 A larger image of King Herod orders the massacre of the innocents, The Winchester Psalter, mid 12th century. |
Date: Mid 12th century-2nd half of the 13th century
Title: ‘Winchester Psalter’ or ‘Psalter of Henry of Blois’
Origin: Doubtless made at Winchester, England
Ownership history: (?)Henry de Blois, bishop of Winchester (b. c. 1096, d. 1171), for whom this manuscript may have been made: the manuscript is attributed on liturgical grounds to the Old Minster, Winchester.
The pen-flourished decoration (ff. 46–142) was added in the 13th century; additions were also made to the calendar in the 13th century, and marginal rubrics added to the miniatures (replacing the original lettering over gold leaf, which must have already been rubbing off).
British Library Cotton MS Nero C IV
Referenced on p.26, Arms and Armour of the Crusading Era, 1050-1350, Western Europe and the Crusader States by David Nicolle
17 Winchester Psalter, 'Massacre of the Innocents', northern French or southern English, c.1115-60
(British Library, Ms. Cotton Nero C.IV.356, London, England)
Most of the military figures in the Winchester Psalter are in standard arms and armour but some include unusual characteristics. This man has an interesting type of forward-angled conical helmet in which the nasal curves down from the lower rim of the helmet. His sword is hung on his right hip, but this is probably artistic licence. The hauberk is, however, a late example of a style which, slit at the sides instead of fore-and-aft, was more characteristic of the 11th century and may originally have been intended for infantry use.