This beautiful volume examines the most important illuminations found in French history manuscripts. From around the mid 13th to the end of the 16th century, the most important and original work being done in secular illumination was unquestionably in French vernacular history manuscripts. This beautiful volume celebrates the vivid historical imagery produced during these years by bringing together around 55 manuscripts representing some of the finest masterpieces of illumination created in the Middle Ages. As such, it is the first major publication to focus on exploring the ways in which text and illumination worked together to help show medieval readers the role and purpose of history. The images enabled the past to come alive before the eyes of medieval readers by relating the adventures of epic figures such as Hector, Alexander, Charlemagne, and the Virgin Mary.