Royal MS 20 B XI

'VIRGESSES, les Establissemenz de Cheualerie': the translation of Flavius Vegetius Renatus, De re militari, made in 1284 by Jean de Meun for Jean de Brienne, comte d'Eu (see below, 20 B. XV). Imperfect, wanting three chapters at the end. For other MSS. see P. Meyer in Romania, xxv, 1896, p. 402. Edited by U. Robert for the Soc. des anciens textes français, Paris, 1897. The rubric, 'Ci conmence par boneur el non du souuerain dieu Uirgesses les establissemenz de cheualerie qui sont deuiset en quatre fiures', is followed by table of contents. Prologue beg. 'Li ancien ont este coustumier de metre en escrit'; text, 'Nous ne veons pas que li pueples des Rommains'; breaks off 'non mie par souffleis de venz mais par . . . '. Vellum; ff. 95. 101/4 in. x 63/4 in. Beginning of the XIV cent. In a good French hand. Gatherings of 8 leaves (last¹⁰, but wanting last two leaves), numbered at end, with catchwords. Double columns of 24 lines. Sec. fol. in table 'la maniere'; in text, '-res des diuers'. Good illuminated initials with extensive prolongations (bar and foliage). One miniature (f. 3) with gold background representing the Emperor seated on l. receiving the book from the author; four courtiers behind in conversation. In the centre a man in armour with uplifted shield and sword smiting a post. On r. a man in armour (with chapeau de fer) mounting a horse; three men standing behind. Old Royal press-mark 'no. 511' (Westm. inventory of 1542, Add. MS. 25469, f. 31); cat. of 1666, f. 11 (?); not in CMA.