Tree of Virtues from the Psalter of Robert de Lisle (British Library, Arundel MS 83, early 14th century
A Root / base scene (bottom): Humility is shown through the Annunciation (Gabriel greeting Mary).
Root: HumilityAt the bottom margin, the tree grows from a vase associated with the Annunciation scene. Underneath is the key caption: “Radix virtutum humilitas”—humility is the root of virtues.
The Trunk (middle): the “path” upward—the way of life - and the “fruit” produced - the fruit of the Spirit.A circle on the trunk reads VIA VITAE: the “way” or “road” of life. Higher up a circle reads FRUCTUS SPIRITUS: (“the fruit of the Spirit”) - the fruit produced by living on this path.Top: Charity/Love (Caritas) under ChristAt the top the tree culminates in CARITAS (Charity/Love), and above that appears the head of Christ, as if Christ is the crown/goal of the whole moral ascent. This visual logic is common in medieval trees of virtue: the virtues are not “just self-improvement,” they are a path toward God.
The Branches (seven big virtues): the four cardinal virtues (Prudence, Fortitude, Justice, Temperance) and the three theological virtues (Faith, Hope, Charity/Love).
Leaves around each virtue: “subsidiary virtues” (sub-virtues) that belong to and “grow from” each main virtue.
The structure is intentionally hierarchical: humility, disciplined moral life, virtues, union with Christ. Medieval readers would see this as a map of how a person becomes spiritually mature.The four women at the bottom: personifications of the cardinal virtues. On this page they match the standard identifications described in catalog captions and scholarship:
Prudence (Prudentia) - shown with a dove (often also paired with a serpent/dragon in other versions to echo “wise as serpents, innocent as doves”).
Justice (Justitia) - scales (weighing/justice) and often a rod or branch.
Fortitude (Fortitudo) - sword and shield (strength/courage).
Temperance (Temperantia) - a chalice/cup (moderation) and a vessel suggesting controlled measure (your caption notes a “cornucopia of fire”).
Two angels stand near the upper cluster. In many medieval virtue trees, angels “guard” or “affirm” the highest virtues, reinforcing that this is a heavenly ascent rather than a purely earthly moral ladder.PRUDENTIA (I) — PrudenceSubsidiary virtues:(1) Timor Domini = “Fear of the Lord” (reverent awe; taking God seriously)(2) Alacritas = “Eagerness / promptness / readiness”(3) Consilium = “Counsel” (good advice; wise planning)(4) Memoria = “Memory” (moral recall; learning from experience)(5) Intelligentia = “Understanding / intelligence”(6) Providentia = “Foresight / providence” (seeing consequences ahead)(7) Deliberatio = “Deliberation” (careful weighing before acting)FORTITUDO (II) — Fortitude (Courage)Subsidiary virtues:(1) Magnanimitas = “Magnanimity” (greatness of soul; aiming high)(2) Fiducia = “Confidence / trust”(3) Tolerantia = “Endurance / tolerance” (bearing hardship)(4) Requies = “Rest” (steady calm; not frantic fear)(5) Stabilitas = “Stability / steadfastness”(6) Constantia = “Constancy” (not wavering)(7) Perseverantia = “Perseverance”
IUSTITIA (III) — JusticeSubsidiary virtues:(1) Lex = “Law”(2) Severitas = “Strictness / seriousness”(3) Aequitas = “Equity / fairness”(4) Correctio = “Correction” (setting things right; discipline)(5) Iuris iurandi observatio = “Observance of an oath” / “keeping sworn promises”(6) Iudicium = “Judgment”(7) Veritas = “Truth”
TEMPERANTIA (IV) — TemperanceSubsidiary virtues:(1) Discretio = “Discernment” (wise distinction; knowing what fits)(2) Morigeratio = “Good discipline / self-control / compliance with what is right”(3) Taciturnitas = “Silence” (restraint of speech)(4) Ieiunium = “Fasting”(5) Sobrietas = “Sobriety”(6) Afflictio carnis = “Affliction (mortification) of the flesh” (bodily discipline)(7) Contemptus saeculi = “Contempt of the world” (not being ruled by worldly status/pleasure)
FIDES (V) — FaithSubsidiary virtues:(1) Religio = “Religious devotion / practice of religion”(2) Munditia = “Cleanliness / purity / decorum” (inner and outer integrity)(3) Obedientia = “Obedience”(4) Castitas = “Chastity”(5) Reverentia = “Reverence”(6) Continentia = “Continence / self-restraint”(7) Affectus = “Right affection / good desire” (properly directed love/desire)
SPES (VI) — HopeSubsidiary virtues:(1) Contemplatio supernorum = “Contemplation of heavenly things”(2) Gaudium = “Joy”(3) Modestia = “Modesty / moderation / humility of manner”(4) Confessio = “Confession” (admitting truth; often confessing sins or confessing faith)(5) Patientia = “Patience”(6) Compunctio = “Compunction” (heartfelt remorse that turns you back to good)(7) Longanimitas = “Long-suffering / endurance over time”
CARITAS (VII) — Charity (Love)Subsidiary virtues:(1) Gratia = “Grace” (also “favor,” “kindness,” “a gracious disposition”)(2) Pax = “Peace”(3) Pietas = “Piety / dutiful devotion”(4) Mansuetudo = “Gentleness / meekness”(5) Misericordia = “Mercy”(6) Indulgentia = “Forbearance / forgiveness”(7) Concordia = “Concord / harmony”