Heraldry in the VMs

[R. Sale]

There are at least four examples where specific details of medieval heraldry provides a significant aid to the understanding of VMs illustrations.

Heraldry first provides the definition and the image of the nebuly line. Etymology defines the origin of this traditional terminology. This understanding then helps to inform the investigation of the VMs cosmos and the VMs critter.

Heraldry is the best source to match the tub patterns at the beginning of the VMs Zodiac Sequence, particularly on VMs Pisces.

Armorial and ecclesiastical heraldry combine on VMs White Aries to make a specific historical connection, which has been intentionally disguised.

An obscure heraldic fur is used to create a specific structure that relies on the recovery of traditional heraldic terminology in order to promote a linguistic process similar to heraldic canting. It does this as an independent confirmation of the prior example.

In the first example, the cosmic comparison is based on the 2014 blog of E. Velinska, comparing the VMs cosmos to BNF Fr. 565 fol. 23. Part by part that comparison reveals structural similarity despite distinct visual differences. The elaborate, scallop-shell pattern of the Oresme image can be compared with the simple, ink line of the VMs because heraldic tradition shows that a nebuly line equates to a cloud-band equates to a cosmic boundary in certain medieval images.

Cloud-bands come in various patterns and different colors. Scallop-shell patterns and blue and white colors being more common. Plain patterns occur less frequently . The Berry Apocalypse (MS M.133) has examples of carefully painted, blue and white cloud-bands that are very close to a plane nebuly line. This is a text made in Paris around 1415 for Jean, Duke of Berry. Provenance also indicates that the Oresme text (BNF Fr. 565) made in Paris around 1410, was also owned by this duke of Berry, who died in Paris in 1416.

As part of a larger effort toward the recovery of tradition, heraldry contributes to a better understanding of the VMs and of its creator's knowledge and intent.