Dossier № 22: Deathbed of a countess
Nationaal Archief Den Haag, Archief van de graven van Holland, inv. nr. 1244, f. 49r, Archief Graven van Holland 1244, f. 49r
Introduction
In December 1386, Margaret of Brieg-Liegnitz, countess of Holland, died. To honour her, the count of Holland, Duke Albrecht of Bavaria, had a stone tomb monument erected in the court chapel in The Hague, witnessed by several entries in the count's accounts. Such monuments are scarce in Holland. The tomb of his mother - Margaret of Henegouwen, wife of Emperor Louis the Bavarian - in Valenciennes is taken as an example: it consists of a cover plate with a gisant (recumbent statue) and block with pleurants (figures with coats of arms) along the sides. So the design is available but suitable sculptors are not easily found. Searches are made in Valenciennes, Tournai, Utrecht and Brussels. Even after sculpting begins, there are still problems. It is only in June 1389 that the final payments for the completion of the tomb are recorded in the accounts.
Physical Description
Gothic cursive, written on parchment. Lineation of text mirror.