Image: Voyage Gênes Marot Louis XII 2

Description: King of France Louis XII in 1507 riding out of the fortress of Alexandria with his army, in order to retake the city of Genoa, which had rebelled against him (January to May 1507 campaign). Fifth illuminated miniature in the manuscript Le Voyage de Gênes (ca.1500), by Jean Marot (ca.1450 - ca.1526). The motto "NON UTITUR ACULEO REX CUI PAREMUR" means "the King whom we obey does not use his sting", referring to the ancient Classical belief (Pliny, Seneca) that a colony of bees (or wasps) was ruled by a benign king bee in an ideal society. Thus bees and a wickerwork skep are embroidered on his tunic, to suggest to his rebellious subjects in Genoa that if they will come back to order no harm will befall them. The royal heraldic badge of the porcupine is shown embroidered on the tunics of two of his retinue who precede him. A porcupines was the usual personal symbol of king Louis XII.
Title: Voyage Gênes Marot Louis XII 2
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Author: Jean Bourdichon
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