Weapons, Armour and Armed Men in the Gospels of Tsar Ivan Alexander (BL ADD MS 39627)

Authors:

Pages: 489-504
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/BOSB7094

Abstract:

The article is aimed at a problem that has not yet been investigated by analysing the images of wars and armament in the miniatures of the Gospels of Tsar Ivan Alexander, dating back to 1355, and currently stored in the British Library (Add MS 39627). The manuscript, which is preserved in a near-perfect condition, is illustrated with 367 fine illuminated images, including those of medieval weapons and armament. The author focuses his analysis on three main issues: – images of offensive weaponry; – images of armour; – the presentation of clothing and military banners in the miniatures which represent warriors and armed men. The approach of the analysis is definitely critical, and the author emphasizes on the presence of two groups – relatively credible, and unreliable images of armaments and armour. In conclusion, the author highlights the potential usefulness of the analysed visual information for the study of the Bulgarian Late Middle Ages.

Keywords:

Gospels of Tsar Ivan Alexander, medieval miniatures, text-image analysis, medieval weapons, medieval armour.

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