The Gospel book of Abbess Svanhild Essen in the John Rylands Library. II. (With two plates)
Rainer Kahsnitz
Judging from repetitious appearances of her marital arms in the painted line-endings, Psalter-Hours John Rylands Library Latin MS 117 probably belonged to Jeanne Flanders (c.1272–1333), daughter Count Robert III and 1288 second wife Enguerrand IV Coucy. Yet line-endings also contain some 1,800 diminutive escutcheons, many which refer other members local nobility active during 1280s. This study, based on an exhaustive survey total heraldic codicological evidence, suggests that majority extant Psalter predated Hours two parts were combined after marriage. The ‘completed’ manuscript bears witness major events unfolded around Coucy barony over course decade. It a complex relationship between lesser member nobility, certain Marien Moÿ, who may have served as attendant.
Bulletin of the John Rylands Library