83vĮwok-ish creatures: from an Italian rite prayer book, Italy, 1383, Add MS 26968, f. 18rĪ progenitor of Bib Fortuna: detail of a panotii from the Marvels of the East, England (Canterbury), 2nd quarter of the 11th century, Cotton MS Tiberius B V, f. With diligent searching, a whole host of other characters appears:Īn early Sith? Detail from the alchemical treatise Splendor Solis, Germany, 1582, Harley MS 3469, f. 70r, and from the Queen Mary Psalter, England, 1310-1320, Royal MS 2 B VII, f. 3vĬhewbacca has a precursor in the wodewose or wild man, though these medieval half-human creatures did not generally cooperate with humanity quite as well as the noble Wookiee.ĭetails of wodewoses, from the Luttrell Psalter, England (Lincolnshire), 1325-1340, Add MS 42130, f. For example, a brief suspension of disbelief might allow one to see Leia wielding two light-sabres in the lady below.ĭetail of a lady, from the St Omer Book of Hours, France, c.
Yoda is not the only inhabitant of the Star Wars universe to be found on the pages of our medieval manuscripts.
It is therefore entirely possible (if not probable) that this is a portrait drawn from life.ĭetail of Yoda (or a look-alike), from the Smithfield Decretals, southern France (with marginal scenes added in London), c. When we first meet Yoda in the Empire Strikes Back, his age is given as 900 years, meaning that he would have been about 260 at the time of the illumination of the Smithfield Decretals. Written probably in Toulouse, the manuscript arrived in London in the early part of the 14th century, where numerous marginal illuminations were added. The jewel in our Star Wars crown is the very Yoda-like creature below, which can be found in an book of canon law now known as the Smithfield Decretals. Image of stars and the heavens from the Northern French Miscellany, France, 1277-1286, Add MS 11639, f. It may seem a stretch to discuss medieval manuscripts in the context of a futuristic saga, but have no fear – we’ll give it a good try nonetheless.Ī long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… and you know the rest. We all are awash in the sights, sounds, and excitement of the newest Star Wars movie, and as you know, the Medieval Manuscripts department is always eager to join in the fun. With the help of Dean, Poe and BB-8 will have to face their fears, stop an ancient evil from rising, and escape to make it back to their friends.It can hardly have escaped your notice that a rather major feature film opened across the world this week. As Vaneé spins his tales and lures our heroes deeper into the shadowy underbelly of the castle, a sinister plan emerges.
While waiting for his X-Wing to be repaired, Poe, BB-8, Graballa, and Dean (a plucky and courageous young boy who works as Graballa’s mechanic) venture deep into the mysterious castle with Vader’s loyal servant, Vaneé.ÂĪlong the way, Vaneé shares three creepy stories linked to ancient artifacts and iconic villains from across all eras of Star Wars. Here’s the official synopsis for the Star Wars LEGO Halloween Special:Īfter the events of “The Rise of Skywalker,†Poe and BB-8 must make an emergency landing on the volcanic planet Mustafar where they meet the greedy and conniving Graballa the Hutt who has purchased Darth Vader’s castle and is renovating it into the galaxy’s first all-inclusive Sith-inspired luxury hotel.