Emma, Emperor and Evangelist: The Production of Authority in the Frontispiece to British Library, MS Additional 33241
Kathryn Maude
The Encomium Emmae reginae is a narrative history centered on the praise of Queen Emma, widow both Æthelred and Cnut. After death Cnut, Emma commissioned while she ruled England jointly with her sons Edward Harthacnut.1 frontispiece earliest extant manuscript portrays enthroned in state two standing at side (London, British Library Additional MS 33241, f.1v, henceforward BL 33241; see Figure 1). This appears to have been produced either 1041 or 1042, before Harthacnut 1042 when became king, banishing Winchester seizing property.2 text diverges from other contemporary sources, placing by different fathers as natural heirs Danish dynasty celebrating Emma's role bringer peace.3 validates text's version events projecting authority, separating out ruler own right. Using iconography Evangelist author portraits book donation portraits, image presents itself, authoritative carriers truth. grammar authority activates specific iconographical reference points tradition abbey St.-Bertin convey power support Encomium's events, 33241 within artistic exchange between Flanders throughout early Middle Ages.Extensive scholarship has demonstrated its careful construction usable for showing how it edits historical place best light.4 As Emily Butler puts it, “the project this precisely shift perceptions recent, familiar history.”5 Pauline Stafford shows uses titles queen, mother, lady negotiate position, ending depiction ruling lovingly Harthacnut. She notes that “does not simply describe reality, was designed conjure it.”6 Elizabeth Tyler situates production Anglo-Danish court Harthacnut, use Latin complex allusions Virgil function create foundation legend dynasty.7 intervene directly politics.I argue here makes truth claim contested recent using taken England. used conveys depicting an figure, well imperial ruler. In particular, imagery donor suggests illuminator had links should be interpreted through connection.8There extensive evidence close relationship Ages, often expressed collaboration production. By time mid-eleventh century, English-Flemish longstanding one, already evident ninth century English abbot Grimbald invited King Alfred 886 887.9 Flemish monasteries depended patronage tenth there ongoing people (both scholars mercenaries), Continent important source learning period.10 continues into later demonstrating Anglo-Dutch links.11 earlier period connections were particularly strong, St. Bertin venerated eleventh number illuminators working under direction Abbot Odbert.12 Elisabeth van Houts demonstrates key importance biographers England, many whom monks St.-Bertin, century.13 compilation Saint-Omer, Bibliothèque municipale, 202 well, copied annotated late spent least some back library fourteenth latest.14 Recognizing portrayal indebted figures images places cross-Channel exchange.In article, I trace traditions artist make value show these meaning relation manuscripts St.-Bertin. Section one depict truth-teller, stemming exchanges second section analyzes medieval female figures, relates illumination Finally, suggest centrality perhaps takes inspiration proffering books Abbey's patron saint.Emma accesses assuming trappings continental ruler, which separate sons, suggesting their right rule stems her. Catherine Karkov's work traced similarities Carolingian forms also argument fusion Adoration Magi, Mary holding baby knee.15 projected (of alone by) compared description trio sharers end text.16 What identified previous scholarship, however, frontispiece's reliance portrait power. draws portraiture Canterbury, particular touchpoints (the arched frame, hanging curtains, book) present carrier validate events.Elements clearly parallel depictions royal figures. Notably, floral motif crown echoes crowns rulers.17 assumption foliate could seen deliberate statement about ability sons. Karkov figure ninth-century Jewel holds flowering branch may signified echoing motifs regalia associated kings.18 Cotton Tiberius A iii (f. 2v), Edgar's includes elements continued signify kingship.19 decoration signifying kingly power, arches are paralleled Roman personifications cities, emphasize domination over land.20 Edward's smaller versions mother's crown, architectural detailing resembling arches, but without motif. disparity size ornamentation only New Minster Liber Vitae, where stands alongside husband Cnut wearing symbolizing rulership, similar frontispiece; here, wears simple circlet no motifs. It clear Cnut's position king. Similarly, frontispiece, less elaborate depends queen they look up image. echo theirs kinship ties reflects throne emanates her.Emma's seated unusual highlights Continental models “like emperor” image.21 Early rulers ordinarily depicted enthroned. There five (including Encomium). portrayed alone; Edgar mid-eleventh-century Regularis Concordia A.iii, f he flanked Æthelwold Dunstan.22 Robert Deshman notes, co-enthroned Dunstan, precedent persons Godhead synthronoi, “to manifest equality joint rulership.”23 would seem express Encomiast claims happy jointly: “hic fides habetur regni sotiis, hic inuiolabile uiget faedus materni fraternique amoris” (here loyalty among rule, bond motherly brotherly love strength indestructible).24 However, coenthroned mother literally margins image, overlapping framing column. Depicting matter course and, along worn serves models.As drawing influential secular rulers, demonstrate authority. targeted Christian symbolism ruler's integrity. Contemporary writers most skalds praised him next line God.25 references kingship his fleet ornamented four beasts Evangelists.26 borrows Evangelists. guarantor truthful narrative, following Like gospel late-eighth centuries, curtained arch. can “Ada School” group eighth- manuscripts.27 Rosenbaum out, “all Evangelists Ada School set frames. School's distinctive characteristics.”28 throne, parallels frontispiece. upon sits, shares all features School.In (Figure 1) John tenth- eleventh-century Boulogne Gospels (Boulogne-sur-mer, 11, f. 107v; 2),29 Matthew Athelstan II, 24v; 3).30 frames St reproduce feature repeated Gospels, held left same frontispiece.31 images, central looks off left, towards book, rather than straight viewer. parted curtains strengthens link three attached overhead arch way period. Curtains parting “a symbol revelation antecedents Antiquity.”32 These School. typical curtain setting period, hang “from rod rests capitals arcade,” itself.33 For example, f.1v-4v Odalricus Peccator Gospel Lectionary Harley 2970), fall resting top columns.34 contrast, head follow fact share likelihood drew attribute deliberately image.The containing stem St-Bertin Canterbury. centers production, notably strong centuries picks interconnected centers.35 donated Christ Church Canterbury Athelstan.36 now known Brittany (Oxford, John's College, 194, 1v), then Canterbury.37 Richard Gameson argues around millennium, so encountered there, influenced Gospels.38 manuscript, Eadui Psalter Arundel 155), turn likely who prototype Benjamin 133r).39 written Basan 1011 1023.40 See canon tables 10r, drawn knee, kneeling looking books. posture reminiscent Images manuscripts—the Æthelstan Psalter—have visual economy Canterbury.Indeed, even stronger attributes come down via manuscript. illuminated St.-Omer (ca. 987–ca. 1006), presumably still century. Although we do know identity scribe writer visited Rome witness accession Holy Emperor Conrad II 1027, explicitly flags eyewitness account.41 Of course, traveled (as expert did—for Goscelin Legend Edith nuns Wilton Abbey), equally possible composed instructions. If treatment Evangelist's Gospels.The scholarship. authorizing following, contested, Encomium. portraiture, such falling curved above figure's head, firmly Flanders, origin manuscript.The limited Tenth- Prudentius's Psychomachia personification wisdom, Sapientia, Mary's multiple Sapientia provides much parallel, more direct 33241. authorized tradition.In copies shown Evangelist, Cleopatra C VIII, 36r; Cambridge, Corpus Christi Parker 23, 39v; London, 24199, 37r).42 (Wisdom) triumphant Psychomachia; once Virtues beaten Vices battle, Fides (Faith) (Concord) build temple sits manuscripts, woman clothing cushioned arms. framed columns. scepter hand. Two roof part Sapientia's head. While 24199 unfinished, depicts scene (for although hands positioned ready hold it). overall composition owes left. discussion illustrations, first [the Virtues] primarily, if entirely, female,” noting groups “wear dress Anglo-Saxon women.”43 then, woman, speaker truth.In Annunciation characteristics 11v; 4). archway side, paralleling curve wrap columns like folio 107v discussed above. portrait. At moment Biblical story exceptional revealed, distinction.The closer revealing manuscript's One difference images. Prudentius illustrations temple, open flat roof. Both enclose line-drawn rectangular frame (perhaps planned copy impossible tell unfinished image). arch, Gospels. additional Angel Gabriel, unlike alone. Gabriel Emma. opened figure), differences simultaneous adoption potential frontispiece.Both center, strengthening my case West Ages. example found Brunswick Casket ca. 860, Benedictional (963–984), 1006 third extant. Laura Saetveit Miles argues, “by being placed underneath canopied projects royalty accorded David's house . Evangelists, accompanied books.”44 images–enthroned, book—signifies transmit word God, adopted conduit divine. brings elements: books, reflecting book. follows presence frontispiece.The nature analogue—showing itself sacred. element portrait, authorship narrative. Paralleling account, surrounding sacred others. functions world outlined. Virgilian telling fiction, authorize narrative.45 John, Mark, stand covered flowing cloth bookstand cloth. representing sacramental Encomium, making text.Evangelist connection manuscripts. Psychomachia, inclusion St.-Bertin-based tradition. analogue past.As shown, portraiture. means scholarship.46 analyzed conjunction scenes Alongside again linked borrowing imagery, saint.The 84r Odbert (New York, Pierpont Morgan M.333; 5) book.47 Gospels’ figures: hooded monk carrying tonsured (identified scholarship), halo small altar Bertin).48 Unlike cloth-covered stands, positioning signals holiness unworthiness touch directly. truth-telling potentially validating events. directly, monk-writer cannot. artist's decision stemmed way.The definite provenance Boulogne-sur-Mer, 107, hagiographical vitae saints connected (Bertin, Folcuin, Silvin Winnoc).49 probable presenting Bertin, Bertin's hand 7r; 6).50 extremely (St. Bertin) accepting proffered crouching monk. Another (probably Odbert) right, crozier. poses spatial center offering echoed note hierarchy upwards height. thumb pointing undershirt emerging large ornate sleeve. Furthermore, 107 enclosing hang, details windows, windows frontispiece.Considering model saint declaration wished convey, am necessarily exemplar (although, available Abbey composed). Rather, legible context St.-Bertin.In conclusion, Her signaling sophisticated innovative, Annunciation–the separated mass women prominence. textual authorizer; presented approval.These precedents localized centuries. someone significant amount there. Despite any skill, lavish cousins centers. stage, array imposing recipient volumes.
Journal of English and Germanic Philology