Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Livre des merveilles du monde
France, possibly Angers, ca. 1460
MS M.461 fol. 6v

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Livres des Merveilles du Monde: Scene, Great Britain -- To left, on grassy shore with trees two men, wearing armor, one with helmet, both are mounted on bridled horses and raise clubs toward each other beside overflowing hexagonal well with pulley. In background, another man, wearing hat, is astride horse (partly visible). In center, beside river and behind rocks, man (partly visible) gestures with left hand and stands before entrance to cave, in which walks animal (only hindquarters visible), above, on cliff nests swan and two other swans attack third swan in mid-air. To right, behind rock, among group of six men depicted as half-figures, four wear hats, the foremost man gestures with his right hand before cross-surmounted church and beneath anchor suspended in sky. To far right, ship with sail is leaning and man, possibly sailor, falls into water. In foreground right, two men, bearded one wearing headgear, support torso and head of wrapped body (partly visible), beside open sarcophagus. Margin, left: Sketch of three nude figures, possibly holding hands and dancing (partly visible). Initial A of Angleterre decorated with foliate ornament. Miniature for the Livres des Merveilles du Monde for Great Britain.