Colour as Political Symbolism
MS 23: Genealogical chronicle of the Kings of England, 1473-75
This manuscript is a genealogical chronicle of the English royal family which stretches from Edward IV back to William the Conqueror. Originally a roll, it has been folded in concertina fashion to make a book, allowing for easy accessibility. However, this removes many of the genealogy’s functions: ‘A key component to the success of this project is the roll format, which stresses continuity and allows a history of (repeated) rupture to appear as one of smooth ideological succession’ (Turner, 2019, p.97).
Indeed, this example utilises the roll’s emphasis on continuity in two ways. Firstly, the chronicle begins with Adam and Eve, and from there traces a genealogy of biblical figures culminating in
William the Conqueror, who begins the line of English monarchs. In doing so, the genealogy grants the English monarchy a biblical ancestry, using the Roman model of a continuous “royal family” to justify their divine right to rule.
It secondly uses this seamless continuity to smooth over a difficult period of history – namely, the Wars of the Roses that occurred in the fifteenth century. Genealogical rolls were especially popular during this period; beginning in Henry VI’s reign, these manuscripts were used to legitimise Lancastrian or Yorkist claims to the throne (Turner, 2019). This Yorkist example was created after Edward IV’s accession in 1461. Crowned with a beautifully gilded and bejewelled crown, far more elaborate and colourful than any of the kings before him, Edward IV stands as the rightful heir to the English throne. But the story doesn’t end there.
As you might have noticed, this roll was added to after Edward IV’s reign, and subsequent additions extend it all the way to Charles II. The second king added, Henry VII, is represented with a purple, more elaborate crown than his predecessors.
Purple dyes have a long history, particularly in the Roman and Byzantine Empires, where they were luxury dyes produced from mollusc shells. This association of imperial power, combined with their light-absorbing qualities and durability, led them to become associated with Christ’s incarnation and royal genealogy in the Middle Ages (Pulliam, 2012).
Here, it is used to reinforce royal lineage. Henry VII aligns himself with the long line of English
monarchs and their biblical past by choosing the colour and symbol of Christ for his crown. By claiming the roll for himself, he establishes his own divine right to rule as Edward IV’s successor.
References:
Turner, M. (2019) ‘Genealogies’, Medieval Historical Writing; D’Avray, D. ‘Genealogical roll chronicle of the kings of England, from a Yorkist’ in Furlong, G. (2015) Treasures from UCL; Pulliam, H. (2012), ‘Colour’, Studies in Iconography.