Order and Disorder through the Eyes of Scribes and Illuminators in the Kingdom of Pamplona c. 970–c. 1000

Scribes and illuminators in the Kingdom of Pamplona (c. 970–1000) crafted illuminated manuscripts that reflected a deliberate imposition of order amid political instability, particularly during Córdoba's frequent attacks. Two notable legal codices—Codex Albeldensis (976) and Codex Aemilianensis (c. 992)—alongside exegetical works like the Beatus Apocalypse and Expositio psalmorum, embodied a neo-Visigothic identity through structured visual and textual elements. The study reveals that representations of natural order, such as cosmographical maps, contrasted with serpentine or hybrid creatures, interpreted as transgressions. These transgressions likely stemmed from deliberate distortions, symbolizing disorder. The analysis also explores divergent illumination styles—ranging from plastic to abstract—through the lens of Cassiodorus' textual framework, offering insights into how visual art and textual authority interacted in this turbulent period.

Walker, R. (2025). Order and Disorder through the Eyes of Scribes and Illuminators in the Kingdom of Pamplona c. 970–c. 1000. Romanesque and the Year 1000, 85–104. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003571476-7