Royal MS 19 D III, ff 289r-604v

A summary of the contents:

Proverbs to Maccabees (ff. 289r-450v): rubric: ‘Cy com[m]ence la seconde partie principale de la bible qui parle de sapience...’ (f. 289r);

L'histoire de Jehan Hyrcan: rubric: 'Cy com[m]ence lystoire Iehan Hyrcan..'; incipit; 'Apres la mort Symon frere Iudas...'; explicit: 'Sicom[m]e vous trouverez es faiz des apostres' (ff. 450v-456r);

Harmony of the Gospels: prologue incipit: 'Cy apres ensuivent les evangiles..'; text incipit: 'Pour ce que moult se sont efforciez..'; explicit: '..il nest nul mestier de faire miracles' (ff. 456r-521r);

Acts (ff. 521r-552r): rubric: 'Cy apres sensuit lystoire de lascencion nostre seigneur ihesucrist selon s[ainc]t luc' (f. 521r);

Life of Julian the Apostate (ff. 552v-553r), rubric : 'Cy commence la vie julian lapostat le mauuais empereur renye crestian, et comment le signe de la croix a grant vertu';

Three Hystoires apocrifes of the True Cross (ff. 553r-555r): no. 1 incipit: 'Quant la vraie croix fu trouvee...'; explicit: '...mena tres sainte vie'; no. 2 incipit: 'Apres le pechie Adam nostre premier pere...', explicit: '...obeyssant a son pere iusques a la mort, a qui est loange, honeur et empire par tous les siecles des siecles. Amen'; no. 3 incipit: 'Ou temps du roy Dauid trouua vn homme en vne forest vn arbre...', explicit: '....crucifierent les Iuys nostre seigneur Ihesu Crist, qui vit et regne';

Life of Pilate (ff. 555r-558r), with rubric 'La vie du mauvais Pylate qui crucifia nostre seigneur Ihesu Crist et est apocrife aussi comme les hystoires devant dittes';

Life of Judas (ff. 558r-v), with rubric 'La vie du tres mauvais Iudas qui trahi nostre seigneur Ihesu Crist et est aussi apocrife comme les autres dessus dittes';

Epistles to Apocalypse (ff. 558v-604v), with the colophon: 'Cy fine lapocalipse, qui est le darrenier liure de la bible, escript et parfait par les mains de frere Thomas du Val prestre et chanoine profes de labbaye nostre dame de Clerefontaine ou dyocese de Chartres lan de la nativite nostre seigneur Ihesu Crist. mil.cccc. et onze. 1411. Deo gracias. le vendredi. xxe. iour du mois de Feuurier. priez pour lui' (f. 604v).

Decoration: 2 large miniatures in colours and gold, with full foliate borders, at the beginning of this volume and of the New Testament (ff. 289r, 458r). 91 one-column miniatures in colours and gold, with full or partial foliate borders, at the beginning of each book and prologue, including 52 Apocalypse scenes (ff. 594v-604r). Space left for an initial at f. 559r. Preliminary marginal drawings (ff. 305v, 331r, 380v, 403r, 411v, 413v, 416r, 419v). Foliate initials in colours and gold with foliate extensions, some with partial borders, at the beginning of books and other major text divisions. Initials and paraphs in gold on blue and rose grounds with penwork decoration in white. Line-fillers in gold, blue, and rose with penwork decoration in white.

The subjects of the miniatures are:

f. 289r, Solomon enthroned with his son Rehoboam kneeling at his feet, watched by courtiers with exotic hats. The back of throne has a fleur-de-lis design, the floor is tiled and the back wall is decorated with swans and bears? suggestive of the Duc de Berry's insignia.

f. 300r, Solomon seated on the left with a scroll reading 'Omnia vanitas'; on the right, two ladies, a table with gold plate and a chest of gold coins.

f. 303v, Solomon and his bride seated opposite each other on the grass.

f. 305v, The teacher, in black cap and red robe, seated at a canopied desk; listeners sitting on the ground.

f. 312v, The teacher, with a black cap and red robe, holding a birch, seated on an open seat with the child reading at his knee. Beneath them is an expanse of grass and the background is a rose curtain with design of birds, sheep, and foliage.

f. 331r, Isaiah, wedged into a tree-trunk supported on a stool, is sawn in half by two men with a frame-saw.

f. 352r, Jeremiah seated; a fire burning at his feet and catching his garments.

f. 374v, Jerome seated before the gate of a city (Jerusalem?).

f. 376v, Baruch writing, in a canopied desk with a background of birds, sheep, and foliage, as in f. 312v.

f. 380v, Ezekiel and his vision of the four winged beasts and chariot.

f. 399v, Nebuchadnezzar seated, pointing to the furnace in which are three children; two attendants in front with pitchforks succumbing to the heat.

f. 402r, Nebuchadnezzar and an ox, both eating grass.

f. 403r, Daniel (in the nude) is thrown into the lions' den, which is an opening in a green field.

f. 406r, Susanna accused by the elders, and on the right a man standing ready with an axe.

f. 408v, Hosea, Gomer and two children.

f. 411v, Joel, with sheep, is addressed by the Lord speaking from a cloud.

f. 413v, Amos, in bed, is addressed by the Lord speaking from a cloud.

f. 416r, Obadiah (Abdiele) seated with a globe.

f. 416v, Jonah's head emerging from a large fish's mouth.

f. 417v, Micah lamenting before a collapsing city.

f. 419v, Nahum standing in water addressing two men, one wearing ermine.

f. 420v, Habakkuk carrying food and a pitcher, his hair caught by the Lord from a cloud.

f. 421v, Zephaniah standing looking down, with a book.

f. 423r, Haggai seated, with a scroll reading 'Ave Maria'.

f. 424r, Zachariah standing on high ground, with a scroll.

f. 427v, Malachi at the top of a mountain, holding two tablets.

f. 429r, Battle-scene: ?Antiochus massacring the Israelites.

f. 442v, A messenger delivers letters from Judas Maccabeus and the Kings of Jerusalem to the King of Egypt and others.

f. 446r, Antiochus enthroned, watching the mother and seven brothers in a cauldron, while the fire is stoked by a man with fork and bellows.

f. 451r, John Hyrcanus besieges Agon; his mother and brothers scourged on the walls.

f. 458r. Tree of Jesse with the kings all playing on different instruments and the Virgin Mary holding an open book.

f. 460r, The Nativity, with Joseph in front of a fire.

f. 461r, Adoration of the Magi.

f. 462r, Presentation in the Temple; Simeon taking Jesus into his arms.

f. 507v, Christ washing Peter's feet, watched by the other disciples.

f. 511v, The Betrayal: Judas kissing Jesus while a soldier grasps his arm; Peter beside Jesus, drawing his sword.

f. 512v, Christ mocked and blindfolded.

f. 515r, The Crucifixion.

f. 517v, The Resurrection; Christ rising from the tomb with four soldiers asleep.

f. 521v, The Ascension; Christ disappearing into the clouds so that only his feet show, with the disciples and Mary watching.

f. 522v, Christ appearing to the Disciples and Holy Women.

f. 525r, The coming of the Holy Ghost to Mary and the Disciples.

f. 588r, James with a staff in his right hand, a shell on his hat and shoulder bag.

f. 589v, Peter in a small room with the keys.

f. 592r, John holding serpents in a chalice.

f. 594r, Jude in a temple with a sword and book.

f. 594v, Above, John the Evangelist asleep on Patmos, holding a book; below, John kneeling before the Son of Man; on the right the seven angels on the seven churches (Revelation 1:4-9).

f. 595v, In a pointed mandorla between the four beasts or symbols of the Evangelists (the angel, eagle, lion and ox) sits God enthroned, surrounded by four framed images, two on either side: three are groups of elders with gold crowns musical instruments and the fourth is John and an angel (Revelation 4:4-6).

f. 596r, column a, God in a mandorla as before, enthroned with the book and his feet on an orb; below, eighteen elders casting down their crowns (Revelation 4:10).

f. 596r, column b (above), God in a mandorla as before, enthroned with the book and the Lamb; at the sides the elders with instruments and John the Evangelist (Revelation 5:1-6).

f. 596r, column b (below), The Holy Lamb in the centre frame with the four Evangelists' symbols. Four compartments, two on either side with elders and John as on f. 595v (Revelation 5:8).

f. 596v, column a, A two-tier image with (above) John, the angel and ox, symbols of Matthew and Luke, and the riders on the white and black horses; (below) John, his symbol the eagle, the lion of Mark and the riders on the red and pale horses, the last carrying a torch (Revelation 6:1-8).

f. 596v, column b, John with seven souls emerging from beneath the altar, the first two being robed by angels; three stars above (Revelation 6:9-11).

f. 597r, column a, God enthroned with the book and the Lamb in a sphere, between the four Evangelists' symbols; above, a row of angels, then two rows of elders, and below, John and saints with palms (Revelation 7).

597r, column b, God enthroned in a pointed mandorla, between the Evangelists' symbols and supported by angels; beneath him, the elders bowing down (Revelation 7).

f. 597v, column a (above), Seven angels holding trumpets and John; in centre, in a small oval above, God enthroned; below, the altar and angel with the censer; on the right above, six winds and below, the angel pouring fire from the censer Revelation 8:1-3).

f. 597v, column a (below), The first angel sounding the trumpet with hail and fire raining down on earth (Revelation 8:7).

f. 597v, column b (above), The second angel with trumpet, standing on a red mountain of fire in the sea (Revelation 8:8-9).

f. 597v, column b (centre), The third angel, the falling star, a ship and drowning men (Revelation 8:10-11).

f. 597v, column b (below), The fourth angel, the sun and moon and drowning men (Revelation 8:12).

f. 598r, column a, The locusts, creatures with horses' bodies, men's faces women's hair and teeth of lions, with Apollyon riding on the first; John seated with his head propped on his hand (Revelation 9:7-11).

f. 598r, column b, A two-tier image with (above) the sixth angel blowing, and four armed angels from the Euphrates, and at the top an angel issuing from the golden altar; (below) John leaning on a rock with the horsemen and the slain (Revelation 9:15-21).

f. 598v, column a (above), The seven thunders and an angel warning John not to record them; on the right an angel with a book (Revelation 10:1-4).

f. 598v, column a (below), John taking the book from the angel, while another angel speaks to him from the clouds (Revelation 10:8-9).

f. 598v, column b, A two-tier image of (above) John with reed, the angel giving it to him and pointing to the altar, on which are a chalice and two candlesticks; (below) the witnesses with two beasts (like the locusts on f. 598r, one with a rider) devouring them (Revelation 11:1-5).

f. 599r, column a (above), The bodies of the two witnesses, their spirits (in the form of doves) entering their mouths; above, their ascension; on the right the earthquake (Revelation 11:8-13).

f. 599r, column a (below), The seventh angel; the elders worshipping God, who is seen in an opening in the sky above, holding an open book (Revelation 11:15-19).

f. 599r, column b, A woman with a crown of stars standing on a green dragon with John and an angel stretching out their arms (Revelation 12:1-3).

f. 599v, column a (above), Four angels fighting the dragon in the air and three men fighting him on the earth (Revelation 12:7-9).

f. 599v, column a (below), The woman flying; the dragon vomiting a flood (Revelation 12:15).

f. 599v, column b (above), John, the dragon and a many-headed beast rising from the sea (Revelation 13:1).

f. 600r, column a, John with the beast rising from the earth and conjuring fire from the sky; the seven-headed beast and its image on a white plith; people killing with swords and worshipping the beasts (Revelation 13:2-13).

f. 600r, column b (above), The Lamb on a mount with some of the sealed, with John below; on the right, the throne with the four Evangelists' symbols and the elders worshipping (Revelation 14:1).

f. 600r, column b (below), John, the flying angel with scroll and people sitting (Revelation 14:6).

f. 600v, column a, The Son of Man seated on a cloud giving a sickle to an angel coming out of a temple, and below, reaping with a sickle ; John, with a book (Revelation 14:14-16).

f. 600v, column b (above), The angel coming out of the heavenly temple with a sickle, the angel at the altar, and the vineyard (Revelation 14:17-18).

f. 600v, column b (below), The seven angels and the sea of glass (Revelation 15:1-2).

f. 601r column a (above), The angels receiving the seven vials from the lion; John standing on the left (Revelation 15:6-7).

f. 601r, column a (below), The seven angels are commanded by the voice from heaven, and the first vial is poured (Revelation. 16:1-2).

f. 601r, column b, Frogs issuing from the mouth of the dragon, the beast and false prophet (a horned wolf with a staff); John standing on the left (Revelation 16:13).

f. 601v (above), John empties the seventh vial; divine voice, thunders and earthquake (Revelation 16: 17-18).

f. 601v (below), The whore in the wilderness holding a mirror; and seated on the beast, holding a cup; John and an angel watching (Revelation 17:3-4).

f. 602r, The angel from heaven and John with an image of the fallen Babylon with beasts and birds among the ruins (Revelation 18).

f. 602v, column a, Two-tier image with (above), John with the voice from heaven and the marriage-feast of the Lamb; (below), the angel speaking to John holding a book, and John kneeling before the angel (Revelation 19: 9-10).

f. 602v, column b (above), John with the Rider on the white horse with a sword in his mouth, and treading the wine-press (Revelation 19:11-15).

f. 602v, column b (below), John, seated, looking at the angel on the sun; the fowls attacking carcasses of kings and commoners (Revelation 19:17-18).

f. 603r, column a (above), The Rider killing the beast; fowls picking at carcasses; John leaning on a rock behind (Revelation 19: 20-21).

f. 603r, column a (below), The angel descending with key and chain, and holding the dragon by the chain (Revelation 20:1-3).

f. 603r, column b (above), The souls and judges, with John watching (Revelation 20:4).

f. 603r, column b (below), The freed dragon besieging the camp of the saints (Revelation 20:8-9).

f. 603v, column a (above), God enthroned in a pointed mandorla above; the souls with open books and discarding them as they enter the lake of fire; John seated with a book (Revelation 20:12-13).

f. 603v, column a (below), John, the voice from heaven with a rod and the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-3).

f. 604r, John leaning on a high rock, looking up at the throne of God and the Lamb and the river flowing from them. John raised by the angel and kneeling at Christ's feet; in the centre, the Ascension (Revelation 22).