Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Thursday 8 December 2022

Alexander the Great goes to Versailles


Straying somewhat from its usual page of reference - but I am not complaining - the British Library has an article on the Medieval manuscript blog about the use of the image and story of Alexander the Great at the Court of King Louis XIV at its most splendid, if not vainglorious, cultural zenith.

Here the Sun King was conflated not with Apollo but with Alexander the all conquering in art, drama, music and dance. King Louis was a skilled dancer, performing in Court ballets, and, of course, danced the part of Alexander in one such.

The illustrated article, which is linked to a current BL exhibition on Alexander the Great: The making of a myth, can be seen at The emperor and the Sun King


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