South Bank London

Unfolding Time: The Medieval Pocket Calendar

A unique exhibition devoted to a precious collection of rare medieval folding almanacs.

Opening Hours

Open Mon–Fri 9:30am–5pm, Thu until 7pm 
Closed Sat, Sun
Also open on Sat 1 Mar, Sat 5 Apr, Sat 3 May 10am–5pm

Dates

14 Feb - 15 May 2025

Ticket Information

Entrance is free

Location Info

Address
Lambeth Palace Library, Lambeth Palace Road, London, UK

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund this new exhibition at the Lambeth Palace Library’s state-of-the-art exhibition space reveals the intricate secrets of a remarkable collection of concertina-fold almanacs dating back hundreds of years.

Described as a kind of ‘medieval smartphone’, concertina-fold almanacs helped their users keep track of time, look up information, and organise their lives. There are thought to be fewer than 30 of these curious medieval manuscripts in existence and they present a fascinating look back into how people in the Middle Ages organised their lives.

Within the zigzag folds of these intricated portable booklets, users could find aspects of time and its measurement vividly expressed in colourful pictures, poems, tables, astrological charts, calendars, as well as other devices and rules that helped them make sense of the world around them.

This exhibition explores a precious collection of such almanacs, drawing on cutting-edge research to present fresh insights into how we understand the people of the Middle Ages.

Visitors can also enjoy activity packs, videos, models, and a full events programme as part of the exhibition.

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