Book of Hours: Battledore and Shuttlecock - 1516-1547

Battledore and Shuttlecock, 1516-1547

A player is about to strike the 'trap', sending the ball into the air as if it had been pitched. The right-hand player depicts a game of battledore (French 'volante'). The server, left, prepares to strike the shuttlecock to his opponent who is waiting in the 'en garde' position, a leaf-shaped bat in his hand.

Book of Hours known as Les Heures de Guillaume de Bracque for whom it was written and illuminated between 1516 and 1547 (folio 48 recto). Use of Amiens (adapted from the Use of the Abbey of Saint Jean Baptiste of Valenciennes) Valenciennes, France. The book, illuminated on vellum, belonged to Guillaume de Bracque whose arms appear on the brass clasps.

Libreria Antiquaria Pregliasco, Italy

Literature

• Golf through the ages by Michael Flannery, page 64. January 2004