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TitleEdward, Prince of Wales, the Black Prince by Chandos Herald

Held atSenate House Library, University of London

Reference codeMS1

Datec1385

Creator
- Chandos Herald (fl 1385)More Info on CreatorLess Info on Creator
  The poem was written by the Chandos Herald, the domestic Herald of Sir John Chandos, who was a devoted friend and follower of Edward the Black Prince. Little is known of the life of the author, except that he accompanied Sir John Chandos in some of his later military campaigns, and was therefore in the position of eyewitness to the events he describes. The poem was composed about 1385, nine years after the death of Edward.

Scope and ContentManuscript volume containing a metrical chronicle composed by the Chandos Herald in French verse, commemorating the life and feats of arms of Edward the Black Prince, [1385]. The poem is a valuable authority for certain events of the Hundred Years War, and gives a brief description of Edward III's French campaign of 1346, culminating in the Battle of Crecy, and followed by the Battle of Calais, with some details of the plot for the recovery of the latter at the end of 1349. Next comes a very detailed description of the Battle of Poitiers (1356), and an eyewitness account of the Spanish Campaign of the Black Prince on behalf of Don Pedro (Peter) of Castile, culminating in the Battle of Nájera (1367). A brief overview is given of the end of the Black Prince's government in Gascony, and of the war which led to the loss of almost all the possessions gained at Brétigny, followed by a comprehensive account of the last years of the Prince's life. After the poem, the author also gives a list of the chief officers of the Black Prince in Aquitaine, and copy of the epitaph on his tomb in Canterbury Cathedral.

The manuscript contains a full-page miniature illuminated in gold and colours, which is divided into two compartments. The upper compartment contains a representation of the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity; God the Father is here portrayed in a blue robe on a background of gold. He is seated on a throne and holds in His extended arms a crucifix, above which a dove is introduced to symbolise the Holy Ghost. In the lower compartment the Black Prince is depicted kneeling in adoration on a red cushion. His hands are joined in prayer, and his special devotion to the Holy Trinity is indicated by a scroll proceeding from his mouth bearing the words 'Et hec tres unum sunt' (1 John v.7). The Prince is clad in armour, covered by a tight-fitting leather jupon without sleeves, finished along the bottom edge with a border of escallops, and emblazoned with the arms of England and France. He wears a sword and dagger, golden elbow and knee cops, and golden spurs. On each side of the kneeling Prince, standing in a golden socket, is a large ostrich feather in silver, his personal badge assumed after the Battle of Crecy, with the motto 'Ich dene' on a scroll below. The text of the poem commences on the next page with a large illuminated initial O, containing the Royal Arms emblazoned, and this leaf is surrounded by a border of strap work and flowers in gold and colours. There are also a number of small initial letters in gold on a coloured background.

Conditions governing accessApplication to access this item must be made with at least one week’s notice with evidence of the necessity to view the original manuscript. Surrogates, where available, may be produced in place of the original manuscript under certain circumstances. Not for teaching use.

Extent1 volume containing 70 leaves

Physical descriptionOctavo. On vellum. Written by an English scribe in lettres batardes, with forty lines to a page. The headings are written in red. Old calf binding, with ornaments tooled in gold in the centre of each cover and at the four corners. In a morocco case by Sangorski and Sutcliffe.

System of ArrangementSingle item

Finding aidsCollection level description.

This archive is also available as a microfilm at the Library - (reference) Senate House Library Microfilm. sec. xiv ex. MIC. 19/2. The poem is also found in a manuscript in the library of Worcester College, Oxford University.

Level of descriptionfonds

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