Beschreibung:

Des ordonnances de lordre du thoison dor. Illuminated manuscript on vellum, in French. [Flanders], mid-16th century [after 1531]. 47 leaves (including 5 ruled blanks, initial blank pasted to flyleaf), brown ink, 24 lines per page, written space 149 x 94 mm, 159 2-line initials, three 3-line initials, and one 5-line initial, in gold on alternating red, blue, green and violet grounds. 8vo (240 x 170 mm). Period paneled calf stamped in blind incorporating three crowned double-headed eagles in central lozenges on both covers. Very minor light soiling, text block cracking, spine partially repaired and coming loose, covers rubbed. Comprises the statutes of the Order of the Golden Fleece as instituted by Duke Philip of Burgundy in 1430 (ff 2-33) plus the amendments to the Order for the next hundred years, to 1531. The Order of the Golden Fleece was founded to celebrate the marriage of Duke Phillip the Good to the Portuguese princess Isabella of Aviz and represented a revival of Christian chivalric traditions. The number of knights was originally limited to 24 but was expanded to 51, including the Sovereign, in 1516. The present manuscript statutes were undoubtedly made for a knight of the Order. The first section comprises 66 chapters and sets forth the structure of the order including reciprocal arrangements between the sovereign and companions, membership, assemblies and activities, appointment and admission of new companions, masses, heraldry, etc. Knights of the Golden Fleece had special protection from prosecution and were meant to be consulted before the King engaged in war. The account of the founding reads, in part, "Phelippe par la grace de dieu duc de bourgoinge ... savoir faisons a tous ens et avenir que pour la tresgrande et parfaite amour que avons au noble estat et ordre de chevalerie, dont de tresardant et singuliere affection desirons lhonneur et accroissement, par quoy la vraye foy catholique, lestat de notre mere sainte eglise, et la tranquilite et prosperite de la chose publique soyent (comme estre peuent) deffendues, gardees et maintenues." Provenance: ownership inscription Mansfelt on lower pastedown (there was an Albert, Earl of Mansfelt who was ambassador to Charles V of Spain around this time); 18th century armorial bookplate of Alexander, Earl of Marchmont and period shelflabel ("D.30.22"); accompanying documentation indicating purchase by Walton Ferris in 1937 from the Export Book Co. of Lancashire, thence gifted to Dr. C.W. Camalier. Ferris's complete transcription of the manuscript is included. See illustration.