Nativity and Annunciation to the Shepherds from BL Add 52539, f. 1

Historiated initial 'D' of the Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds, at the beginning of Terce in the Hours of the Virgin, with extension into borders of acanthus-like foliage with strapwork and bezants with single hair-line embellishment, inhabited by a zoomorphic figures, and a musician. Image taken from f. 1 of Leaves and bifolia from a Book of Hours, containing text for the end of Prime (f. 1); Terce (ff. 1-2); Sext (ff. 2-3v); None (ff. 4-4v); Vespers (ff. 4v-6v); and Compline (f. 6v) in the Hours of the Virgin, use of Rome. Written in Latin.

The Annunciation is a biblical event in which the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she had been chosen to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. The event is recorded in the New Testament in the Gospels of Luke and is a central moment in the story of the Nativity of Jesus. The scene typically depicts Mary and Gabriel, who is usually shown holding a lily, a symbol of purity, and announcing the news of the birth of Jesus to Mary.