Royal MS 20 B IV

'LE LIVRE DORE des meditacions de la vie nostre seigneur Ihesucrist selon Bonneauanture': translation of the Meditationes Vitae Christi commonly attributed to Bonaventura (but see above, 7 A. I, art. 5, &c.). The translation, dedicated to Henry V, is by Jehan Galopes dit le Galoys, dean of the church of Saint Louis at La Saussaye (near Pont-de-l'Arche) in the diocese of Évreux and in the comté of Harcourt, belonging, as he says, to the King's uncle [Thomas Beaufort,] Duke of Exeter [made Comte d'Harcourt in 1418]. Galopes, who was afterwards, in 1430, chaplain to John, Duke of Bedford (C. Port, Dict. hist. de Maine-et-Loire, 1876, ii, p. 224), was also the author of a prose version of Deguileville's Pèlerinage de l'Ame (see Paulin Paris, Les MSS. François, v, p. 131, vii, pp. 247, 248). Another copy of the present work, claiming to be that actually presented to the King, is at Cambridge, Corpus Christi College MS. 213: see Michael Tyson's Account of an Illuminated MS., Cambridge, 1770, William Cole's description in Add. MS. 5843, f. 89, and M. R. James, Cat. of MSS. of Corpus Christi College, 1912, i, p. 510. Both MSS. have the arms of France and England quarterly in the border, and it is curious that in both the word 'quint' after Henry is left blank by the original hand (in the Corpus MS. it is inserted in different ink). This, however, has the larger amount of ornament. The dedication, which, as the King's style shows, must have been written after 1420, beg. 'A treshault tresfort et tresvictorieux prince Henry de ce nom par la grace de dieu Roy dangleterre heritier et regent de France et duc dirlande vostre humble chapelain. . . . Tresredoubte et souuerain seigneur, selon ce que dit la sainte escripture prouerbiorum xxvto Gloria regum'; author's prologue, 'Entre les autres annunciacions des vertus et loenges'; and text, 'Apres ce que par treslong temps'. Ends 'sur toutes dieu beney et laudable ou siecle des siecles a perpetuite. Amen'. Colophon, 'Ci fine le liure dore de la vie de Ihesucrist compose par sire Boneauanture et translate de latin en francois par maistre Iehan Galopes dit le Galoys doyen de leglise collegial monseigneur saint Louys de la Saulsoye ou diocese deureux'. A table of chapters is appended. Vellum; ff. 169. 101/8 in. x 71/2 in. Circ. A.D. 1422. Written in France. Gatherings of 8 leaves (I², preface), lettered, with catchwords. 30 lines to a page. Sec. fol. 'Roy de terre'. Illuminated initials, miniatures, and line-and-leaf borders in French style of good workmanship, but the larger ones much rubbed. The miniatures (except nos 1, 2) are chiefly in grisaille, with bright blue sky and yellow foreground, and in the margins are pencil-sketches for the direction of the artist as to the distribution of the figures. The subjects are:-

1. The King enthroned, in a scarlet robe, under a parti-coloured canopy red and blue; on his r. three men, two in doctoral robes; on his l. three courtiers, one in green with mace. On r. lean de Galopes kneeling holding his book, bound in green; two others kneeling behind him. Floor of light and dark green tiles. Background of gold with diagonal lines of coloured spots. Arms of France and England quarterly in border. f. 1.

2. On l. Bonaventura in Franciscan habit and cardinal's hat holding his book open; on r. a man in red and blue. f. 3.

3. Intercession of the Angels: Divine head in cloud; three angels flying and three souls in the mouth of Hell, f. 6.

4. Contest of Mercy and Truth before the judgement-seat of God: with Truth is justice and with Mercy Peace. f. 7.

5. The Virgin kneeling before the throne of God the Father, who is crowned. f. 9 b.

6. The Annunciation. f. 12.

7. The Visitation. f. 16.

8. Angel appearing to S. Joseph, who is in travelling costume. f. 18.

9. The Nativity. f. 19 b.

10. The Circumcision. f. 23.

11. Adoration ofthe Magi. f. 24.

12. Departure of the Magi; the Virgin and Child, with cradle. f. 26.

13. Presentation in the Temple. f. 27.

14. Flight into Egypt; fall of the idols. f. 29.

15. Return from Egypt. f. 34 b.

16. Disputation in the Temple. f. 37b.

17. Christ praying in the Synagogue; two elders reading from a roll. f. 40 b.

18. Christ shaking hands with one of two nimbed figures. f.45.

19. The first Temptation. f. 47 b.

20. Christ opening the roll in the Synagogue. f. 52 b.

21. Calling of the disciples: Christ, beardless, standing, and four disciples. f. 54.

22. Miracle at Cana: Christ (beardless) and two others at table; the Virgin standing, and servant with water-pot. f. 55.

23. Christ preaching on Mount. f. 58.

24. Christ and nobleman (crowned) and the centurion's servant. f. 59.

25. The paralytic lowered from the roof before Christ, who is outside the house; Jew with scimitar. f. 59 b.

26. Christ heals Simon's wife's mother, here styled sister-in-law (standing, in the open air). f. 60 D.

27. Christ asleep in the ship. f. 61.

28. Raising of the widow's son. See pl. 114. f. 61 b.

29. Healing of the woman with an issue of blood. f. 62.

30. Christ at the house of Simon the leper; S. Mary Magdalene anointing His feet. f. 63.

31. S. John Baptist in prison sending disciples to Christ. f. 65.

32. Decollation of S. John; Herod and Herodias at table, Salome standing by with dish. f. 65 b.

33. Christ and the woman of Samaria at the well. f. 67 b.

34. Christ taken to the mountainside to be cast down. f. 69.

35. Healing of the man (drawn as a woman) with a withered hand. f. 69 b.

36. Christ feeding multitude. f. 70.

37. Christ departing to the mountain. f. 72.

38. S. Peter walking on water. f. 73 b 39. Christ and the woman of Canaan, behind her a devil. f. 76 b.

40. Christ and offended Pharisees. f. 78.

41, 42. Christ discoursing to the disciples. ff. 79, 81.

43. The Transfiguration. f. 81 b.

44. Christ turning out the moneychangers. f. 82.

45. Christ heals the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda f. 82 b.

46. Christ and the disciples in the cornfield. f. 84 b.

47. Mary and Martha kneeling before Christ. f. 85 b.

48. Man praying and man giving alms (Contemplative and Active Life). f. 86.

49. Kneeling man scourged by a devil (Sin hindering Contemplation). f. 88 b.

50. Parable of the wicked husbandmen. f. 91 b.

51. [Render unto Caesar]: Christ enthroned in centre; emperor standing in front on l.; two Jews on the r. f. 92 b.

52. Healing of blind beggar. f. 93.

53. Christ entering Jericho; Zacchaeus in the tree. f. 94.

54. Healing the man born blind. f. 94 b.

55. Christ going out of the Temple; Jew with missile raised against Him. f. 95 b.

56. Christ and two disciples; Jews with stones on r. f. 96.

57. Raising of Lazarus. f. 96 b.

58. Christ cursing the fig-tree. f. 98 b.

59. The woman taken in adultery; Christ writing on the ground. f. 99.

60. The High Priest and others in council. f. 100.

61. Same subject as no. 30. f. 100 b.

62. Entry inth Jerusalem. f. 102.

63. Christ foretelling His death to His Mother and S. Mary Magdalene. f. 104.

64. The Last Supper: round table; only seven disciples are seen. f. 105 b.

65. An angel supporting Christ in the tomb; instruments of the Passion behind. f. 112.

66. The Betrayal. f. 114.

67. Christ before Pilate, who is seated in the open. f. 119 b.

68. Christ bearing the Cross. f. 121 b.

69. The Crucifixion. f. 123b.

70. The piercing of Christ's side. f. 128.

71. The Entombment. f. 131.

72. The Virgin and disciples mourning. f. 135 b.

73. The Harrowing of Hell. f. 137.

74. The rescued souls (S. John Baptist, Adam and Eve) kneeling and praising Christ. f. 137 b.

75. The Virgin kneeling; Christ on r. showing His wounds, and again on l. turning His head as He goes out. f. 141.

76. The Marys at the tomb. f. 142.

77. Christ appearing to Magdalen. f. 143 b.

78. Christ appearing to the Marys. f. 145.

79. Christ appearing to S. Joseph of Arimathaea in prison. f. 145.

80. Christ appearing to S. James the Less. f. 145 b.

81. Christ appearing to S. Peter. f. 145 b.

82. Christ revisits the rescued souls (S. John, Adam and Eve) in Paradise. f. 146 b.

83. Christ accompanying the two disciples to Emmaus. f. 147.

84. Christ appearing to the ten disciples; He is represented outside the closed doors. f. 148 b.

85. Adam and others kneeling in praise of Christ. f. 150.

86-92. Similar groups representing Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Ezra, Symeon, and Angels. ff. 150 b, 151, 152, 152b, 153, 153 b, 154.

93. Christ appearing to the eleven disciples; incredulity of Thomas. f. 154 b.

94. Christ appearing to the disciples on Mount Tabor. f. 155 b.

95. Christ appearing to the disciples while fishing. f. 156.

96. Christ appearing to five hundred brethren (six only seen). f. 157 b.

97. The Ascension. f. 158 b.

98. Pentecost. f. 165 b.

Cat. of 1666, f. 13 b; not in CMA.