ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author has characterized Matthew Paris as a master storyteller and a 'Renaissance man' equally adept at writing history, retelling legend, and creating pictorial narrative. It analyzes the opening miniatures with what may seem overly meticulous attention to detail. The text of the Vitae duorum Offarumhas been pronounced entirely false and the pictures are less lively than Matthew's illustrations, remaining only a sketchy start. Matthew's use of text in this image is quite different from that of the first miniature. Matthew has shown a noble royal line, beset by hardship and rebellion but overcoming all with divine blessing and courtly grace. Most of these extra-textual and extra-pictorial footnotes and glosses have disappeared from the Vitae duorum Offarum. Matthew's Vitae duorum Offarum represents a brave and ambitious project. From the author perspective, although Matthew's efforts remain far from failure, it seems clear that he became discouraged.
