Owned by Margaret of Austria, Napoleon Bonaparte, and more: the first Spanish-language novel
Romance of the Knight Zifar
Spain — Last quarter of the 15th century

Romance of the Knight Zifar
Spain — Last quarter of the 15th century
The first novel written in the Spanish language arose in a splendid late-15th century manuscript
The text, recorded in painstaking calligraphy, is accompanied by 242 miniatures by Pedro and Juan Carrion
The book was owned by famous personalities like Henry IV of Castile, Margarete of Austria, and Napoleon
Romance of the Knight Zifar
- Libro del Caballero Zifar
- Buch des Ritters Zifar
- Libro del Cavaliere Zifar
- Roman de Zifar
- O Livro do Cavaleiro Zifar
Short Description
The Romance of the Knight Zifar is the first book written in the Spanish language. It arose in the last quarter of the 15th century and today is one of Spain’s most beautifully designed illuminated manuscripts. The book found itself at the courts of numerous aristocratic personalities, including Henry IV of Castile, Margarete of Austria, and Napoleon.
Romance of the Knight Zifar
The Romance of the Knight Zifar is the first book that was written in the Spanish language. It tells the tale of the knight Zifar and his family who flee their home after a series of misfortunes, embarking on a journey in the hope of a better future. The adventurous tale of the destiny of the protagonists and the obstacles that they encounter is counted among the most beautiful literary works of medieval Spain. The text, recorded in painstaking calligraphy, is accompanied by 242 high quality miniatures. The pictures, richly embellished in gold and silver are true showpieces of Castilian Gothic painting.
A Codex for Emperors and Kings
In the Middle Ages, the adventure story was found solely in courtly environs. It served as a guidebook for the rearing of princes and expectant kings. The work was copied at the court of Henry IV of Castile and was used for the education of the king. The exciting manuscript thereby served the king not only for the learning of language but should have also conferred moral and historical lessons onto him. Later owners of the books were Queen Isabella of Spain, Margarete of Austria, and Mary of Hungary, the sister of Charles V. In the 16th century, the treasure found itself at the court of the Dukes of Burgundy, whence it was sent to Paris in 1796. Napoleon I, an additional admirer of the thrilling work, brought it into the possession of the eventual French National Library, where it remains to this day.
Magnificent Miniatures
An especially impressive characteristic of the codex is the astonishing miniatures, which illustrated the events portrayed in the text. 242 flawless pictures in vivid colors, splendidly embellished with gold and silver, are scattered among the pages of text. Miniatures of various sizes are included. The splendid illustration cycle of the book is probably the most beautiful example of Gothic Spanish book art in the Middle Ages. The Illuminators, Pedro and Juan Carrion, created the book adornment in a perfect collaboration. Alongside the exciting pictures, the text of the manuscript is adorned through the use of colored and golden ink as well as numerous colorful and florally embellished initials.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Libro del Caballero Zifar
Buch des Ritters Zifar
Libro del Cavaliere Zifar
Roman de Zifar
O Livro do Cavaleiro Zifar - Type
- Manuscript on paper
- Size / Format
- 396 pages / 40.0 x 26.0 cm
- Origin
- Spain
- Date
- Last quarter of the 15th century
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Illustrations
- 242 miniatures embellished with gold and silver
- Artist / School
- Author: Ferrán Martínez
Workshop of Juan and Pedro Carrión - Previous Owners
- Henry IV of Castile
Isabel I
Charles de Croy
Margaret of Austria
Mary of Hungary
Dukes of Burgundy
Napoleon I
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Romance of the Knight Zifar“
Libro del Caballero Zifar
- Publisher
- M. Moleiro Editor – Barcelona, 1996
- Limited Edition
- 987 copies
- Binding
- Brown leather with red leather spine
- Commentary
-
1 volume (332 pages) by Francisco Rico, Rafael Ramos, Juan Manuel Cacho Blecua, José Manuel Lucía Megías, Josefina Planas Badenas and Carmen Bernis
Language: Spanish - More Information
- 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.
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