# René d'Anjou: The Book of Tournaments [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [MINIATURIST, Flemish]() - Date: 1451-1500 - Technique: Manuscript \(Ms. français 2692\) ## Commentary René d'Anjou: The Book of Tournaments 1480s Manuscript \(Ms. français 2692\) Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris The medieval tournament was a mixture of sport, military training, entertainment and business. As a sport, it was a contest of strength and skill by which fame and reputation could be won. As military training, it prepared the knight for what he would experience in battle - injury and death were not uncommon. As entertainment, it was lavish and spectacular, much enjoyed by the court. As business, it allowed for captured opponents to be held to ransom exactly as in real war. The double-page miniature on folios 67v-68 of The Book of Tournaments depicts the preparation for a tournament, massed horsemen about to do battle. ## Related artworks - [Apocalypse]() - [Boccaccio: Des cas des ruynes des nobles hommes et femmes]() - [Boethius: De consolatione philosophiae]() - [Book of Hours \(La Flora\)]() - [Book of Hours \(La Flora\)]() - [Book of Hours of Isabella of Castile]() - [Book of Hours of Isabella of Castile]() - [Book of Hours of Marie of Gueldern]() - [Book of Hours of Marie of Gueldern]() - [Book of Hours]() - [Book of Hours]() - [Book of Hours]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()