Luttrell Psalter

Luttrell Psalter
Name	Luttrell Psalter
Language	Medieval Latin
Date	14th century
Patron	Geoffrey Luttrell
Institution	British Library

Luttrell Psalter. The Luttrell Psalter is a renowned illuminated manuscript created in the 14th century, specifically during the reign of King Edward III of England, for Geoffrey Luttrell, a member of the Luttrell family of Irnham, Lincolnshire. This masterpiece is a testament to the artistic and cultural achievements of the time, reflecting the influences of Gothic art, International Gothic, and the style of Simon Marmion. The manuscript is now housed at the British Library, where it remains a significant part of the library's collection, alongside other notable works such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and the St. Cuthbert Gospel.

Introduction

The Luttrell Psalter is an exceptional example of a psalter, a book of psalms used for Christian devotion, which was a popular type of manuscript during the Middle Ages. The psalter was created for Geoffrey Luttrell, who was a prominent figure in Lincolnshire society, with connections to the Dukes of Lancaster and the Earls of Warwick. The manuscript showcases the artistic skills of the scribe and illuminator, who were likely influenced by the works of Matthew Paris and the style of the Wellesley Psalter. The Luttrell Psalter is also notable for its depiction of everyday life in medieval England, featuring scenes of agriculture, hunting, and feasting, similar to those found in the Tring Tiles and the Holkham Bible.

History

The Luttrell Psalter was created during a time of significant cultural and artistic change in Europe, marked by the rise of Gothic architecture and the International Gothic style. The manuscript is believed to have been produced in the workshop of a skilled scribe and illuminator, possibly in Lincoln or London, where other notable manuscripts such as the Queen Mary Psalter and the Tickhill Psalter were also created. The psalter was likely used for private devotion by Geoffrey Luttrell and his family, who were connected to the Nobility of England and the Gentry. The manuscript has undergone significant changes over the centuries, including the addition of new miniatures and the repair of damaged pages, similar to the restoration of the Lindisfarne Gospels and the St. Cuthbert Gospel.

Contents

The Luttrell Psalter contains the standard text of a psalter, including the Psalms of David, Canticles, and prayers. The manuscript also features a calendar, which lists important feast days and saints' days, such as the Feast of the Nativity and the Feast of the Epiphany. The psalter includes a number of devotional texts, such as the Office of the Dead and the Prayer of St. John Chrysostom, which were popular during the Middle Ages. The manuscript is notable for its inclusion of historiated initials, which depict scenes from the Bible and the lives of saints, such as St. Margaret of Antioch and St. Catherine of Alexandria.

Illustrations

The Luttrell Psalter is renowned for its exquisite illustrations, which include miniatures of Geoffrey Luttrell and his family, as well as scenes of everyday life in medieval England. The manuscript features a range of artistic styles, from the Gothic to the International Gothic, reflecting the influences of artists such as Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. The illustrations are notable for their attention to detail and their use of color and composition, similar to the works of Matthew Paris and the Wellesley Psalter. The manuscript includes a number of marginalia, which feature fantastical creatures and hybrid animals, such as the griffin and the dragon, similar to those found in the Tring Tiles and the Holkham Bible.

Provenance

The Luttrell Psalter has a complex provenance, having passed through the hands of several owners over the centuries. The manuscript was likely created for Geoffrey Luttrell, who was a prominent figure in Lincolnshire society, with connections to the Dukes of Lancaster and the Earls of Warwick. The psalter was later owned by the Dukes of Bedford, who were connected to the House of Lancaster and the House of Tudor. The manuscript was acquired by the British Library in the 20th century, where it remains a significant part of the library's collection, alongside other notable manuscripts such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and the St. Cuthbert Gospel.

Significance

The Luttrell Psalter is a significant manuscript that provides valuable insights into the culture and society of medieval England. The psalter is notable for its depiction of everyday life in medieval England, featuring scenes of agriculture, hunting, and feasting, similar to those found in the Tring Tiles and the Holkham Bible. The manuscript is also important for its artistic style, which reflects the influences of Gothic art and the International Gothic style. The Luttrell Psalter has been the subject of significant scholarship and exhibition, including a major exhibition at the British Library in 2006, which featured other notable manuscripts such as the Queen Mary Psalter and the Tickhill Psalter. The manuscript remains a popular subject of study among scholars of medieval history and art history, including those at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

Category:Medieval manuscripts