Manesse Codex 1305-1340

Manesse Codex 

The Manesse Codex is a book copied and illustrated between 1305 and 1340 in Zürich for the Manesse family.

It contains love songs in Middle High German by important poets, several of whom were famous rulers.

More importantly for the purposes of this posting it has several drawings and depictions of various horse related items.







Below are just a few images from the codex:

The Battle of San Romano by Paolo Uccello

The Battle of San Romano 
(1438-1455)
Artist: Paolo Uccello (1397-1475)
Medium: Tempera on panel

Description from the
UK National Gallery

"This brilliantly structured and colourful painting depicts part of the battle of San Romano that was fought between Florence and Siena in 1432. The central figure is Niccolò da Mauruzi da Tolentino on his white charger, the leader of the victorious Florentine forces, who is identifiable by the motif of 'Knot of Solomon' on his banner.

This panel is one of a set of three showing incidents from the same battle. The other two are in the Louvre, Paris, and the Uffizi, Florence. This painting and its two companion panels were commissioned by the Bartolini Salimbeni family in Florence sometime between 1435 and 1460: only the Uffizi panel is signed. Lorenzo de' Medici so coveted them that he had them forcibly removed to the Medici palace.  The pictures may originally have had arched tops designed to fit below Gothic vaults. They were made into rectangular panels in the 15th century, possibly by Uccello himself. Uccello was much preoccupied with one point linear perspective, seen here in the foreshortening of shapes and arrangement of broken lances."

Zooming into the image will allow close inspection of quite a lot of detail. Note the way the horse tack is created, the artist even shows the inside rivet pieces and how things were attached.

The Codex Vallardi

The Codex Vallardi 

Antonio di Puccio Pisano

The Louvre, Paris

This is a collection of line drawings and sketches by Antonio di Puccio Pisano. According to his biography in the National Museum of Art in Washington D.C., he was born in Pisa circa 1395 and died in Rome sometime between July and October of 1455. The nickname "Pisanello," which most likely referred to his small stature, seems to have stayed with him throughout his career. Although Pisanello did larger works such as decoration for the Doge's Palace in Venice between 1415 and 1422 and the Basilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome between 1431 and 1432 the interest in him here is in the Codex specifically. The sketches in the Codex are quite varied ranging from people, dogs and other animals, to ships and architecture.

His sketches of horses, and their associated tack are quite detailed and why this work is included here.

Presented here are only three of such sketches, there are many more in the book itself. 

Hans Thalhofer, Fechtbuch von 1467

Hans Thalhofer
Fechtbuch von 1467 - BSB Cod.icon. 394 a

Hans Talhoffer (Dalhover, Talhouer, Thalhoffer, Talhofer) was a 15th century German fencing master. His martial lineage is unknown, but his writings make it clear that he had some connection to the tradition of Johannes Liechtenauer, the grand master of the German school of fencing. Talhoffer was a well educated man, who took interest in astrology, mathematics, onomastics, and the auctoritas and the ratio. He authored at least five fencing manuals during the course of his career, and appears to have made his living teaching, including training people for trial by combat.
          excerpt from: http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Hans_Talhoffer


These images are just a few taken from the section on "Mounted Sword Play".

Illuminating the Medieval Hunt

Illuminating the Medieval Hunt features nearly fifty miniatures from the Morgan's celebrated hunting manuscript by Gaston Phoebus (1331–1391), Le Livre de la chasse (Paris, ca. 1407). Since the manuscript was disbound—for reasons of conservation and the preparation of a facsimile—the exhibition provides a unique opportunity for the public to "walk" through the manuscript as well as to turn the pages of the facsimile. The miniatures illustrate the four books of the treatise, which deal with gentle and wild animals, the nature and care of dogs, instructions on hunting with dogs, and the use of various snares and crossbows by hunters.

A rare first edition of Le Livre de la chasse (ca. 1507) is also on view as well as the Book of St. Albans, the first English book (1486) on hunting. In addition, a dozen manuscripts illustrate how the medieval hunt was used as a metaphor in both sacred and profane texts. To show that the noble hunt was not limited to Europe, the exhibition ends with six examples of Islamic and Indian origin.

Excerpt from : 

The Morgan Library and Museum: 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016

http://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/illuminating-the-medieval-hunt

The Medieval Horse and its Equipment, c.1150-1450

The Medieval Horse and its Equipment, c.1150-1450 (Medieval Finds from Excavations in London) (Volume 5)

This is a basic work of reference for archaeologists and those studying medieval artifacts.

"Over 400 recent finds associated with horses and excavated in London, from the utilitarian to the highly decorated, illustrated and discussed. Whether knight's charger or beast of burden, horses played a vital role in medieval life.

The wealth of medieval finds excavated in London in recent years has, not surprisingly, included many objects associated with horses. This catalogue illustrates and discusses over four hundred such objects, among them harness, horseshoes, spurs and curry combs, from the utilitarian to highly decorative pieces. London served by horse traffic comes vividly in view."

click image to read as .pdf

Gervase Markham, A Discource of Horsmanshippe

Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637
Online link and references here 


A discource of horsmanshippe Wherein the breeding and ryding of horses for seruice, in a breefe manner is more methodically sette downe then hath been heeretofore. 

With a more easie and direct course for the ignorant, to attaine to the same arte or knowledge. Also the manner to chuse, trayne, ryde and dyet, both hunting-horses, and running-horses: with all the secretes thereto belonging discouered. An arte neuer heeretofore written by any authour.

At London: Printed by I. C[harlewood] for Richard Smith, and are to be sold at his shoppe at the West-doore of Poules, Anno. Dom. 1593.

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2003-05 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1)
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