Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/134

98 the Virgin, preserved in the library of Jesus College, Oxford. It appears to have belonged to Margaret of Anjou, whose portrait and armorial bearings are introduced amongst the illuminated enrichments of this interesting specimen of calligraphy. The entire roll measures 5 ft. 7 in. by 9 in. wide, a considerable portion being left blank. It does not appear by what means it was deposited amongst the MSS. of Jesus College; it bears the numbers 93 and 2114—93, with this endorsement, in the writing of Antony à Wood, "The picture within drawne was made for Margaret of Anjou, wife of Hen. 6th of England, as it appeares by the armes joyning to it. 1681.—A. Bosco." At the upper end is the sacred monogram, I. H. S. elaborately illuminated and flourished; beneath this is a sort of wheel, in the centre of which is portrayed the Virgin and child; thence proceed seven radiations, each formed by a line of writing in gold, a salutation or ejaculation to the Virgin, so arranged, that the initial of each forms also the initial of one of seven sentences composing the circumference of the wheel. Immediately below this, the queen is portrayed kneeling at a prayer-stool, covered with cloth of gold, and supporting an open book and her sceptre. (See woodcut.)

Her gown is blue, her mantle purple with white fur. Her hair auburn, and dishevelled: she kneels on a pavement of green Flanders' tiles. Before her appear two kneeling angels in red garments, their blue and scarlet wings upraised: they are the supporters of an escutcheon of the royal achievement—France and England, quarterly, impaling these six quarterings—1, Hungary; 2, Naples; 3, Jerusalem; 4, Anjou; 5, Bar; 6, Lorrain. There is no crown above the shield. It may deserve notice that the queen wears two rings on each finger except the least, placed on the middle as