Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Scriptorium – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)

Burgundy (France) — ca. 1450

A magnificent manuscript in a rare, panoramic landscape format: the tumultuous and eventful history of the Crusades told in dozens of impressive miniatures for Duke Philip the Good

  1. The history of the crusades is visualized in magnificent landscape-oriented miniatures

  2. The splendid and unusual manuscript was commissioned by Philip the Good (1396–1467), Duke of Burgundy

  3. The master of Girard de Roussillon and a scribe from David Aubert's circle worked on it for years

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem

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  1. Description
  2. Detail Picture
  3. Single Page
  4. Facsimile Editions (4)
Description
Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem

This famous manuscript from the Austrian National Library in Vienna presents a historical chronicle of the Crusades in an unusual landscape format. From the First Crusade and the Christian capture of the city of Jerusalem in 1099 across the subsequent reigns of the Kings of Jerusalem to the conquest of Jerusalem by the Ayyubid ruler Saladin (1137/38-1193) in 1178, the high medieval history of the Holy Land is magnificently visualized in gorgeous miniatures. On the large pages, vast landscapes with dramatic, multi-figured scenes unfold, subtly decorated with precious golden details. This magnificent and extraordinary manuscript was commissioned by Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy (1396-1467) around 1450. At his court, the Master of Girard de Roussillon, together with a scribe from the circle of David Aubert, created a true masterpiece of 15th century Flemish book illumination, which still captivates to this day!

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem

This famous manuscript from the Austrian National Library in Vienna presents a historical chronicle of the crusaders. From the First Crusade and the capture of the city of Jerusalem in 1099, across the reigns of the kings of Jerusalem, the history of the crusades is visualized in magnificent miniatures. The landscape format of the manuscript is unusual, and truly accentuates the paintings. The splendid and exceptional manuscript arose in France ca. 1450 from the commission of Philipp the Good, Duke of Burgundy. The Master of Girart de Roussillon, along with a scribe from the circle of David Aubert at the Burgundian court, created a masterpiece of 15th century illumination that continues to amaze beholders to this day!

Light, Airy Miniatures

Splendidly attired knights in glimmering armor load mysterious chests onto a ship lying on the shore of a sea. A magnificently atmospheric landscape stretches into the background. Such scenes filled with exciting events and painted eye-candy illustrate the history of the crusaders in the Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. On 36 pages in the format of 54 x 28 cm – which is read atypically in a landscape format – the manuscript contains 11 full-page miniatures, 47 smaller gilded miniatures, and 98 medallions and initials. Ornamental frames and decorative borders surround the atmospheric and simultaneously luminous and colorful miniatures. Filigree ornamentation fills all the spaces-in-between and splendid initials adorn the text in the typical style of the time.

A Masterpiece of the Burgundian Court

The famous Codex 2533 of the Austrian National Library in Vienna is a work of 15th century Burgundian illumination. The Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem is a commission of Philipp the Good, Duke of Burgundy (1395–1467). Several true masterpieces originated from his court in the mid–15th century. Among others, the famous Master of Girart de Roussillon was active at the Burgundian court from 1440 to 1465, who has also been identified as the painter of the Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem. This master earned his name from one of his works, the manuscript of the Romance of Girart de Roussillon. The text of the Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem was the work of a scribe from the David Aubert’s circle who was also active at the Burgundian court under Philipp the Good.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Cy comencent les chroniques de Jherusalem abregies
Chronik des Kreuzfahrer-Königreiches Jerusalem
Les Chroniques de Jherusalem Abrégées
Las Crónicas de las Cruzadas
Chronik der Kreuzfahrer
Chronica Brevis Primae Expeditionis Cruciatorum
The Chronicle of the Crusades
Size / Format
36 pages / 54.0 × 28.0 cm
Origin
France
Date
ca. 1450
Style
Language
Script
Burgundian littera bastarda
Illustrations
11 full-page, 47 smaller gilted miniatures and 98 medaillons and initials
Patron
Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Emperor Maximilian I. (1459-1519)
Emperor Charles V (1500–58)
Matthias of Austria (1557-1619)

Available facsimile editions:
Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Scriptorium – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Scriptorium – Valencia, 2018
Limited Edition: 290 copies

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Idion Verlag – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Idion Verlag – Munich, 1980
Limited Edition: 100 copies

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Idion Verlag – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Idion Verlag – Munich, 1980
Limited Edition: 850 copies

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Scriptorium – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Club Bibliófilo Versol – Madrid, 2004
Limited Edition: 575 copies
Detail Picture

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem

Crusaders Storming a Walled City

This fantastic miniature shows the storming of a city during the First Crusade, identified in the frame as “Danthiore”, which appears between a medallion depicting the forces of the great Italo-Norman warrior Bohemond besieging a city called Navaz and another medallion showing the capture of an unidentified fortress. The tents in the foreground bear the coats of arms of the army commanders and soldiers clad in 15th century plate armor wearing tunics or carrying flags with these escutcheons rush through the gate of the colorful walled city.

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Scriptorium – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Single Page

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem

Embarkment of the Crusaders

This splendid miniature from the beginning of the manuscript makes wonderful use of its landscape format to present an expansive scene depicting the Crusaders embarking ships in 1096, presumably in order to cross the Adriatic Sea before marching to Constantinople. The bay they are departing from is flanked by rocky cliffs and a port city can be seen in the distance, most likely Brindisi in Southern Italy.

As heavy chests are hauled on board, the text claims that Godfrey of Bouillon is already aboard ship while two other commanders discuss among themselves. However, this is inaccurate because while most Crusader contingents from France sailed from Italy, the Duke of Lower Lorrain’s forces marched overland through Central Europe and the Balkans beginning in August and arriving in Constantinople in November.

Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Scriptorium – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Les chroniques de Jherusalem abregies

Scriptorium – Valencia, 2018
Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Scriptorium – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Scriptorium – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Scriptorium – Valencia, 2018
Limited Edition: 290 copies
Commentary: 1 volume
Languages: English, Spanish
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) The facsimile edition is printed on real parchment.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€€€
(over 10,000€)

#2 Les chroniques de Jherusalem abregies - De Luxe Edition

Idion Verlag – Munich, 1980

Publisher: Idion Verlag – Munich, 1980
Limited Edition: 100 copies
Binding: Parchment with parchment clasps
Commentary: 1 volume (15 pages)
Language: German
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

#3 Les chroniques de Jherusalem abregies - Standard Edition

Idion Verlag – Munich, 1980
Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Idion Verlag – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria)
Chronicles of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem – Idion Verlag – Cod. 2533 – Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Vienna, Austria) Copyright Photos: Ziereis Facsimiles

Publisher: Idion Verlag – Munich, 1980
Limited Edition: 850 copies
Binding: Half parchment
Commentary: 1 volume (15 pages)
Language: German
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)

#4 Las Crónicas de las Cruzadas

Club Bibliófilo Versol – Madrid, 2004

Publisher: Club Bibliófilo Versol – Madrid, 2004
Limited Edition: 575 copies
Binding: Parchment over boards
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: Spanish
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€
(1,000€ - 3,000€)
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