![]() ![]() ‘The Ruler with the Sword in the Utrecht Psalter’. In The Illuminated Psalter: Studies in the Content, Purpose and Placement of Its Images, edited by Frank O. ‘Violence and the Virtuous Ruler in the Utrecht Psalter’. ‘Archbishops Ebo and Hincmar of Reims and the Utrecht Psalter’. ‘New Light on the Origin of the Utrecht Psalter’. As Clelia Chazelle puts it, the manuscripts illumination “were possibly meant to exemplify the behaviour that Carolingian clergy, particularly in the 830’s and later, sought from the rulers and aristocracy who fought so vehemently among themselves” (2004: 348).īenson, Gertrude R. 14: 4) are capable of maintain order and waging just wars (Chazelle 1997 Jaski 2004). However, the distinction between good and bad armed figures in this manuscript is testament to a desire to make these images relevant to contemporary viewers by showing that only those rulers and soldiers who “fear the Lord” (Ps. The illustrations of the Utrecht Psalter may be inspired from earlier sources. The beam scale he holds is a symbol of justice that indicates his virtuosity while the hand of God which gestures towards him, can signifying that he is acting under divine direction. 14: 2) and that he “does not put out his money at usury” (Ps. He appears at the centre of the composition and tramples over the body of a wrongdoer that he has defeated whilst holding out a bag of money and a scale to a crippled figure as an act of charity, showing that he “works righteousness” (Ps. 8r (Image courtesy of: Utrecht University Library)Ī virtuous solider also appears in the upper register of fol. Illustration of Psalm 14 in the Utrecht Psalter, f. 13 while also subtly adapting it to send a political message about the importance of following Christian precepts.įig. If so, the artist’s interpretation of the psalm is both literal and analytical: the scene draws on the text of Ps. It is possible that tensions between church and state informed this scene. Moreover, if the man with the sword embodies a bad king, then this image shows how the misuse of power by royalty leads to violence and disorder in a kingdom. The sword motif also calls for interpretation as it does not necessarily only represent kingship, but could also symbolize an omen of death and destruction. Opinions differ as to the identity of this man: is he a bad king or the Antichrist? There is a clear contrast between this figure, who is surrounded by chaos, and the haloed and enthroned Christ, who is surrounded by a mandorla and flanked by six angels. The latter is seated on a globe in a pose that mirrors that of the figure under the canopy: together they represent the difference between good and evil. The psalmist’s gesture directs God’s and the viewer’s attention to the chaos that surrounds this figure with a sword. The psalmist at the top of a mountain points at this man who is seated under a canopy and has attributes (a throne and a sword settled sideways on his lap) that suggest he is a ruler. 7v who can be seen among the illustrations of Psalm 13: 3 (Fig. One of the most interesting figures in the psalter is a mysterious man with a sword on fol. 7v (Image courtesy of: Utrecht University Library) Illustration of Psalm 13 in the Utrecht Psalter, f. In fact, while the images of the Utrecht Psalter lend themselves to different interpretations, its illustrations suggest that its makers were deeply affected by the social and political context in which they operated.įig. However, the visual rendition of the text suggests that its images were moulded to serve the purposes of its patron(s), a view supported by the rendering of kingly and military figures. It is unclear by who, for whom or why this manuscript was made (Benson 1931 Jaski 2016: 71–72). The understanding of the psalms that its artists articulate is unique and implies an in-depth understanding of theology and cognitive interpretation (Chazelle 1997: 1055–56). The most intriguing feature of this ninth-century Carolingian manuscripts, which contains 150 Psalms, 16 Biblical Canticles and other texts, are its often humorously literal illuminations (Jaski n.d.). Rhenotraiectinae I Nr 32) apart from most other medieval manuscripts are its sketch-like illustrations. A valuable treasure trove for everyone interested in historical swordsmanship, by respected martial artists Hans Heim and Alex Kiermayer.What sets the Utrecht Psalter (Utrecht, University Library, MS Bibl. Learn the ancient and noble art of fighting with the long- or "hand-and-a-half" sword according to the teachings of the medieval fencing master Johannes Liechtenauer! Reconstructed from 14th - 16th c manuscripts and illuminations, the highly effective fighting techniques and principles of this elegant and deadly martial art are now available for everyone. ![]()
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