The Medieval Calendar Year celebrates the pictorial convention known as "The Labors of the Months" and the ways in which it was used in the Middle Ages. The traditional cycle depicts the year as a round of seasonal activities on the land. Each month has its allotted task, and each of these represents one stage in the never-ending process of providing food for society. The small scenes that made up the cycle were well known and used widely throughout Europe. They were sculpted in stone, carved in wood, painted on glass and on manuscript pages. Richly illustrated with more than 100 images, The Medieval Calendar Year is a book worthy of the beautiful and beguiling tradition it describes. Bridget I lenisch's accompanying analysis will help readers appreciate the social reality that lies hidden, even masked, behind the sumptuous imagery. This book is for all who are interested in the history and culture of medieval Europe.