Medieval manuscripts blog

Bringing our medieval manuscripts to life

15 July 2018

It's coming home

There are just a few hours to go before one of the greatest tournaments in the world reaches its glorious, nail-biting outcome. We have witnessed Gallic flair, English optimism and German hubris. And now, everyone, the wait is over. Yes, today is the final of the #ManuscriptWorldCup.

Just for fun, we have been asking our followers on Twitter (@BLMedieval) to choose their favourite manuscripts, from a select list chosen by a panel of pundits. We'll shortly find out which two manuscripts have made it through to the final vote. Here are the eight contenders, the manuscript equivalents of Harry Kane, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Johann Cruyff and, um, Manuel Neuer (get back in goal, quick!).

 

BYZANTIUM

The opening page of the Theodore Psalter.

The Theodore Psalter (Constantinople, 1066): Add MS 19352, f. 1r

 

FRANCE

A page from a manuscript of Pierre Sala's Petit Livre d'Amour, showing a portrait of the author.

Pierre Sala’s Petit Livre d’Amour (France, 16th century): Stowe MS 955, f. 17r

 

ITALY

A page from the Carmina Regia, showing an illustration of the Judgement of Paris.

Carmina Regia (Tuscany, c. 1335): Royal MS 6 E IX, f. 22r

 

PORTUGAL

A detached leaf from the Genealogy of the Royal Houses of Spain and Portugal.

The Portuguese Genealogy (Lisbon and Bruges, 1530s): Add MS 12531, f. 3

 

ENGLAND

A page from the Luttrell Psalter, showing an illustration of a mounted knight with the Luttrell coat of arms.

The Luttrell Psalter (England, 14th century): Add MS 42130, f. 202v 

 

GERMANY

An illustrated page from a 15th-century manuscript of the Splendor Solis.

Splendor Solis (Germany, 1582): Harley MS 3469, f. 2

 

NETHERLANDS

An illustrated page from a 14th-century manuscript of Der Naturen Bloeme.

Der Naturen Bloeme (Netherlands, 14th century): Add MS 11390

 

SPAIN

A page from the Silos Apocalypse, showing an illustration of Christ appearing in the clouds before the 24 Elders.

The Silos Apocalypse (Silos, 1091–1109): Add MS 11695, f. 21r

Tickets to watch the final of the #ManuscriptWorldCup have been exchanging hands for, literally, nothing. You can be there in person by joining us on Twitter and making your vote count. It's coming home, at least until next time!

 

Julian Harrison

Follow us on Twitter @BLMedieval

 

Comments

Fascinating - the country variations are so apt! But of course the Luttrell Psalter is the easy winner - great movement, layout of the field, brilliant control of the pen and very funny as well.

Luttrell wins for ingenuity and novelty - hands down.

Love seeing the Luttrell Psalter here - it's been a personal favorite since I was assigned it for a seminar presentation in an undergrad art history course on manuscripts.

Had to add on
Silos is FANTASTIC but missing from the list
RUTLAND PSALTER for the best dragons ever

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