Early 16th-century manuscript of the allegorical poem 'Le Chevalier délibéré' by Olivier de la Marche, composed in 1483.
Scope and Contents
The manuscript is listed with eleven others in 'Etude biographique, littéraire et bibliographique sur Olivier de la Marche' by Henri Stein. It is also included in La Marche, Olivier de. 'Le Chevalier Deliberé (The Resolute Knight) ed. by Carleton W. Carroll, 1999.
There are ten miniatures, each in a pillared frame. The subjects are the author writing his work (folio 1), the knight setting out on his quest (folio 3), the knight approaching the hermit (folio 5 verso), the hermit showing the relics to the knight (folio 9 verso), combat of the knight and Age (folio 16), the knight before the Palace of Love (folio 20), the knight and Fresh Memory among the tombs (folio 27), combat of Philip, duke of Burgundy with Messire Debille (folio 36 verso), combat of Charles, duke of Burgundy with Messire Accident (folio 39 verso), and the combat between the Duchess of Austria (Mary of Burgundy) and Accident (folio 43). Headings are in red throughout, and the initials of verses are in black and white penwork on gold grounds.
Dates
- Creation: Early 16th century.
Creator
- La Marche, Olivier de, 1422-1502 (Person)
Extent
1 Volumes (ii + 56 folios.)
Language of Materials
French, Middle (ca.1400-1600)
Arrangement
Collation: 1-7⁸. Quiremarks in Roman numbers at the beginning of gatherings 4-7. Ruled in red ink. 29 lines.
Custodial History
The manuscript was made for an unidentified owner whose arms (folio 1) were quarterly, 1 and 4, paly of six or and gules; 2 and 3, gules an eagle displayed crowned sable. Supporters and crest are unicorns. The motto Au perdre gain` occurs on folios 1, 16 and 27. The manuscript later belonged to Charles de Rohan, Prince de Soubise (pressmark ‘Vest.4.D.91 Bibliot. Subis.` inside front cover) and appears in the catalogue of his library, Paris, 1788, number 4955. It was bought by the Advocates’ Library in 1795.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.
Bibliography
Stein, Henri. `Etude biographique, littéraire et bibliographique sur Olivier de la Marche`, ‘Académie Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux-Arts de Belgique, Mémoires couronnés’, xlix, (Brussels, 1888).
Physical Description
0.00 linear metresii + 56 folios.210.00 x 297.00 millimetres
Physical Description
Vellum (paper flyleaves, French, 18th century).
Dimensions
210.00 x 297.00 millimetres
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland
- Date
- 03 02 2015
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Local Descriptive Rules
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk