The birth of St. Edmund, King of East Anglia

The birth of St. Edmund, King of East Anglia, died 869. Ladies in waiting and midwives attend the mother in bed with soup and aromatics, while a nursemaid holds the baby near the fireplace. Habits of the 15th century. The women wear large high hats and long robes. From John Lydgate's Lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund, 1434-9, Harley MS 2278. Handcoloured engraving by Joseph Strutt from his Complete View of the Dress and Habits of the People of England, Henry Bohn, London, 1842

Childbirth Illuminated Manuscript Incense Joseph Strutt Long Robe Maternity Midwives Newborn Nursemaid Soup

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