Speculum Historiale (BNF Fr. 312-314)

Birds, BNF Fr. 312, f. 29r.

Colloquial name(s): Speculum Historiale - Vol. 1, Vol. 2 & Vol. 4

Official name(s): Bibliothèque nationale de France, Français 312, Français 313 & Français 314

Date: 1396 (source, source & source)

Origin: France (source, source & source)

Online facsimile available via: Bibliothèque nationale de France Gallica digital library - Français 312, Français 313 & Français 314

These manuscripts consist of the French translation of Vincent de Beauvais' Speculum Historiale, translated by Jean de Vignay (source, source & source). The copyist of the first volume (Français 312) is Raoulet d'Orliens, as noted in the colophon on f. 354v which also provides the dating of 1396 (source). Volume 2 (Français 313) is not signed; RH & MA Rouse suggest that the three volumes are of three different hands (source). Volume 4 (Français 314) is Guillaume de Hervi - he signed his work on f. 438v (source).

The illustrations are predominantly executed in grisaille, a technique used in French manuscripts from the first half of the 14th C whereby the artwork is purposely rendered in shades of grey. Some are enhanced in colour by the Master of Death (source, source & source).