Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae

Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae – Scriptorium – Ms. Vit. 19-2 – Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain)

Spain — Mid 15th century

A magnificent genealogy for the consort of Emperor Charles V: the imposing history of the Spanish kings from the 6th to the 15th century in beautifully illuminated pedigrees and portraits

  1. This gorgeous overview of the provenance of the Spanish kings was made for Isabella of Portugal (1503–39)

  2. A forward and 94 chapters cover the origins of the Spanish kings from Alaric II (d. 507) to Henry IV (d. 1471)

  3. Genealogies in the form of family trees with portraits visualize the history of the Spanish kingdoms

Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae

Facsimile Copy Available!
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  1. Description
  2. Facsimile Editions (2)
Description
Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae

The Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae is a gorgeous and informative overview of the provenance of the Spanish kings. This manuscript is a specimen that was made between 1526 and 1539 for Isabella of Portugal. The text is based on the significant Anacephaleosis by Alfonso de Caratagena from the middle of the 15th century. A forward and 94 chapters covers the origins of the Spanish kings from Alaric, King of the Visigoths up to Henry IV, (1454–1471) King of Castile and León. The manuscript with its wonderful, exceedingly artistic décor offers a comprehensive inside look into Spanish history!

Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae

The Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae is a gorgeous and informative overview of the provenance of the Spanish kings. This manuscript is a specimen that was made between 1526 and 1539 for Isabella of Portugal. The text is based on the significant Anacephaleosis by Alfonso de Caratagena from the middle of the 15th century. A forward and 94 chapters covers the origins of the Spanish kings from Alaric, King of the Visigoths up to Henry IV, (1454–1471) King of Castile and León. The manuscript with its wonderful, exceedingly artistic décor offers a comprehensive inside look into Spanish history!

The Significant Work of a Grandiose Personality

Alfonso de Cartagena composed a history of Spain focusing on Castile in the Gothic era with the title Anacephaleosis ca. 1456. Alfonso de Cartagena (1384–1456) was a humanist, diplomat, historian, author, and was also active as a lawyer and natural philosopher. A converted Jew, he was employed in the Cathedral of Cartagena, was Deacon of Santiago and Segovia beginning in 1415, and Canon of Burgos beginning in 1421. Additionally, he was vested with the prestigious office of an apostolic nuncio. At the behest of King John II of Castile and León (1405–1454), Cartagena was involved as an ambassador and diplomat in political issues, the conflict between Castile, Aragon, and Grenada among them. At the same time, he composed translations of works by Cicero and Seneca. Alfonso de Cartagena was highly revered, even by popes for his diverse activities and his scholarship. Not least of all, he founded a school in Burgos where the most significant scholars of the era of the Catholic Monarchs studied.

The History of the Spanish Kingdom

For his Anacephaleosis, Cartagena drew upon the works of Flavius Josephus, Florus, and Jiménez de Rada. His history of Spain was published by Fernán Pérez de Guzmán and Juan de Villafuerte in 1463 under the title Geneologia de los Reyes de Espana. This consisted of a forward and 94 chapters and covered the origins of the Spanish kings from Alaric, King of the Visigoths, up to Henry IV (1454–1471) King of Castile and León and his son John II. Family trees show the various connections, e.g. to the royal houses of Navarra, Aragon, and Portugal.

The Family History of an Empress

The manuscript made for Empress Isabella of Portugal, Queen of Castile and Aragon and wife of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V enchants with its richly detailed pictorial décor. In this way the chronicle of the Castilian kings is made manageable and easily understood. On 110 pages, the manuscript measuring 35.5 x 25 cm contains 88 miniature pages altogether. The text, organized into two columns, is illustrated in an exceedingly rich manner, with miniatures on nearly every page. Genealogies in the form of family trees visualize the history of the Spanish kingdom for the reader with portraits of all persons involved. Lavish bordures, portrait medallions, countless coats of arms, emblems, and golden initials adorn the manuscript in the most superb Renaissance style. The escutcheon of the original owner, Queen Isabella of Portugal, is prominently displayed above a two-headed eagle with the imperial throne. Numerous historical personalities are presented in gorgeous portraits – sometimes the entire figure, sometimes only a head. This is simultaneously an informative history book and a magnificent 16th century work of art!

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae de Alfonso de Cartagena
Book of the Genealogy of the Kings of Spain
Anacephaleosis
Libro de la Genealogia de los Reyes de Espana
Buch der Abstammung der spanischen Könige
Size / Format
110 pages / 33.5 × 25.0 cm
Origin
Spain
Date
Mid 15th century
Style
Language
Illustrations
88 pages with illuminations
Artist / School
Previous Owners
Queen Isabella of Portugal (1503–39)

Available facsimile editions:
Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae – Scriptorium – Ms. Vit. 19-2 – Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain)
Scriptorium – Valencia, 2014
Limited Edition: 390 copies

Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae – Scriptorium – Ms. Vit. 19-2 – Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain)
Scriptorium – Valencia, 1995
Limited Edition: 600 copies
Facsimile Editions

#1 Libro de la Genealogia de los Reyes de Espana (Parchment Facsimile)

Scriptorium – Valencia, 2014
Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae – Scriptorium – Ms. Vit. 19-2 – Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain)
Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae – Scriptorium – Ms. Vit. 19-2 – Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain) Photos with courtesy of the publisher

Publisher: Scriptorium – Valencia, 2014
Limited Edition: 390 copies
Binding: Leather over wooden boards, real parchment, protected by a slipcase
Commentary: 1 volume by Bonifacio Palacios Martín, Manuel Fuertes de Gilbert Rojo, Faustino Menéndez Pida, and María Carmona de los Santos
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: €€€€€
(over 10,000€)

#2 Libro de la Genealogia de los Reyes de Espana (Paper edition)

Scriptorium – Valencia, 1995
Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae – Scriptorium – Ms. Vit. 19-2 – Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain)
Liber Genealogiae Regum Hispaniae – Scriptorium – Ms. Vit. 19-2 – Biblioteca Nacional de España (Madrid, Spain) Photos with courtesy of the publisher

Publisher: Scriptorium – Valencia, 1995
Limited Edition: 600 copies
Binding: The publisher has issued two binding versions for the paper facsimile: 1) Leather binding with blind embossing, metal fittings and clasps 2) Embossed leather binding
Commentary: 1 volume by Bonifacio Palacios Martín, Manuel Fuertes de Gilbert Rojo, Faustino Menéndez Pida, and María Carmona de los Santos
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: €€€
(3,000€ - 7,000€)
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