by Heather R. Darsie The eale is an all-black, horse-like animal bearing an elephant’s tail, long bull’s horns, and boar’s tusks. The horns are, “…adapted to every kind of movement…” and can, “…be moved as needed when it fights.” When fighting, the eale, “…puts one out in front…, so that if it loses its tip from a blow, it can bring the other one forward.” … Continue reading From the Bestiary: Eale
by Heather R. Darsie This series of posts will feature different animals found in illuminated bestiaries. From August 2017, the following source will be used for all beasts: Barber, Richard: translation and introduction. Bestiary: Being an English Version of the Bodleian Library, Oxford. M. S. Bodley 764. All original miniatures reproduced in facsimile. Woodbridge: 1999. The source shall be abbreviated as “MS Bodley 764 facsimile.” This … Continue reading From the Bestiary
On 11 December 1581, Maria of Austria, Duchess of Jülich-Kleve-Berg, passed away at Hambach Castle. Maria began her life on 15 May 1531 in Prague, where she was welcomed as the third daughter and fifth of what would be fifteen children from the marriage of Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor, and Anna Jagiello of Bohemia and Hungary. Ferdinand was a younger brother to Charles V, … Continue reading Maria of Austria, Duchess of Jülich-Kleve-Berg
Maidens and Manuscripts: Taking a fresh look at people and events from 1347 to 1625, with a focus on women and illuminated manuscripts 