Join Sophie Hacker as she speaks with Dr Sarah Griffin and Revd Canon Dr Roland Riem about a Book of Hours. The three explore the Christian Book of Prayers, its shifting purpose throughout history, and how the intricate and colourful pages were made. They also discuss the meaning of the strange religious art: is a chicken with a dragon’s body simply that, or did the artists have something deeper in mind?
Thank you again to Winchester College, the main sponsor for Winchester Heritage Open Days in 2020, for supporting us with this podcast and also to Communication Generation for recording it for us. Photographs of the Book of Hours are shown here with the kind permission of the Warden and Scholars of Winchester College. This book is an explosion of colour, art, and history that tells a story beginning in the 15th century.
Dr Sarah Griffin
Dr Sarah Griffin is Assistant Curator at Winchester College. Her PhD looked at diagrams,manuscripts, and time-keeping in the Middle Ages, though she is interested in all forms of medieval art, science and technology. She has also studied the use of digital tools in museums and for object-based teaching.
Sarah has been working with a group of Winchester’s students on an exhibition that looks at Sir Thomas Browne and science in the 17th century.
Revd Canon Dr Roland Riem
Roland Riem is Vice-Dean at Winchester Cathedral. He was in charge of a four-year project based in Oxford to conserve the 12th Century Winchester Bible, which reveals how ancient manuscripts were designed, gilded and painted. This now forms part of the Cathedral’s new Kings & Scribes exhibition, including its Saxon and Norman foundations and a facsimile of the mortal remains of Queen Emma, great aunt of the Conqueror.
Sophie Hacker
Sophie Hacker specialises in Church Art, including stained glass windows, vestments and re-ordering liturgical space. She is a trustee of Art and Christianity, the UK's leading organisation in the field of visual art and religion, and a Visiting Scholar at Sarum College in Salisbury Cathedral Close. Since 2006 she has been Arts and Exhibitions Consultant for Winchester Cathedral. Current projects include a large stained glass window for Romsey Abbey to commemorate the bicentenary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, a new altar frontal for Winchester Cathedral, and a chapel Cross for the official residence of the Bishop of London.
Further Information:
If you want to learn more about the Exhibition Sarah is talking about, click here.
For more information about the Kings & Scribes Exhibit at Winchester Cathedral, click here.
For more information about the organisation Art and Christianity, click here.
If you are curious about the Fellow’s 'Library, more information can be found here.
More information about this illuminated Book of Hours can be found in the online collection of Winchester College.
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Recording the podcast at Winchester College