2-737-664 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Peter of Poitier's "Compendium Historiae in Genealogia Christi", c. 1220. This manuscript roll, composed of four membranes formerly stitched together in a continuous roll about nine feet long, has been divided in the middle for easier visibility and study. The text is an abridgment of biblical history focused on the descent of Christ from Adam. It was written by Peter of Poitiers (about 1130-1205), who taught theology and history in Paris and was widely copied. The present roll is an English copy of Peter's text made shortly after his death. Although manuscript rolls were hung on the walls of a classroom as instructional aids to students, some of them have value beyond their textual and historical interest because of the fine quality of their drawings, as seen here. A comparison with Canterbury manuscripts and stained glass of around 1220 is the basis for the attribution to Canterbury. Peter of Poitiers's aim in this project was to assist students prevented from mastering biblical history because of its length and because they were too poor to own books.