Take a trip back in time..back….back 600 years to 1464…back to when all the books were made by hand. Every page is a work of art. The illustrations were painted with tiny paintbrushes. Sometimes artists would use magnifying glasses to add the details. And all the words were written by hand, with brushes and pens dipped in ink.
This work of art is the cover of a book called “Constitution of the Sienese Church of the Year 1464.” It shows the leader of the church, Pope Pius the Second, getting a crown from church men dressed in red robes and hats. A holy woman floats above the men, glittering with golden lines. Below this scene is a painting of the new Pope’s hometown of Siena in Italy.
The artists also painted shields, each one decorated with the special design of one of the important families in town. These were called a family “coat of arms.”
Two fantasy creatures with furry bodies and lizard tails are guarding the city walls. What other imaginary animal can you find in the artwork?
A whole team of artists would work together, and it took months or even years to finish one book. The painters who created this book were famous for the rich decorations in the borders of the pages. Check out the different kinds of flowers that surround the lettering, and the twisting red and blue ropes.
“Medieval” is the name used for the Middle Ages in European history – one thousand years between the 5th century and the 15th century. It was the time of castles and knights, of kings and a powerful Church that ruled everyone. Rich people were called the nobility. Poor people were peasants or serfs.
A traditional coat of arms had a shield shape with smaller pictures of animals, and symbols and items that represented the family. It had special colors, and could include the family name and a motto, such as “Always faithful” or “Do all things with love.”
Research coats of arms and family crests from Medieval times to the present. Draw a coat of arms for your own family.