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Primary sourceBookc. 1180

Psalter of Eleanor of Aquitaine

c. 1180

An illuminated psalter traditionally associated with Eleanor of Aquitaine and her court, showing lavish religious book culture of her time.

Traditionally linked to Eleanor's court, illustrating the devotional book culture associated with her patronage.

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Medieval manuscript page with a painted illumination: a woman in a blue robe with a gold belt stands within a gold-leafed arch framed in blue, raising one hand, beneath a red and blue building and red brick towers. Page number 56 at top left.
Folio from the Psalter of Eleanor of Aquitaine, c. 1180-1185. Royal Library of the Netherlands.

About this source

What it is

This illuminated psalter, dated to around 1180, is traditionally linked to Eleanor of Aquitaine and her court. It survives today in the Royal Library of the Netherlands and includes a donor portrait of a kneeling noble lady.

Why it matters

Manuscripts like this one reveal the kind of luxurious devotional art associated with Eleanor's patronage. Books of hours and psalters were valuable possessions for noble women, used both for prayer and to display wealth and piety.

Look closer

  • What does the richly painted illumination suggest about the status of whoever owned this book?
  • Why do you think the woman in the image is shown kneeling, with her hand raised?
  • How certain can we be that this book truly belonged to Eleanor, given the word 'traditionally' in its history?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Eleanor of Aquitaine on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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