tradition of book illumination is known for lavish, leafy borders with corner medallions.
A poem written in gold near the beginning of the manuscript confirms Aethelwold's role as patron and names the monk Godeman as scribe: "A bishop, the great Æthelwold, whom the Lord had made patron of Winchester, ordered a certain monk subject to him to write the present book, and also to be made in this book many arches well adorned and filled with various figures decorated with manifold beautiful colors and with gold." The bishop himself appears in one of the book's images, possibly blessing monks and clerics during the dedication of Winchester Cathedral in 980.
The benedictional's illustrations include biblical scenes and portraits of saints that accompany specific feast days. In addition to well-known Christian saints, there are images with local significance (e.g., St. Swithun, Winchester's patron). The pages reproduced here are the Nativity, a full-page miniature preceding the benediction for Christmas; Christ's Entry into Jerusalem, preceding the benediction for Palm Sunday; the Three Marys at the Tomb, preceding the benediction for Easter Sunday; a portrait of St. Aethelthryth (or Æthelthryth) with an inscription that identifies her as an abbess and perpetual virgin; and a portrait of St. Swithun in golden episcopal vestments, standing as if he is a literal pillar of the Church.
A poem written in gold near the beginning of the manuscript confirms Aethelwold's role as patron and names the monk Godeman as scribe: "A bishop, the great Æthelwold, whom the Lord had made patron of Winchester, ordered a certain monk subject to him to write the present book, and also to be made in this book many arches well adorned and filled with various figures decorated with manifold beautiful colors and with gold." The bishop himself appears in one of the book's images, possibly blessing monks and clerics during the dedication of Winchester Cathedral in 980.
The benedictional's illustrations include biblical scenes and portraits of saints that accompany specific feast days. In addition to well-known Christian saints, there are images with local significance (e.g., St. Swithun, Winchester's patron). The pages reproduced here are the Nativity, a full-page miniature preceding the benediction for Christmas; Christ's Entry into Jerusalem, preceding the benediction for Palm Sunday; the Three Marys at the Tomb, preceding the benediction for Easter Sunday; a portrait of St. Aethelthryth (or Æthelthryth) with an inscription that identifies her as an abbess and perpetual virgin; and a portrait of St. Swithun in golden episcopal vestments, standing as if he is a literal pillar of the Church.
Relevant Textbook Chapter(s):
6
Repository and Online Resources:
• Flip through the manuscript on the website of the British Library.
• Visit the British Library page to read "How to Make a Medieval Manuscript."
