William of Tyre, A History of Deeds Done Beyond the Sea, with a sequel leading up to 1275

Archbishop William of Tyre (+1186) wrote a chronicle in Latin retracing the history of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem up to 1184. An anonymous sequel concerning the years 1185-1194 was then written in England. The work owes its success to its French translation, carried out between 1220 and 1223, and the addition of the sequel, also written in the vernacular, bringing the history all the way up to 1277. It is not surprising to note that the chronicle was often copied at the same place where it was first written, as a relatively large number of editions produced in Acre during the course of the thirteenth century testify.  Geneva, Rome, Venice and especially Paris also contributed to the diffusion of this compilation, an essential source for the history of the Holy Land, the Crusades and the Latin Orient.

The text of the ms 828 in the Municipal Library of Lyon, copied out over two columns is divided into twenty-three books, preceded by as many small paintings. With the exception of f. 15v (book ii) representing Godefroy de Bouillon, the Bishop of Adhémar du Puy, and their men riding to the Holy Land, the other illustrations are all divided into two registers, with varying degrees of separation. This structure, which gives special emphasis to the narration, does not, however, facilitate the readability of the ensemble. These lively episodes relating, at turns, the death of kings, the coronation of their successors, sieges and battles carry very interesting details on the techniques of war, such as in f. 33 (book iv) for example. The scenes are painted with a rather hasty brush stroke, using a lively palette on a background of burnished gold.  Inside these books, each chapter begins with an enhanced filigree initial, outlined with blue and red ink.

These miniatures are in style and iconography very close to two other almost contemporaneous editions, also produced at Saint-Jean d'Acre (Paris, BnF, ms. fr.2628 and Saint Petersburg, BP Saltikov Shchedrin, ms. fr. fol. v.IV.5). The Italian influence is strongly felt, as much in the roundness of the writing as in the style of the paintings. Situated on the coast to the south of Tyre, Acre, nestled behind powerful fortifications, steadily developed a vibrant economy, thanks to the activity of its port. It was undoubtedly the blend of security and prosperity that incited the sovereigns of the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem to make it their favourite residence during the twelfth century. The seat of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem during most of the century from 1191 up to 1291, Acre was a cosmopolitan centre known for its trading with northern Europe, Italy and the Middle East. The activity of its scriptoria was thus an altogether faithful reflection of its cultural eclecticism.