Medicine: examining urine
The medieval Church
Medieval Surgery
Rural life: the lazy ploughman
Friar playing music
Dante's Divine Comedy
Harvesting acorns
Living and dead Princes
Golden Haggadah
Noah in the Holkham Bible
Apothecary shop
City walls
Lord at supper
Peasants work the land
The Last Judgement
Hundred Years War
Demons fall into Hell
Chronicle of the Black Death
Genesis picture book
Medieval encyclopedia
Sir Gawain & the Green Knight
Peasants' Revolt
Scottish freedom
English cookery manuscript
Medieval demons were often described as having furry bodies, cloven hooves, leathery wings, and faces in strange places. They tried tirelessly to tempt and harm their innocent victims. According to medieval Christian belief, these creatures were fallen angels, whose dark, hairy, winged bodies were a twisted version of the angelic form. Though not always visible, they were believed to be ever-present. This diagram of the universe in a 14th century Book of Hours shows these demons raining down from heaven towards Satan, who is bound in chains below the stars. Books of hours were popular medieval texts that included prayers, psalms and often beautiful illustrations.
Shelfmark: Egerton 2781 f.1v, c