A critical and comparative understanding of The Art of Falconry and the Art of Venery by Guillaume Tardif, Glasgow University Library, Special Collections, MS Hunter 269 (U.5.9): context, commentary, and reception

Jacoby, Leslie (2021) A critical and comparative understanding of The Art of Falconry and the Art of Venery by Guillaume Tardif, Glasgow University Library, Special Collections, MS Hunter 269 (U.5.9): context, commentary, and reception. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Lart de faulconnerie et lart de vennerie is an original late fifteenth-century translation created by French humanist, Guillaume Tardif. Today it is preserved in Glasgow University Library, Special Collections, MS Hunter 269 (U.5.9). It is the sole extant manuscript of this treatise by Guillaume Tardif.

This doctoral thesis explores holistically the interdisciplinary qualities of the words and images in GUL, MS Hunter 269. It summarises the lives and deeds of the multi-disciplined individuals whose expertise produced this exemplum of medieval hunting literature and art. The research evaluates and presents the distinctive proprietary elements within GUL, MS Hunter 269, which complements existing and future academic understanding of medieval falconry and venery treatises as expressed in manuscripts.

The past studies of GUL, MS Hunter 269 have been piecemeal. Scholars have taken textual or pictorial excerpts to substantiate ideas on falconry and venery works. The manuscript has been presented at several public engagement events to represent the material expression of past scripts, letter decorations, avian artwork, and historiography within manuscripts and incunables. What is missing is a focused analysis undertaken with a wider scope of scholastic research on the hunting arts. This thesis provides the first comprehensive academic research on GUL, MS Hunter 269 that will address the absence of scholarship relating to Guillaume Tardif, his work, and his significant role in the medieval proliferation of scientific falconry and venery treatises. To this end, the thesis will present excerpts of transcription and translation; show contextualisation and visualisation of unique words and images; outline investigative research on material sources; and, make a case for a future place and role for GUL, MS Hunter 269 in global falconry and venery heritage of the past, present, and future.

This thesis is the product of self-funded research. It expresses my opinions based upon concentrated and diligent fact-checking, careful dissemination, critical thinking, and intensive research.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: falconry, venery, Guillaume Tardif, medieval studies.
• Subjects: P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > Comparative Literature
• Supervisor's Name: Simpson, Dr. James and Dickson, Dr. Sheila
• Date of Award: 2021
• Embargo Date: 3 March 2026
• Depositing User: Dr L S Jacoby
• Unique ID: glathesis:2021-82043
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 05 Mar 2021 08:25
• Last Modified: 20 Feb 2024 09:48
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.82043
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/82043