Title: Daily life depicted in the Cantigas de Santa Maria
First published: 1998
Description: The hundreds of illuminated miniatures found in the Cantigas de Santa Maria, centered around the miracles of the Virgin Mary and sponsored by King Alfonso X (1252-84), reveal many vistas of daily life in thirteenth-century Spain.

No other source provides such an encyclopedic view of all classes of medieval European society, from kings and popes to the lowest peasants. Men and women are seen farming, hunting, engaging in war, going on pilgrimage, watching bullfights, gambling, making love, tending silkworms, eating, cooking, and writing poetry. Placing the cantigas in the context of medieval life, the authors have grouped the illuminations by theme and introduce each section with commentary on the illustrations that follow.
Subjects: Civilization, Códice de Florencia, Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Illumination of books and manuscripts, Spanish, Illustrations, Manners and customs in art, Manners and customs in literature, Medieval Illumination of books and manuscripts, Middle Ages in art, Middle Ages in literature, Social life and customs, Spanish Illumination of books and manuscripts, Romance literature, history and criticism
Places: Spain
People: Alfonso X King of Castile and Leon (1221-1284)
Time periods: 711-1516
LC classification: PQ9189.A44 C335 1998