PLATE VIII.
THE EARL OF PEMBROKE ATTACKED BY THE SPANISH FLEET.
This is one of the finest Illuminations of the splendid MS. in the Bibliothèque Royale, and exhibits, in a most striking manner, the great features of a naval combat of the period. The immense number of figures, all in appropriate and energetic action, and the general effect of multitude and movement, forcibly call to mind the celebrated, though uncompleted, picture of Raphael, of the Battle of Constantine and Maxentius, so ably finished by his great pupil, Julio. But it is impossible, in a plate coloured in by hand in large numbers, to convey an adequate idea of the extreme beauty and careful execution of every minute part of this beautiful Illumination; though our Plate will convey an excellent general idea of the composition and effect.
The Earl of Pembroke was appointed by King Edward III., in 1372, to command an expedition sent to the assistance of the Gascons and Poitevins.[3]
Sir Godfrey de Harcourt encounters the men of Amiens on their way to Paris.