Date of Award
5-26-2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
English
First Advisor
Laura Smoller
Second Advisor
Jane Brown
Abstract
The fourteenth century Angers Apocalypse Tapestry crafted in the tradition of the thirteenth century English Apocalypse manuscripts, is an enigma. This interdisciplinary thesis will address two interrelated questions: why did Louis I, Duke of Anjou and second son of Jean II, commission the tapestry and why were changes made to key aspects of the tapestry which do not reflect established iconographical models. I will suggest that a primary motivation for Louis I was the acquisition of a throne, particularly France and the Holy Roman Empire, and Louis may have suggested changes to key facets of the iconography associated with the Beasts of Revelation (Antichrist) and unique Large Reader figure in order to frame his prominent role in the war with England in an eschatological framework and capitalize on Last World Emperor prophetic genre, such as John of Bassigny and John of Rupescissa, in order to support his political aspirations.
Recommended Citation
Barrows, Michele Hernandez, "A Game of Thrones or a Crown of Thorns: Louis I, Duke of Anjou and Political and Messianic Implications in the Angers Tapestry" (2015). Theses and Dissertations. 577.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/577
