Devotional and Philosophical Writings - London: c.1325-1335
Devotional and Philosophical Writings. Manuscript: London c.1325-1335. MS Hunter 231 (U.3.4): The visions of St Benedict and St Paul of God (page 85)
This miscellany of 38 texts includes works by Seneca, St Augustine, Anselm and Aristotle. Lavishly produced, the manuscript is illustrated by thirteen historiated initials and three illuminated full-page pictures by the chief artist of the Taymouth Hours. The page displayed on the left is divided into three compartments and depicts the visions of St Benedict and St Paul of the Creator. At the top is portrayed the face of God, in the middle, Benedict and Paul (positioned between heaven and earth), and at the bottom, the original owner of the manuscript, Roger, and another figure, are shown praying on either side of a diagram of the twelve spheres. The image of the spheres represents the medieval view of the cosmological universe: the stationary earth is at centre – here depicted by the Fall of Man – surrounded by the three remaining elements (water, air and fire), the seven known planets (including the moon), and the stars.
This high quality manuscript could only have been commissioned by a person of some wealth. In fact, Roger of Waltham (d. 1336), was a canon of St Paul’s, London, and held the important administrative position of Keeper of the Wardrobe of Edward II for a year in the 1320s. Roger is named as the supplicant in several other illustrations in the book, and it may be assumed that he was closely involved in its production.
Devotional and Philosophical Writings - London: c.1325-1335
Devotional and Philosophical Writings. Manuscript: London c.1325-1335. MS Hunter 231 (U.3.4): The visions of St Benedict and St Paul of God (page 85)
This miscellany of 38 texts includes works by Seneca, St Augustine, Anselm and Aristotle. Lavishly produced, the manuscript is illustrated by thirteen historiated initials and three illuminated full-page pictures by the chief artist of the Taymouth Hours. The page displayed on the left is divided into three compartments and depicts the visions of St Benedict and St Paul of the Creator. At the top is portrayed the face of God, in the middle, Benedict and Paul (positioned between heaven and earth), and at the bottom, the original owner of the manuscript, Roger, and another figure, are shown praying on either side of a diagram of the twelve spheres. The image of the spheres represents the medieval view of the cosmological universe: the stationary earth is at centre – here depicted by the Fall of Man – surrounded by the three remaining elements (water, air and fire), the seven known planets (including the moon), and the stars.
This high quality manuscript could only have been commissioned by a person of some wealth. In fact, Roger of Waltham (d. 1336), was a canon of St Paul’s, London, and held the important administrative position of Keeper of the Wardrobe of Edward II for a year in the 1320s. Roger is named as the supplicant in several other illustrations in the book, and it may be assumed that he was closely involved in its production.