[MR] Wikipedia: Books of John, Duke of Berry

[Garth Groff via Atlantia]

Noble Friends,

Today a featured Wikipedia story explores the *Petites Heures of Jean de 
France, Duc de Berry*: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petites_Heures_of_Jean_de_France,_Duc_de_Berry 
. This is a book of hours, an illuminated manuscript containing 
devotional prayers intended for the laity (in this case very wealthy 
laity). It is noted for its ornate miniature paintings and elaborate 
border decorations. The manuscript is one of the great treasures of the 
Bibliothèque nationale de France. You can see a complete digitized copy 
at 
http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8449684q.r=Horae+ad+usum+Parisiensem+ou+Petites+heures+de+Jean+de+Berry.langEN 
.

Another of the Duke's famous books is the *Belles Heures of Jean de 
France, Duc de Berry* completed in 1409: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belles_Heures_of_Jean_de_France,_Duc_de_Berry 
. This manuscript is preserved in the Cloisters museum in New York. I 
was unable to locate a link to a complete online version of this work.

The best known of the Duke of Berry's books is the *Très Riches Heures 
du Duc de Berry*: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Très_Riches_Heures_du_Duc_de_Berry and 
https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Très_Riches_Heures_du_Duc_de_Berry 
. This book remained uncompleted upon the Duke's death in 1416, though 
he might have been in possession of some of its pages. The work was 
finished in 1489 for the Duke of Savoy. The Très Riches Heures is one of 
the best known medieval manuscripts, with several modern editions and 
commentaries having been available in recent years. Its illuminations 
are frequently used to illustrate historical books about the period. The 
January banquet scene from the calendar is one of the most often 
reproduced. The original manuscript is held by the Musée Condé in 
France. You can view the entire manuscript here: 
http://www.christusrex.org/www2/berry/ . Note that Folio 2r, the famous 
banquet scene, shows the Duke himself in a blue robe just behind the 
table at center right. The Duke of Berry appears in many of the scenes 
from all three books, making him one of the best represented figures 
from the French late medieval period.

Due to these works all being similar books of hours, and having similar 
titles, keeping them straight can be confusing. Each is an unique work, 
with different illustrations.

John, Duke of Berry, ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John,_Duke_of_Berry 
) was one of the numerous sons of the tragic French king John II (aka 
John the Good), who was captured by the English at the Battle of 
Poitiers and held for ransom in England. The Duke of Berry was thus 
uncle to a later French king, Charles VI (aka Charles the Mad). The Duke 
of Berry was a major player in French politics of the time, and served 
on the regency council that governed France during Charles VI's mental 
illness. The Duke was a noted art patron, and commission at least six 
major illuminated books.

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge