Century XIV

Aix-en-Provence, «Délibérations municipales d'Aix-en-Provence», Archives Municipales; key BB 28, 1351

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Bibliographical reference of century XIV.

Classification: Manuscript and Latin language.

The author is Aix-en-Provence.

External link:

• Aix-en-Provence, Archives Municipales.

Anonymous, «Libro de la Cofradía de Caballeros de Santiago de la Fuente», held by the Brotherhood of Santiago, Burgos Cathedral, manuscript, illustrated, 94 leaves, 21 missing, folio size, 29 x 21 centimeters, Burgos, 1338-1636.

Introduction

The illuminated manuscript chronicles the history and membership of the Brotherhood of Knights of Santiago in Burgos. Founded in 1338 during the reign of King Alfonso XI, as indicated by the preamble to the Rule on folio 27 verso, the Brotherhood was composed of members of the social and political elite of Burgos. The manuscript spans several centuries, primarily from the 14^th to the 17^th century.

The first 13 folios include a record of four deeds dating from 1396 to 1415, all related to the financial dealings of the Brotherhood.

Folio 14 marks the beginning of the original Rule of the Brotherhood, adorned with an illuminated initial «E» and a vignette of Christ flanked by saints and angels.

Portraits and illumination

The manuscript includes a list of the members, known as «cofrades» in Castilian, alongside their portraits and coats of arms. The book contains 295 portraits, added over time, with the last one dated to 1636.

The knights depicted in the manuscript held significant roles in the city, such as mayors, scribes, and other high offices. Many of the knights' families, like the Camargos from France and the Sanchestels from England, are noted for their diverse origins.

The portraits begin on page 21, initially with four to a page until folio 44, after which the number decreases to three, two, and eventually single figures per page.

Binding and preservation

The manuscript is bound in red leather with gold fillets and clasps, a 19^th-century binding aimed at preserving the parchment pages. Originally, it had 94 leaves, but 21 are now missing, as noted in a contemporary annotation at the front.

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Bibliographical reference of century XIV.

Classification: Manuscript, Armorial roll, Castilian language and In color.

The author is unknown.

Here are the articles quoting this reference:

• Alfonso Sánchez de Perella, collage
• Uhagón y Guardamino, F. R.; 1904

Internal resources: 86 images in JPEG format.

Antonio del Gaio da Legnago, «Catulli Veronensis Liber Incipit, Manuscript», Deposited in Paris at the National Library of France, Parisinus lat. 14137. Available in digital version at «http://CatullusOnline.org» edited by Dániel Kiss. Verona, 1375.

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Manuscript made in Italian Gothic minuscule, usually called «rotunda». The identification of Antonio del Gaio da Legnago as the scribe was made by Giuseppe Billanovich. On parchment, initial folio plus 36 double-sided folios (72 pages) measuring 24.0 x 16.5 centimeters, with a written area of 16.0 x 10.5 centimeters. Antonio del Gaio da Legnago left the manuscript incomplete, which was finished by a second hand that also made numerous corrections.

The recto of folio 1 begins with the phrase «Catulli Veronensis liber incipit» and ends with a shield of azure with nine gold figures, four, two, two, one, with the 5^th, 6^th, and 9^th in the tip being pear-shaped and the others more oval, which I do not identify although they could be stones or islands. On the recto of folio 36 appears the date 1375.

Catullus's poem 62 is found between the verso of folio 17 and the recto of folio 18, along with the phrase «amat victoria curam».

Verse 14 is missing

On the verso of folio 17, «amat victoria curam» is found in line 15 of the poem and not in line 16 because Antonio del Gaio da Legnago seems to have completely skipped verse 14 «Nec mirum, penitus quae tota mente laborant». I have always thought that the absence of this verse could help establish a possible path of manuscript copies of Catullus's poetry.

Hand pointing at the motto

An interesting detail is that on this verso of folio 17, there is a painting of what in heraldry is known as a «gloved hand». It was painted later, and it points with its index finger directly at the phrase «amat victoria curam».

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Bibliographical reference of century XIV.

The author is Gaio da Legnago, Antonio del.

The following article cites this bibliographic reference:

• Catullus, C. V.; Century I B.C.

External resource:

• Catullus Online: Poems.

Anonymous, «Große Heidelberger Liederhandschrift», University Library of Heidelberg, call number Codex Palatinus Germanicus 848, 852 pages, numbered from folio 1 to folio 426 v and r each side, parchment, 35.5 x 25 centimeters, manuscript in Middle High German, circa 1300-1340.

Von Wengen, folio 300r

Contents

The «Codex Manesse», also known as the «Great Heidelberg Book of Songs», Codex Palatinus Germanicus 848, is the most comprehensive collection of ballads and epigrammatic poetry in Middle High German. The manuscript contains almost 6000 verses from 140 poets, making it a key source for medieval German lyrics. The manuscript is written in gothic letters by several hands and is famous for its glorious colorful full-page miniatures, each dedicated to one of the 137 poets. The miniatures illustrate the poets in idealized, courtly scenes and are considered a significant document of Gothic illumination from the Upper Rhine region. It is not an armorial, but some of the illustrations feature coats of arms, including helmets with their crests.

The Manesse family

This codex was completed around the year 1304, although some parts may have been added later, up until the mid-14^th century. Therefore, an approximate date of 1315 is often used as a general reference for the codex in its most complete state. The author of the codex is not known in the modern sense of the word. However, its compilation and sponsorship are attributed to the Manesse family, a patrician family from Zurich, particularly Rudolf II Manesse and his son Rudolf III Manesse, who likely commissioned and financed the creation of the codex.

Ownership history

The early history of the manuscript is not well-documented, by the end of the 16^th century, it was in the possession of the Swiss Calvinist Johann Philipp von Hohensax. In 1607, the codex was claimed by the Prince Elector Frederick IV and brought to Heidelberg. During the Thirty Years' War, the manuscript was taken into exile to avoid capture. After the death of Frederick V in 1632, the manuscript was auctioned and eventually found its way to the Royal Library in Paris, where it remained for 230 years. In 1888, the manuscript was returned to Germany after a complex exchange deal orchestrated by bookseller Karl Ignaz Trübner. It is now preserved in the University Library of Heidelberg.

Condition and preservation

The turbulent history of the «Codex Manesse» has left its mark, with many miniatures showing damage from color abrasions and ink corrosion. Due to its fragile condition, the original codex is kept in an air-conditioned safe and is rarely exhibited. Facsimile editions have been produced over the years, including a full-facsimile published by Insel Verlag in 1925-1927.

Exhibitions and legacy

The «Codex Manesse» has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, including a comprehensive display in 1988 and another during the 625^th anniversary of the University of Heidelberg in 2010-2011. It remains one of the most precious treasures of the University Library of Heidelberg and a cornerstone in the study of medieval German literature and art.

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Bibliographical reference of century XIV.

Classification: Manuscript, German language and In color.

Author: unknown.

External resources:

• University Library of Heidelberg.
• Digital version to navigate.

Internal resources: Manesse1315.pdf Armorial in PDF format.

Pedro IV of Aragon, also known as Pedro III of Aragon as he himself called, «Ordinance made by the very high and excellent Prince and Lord Lord Don Pedro the third King of Aragon, on the manner in which the Kings of Aragon will be consecrated and they themselves will be crowned», in the Royal Aragonese Chancery, 1353.

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Bibliographical reference of century XIV.

Author: Pedro IV de Aragón.

External resource:

• Prince and Lord Lord Don Pedro the third King of Aragon.