Hunting the Corpus Troilus: Illuminating Textura

Abstract:Lack of research into its script has prevented scholars from fully situating the copy of Troilus and Criseyde found in Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 61 in its production network, and has obscured its most likely patron. While unique in an English literary manuscript, the ornate textura employed by the scribes of the Corpus Troilus has direct peers in fine liturgical and religious manuscripts of the first half of the fifteenth century. Tracing the networks of these manuscripts across scribes, artists, and patrons, reveals that the Corpus Troilus was most likely commissioned by a high level prelate.