RECOLLATION OF THE CHRONICLES OF

ENGLAND.

Written for Edward IV.

The author of this work mentions seven volumes, but three of them have been lost, while the other four are carefully preserved in the British Museum. The work was probably written in the early part of the reign of King Edward IV., and with the especial view of defending and flattering the King and the House of York. Each of the volumes contains several magnificently illuminated pages, the commencement of each chapter being ornamented with bordering and a picture as elaborate as our specimen. The whole work is probably a product of one of the commercial establishments at Bruges, which the great demand for illuminated books at this period called into existence, and which might almost be termed illumination manufactories. It is evident that different artists executed different parts of the work, the picture shown in our illustration being probably the work of the superior artist of the estab lishment. Perhaps, even, it was the work of a noted artist of the day who was engaged for the express purpose of painting the portraits from life. From the individuality of character given to each figure, there is reason to believe that the portaits are authentic delineations, a supposition placed almost beyond doubt when we recollect that it was the almost universal custom of the period, when splendid books were ordered by persons of rank, to paint a sort of presentation page at the commencement of the work, exhibiting the portrait of the patron with the author in a kneeling position offering his book. The figure on the throne is the King, that on the left wearing the garter is undoubtedly the unfortunate Clarence; Gloucester stands boldly forward on his right near the front of the picture, also wearing the garter, but in no other respect resembling the figure of Clarence. He does not wear the long cloak of his effeminate brother, but is dressed in a short close vest, his right hand playing, as was his well-known habit, with the hilt of his sword. The author, whose name is unknown, occupies the centre of the picture.

The first part of these chronicles contains a strange compound of traditional history mingled with the fable and romance of the early portion of the Middle Ages, not omitting the slaying of giants and marine monsters, with singular copiousness of detail. The portion from the accession of Edward III. to the death of Richard II. has been taken from the Chronicles of Froissart. This specimen will serve to convey a very complete idea of the style of these highly enriched volumes, such as were executed in the Northern portion of Europe, more especially in Flanders.