How did Europeans in the medieval era understand history, and their place in it? Focusing on France in the late Middle Ages, this examination of how history was presented to the public focuses on the exquisite illustrations that made individual books into unique works of art. Presented here are more than 200 color reproductions of 55 manuscripts, and art objects ranging from tapestries to ivory boxes. Together they show how historical narratives came to play a decisive role at the French court and in the process inspired some of the most original artworks of the time, including depictions of Hector of Troy, Alexander the Great, the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne, and even the Virgin Mary.