1303-1308 England, BSB Cod.gall. 16 – Psalter of Queen Isabella of England
This is one of the biggest decorated manuscripts of around 1300 which contains a large number of curious marginal figures. These are small, but carefully drawn and are very informative overall. Several depictions can be considered rare and unique. Of particular importance may be the appearance of the spinning wheel inside a modest initial – the earliest I’ve seen! Its presence in a manuscript of 1303-1308 nearly makes it very likely that the technology was present in England already in the later 13th century, contradicting the widespread notion that it reached Europe only in the 14thcentury.
– pack donkeys loaded with bags (full or empty), caskets and livestock carcasses
– Baby care: the swaddling of a baby
– Women’s labours: spinning, weaving (a very detailed weaving and spinning machines; the spinning machine may be the earliest!)
– Harrowing and seeding (a very detailed harrow)
– A boy playing with a small wagon on wheels (?)
– Man constructing a fence in a sheepfold; the fence consists of separate panels. The ram carries a bell on his horns.
– A realistic church organ
– RARE: painters working on the church columns
– RARE: smith affixing a pommel on the sword
– A lively scene of castle building with several men engaged at a variety of activities;
– walking canes
– The armour is still 13th century in appearance; the knights wear bucket-shaped great helms, full-body mail cover and decorated knee and elbow cops.
– RARE: Beekeeper
-UNIQUE: A refugee carrying a backpack with a large axe strapped to it
– A pair of carpenters, cutting and drilling a log
– RARE: A ox-driven cart with a large cloth-covered chest – the type used to transport valuables?
