The Game of Chess Moralized

A full-page heraldic painting shows a central coat of arms. The shield is divided into four quarters. The first and fourth quarters feature a twelve-piece wedge pattern in silver and black. The second and third quarters have eight horizontal bars in red and blue. Three red axes, known as doloires (broad-axes), are placed over these bars. Two golden lions with red tongues and claws support the shield while standing on a green mound. Above the shield is a steel and gold tournament helmet. It is topped with a red and gold wreath and a crest showing the head and shoulders of a golden lion. Red and gold leaf-colored decorations flow from the helmet. The background is deep blue with delicate gold patterns. A heavy gold frame surrounds the entire scene.

original: "ESPOIR DE MIEVLX". This is a family motto, expressing a wish for future prosperity or improvement.

heraldry (the study and design of coats of arms), coat of arms (a visual symbol representing a person or family), illumination (a hand-painted illustration in a manuscript), motto (a short phrase expressing a guiding principle), supporters (figures, often animals, placed on either side of a heraldic shield), crest (the decoration found on top of a helmet), mantling (decorative cloth or leafwork flowing from a helmet), doloires (large-headed axes used as heraldic symbols), frontispiece (an illustration at the beginning of a book)