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PLATE 1 INCIPIT
The indications N. 1104 and S. G. lat 1104 and St. Germani a Pratis inform us that the Album was once in the Library of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The stamp of the Bibliothèque Nationale goes back to the period of the Revolution.
Top row: A pelican, standing on a globe, and tearing at its breast; a mitred bishop, seated and holding a crozier; a night owl.
Bottom row: A magpie holding a cross in its beak, standing on a slab (see Introduction for a comment on the inscription) at the right side of which crouches a goat-like demon.
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PLATE 2 THE TWELVE APOSTLES AND OTHER FIGURES
Here you will find the images of the Twelve Apostles, sitting. Villard de Honnecourt greets you and begs all who will use the devices found in this book to pray for his soul and remember him. For in this book will be found sound advice on the virtues of masonry and the uses of carpentry. You will also find strong help in drawing figures according to the lessons taught by the art of geometry.
The Apostles are seated in three rows, two at the top and five in each of the lower rows. The other figures, standing on the top row, are a monk and a hooded woman. The somersaulting woman is presumed to represent Salome.
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PLATE 3 TWO UNRELATED SKETCHES
To the left: a four-antennaed snail coming out of its shell.
To the right: a standing warrior wearing chain armor and helmet. The inscription to the left (in 15th-century script) reads: De Honnecourt, he who went to Hungary.
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PLATE 4 CHRIST ON THE CROSS
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PLATE 5 TWO ALLEGORICAL FIGURES
Left: A horseman thrown from his mount. The inscription above him reads: How Pride stumbleth.
Right: Seated figure of a woman holding a globe on which is designed a dove. The inscription defines her as Humility.
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PLATE 6 BEAR AND SWAN
The castellated mansion at the bottom right is taken to represent the City of Heaven.
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PLATE 7 THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT
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PLATE 8 A PERPETUAL MOTION MACHINE
The legend below reads: Often have experts striven to make a wheel turn of its own accord. Here is a way to do it with an uneven number of mallets and with quicksilver. (To which a later hand has added: I say Amen.)
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PLATE 9 FOLIATE ORNAMENTS
At the top: two foliate heads of bearded men.
In the center: an ornamental band.
At the bottom: ornamental leaves.
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PLATE 10 “SARACEN’S TOMB”
The inscription at the top reads: I once saw the sepulchre of a Saracen which looked like this. “Saracen” is taken to mean any pagan, including a Roman.
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PLATE 11 A CLOCK TOWER
The inscription reads: This is a clock tower. Whoever wishes to build a clock tower should study this one that I once saw. The first story is square, with four small gables. The second story has eight panels and a roof, and above that four smaller gables with a broad space between each. The topmost story is square, with four gables and an eight-sided roof. Here is a picture of it.
Upper right: The initial S ornamented with a dragon is not related.
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PLATE 12 DESIGN FOR A LECTERN
The inscription to the right reads: Whoever wishes to build a lectern for the reading of the Gospel will learn that this is the best way to do it. First of all, place three dragons at the base, and a trefoiled slab over them. On top of that, three other dragons going in other directions, with co...
