The Digital Walters is a branch of The Walters Art Museum Manuscripts Department.
This late-fifteenth-century genealogical roll was most likely made for Edward IV during his reign and is largely based on the twelfth century account of Geoffrey of Monmouth. It was commissioned to celebrate King Edward IV's succession to the throne of England after he deposed Henry VI. This illuminated chronicle features Edward IV's genealogy beginning with God from the time of the Fall through the Flood, as depicted in three large roundels. It details his relation to the other historical rulers of Britain and Europe, such as Rollo and Alfred, as well as fictional kings like Arthur. The Incipit comes from John 1:1, "In Principio Erat Verbum Et Verbum Erat Apud Deum...", and features a large miniature of Edward IV as a knight on horseback. The roll contains heraldic flags, white roses, or roses en soleil, symbolizing the House of York, and other regal imagery related to Edward IV, such as suns, crowns, and his motto, "confort et lyesse," throughout in order to link the new king to the other royal and aristocratic families of Britain and continental Europe, thereby legitimizing his claim to the throne. The lines of descent are painted in blue, red, gold, and green and culminate at the end of the roll, framing a large square with Edward's name and a prayer for him and his kingship.
Support: Parchment; Extent: 4778 x 460 mm
Eleven membranes; 4778 x 460 mm; irregular column structure, vertical ink ruling; one unframed miniature, three large roundels, ten small roundels, one frieze of half-figures, one rota diagram, fifty-four heraldic devices, one tau map, calligraphic initials throughout, colored lines of descent
Anglicana
These are pages that we pulled aside that disrupted the flow of the manuscript reader. These may be bindings, inserts, bookmarks, and various other oddities.
England
Late 15th century
Latin
Probably made for Edward IV; possibly belonged to Henry VIII; Messrs. Ellis (booksellers), London, A Catalogue of Choice Books and Manuscripts, cat. 246, 1927, no. 251; John Frederick Lewis, Philadelphia; given by his widow, Anne Baker Lewis, to the Free Library of Philadelphia in 1936
England
Late 15th century
Latin
Probably made for Edward IV; possibly belonged to Henry VIII; Messrs. Ellis
This late-fifteenth-century genealogical roll was most likely made for Edward IV during his reign and is largely based on the twelfth century account of Geoffrey of Monmouth. It was commissioned to celebrate King Edward IV's succession to the throne of England after he deposed Henry VI. This illuminated chronicle features Edward IV's genealogy beginning with God from the time of the Fall through the Flood, as depicted in three large roundels. It details his relation to the other historical rulers of Britain and Europe, such as Rollo and Alfred, as well as fictional kings like Arthur. The Incipit comes from John 1:1, "In Principio Erat Verbum Et Verbum Erat Apud Deum...", and features a large miniature of Edward IV as a knight on horseback. The roll contains heraldic flags, white roses, or roses en soleil, symbolizing the House of York, and other regal imagery related to Edward IV, such as suns, crowns, and his motto, "confort et lyesse," throughout in order to link the new king to the other royal and aristocratic families of Britain and continental Europe, thereby legitimizing his claim to the throne. The lines of descent are painted in blue, red, gold, and green and culminate at the end of the roll, framing a large square with Edward's name and a prayer for him and his kingship.
Anglicana
These are pages that we pulled aside that disrupted the flow of the manuscript reader. These may be bindings, inserts, bookmarks, and various other oddities.
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