Libro abierto, hojas de plata, filo de oro, guardas de gules, tapas de sable.

Tewkesbury; Century XVII

Anonymous, «Founder's and benefactors' book of Tewkesbury abbey», Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, call number MS. Top. Glouc. d. 2, recorded in the Catalogue of Western Medieval Manuscripts in Oxford Libraries, manuscript, illustrated, 46 leaves, 245 x 175 millimeters, except fols. 12, 16, and 38, which are smaller, Tewkesbury, beginning of the 16^th century.

Origin, historical context, and contents

It is is a medieval manuscript originating from Tewkesbury Abbey at the beginning of the 16^th century. This Latin manuscript provides records and depictions of the abbey's founders and benefactors, such as: William Fitzcount, 2^nd Earl of Gloucester, died 1183; Oddo and Doddo, Dukes of Mercia; Hugh, great Duke of Mercia, lord of the manor of Tewkesbury, buried at Tewkesbury in 812; Robert Fitzhamon, lord of Creully, Calvados in Normandy, died 1107, and his wife, Sybil, patrons of Tewkesbury Abbey’s reconstruction; Edward Despenser, died 1375; Thomas Despenser, Earl of Gloucester, died 1400; and Isabel Despenser, 1400-1439.

Illustrations and manuscript details

The manuscript is noted for its illustrations, which are believed to have been created by John of Evesham, a monk at Tewkesbury. The illustrations are thought to be copied from painted statues, approximately 70 cm high, which once decorated the abbey church. The manuscript comprises 46 leaves, with most pages measuring 245 x 175 millimeters, though folios 12, 16, and 38 are smaller in size.

Folio 26r features a text page with ten coat of arms.

In the image, folio 25v depicts Thomas Despenser, Earl of Gloucester, in armor, wearing a red bonnet with a badge, and a mantle with epaulettes over a heraldic surcoat. He holds a sheathed sword and is surrounded by six coats of arms and the badge of the Garter with the flag of Saint George; and folio 26r features a text page with ten coat of arms.

Bibliographical reference of century XVII.

Classification: Manuscript, Armorial roll, Latin language and In color.

The author is anonymous.

The following articles cite this bibliographic reference:

External resource:

Digital Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford.

Internal resources: 25 images in JPEG format.

Rawson, Lineage

Party per fess Azure and Sable, overall a four-towered castle Or, port and windows Sable.

Escudo cortado de azur y sable, brochante sobre la partición un castillo de cuatro torres de oro, aclarado de sable.

Coat of arms painted by me, highlighted with lights and shadows, contoured in Sable, with an ogee triple-pointed outer contour and with a leather finishing.

One of the ancient arms of the Rawson lineage emblazoned by me.

Blazon keywords: Azure, Sable, Or, One, Party per fess, Overall, Four-towered, Castle and Port and windows.

Style keywords: Outlined in sable, Illuminated, Ogee Triple-Pointed and Leather.

Classification: Personal, Lineage, Interpreted, Boa and Coat of arms.

Bearer: Rawson, Lineage.

Lineage Rawson

Party per fess Azure and Sable, overall a four-towered castle Or, port and windows Sable. Motto: «Laus · Virtutis · Actio».

Escudo cortado de azur y sable, brochante sobre la partición un castillo de cuatro torres de oro, aclarado de sable. Lema: «Laus · Virtutis · Actio».

Arms emblazoned by me, illuminated with lights and shadows, outlined in Sable, with an ogee triple-pointed external shape and with a leather finish.

Blazon keywords: Azure, Sable, Or, One, Party per fess, Overall, Four-towered, Castle, Port and windows and Motto.

Style keywords: Outlined in sable, Illuminated, Ogee Triple-Pointed and Leather.

Classification: Personal, Lineage, Interpreted, Boa and Coat of arms.

Bearer: Rawson, Lineage.

Crest of the Lineage Rawson

Party per fess Azure and Sable, overall a four-towered castle Or, port and windows Sable. Crest: Upon a wreath Or and Azure, a raven's head Sable, charged upon the neck with three gouttes, 1 and 2, and holding in its beak an annulet Or.

Arms interpreted by me, highlighted with lights and shadows, outlined in Sable, with an ogee triple-pointed outer contour and with a leather finish.

Blazon keywords: Azure, Sable, Or, One, Party per fess, Overall, Four-towered, Castle, Port and windows, Crest, Wreath, Raven, Head, Charged, Neck, Grasping, Beak and Annulet.

Style keywords: Outlined in sable, Illuminated, Ogee Triple-Pointed and Leather.

Classification: Personal, Lineage, Interpreted, Boa and Coat of arms.

Bearer: Rawson, Lineage.

Crest and motto of the Lineage Rawson

Party per fess Azure and Sable, overall a four-towered castle Or, port and windows Sable. Crest: Upon a wreath Or and Azure, a raven's head Sable, charged upon the neck with three gouttes, 1 and 2, and holding in its beak an annulet Or. Motto: «Laus · Virtutis · Actio».

Coat of arms painted by me, highlighted with lights and shadows, outlined in Sable, with an ogee triple-pointed external shape and with a leather finishing.

Blazon keywords: Azure, Sable, Or, One, Party per fess, Overall, Four-towered, Castle, Port and windows, Crest, Wreath, Raven, Head, Charged, Neck, Grasping, Beak, Annulet and Motto.

Style keywords: Outlined in sable, Illuminated, Ogee Triple-Pointed and Leather.

Classification: Personal, Lineage, Interpreted, Boa and Coat of arms.

Bearer: Rawson, Lineage.

Gamonal; Century XVI

Anonymous, «Libro en que se pintan los cavalleros cofrades de la Cofradía de Nuestra Señora de Gamonal», National Library of Spain, call number Mss/22258, manuscript, illustrated, 4+((28-3)*2+1)+2 = 57 pages, 27 folios, 30 x 23 centimeters, Burgos, 1575-1600.

Illustration of 2 knights, Cofradía de Nuestra Señora de Gamonal.

Content and notes

This manuscript contains 46 full-page, mannerist-style portraits of equestrian knights, members of the Cofradía de Nuestra Señora de Gamonal, with their coats of arms, painted in color and illuminated with gold and silver, though some remain unfinished. Below some of the images, the name of the knight is inscribed. An annotation on the cover reads: «Jusepe de Aiala pintose en [B]urgos» indicating the possible artist. The manuscript has been foliated in ink at the lower right corner and in pencil at the upper right, modernized. Some notes in 19^th-century handwriting are also present.

Bibliographical reference of century XVI.

Classification: Manuscript, Armorial roll, Castilian language and In color.

Author: unknown.

External resource: