De Arte Athletica, 16th Century

This amazing compilation of martial arts was commissioned by Paulus Hector Mair (1517–1579) during four complete years in Augsburg of hard work that involved a painter -Jörg Breu the Younger- and two experienced fencers, whom he charged with perfecting the techniques before they were painted. As per Paulus comments “the costs consumed most of his family's income and property”.

My surprise arrived when I could find on his BIO that not only did Paulus Hector Mair spend huge sums on his collections and on his projects: He also had a very expensive lifestyle, frequently hosting receptions for the more important burghers of Augsburg. As his own income was not sufficient for this, he misappropriated funds from the city treasury. An internal auditory revealed this fact in 1579, and Paulus was hanged as a thief at the age of 62.

There’re three preserved versions of his compilation.

External references:

• Hunt, Brian. "Paulus Hector Mair: Peasant Staff and Flail." Masters of Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts. Ed. Jeffrey Hull. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-668-3 (link provided is based on a search done by ISBN on google)
• Knight, David James, and Hunt, Brian. The Polearms of Paulus Hector Mair. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-644-7 (same thing but not first result returned)

For a high resolution, pdf version of this manuscript, contact me (facsimilium AT gmail DOT com).

The "Book of Flags", 16th Century

Arms of the City and Republic of Fribourg, surmounted by a third shield, also oval-shaped arms of the Empire. It is surmounted by the imperial crown. The whole is supported by two lions, one holding a sword in dexter and sinister than a world

The arms of bailiwicks, from left to right from the top middle: Corberss (Corbières), Remond (Romont) Ruw (Street) Staffys (Estavayer), Boll (Bulle) Wiypingen (Vuippens) Uberstein (Surpierre) Bossonens (Bossonnens), Chastel-[D] ionized (Châtel-St-Denis), Attalens, S. Albin (St. Aubin), Talbach (Vaulruz), Font, Cugie (Cugy) Plaffeyen (Plaffeien) Jounn (Bellegarde) Corsery (Corserey), Orbach (Orb), Granson (Grandson) Grasburg (Grasbourg) Murtten (Morat), Alten [r] Yff (Hauterive) Chinaulx (Chenaux) 1 , Montenach (Montagny) Gruningen (Everdes) Illingen (Illens) Bridge and Gryers (Gruyère)

Banner of the City of Milan: Round medallion in the center of which is placed Ambrose , the patron saint of Milan, in priestly garb, holding a whip in his right hand and the stick in his left hand, he is surrounded by allegories of the cardinal virtues: Justice, Strength, Prudence and Temperance. Part of the medallion bears the following legend: + COMVNITAS ⋆ MEDIOLANI in Roman capitals (Enlarge the image to observe letters)

In 1646, the Petit Conseil or Executive Council of Fribourg, equivalent to the Canton of Fribourg, commissioned Pierre Crolot (did my best but couldn't find complete BIO, so far) an artist from the Free County of Burgundy, with the task of illustrating the flags and banners that were carried by Fribourg troops on campaigns in Sundgau, Burgundy, and Italy (at the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century), which were then displayed in the church of St. Nicholas.

These objects themselves disappeared without a trace in 1822, with the exception of two ceremonial vestments of the Order of the Golden Fleece (which are now on display in the castle of Gruyere). The book contains a total of 240 illuminations: three frontispieces show the city’s coat of arms, its bailiwick, and the coats of arms of the members of the Executive Council; 30 tables reproduce the banners, and 9 tables portray Burgundian clothing items and tapestries. The “Book of Flags” is an art object, valuable as a record of objects that have been lost, as well as a witness to the glory of the Fribourg troops in the late middle ages.

Technical details about the codex: Parchment: 42 plates, size 31 x 48 cm. Original title (classic german): "Fahnenbuch". Hosted at Archives de l'Etat de Fribourg (Freiburg), and also well known (even best) as "Le Livre des Drapeaux de Fribourg"

Banner of Milan (II) Round medallion in the center of which is placed St. Ambrose, in the same suit and the same attributes, but it is not surrounded by allegories. The medallion is placed in the center of a white cross occupying the whole field of the flag. In each canton is inscribed the motto libertas, lowercase Gothic, surmounted by a crown.

Flag of Pierre de Gingins, lord of Châtelard, killed in June 1476 defending Tour de Peilz against the Bernese

Etendard of Louis XII, King of France and Count of Pavia