Getty Museum

Roussillon Going to Martel's Aid

Date

written 1463–1465; illuminated 1467–1472

Medium

Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint

Culture

Flemish

Department

Manuscripts

Institution

Getty Museum

Charles Martel was an early ruler of France, and Duke Gerard de Roussillon was his Burgundian vassal. In the 700s, the duke came to Martel's aid, saving him from death in a battle against the Saracens. When this book was made in the 1400s, such a battle between East and West had great relevance: the Ottoman Turks, heirs to the Muslim Saracens, had just conquered Constantinople, putting an end to the Byzantine Empire and Christian rule in the east. The scene of the earlier battle would have reminded European viewers of this recent conquest and their long-time enemies, the Turks.

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