The Artists of the Walter of Milemete Treatise

Abstract

The two books presented by Walter of Milemete to Edward III in 1326-7 are treated together. Two campaigns of decoration are suggested for the Milemete Treatise: an original campaign c1326-7 and one largely executed by a single artist before Queen Isabella's fall from power c1330. Three campaigns of decoration are suggested for the companion volume the Holkham Secretum. An original campaign, perhaps earlier than that on the Milemete Treatise, but still c1326-7, a second campaign c1327-30 and later work added when the book was repaired c1340-50. The iconography of the Milemete Treatise is related to court models and the 'Flores Historiarum'. The iconography of the Holkham Secretum is seen as having been created in three campaigns related to the different artists who worked on the book. From an analysis of the documentary evidence concerning illuminators in England in the Middle Ages, a model is applied which suggests the existence of three major centres of illumination in England, Oxford, Cambridge and London, as well as minor regional towns which also supported illuminators. The localisation of liturgical manuscripts, the patronage evidence from both secular and liturgical manuscripts as well as iconographical and codicological comparisons, are all used to suggest that the first group of illuminators of the Holkham Secretum were based at oxford. The main group of the Milemete Treatise itself can be associated with these artists, but also with more metropolitan trends and London. The later work on the Holkham Secretum is associated with an 'Ely group' of manuscripts c1340-50, produced by artists who may have been based at Cambridge. 3 it is suggested that some artists may have been trained in one 'centre' or 'workshop', but could be itinerant. other artists appear to be more closely related to Court painting in London through their style and the iconography of their miniatures. At least two of the artists who worked on the Milemete Treatise and Holkham Secretum1 after the initial campaign, but before c1330, fall into the latter category.