Late Medieval Books, Beauchamp Pageant

[28th January 1382] 1. This Pagent sheweth the birth of the famous knyght Richard Beauchamp Erle of Warrewik which was born in the Maner of Salwarp in the Counte of Worcester the xxviij day of the Moneth of Januar'. the yere of the Incarnacion of our lorde Jhesu Criste mlccclxxxjl whose notable actes of chevalry and knyghtly demenaunce been also shewed in the pagentis hereafter ensuyng.

Note. The picture shows the Earl's mother,¹ Margaret, daughter of William Lord Ferrers of Groby, sitting up in bed and looking towards her infant son, who is held, wrapped in swaddling clothes, by a lady of quality, wearing the large "butterfly" headdress. The bed has an ample coverlet, an embroidered tester, and a fringed celure, also embroidered, with the side curtains partly drawn and the end curtains gathered up out of the way. Next the lady with the babe sits a woman with a round cap, stirring some food in a saucepan over the fire.

On the opposite side of the room is a nurse in veiled cap approaching the bed and holding a basin, the contents of which she is stirring with a spoon. At the foot of the bed is another lady kneeling on the tiled floor before an open coffer and examining the spoons and standing cups contained therein, probably the birthday gifts to the new-born babe. On the extreme left is an entry, covered by a sparver, to a passage paved with tiles and lighted by a small window over the entrance.

Note 1. As was then the custom, the lady is not wearing any night-dress.

[After 28th January 1382] 2. Here is shewed howe he [Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick] was baptised havyng to his godfadres Kyng Richard the secund and seynt Richard Scrope (age 32) then bisshop of lichefeld and after in processe of tyme. he was Archebisshop of Yorke.

Note. This picture shows the naked babe being dipped, discreetly and warily, into the font of baptism by a bishop vested in rochet, grey amess, cope with jewelled orphrey, and wearing a rich mitre. On the other side of the font stand the sponsors:¹ King Richard in his crown and parliament robes with his right hand on the infant's head; the Bishop of Lichfield, mitred, and in gown and hooded tippet; and a lady of quality, the godmother probably, with butterfly headdress and long gown trimmed with ermine. Behind Ithe King stand his swordbearer and a nobleman, and to the left of the officiating bishop is a clerk or canon holding up the manual with the baptismal office, and on the bishop's right a canon, in cassock, surplice, and grey amess, bears the open chrismatory with the vessels of oil and cream for the anointing. Behind the bishop stand two other canons, one of whom holds the bishop's gloves and crosier, and in rear of them is a group of spectators. The font is shown with a six-sided shallow and arcaded bowl, supported by a central and six other round pillars standing on a simple plinth. On the extreme right is a flight of steps up to a vaulted entry into a tall round turret and across the top of the picture is a parapet of pierced quatrefoils.

Note 1. The babe was probably named Richard after the King and the Bishop.

[12th October 1399] 3. Here sheweth how this noble lorde [Richard Beauchamp (age 17)] Erle of Warrewik was made Knyghte to the whiche ordre in processe of tyme as shall appere folowyng by his noble actes: he did greet honour & worship.

Note. The scene here depicted is shown as taking place within a groined and canopied recess with tiled floor, flanked by buttresses surmounted by images of St. John Baptist and St. James the Greater within housings. Young Richard, now a boy of 17, is vested in a long gown with jewelled belt, and kneels before King Henry IV. on the eve of whose coronation (12th October 1399) he was made a Knight of the Bath. The King is standing crowned and in his parliament robes, and is placing about the boy's neck his own livery collar of SS. Behind the King, in long robes and wearing j ewelled collars, stand sev eral nobles, one of whom has a round cap on his head, while another holds his cap in his hand and has a large purse hanging from his belt. On the King's right hand is the swordbearer, in long gown with jewelled belt and neck-band. Next him is a noble in short girded tunic lined with fur, a jewelled baudric across the body, and long jack boots over his hose, holding in his left hand a round fur cap with rolled rim in which is set an upright jewelled feather. This figure probably represents Richard's father, Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick.

[22nd July 1403] 8. In this pagent is shewed howe the noble Erle Richard (age 21) was made Knyght of the Garter at that tyme to his greet worship. And after by marciall actes by hym ful notably and knyghtly acheved in his propre persone: did greet honour and worship to the noble ordre of Knyghtes of the Garter. as by the pagentes hereafter folowyng more pleynly is shewed.

Note. This picture of investiture is most interesting for we have a variety of attitude and equipment in the figures. The King's head and crown are much as we see them on coins of the period, and all the figures except two or three wear caps and not helmets. The official buckling on of the Garter is quite in civil costume, in fact the only one of its kind in the picture. There is no suggestion of the accolade or sword stroke on the recipient's shoulder, and the King himself leans on a staff. The attention to detail in this picture is very great, and only poorly rendered by Strutt. The great sword of state is borne sheathed near the King, who himself also wears the Garter. The King's attendants wear richly ornamented cuirasses, but the King's is plain save for the staples to which would be attached a lance rest. The standing neck guards are very clearly shown on several of the figures.

[1408] 9. Here shewes howe good provision made of Englissh clothe and other thynges necessary and licence hadde of the kyng' Erle Richard (age 25) sailed towardes the holy londe and specially to the holy Cite of Jherusalem Where our lorde Jhesu Criste wilfully suffered his bitter passion for the redempcion of al man kynde.

Note. In the foreground of this picture is Earl Richard, habited as a pilgrim and holding his staff, being assisted into a small boat by a rugged shipman, while another is keeping the boat steady with a pole. Behind the Earl are two of his men taking a bale of "Englissh clothe" off the back of its bearer, and in rear of them is a party of armed attendants. In the upper part of the picture Earl Richard is sailing away in a fine two-masted ship, with his arms (Beauchamp quartering Newburgh) upon the extended mainsail. On the crows-nest or fighting top is depicted the Earl's ragged-staff badge, and from above it flies a long pennon or streamer headed by the cross of St. George and adorned with the bear and ragged-staff and five ragged-staves. Over the poop of the vessel is a rich housing or awning.

10. Here shewes howe Erle Richard, when he was passed the see, he turned to his nole and nere Cosyn the Duc of Barr' of whom he was ful lovyngly and worshipfully resceived and there taried viij daies in greet pleasir.

Note. Earl Richard, still in his pilgrim's habit, but with his hat in his hand, is here shown mounting the topmost of a flight of steps on the edge of a quay and being received by the Duke of Barr, who is vested in a long girded gown and stands with raised hat, grasping the Earl warmly by the hand. Behind the Duke are his swordbearer and two other attendants. The Earl is followed by a retainer, with the ragged-staff badge on his back, who is stepping from a boat on to the stairs and holding a spear. In the boat are two other similarly armed men, and another who is directing the movements of a shipman in the stern. In the upper left hand corner is the Earl's vessel with furled sail, and on the quay behind the principal group is a stately gatehouse into a walled town or palace. The curious beaded globes surmounting the gatehouse turrets have an oriental appearance.

11. And here is shewed howe that, at this noble Duke's desire. Erle Richard his Cosyn rode with hym ageyn the Whitsontide to the Cite of Parys. the Kyng of Fraunce there then beyng present in greet Roialte.

Note. The Earl and the Duke here appear riding side by side into Paris at the head of a mounted company of spearmen. The gatehouse which they are approaching has similar bulbous terminals to those in the preceding picture, and from one flies the banner of the King of France. The lords and their company are all in travelling dress and but for the spears might be simply civilians on a journey. The porter is treated conventionally, leaning on his spiked club and standing beneath the machicoulis to defend the gate.

12. Here shewes howe on the Whitsonday the Kyng of Fraunce in reverence of the holy feest was Crowned and made Erle Richard to sitte at his table. Where he so manerly behaved hym self in langage & norture that the Kyng and his lordes wt all other people gave hym greet lawde and at his departing the Kyng assigned hym an heraud to geve his attendaunce and conducte hym saufly thorowe all his Reame.

Note. On the left of this picture is the lofty fortified gatehouse of the King's palace, but the greater part is occupied by a conventional view of the room in which the feast was kept. Behind a broad table draped with a cloth down to the tiled floor sits the King of France in gown and mantle and wearing his crown, turned partly towards the Earl, who sits on his left clad in a long gown with transverse baudric and a chaplet on his head. On the King's right sits another lord, and a fourth figure stands at the table end. In the foreground stand in front of the table an esquire holding up a covered cup, the gowned serjeant-carver with a knife, and the herald in long gown and the "King's coat". On the table are various dishes and bowls, and over the scene is an elaborate traceried canopy.

13. Here shewes howe at his departyng from Fraunce into Lumbardy, the frenche herawde richely rewarded and licenced: In shorte space after come a nother herowde to Erle Richard, sent fron Sir Pandolf Malatete or Malet with lettres of chalenge. to do certeyn poyntes of Armes with hym at Verona at a certeyn day assigned for the ordre of the Garter. To the which chalenge to be doon before Sir Galeot of Mantua: Erle Richard gladly agreed. And after he hadde doon his pilgremage at Rome, he retorned to Veronal where he & his chalenger Sir Pandolf shulde first Just, then go to gedres with axes after with armyng swerdes and last with sharpe daggers.

Note. Two scenes are shown in this picture. In the first, which takes up the more space, Earl Richard is seen sitting on horseback at the head of his mounted company between the French herald, with whom he is shaking hands and bidding farewell, and the second herald who is handing in his master's letter of challenge. The contrast between the French herald in his armoried tabard and the herald from Malateste, in travelling dress with the small shield on his breast denoting his office, is interesting. In the second and smaller scene, Earl Richard and his company are being presented by a bishop in academical dress with mitre and crosier to the Pope, who is sitting within a canopied tent or pavilion. On the Pope's right hand stands a cardinal. Some stupid person has subsequently converted the Pope's tiara into a hat of estate, and added two large plumes to the cardinal's hat; the bishop's mitre has also been turned into a headpiece and his crosier into a halberd.

15. Howe Erle Richard come to Venise and was Inned at Seynt Georges and was right worshipfully resceived of the Duc and lordes of Venise and many Roial presentes hadde he there geven hym. And moche the rather for the greet lawde they herde was geven hym at Verona.

Note. This view of Venice is quite conventional and there is no idea of the island position of the town. Behind it appears the Earl's ship with its long pennon sown with ragged staves. The Duke, who is grasping Earl Richard by the hand and attended by his swordbearer and others, wears one of those highly or namented baldricks so often seen in manuscripts of this period, but the ducal cap so peculiar a feature of Venetian costume is not hinted at. Behind the Earl is a page, with his master's cognisance on his breast, holding his horse, and in rear is the rest of the Earl's company on foot.

16. Here shewes howe Erle Richard was worthely resceived by the Patriarkes depute at Jerusalemand licenced to commune in deu fourme with the hethen people and specially with the greet astates if the caus requiredl and howe with them he shulde be demeaned.

Note. In this picture Earl Richard has just landed from his ship, and attended by his company bearing many varieties of staff weapons, is being received by the Patriarch's deputy, who grasps him warmly by the hand. The Earl wears a long gown with fringed or slittered edges and a rich collar round his neck. The deputy has a long gown and tippet, and holds the patriarchal two-barred cross. He is shown attended by a company of ecclesiastics and as having just come forth from a richly canopied doorway or gatehouse.

17. Here shewes howe he offered in Jherusalem at our lordes sepulcreand his Armes were set up on the north side of the Temple and there they remayned many yeres after, as pilgrymes that longe after come thens reported.

Note. The church of the Holy Sepulchre is here conventionally shown as a hall surmounted by a lantern, with the side removed to reveal the scene within. The Earl is kneeling beside a flat tomb with panelled sides, clad in a long robe and with his hat hanging behind his shoulders, presenting an offering of money to the Patriarch who stands before him with his cross in the left hand and the right upraised. Above the tomb is his shield which the Earl offers up as evidence of his visit to the Sepulchre of the Lord. Behind the patriarch are two other figures, vested like him in girded gowns and tippets, and behind the Earl kneel several of his company. The rest await him without, sitting on their horses.

18. Here shewes howe Sir Baltirdam a noble lorde the Soldans lieutenaunt that tyme beyng at Jerusalem heryng that Erle Richard was there and that he was lynyally of blode descended of nole Sir Gy of Warrewik whoes lif they hadde there in bokes of their langage' he was ioyful of hym and with greet honoure resceived hymand desired hym and his mayny to dyne with hym in his owne place. And Erle Richard ful manerly behavyng hym' graunted lorde Baltirdam to come for his pleasir.

Note. Issuing from a stately gateway is Sir Baltirdam, attended by his swordbearer and others, and grasping by the hand Earl Richard who stands cap in hand at the head of his company. Sir Baltirdam is a bearded and venerable figure, wearing a turban and long gown, and is girded with a scimitar. His companions are also bearded elderly men in gowns and turbans. The swordbearer has likewise a turban but is clad in a closely fitting tunic and tight hose. The Earl wears a long gown and has a rich collar about his neck.

19. Here shewes howe Sir Baltirdam at that dyner in his owne place set first Erle Richardes Chapelleyn in the chief placeand next hym Erle Richardhe hym self beyng as marchalland after dyner rewarded his men with silkes and clothes of golde. And to Erle Richard he gave iij precious stones of greet valure. And in secrete wise tolde hym. that in his hert thowe he durst nat utter his concept' yet he feithfully beleved as articles of our feith:

Note. In this spirited drawing are shown in separate pictures the three incidents described in the rubric. In the first and largest is depicted the dinner. Behind the table, on which appear the rich standing salt and dishes of fowls, sit in order Earl Richard, his chaplain, and a third figure, each. with an attendant standing behind him. Sir Baltirdam is attended by his swordbearer, but stands with true oriental politeness at the end of the table, with his left hand on the Earl's shoulder, and in his right the marshal's rod. In the foreground are the serjeant-carver, and two other esquires holding a covered dish. we do. Rehersyng by ordre the Earl Richard is bareheaded with a rich collar about his neck; his chaplain wears a long sleeved gown and a tippet across his shoulders.* Behind the table is a coved canopy. The lower of the two smaller pictures represents the venerable and turbaned Sir Baltirdam handing silks and clothes of gold to the members of the Earl's company. In the upper of the smaller pictures Sir Baltirdam is handing to the Earl, who stands bareheaded with cap in hand before him, a cluster of three precious stones, which have evidently been taken from the iron-bound chest upon the floor.

20. Here shewes howe on the morn Erle Richard feested Sir Baltirdams men and gave them largely of englisshe clothe to array them in his livere after their degrees bothe scarlet and other cloth of colour. this doon and by a spye shewed to Sir Baltirdam' he come to Erle Richard and seide he wolde be of his liverey and marchal of his hall. This Sir Baltirdam was cunnyng in many langages Erle Richard gave hym then a gowne of blakke puke furred and after dyner they hadde greet communycacion to gedre.

Note. The figures of the Soldan's companions seated at table shows the persistence of Eastern dress, which with their turbans might pass for that of Afghans of to-day. It is difficult to say what pitke was but we may judge by a payment in the Wardrobe accounts of Edward IV. "for making and lyning of vj pair of hosen of puke lyned with cloth." The contrast of the Earl's attendant's sword with the "swerde like Semeterie of Turkey" as Hall describes the Stradiots, is interesting. Horman in his Vltlgaria (519) says "a hoked Baslarde is a perelse wepon with the Turkes".

21. Howe Erle Richard came ageyn to Venus And there was worthily resceived of the Duke and other lordes bothe sp[irit]uel & temp[or]el And al the Citee gave lovyng to God. that he hadde so wele and prosperously spedde in his Jorney to the holy londe.

Note. The Doge, richly attired and wearing a coronet, and attended by his swordbearer and two other nobles, is here shown embracing Earl Richard, who is habited in the ragged garb of a pilgrim, while wearing a rich collar. By him stands a tall attendant holding a glave with across guard and a box of luggage orj ewels. The background represents a walled city with a stately gatehouse. On the left is an arm of the sea with the Earl's ship, and in base is the boat from which he has just landed, containing four armed men and a shipman who is holding on to a ringbolt at the top of the landing steps.

22. Here sheweth howe Erle Richard from Venuse toke his wey to Russy Lettowe Poleyn and Spruse Westvale and other coostes of Almayn toward Englond by suche Coostes as his Auncestry hadde labored in and specially Erle Thomas his grauntfadre. that in warre hadde taken the Kynges son of Lettowe and brought hym into Englond And cristened hym at London namyng hym after hym self Thomas. And in this Jurney Erle Richard gate hym greet worship at many turnamentes and other faites of werre.

Note. This plate shows us a tourney as distinct from the jousts on Plates v, xxix — xxxi, xxxiv. There are but four knights engaged and the whole group reminds one of a similar representation in Douce MS. 27 I. The Earl of Warwick on the spectator's left bears the crest of the bear and ragged staff, his partner has a winged dragon for crest and one of his opponents a "bush" of jewelled feathers. The other opponent has just had his crest displaced by a sword blow of the Earl. The horses all have crinets and chamfrons, and trappers of various designs. The spectators, only six in number, are all bareheaded except one, apparently the judge, who wears a felt hat with a large jewel in the upturned brim and a collar of jewels round his neck. The Earl and his partner wear brigandines with sleeves of plate and shirts of mail, while the opponents apparently wear cuirasses. All wear bascinets with visors having large breathing holes; and the swords are pointless as they were worn in the tourney.

23. Here sheweth. howe after the cummyng home of Erle Richard from the holy lande Henry the Vth then beyng kyng of Englond was secretely enfourmed of a prevey and sodeyn Insurreccion of traiterous heretikes. which sodenly by myght purposed to have taken & kept the kyng undre their rule & subieccion and after by his auctorite to have destroied the Church of Englond and to slee the p[re]lates. and distribute their possessions ayenst the honor of God after their indiscrete advises and pleasirs.

Note. Two views are shown in this picture: the Earl, still in his pilgrim's garb, landing from a boat on the edge of a wood; and an inner chamber with King Henry V, crowned and in his parliament robes, attended by his swordbearer and four other nobles, receiving a sealed letter, not apparently from the Earl, but from a servant who tends in on bended knee. The King is seated under a traverse. In the background is Earl Richard's ship, with his ragged-staff badge upon the fighting top.

24. Here sheweth howe this victorious & noble prynce Kyng Henr' the Vth oponed this matier to the lordes of his Counseell Erie Richard then being present which for thaccomplisshment of the Kynges entent & pleasir therin dressed hym self in to his harneys and ful coragiously wt good circumspeccion and forsight avaunsed hym self to the subdewyng of the said traitours & heretikes.

Note. In the right hand of the two pictures here shown the King, in his crown and parliament robes, is sitting under a traverse within a chamber with a vaulted ceiling, discussing with Earl Richard and four other lords who stand about him, the matter referred to in the rubric. In the left hand picture the Earl is seen being armed, but it is rather peculiar that it is the right leg which is being attended to. It is known that in general the arming of a knight began at the feet and so upward, but this may merely represent an after adjustment of the greave. The upright neck guards often wrongly called pasguards are here seen on the Earl's armour. The earliest representation of such defences is in the Bedford Missal executed before Christmas 1430 when that book was given to Henry VI. by the Countess of Bedford. The attendant behind bears the Earl's bascinet with the usual crest.

25. Howe Erie Richard after he hadde scowred the see. was made Capteyn of Caleys where he ful notably gwided al thynges undre his governaunce. And when he hadde seen al his londes & sette al thyng in dewe ordre' ye yode to Caleys where he was reuerently resceived w^th precession, etc.

Note. The scene here represented shows the King, Henry V., crowned and in his parliament robes, sitting under a traverse within a chamber with vaulted ceiling, and attended by his swordbearer and another lord. Before him kneels Earl Richard, receiving the letters patent of his appointment as Captain of Calais, from the Lord Chancellor, Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, who stands on the King's right in mitre and academical habit. Outside kneel the Earl's attendants, clad in cuirasses and shirts of mail, but without other armour or head defences. The small buckler is carried as usual on the sword hilt, and is ornamented with embossed designs and nail heads. On the breast the men bear the badge of the ragged staff but as showing a freedom greater than usual in English heraldry, the badges point to the right shoulder whereas in plates 15 and 26, the upper end of the ragged staff is toward the left shoulder. The Earl wears a long gown with a rich baldric with pendants and a large jewel, and has his sword at his side. The vessels in the background have streamers displaying the ragged staff alone and in one case with the bear.

26. Howe Erie Richard after he hadde seen his landes, & sette al thyng in deu ordre heryng of a greet gaderyng in Fraunce. in asmoche as he was capteyn of Calys' he hied hym thidre hastely. and was there worthely received. And when that he herd that the gaderyng in Fraunce was nat appoynted to come to Caleys' he cast in his mynde to do some newe poynt of chevairy. Wheruppon he lete paynt iij pavises & in every pavice a lady the first harpyng atte ende of a bedstede wt a grate of gold on her lifte slevel & her knyght called the grene knyght wt a blakke quarter And he shulde be redy to Just wt eny knyght of Fraunce xij corses and ij shildes shulde be of purviancel And that knyghtes lettre was sealed

Note. This long rubric extends over two pictures. The first picture represents Earl Richard being "worthily received" outside the town of Calais, which figures conventionally treated in the background, with the Earl's ship in the harbour. The Earl, in full armour, but with bare head and hands, is kneeling on a cushion before a temporary altar and kissing a precious cross¹ which is being held out to him by a priest in surplice, amess, and cope who stands behind. With the priest are three other clerks in surplices (one of whom holds a processional cross), and a boy in cassock and surplicewith a censer. Inrearofthe Earl kneel a number of his attendants, clad as in the last picture, but with their lord's ragged-staff badge in bend sinister instead of dexter.

Note 1. It will be seen that the lower end of the cross is socketed, so that it could set upon a staff for processions, or upon a base as an altar cross.

28. Here shewes howe as it is said. afore thies lettres were received To the first applied hym self a noble knyghtj called Sir Gerard herbawines. that called hym self Sir Chevaler Rouge to the secunde answered a famous knyght. Sir Hugh lavney callyng hym self le chivaler Blanke and to the iide agreed an excellent knyght called Sir Colard Fynes at a certeyn day and place assigned that is to say the xij th day of Cristmasse in a lawnde called the parke hedge of Gynes.

Note. The King of France, wearing his parliament robes and a crown of fleurs-de-lys (as distinguished from the English crown of crosses and fleurs-de-lys), is shown seated on a dais beneath a tester within a pavilion with decorated front. On his right hand stands his swordbearer, with a pouch hanging from the girdle of his long tunic, and a rich collar about his neck, and behind him are several courtiers. Behind the King on his left stands a curly headed man with a collar about his neck and apparently a penner and inkhorn in his hand, and a number of other nobles and gentlemen, several of whom have swords suspended from rich baldrics. One of them in a long fur-lined gown, like the man next him, stands in advance of the rest and is pointing with his finger to the bearer of Earl Richard's letters, who kneels upon one knee and presents them to Charles. The Earl's herald wears a tabard of his master's arms, and is booted and spurred, and armed with a sword. The King is shown as having received two letters, which he has upon his knee under his left hand, and is taking a third from the herald.