Representations of Architecture in the Sherborne Missal

Representations of architecture constitute an important illuminative programme in the Sherborne Missal (London, British Library, MS Add. 74236), yet they have been largely neglected by previous scholars. This article divides the architectural images in the missal into two types, buildings and microarchitecture, and analyses the visual characteristics and significance of the two groups. All these images of architecture contribute to the liturgical function of the manuscript by shaping sacred narratives and significations. Meanwhile, the images act as intermediaries that connect the sacred, historical, and contemporary worlds: they link the historical prestige of the abbey as an episcopal see to liturgical contexts and indicate the 14th-century Benedictine community’s aspirations of spiritual elevation and institutional promotion. This article further investigates how the artistic trends in 14th-century England, particularly the International Gothic style and cross-media expressions of architectural forms, informed the conception and execution of the architectural images in the missal. By integrating visual analyses with historical inquiries, this article highlights the important role of architectural imagery in mediating meanings within the devotional and cultural contexts of the Sherborne Missal.