Be a medieval pattern detective

Look at the fascinating patterns from a rare 15th century pattern book in the British Library:

1. Figure Alphabet Letters K to V

2. Decorated Alphabet Letters A to M3. Initials 'B' and 'A' with border designs4. Initials 'D' and 'D' with two different border designs

Its time to decode each image:

• What sort of things/ shapes can you spot in the image - list them?
• Is there anything unexpected in the pattern?
• What do you think each shape signifies?
• Notice the way all the shapes are arranged - why do you think the person who made it arranged it in this way?
• What is the focal thing in the pattern? Why does it stand out more than other things?

If you took this pattern out of a book:

• What would it mean if you saw this pattern in a book in someone's home?
• What would it mean if you saw it in a magazine/ item of clothing?
• Would the image mean something different if it was made at another time?