Come and explore medieval concepts of the past, present and future through a rare and remarkable group of manuscripts: concertina-fold almanacs. Within the zigzag folds of these extraordinary books, time is vividly expressed in colourful pictures, poems, tables and devices.

With fewer than thirty manuscripts known to exist, this exhibition brings a group of them together for the first time and sets them alongside treasures from Lambeth Palace Library.

Entry to the exhibition is free, with no booking required.

Keep an eye on this page for the latest updates on our program of free events and online resources as they become available.

Events

Booking is now open for our lectures, symposium, and curators’ talk. These are free, and booking is required. Please note that these talks will not be recorded.

20 March: Anne Lawrence-Mathers, Prediction, Prognostication – or Divination? The Medieval Calendar as a Guide to the Future (online and in person)

10 April: Megan McNamee, Light and Labour in Late Medieval Concertina-Fold Almanacs (online only)

22 April: Seb Falk, Moons, Miracles, and Magic: What’s in a Medieval Calendar? (online and in person)

2 May: Concertina-Fold Books across Time, Space and Cultures Symposium (online and in person)

3 May: Sarah Griffin, Exhibition Curator’s Talk: Unfolding Time (in person only)

If you would like to request a group visit, please email archives@churchofengland.org.

Online Resources

Related Blog Posts

Marking Time Across Cultures

Alongside the Unfolding Time exhibition, Lambeth Palace Library invites visitors to reflect on the different methods and objects used to mark time in their own communities, classrooms, and households.

Do you have an object or image you associate with keeping track of time? Then take a photo and submit it to our online gallery. 

About Our Funders

Unfolding Time is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to bring these precious manuscripts together, and make them freely accessible to the public.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is the largest funder for the UK’s heritage. Using money raised by National Lottery players we support projects that connect people and communities to heritage. Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. From historic buildings, our industrial legacy and the natural environment, to collections, traditions, stories and more. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

Generous additional support comes from the Friends of Lambeth Palace Library.

14 February – 15 May 2025