Copenhagen Psalter
The Copenhagen Psalter (National Library of Denmark, MS. Thott 143 2º) is a 12th-century illuminated manuscript, a psalter, made in England. It has 199 pages, is made of parchment and measures 26.6 centimetres (10.5 in) x 19.8 centimetres (7.8 in).[1] It contains an illuminated calendar, a set of full-page miniatures illustrating the life of Christ, and 166 decorated initials.[1][2]
The manuscript was made in northern England, perhaps Lincoln. Because the list of saints in the manuscript does not include Thomas Beckett, who was canonized in 1173, it can be assumed that the manuscript was executed before this year. Five or perhaps six different professional artists seem to have been involved in the making of the manuscript, one of which has been identified as the so-called Simon Master, who also worked for the abbot of St Albans Cathedral.[2]
Much seems to indicate that the book was made for King Canute VI of Denmark, and commissioned by Bishop Eskil of Lund. The Bishop was in France between 1158 and 1168, and so was with all probability one of the artists identified as having worked with the Copenhagen Psalter later. When Eskil returned to Denmark in 1168, he was commissioned with preparing celebrations in 1170 which were to take place due to both the upcoming coronation of Canute and to celebrate the canonization of Saint Canute. Perhaps because it was made for a boy king, just seven years old, the Copenhagen Psalter includes an alphabet, and aside from its religious use, could be used to teach the young king to read. Earlier scholars have assumed that the manuscript was made for an English patron.[2]
The Copenhagen Psalter is one of the earliest still extant royal devotional books.[2]
The Hunterian Psalter was probably made to a large part by the same artists who made the Copenhagen Psalter. Another medieval illuminated manuscript connected to the Copenhagen Psalter is the Ingeborg Psalter, which was made for the sister of Canute VI (albeit later and under other circumstances).[2]
References
- ^ a b "Thott 143 2º: The Copenhagen Psalter". Center for Manuscripts & Rare Books. National Library of Denmark.
- ^ a b c d e Hourihane (ed.), Colum (2012). The Grove Encyclopedia of Medieval Art and Architecture, Volume 2. Oxford University Press. p. 193. ISBN 0195395360.
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