January

In the first of the series of the Book of Hours miniatures, the duke sits down on a bright January day to a meal in the castle hall. The duke, clad in a blue gown and fur hat, chats with his red-robed priest while a court chamberlian, holding his staff of office, invites a queue of courtiers to approach and recieve New Year's gifts. Some strapping young knights of the court walk around the table sampling the fare of roast game and fowl, and two puppies roam the table at will, gobbling from the dishes. On the wall in back is a huge tapestry depicting historic battle scenes.