The Book of the Queen (BL Harley 4431)

Christine de Pizan presents the manuscript to Queen Isabeau, f. 3r.

Colloquial name(s): the Book of the Queen

Official name(s): British Library, Harley 4431

Date: c. 1410-c. 1414 (source)

Origin: Paris, Central France (source)

Online facsimile available via: British Library Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts

This manuscript was produced for Queen Isabeau of Bavaria (b. 1371, d. 1435), wife of king Charles VI of France (m. 1385), under the supervision of Christine de Pizan (b. 1364, d. c. 1430) (source). This is indicated by the presentation miniature on f. 3r and a dedicatory poem on ff. 3r-v (source). Ballade 9 refers to Jean Bourbon's 'hault voyage', which is identified with the re-capture of Soubise in 1413 - thus, the manuscript is thought to have been made between 1413 and 1414 and probably presented to the queen as a New Year's gift in January 1414 (source).

The manuscript it illustrated with two half-miniatures and numerous other single-column miniatures, all in colours and gold (source). The illustrations include author portraits of Christine de Pizan on ff. 3r, 4r and 178r (source).

Basic descriptions of the illustrations are provided by the British Library with the facsimile.