The Isabella Psalter (Bavarian State Library, Cod.gall. 16), also called the Psalter of Queen Isabella or the Psalter of Isabella of England, is a 14th-century illuminated manuscript containing the Book of Psalms, named for Isabella of France (c. 1292–1358), who is depicted within it. It was likely produced as a gift upon her betrothal or marriage to King Edward II of England.
Origin and Production
The psalter was created circa 1303–1308. It is closely related in style and content to the Tickhill Psalter, the Queen Mary Psalter, and the Ormesby Psalter. Art historians have noted French influence in its illumination, and some have identified two of the illuminators who worked on the Psalter of St. Louis as also having contributed to the Isabella Psalter. The manuscript is currently held in the Bavarian State Library in Munich.
Physical Description
The manuscript consists of 131 surviving parchment folios (leaves), with at least 19 leaves missing, having been separated from the codex at an unknown time. It is a parallel text: each Psalm appears in both Latin (on left-hand pages, in black ink) and Old French (on right-hand pages, in red ink). The beginning of each principal section is marked by a large illuminated initial and marginal scenes from the life of King David. Of the original twenty incipit pages, only nine remain.
Illumination and Iconography
The Latin pages contain 238 decorated initials and marginalia illustrating scenes from the Old Testament, in the style of contemporary Bibles moralisées. The French pages are adorned with initials in the form of heraldic blazons and a bestiary for the first 77 Psalms, associating specific animals with particular Psalms—an unusual feature in medieval manuscripts, otherwise found only in the Queen Mary Psalter.
The manuscript is notable for its emphasis on women and their role in the family. The Tree of Jesse serves as a reminder of Jesus's descent from David through Mary. Illustrations related to David focus on his wives and concubines, and other Old Testament images depict the marriage of Moses to Tharbis, Salmon to Rahab, and the births of Cain and Samson. Eight scenes are dedicated to Hagar, and six to the upbringing of Samuel by Hannah.
Bestiary
The Isabella Psalter is also notable for its bestiary—a collection of animal illustrations that accompany the Psalms. Certain animals appear to be associated with particular Psalms, evoking the moral qualities that the book elevates. This association between Psalms and animals is rare in medieval texts.
