Getty Museum

The Armies of France and Burgundy with Martel in Prayer

Date

written 1463–1465; illuminated 1467–1472

Medium

Tempera colors, gold leaf, and gold paint

Culture

Flemish

Department

Manuscripts

Institution

Getty Museum

The political conflicts of Duke Philip of Burgundy, who commissioned this manuscript, with King Charles VII of France, paralleled the manuscript's account of earlier French struggles. In this image, the armies of the Frankish ruler Charles Martel and his rebellious Burgundian vassal Girart de Roussillon wait with tense expectancy for a new battle to begin. The two armies face each other, their strength indicated by the sea of helmets that extends into the distance on either side. Charles kneels in prayer before his army, displaying the French fleur-de-lis on his clothing, on his horse's trappings, and on the banner behind him.

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