The Visions of the Knight Tondal

Les Visions du chevalier Tondal is an illuminated manuscript ca. 1475 that tells the story of an Irish knight's journey through heaven, hell and Purgatory.

Marmion1475 LA GettyMuseum Ms30-f17r

It boasts the following wonderful illustrations:

  • Tondal Suffers a Seizure at Dinner
  • Tondal Appears Dead
  • The Valley of Murderers
  • The Mountain of Unbelievers and Heretics
  • The Valley of the Perversely Proud and Presumptuous
  • The Beast Acheron, Devourer of the Avaricious
  • The Nail-Studded Bridge for Thieves and Robbers
  • The House of Phristinus; Punishment for Gluttons and Fornicators
  • The Beast that Eats Unchaste Priests and Nuns
  • The Forge of Vulcan; Punishment for Those who Commit Evil upon Evil
  • Demons Dragging Tondal into the Infernal Cistern
  • The Gates of Hell and Lucifer (shown above)
  • The Wall of Heaven Where the Bad but Not Very Bad Are in Temporary Discomfort
  • The Good but Not Very Good Are Nourished by a Fountain
  • Two Kings of Ireland, Former Enemies, Who Made Peace before Death
  • The Happy Crowds of the Faithfully Married
  • The Martyrs and the Pure Sing Praises to God
  • The Glory of Good Monks and Nuns
  • The Wall of Metals and Jewels surrounding Angels and Saints