19 Painted History in Chinon
In: The Medieval Chronicle 15Search for other papers by Martine Meuwese in
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This article presents a case study of an exceptional twelfth-century Plantagenet-related wall painting in a chapel devoted to St Radegund (patron saint of prisoners) in Chinon, showing a royal cortege with five riders. It probably depicts a contemporary event related to the 1173–1174 rebellion against King Henry II of England, but scholars still disagree on who are represented. Was the mural painting commissioned by Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine after her release from prison, commemorating her being led into captivity by her husband Henry II, or was it commissioned by Henry II as a memorial of the reconciliation with his four sons after their revolt? By means of the art-historical method of iconography, it is possible to conclude that all the riders are male and that the painting conveys a political message by Henry II. This case study aims to demonstrate that visual sources and art-historical methods can provide relevant information for chronicle studies.