Evidence for royal ownership
Owners
The Calendar includes feasts celebrated at the royal chapel, the Sainte-Chapelle, and the obits (death dates) of Louis IX’s grand-father, father, mother and brother – all written by the original scribe. The manuscript was completed before 1270, since the Calendar does not include the deaths of Louis IX (25 August 1270) and his sister Isabelle (23 February 1270). Numerous line fillers throughout the volume contain the arms of France and Castile, the latter standing for Louis and Isabelle’s mother, Blanche of Castile (for instance, fol. 82r). Three line fillers contain the arms of Louis’ wife, Margaret of Provence (fols. 169v and 174r).
Game of bowls
This is a very early example of a secular bas-de-page scene. Such images would become common only in early 14th-century manuscripts. The painting stages were never completed, with only the base layers applied for green and pink areas. But the ink sketch reveals the artist’s (Hand C) confident and fluid drawing style.