Arthurian romances

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Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library > Arthurian romances


2008772

Description

Title
Arthurian romances
Creator
Robert, de Boron, 13th cent
Published / Created
1357.
Publication Place
France
Abstract

Manuscript on parchment (trimmed) of 1) Robert de Borron, Joseph d'Arimathie. 2) Robert de Borron, Lestoire de Saint Graal. 3) Robert de Borron, Lestoire de Merlin. Lestoire de Merlin was copied in 1357, by Jehan de Loles. The other two works are probably contemporary, but rubbing on the first folio of each work suggests that they were once bound separately

Description
In French.
Script: Written by five scribes in gothic textura. Scribe 1: ff. 1r-11r (Joseph d'Aramathie). Scribes 2: ff. 12r-83v and 3: ff. 84r-140r (Lestoire de Saint Graal). Scribe 4: ff. 141r-317v (Lestoire de Merlin), except ff. 149r-156v, the second gathering, written by Scribe 5. Scribe 4 is identified as Jehan de Loles from the colophon. Guides for rubrics written in lower or inner margin. Inscriptions adjoining miniatures in 14th-century cursive, brown or black ink, are possibly either later identifications or instructions to the minaturist.
The decoration, the work of four hands, is of relatively poor quality. Three large miniatures, 11- to 13-line and two column, blue and/or red frames, gold squares in corners, surrounded by a thin gold band, with gold ivy leaves on black hair-lines at midpoints and corners. Miniatures accompanied by 3/4 bar borders, red, blue and gold, with white highlights; dragon and ivy terminals, with additional ivy extending from the gold segments. 182 small miniatures, 8-line, one column, most in bottom margin, suggesting execution after the original illumination had been completed: thin gold, red, and blue frames, single gold ivy leaf on hair-line stem at each corner; gold and diapered grounds.
One historiated initial, f. 186v, 3-line, red against a blue and gold ground, knight and three men outside tent. Illuminated initials, 6- to 4-line, for books and chapters, red against irregular blue grounds with white highlights; gold dots in cusps at corners, infilled with blue and red ivy against gold. 2-line initials (guide-letters remain), gold, against irregular blue, orange, and red grounds with white highlights; black hair-lines at corners. Rubrics in red throughout, with guides for rubrics written in lower or inner margin.
Binding: Sixteenth century. Worn purple velvet over boards, with massive brass corner pieces and fastenings; plaque with arms removed from front cover. Made for Henri, comte de Clermont-Tonnerre.
Provenance
Belonged to Sir Thomas Phillipps (no. 1045). Purchased from Stonehill's in 1954 as the gift of Arthur M. Rosenbloom, Yale 1925.
Extent
ff. i + 316 + i : 423 x 300 (305 x 206) mm.
Extent of Digitization
This object has been completely digitized.
Language
French, Old (ca. 842-1300)

Collection Information

Repository
Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Call Number
Beinecke MS 227
Related Resource Online
View a detailed description.

Subjects, Formats, And Genres

Genre
Manuscripts, Medieval France 14th century
Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library
Material
parchment ;
Resource Type
unspecified
Subject (Geographic)
Connecticut
New Haven.
Subject (Name)
Robert, de Boron, 13th cent.
Subject (Topic)
Arthurian romances
French literature
Manuscripts, Medieval
Subjects
Robert, de Boron, 13th cent
Arthurian romances
French literature > To 1500
Manuscripts, Medieval > Connecticut > New Haven
France > 14th century
Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library

Access And Usage Rights

Access
Public
Rights
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.
Citation
Robert de Borron, Arthurian Romances. General Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.

Identifiers

Orbis Record
9795004
Object ID (OID)
2008772

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