Patronage, Audience and Ownership of the Psalter of Blanche of Castile
Blair Gallon
The so-called Psalter of Blanche Castile (Psautier latin dit de saint Louis et Castille, Bibliothèque nationale France, l’Arsenal, Paris, MS 1186 réserve) is a well-preserved illuminated manuscript made in Paris the first half thirteenth century. As devotional book, it witnesses concerns century individual high rank, most likely woman. its modern name indicates, scholars link existence to Queen France (4 March 1188 – 27 November 1252; r. 1226-34, 1248-52). No firm documentation, however, attests circumstances making, nor patron, intended audience and owner. Scholars have studied text miniatures hope finding some clue as who commissioned it, created reasons behind choice format atypical comparison with other Psalters over course In studying Castile, I find myself intrigued by issues patronage context, unconvinced arguments conclusions put forward this manuscript. following pages, through close examination Psalters, well consideration both evidence interpretation number scholars, draw new firmly based on existing more speculative kind about patronage, audience, ownership Castile.