(Mews, 2001 supplies a wealth of information on the Speculum virginum.) The best-known of these figures appear in a 12th century work called the Speculum virginum ( Mirror of Virgins), a devotional work intended for the spiritual formation of nuns and attributed to Conrad of Hirsau. Pride ( superbia) is considered the common root of all vices, and Humility ( humilitas) of all virtues. Often a parallel tree of the seven deadly vices and their sub-vices accompanies the Tree of Virtues.
Each virtue is shown as a branch of the tree accompanied by seven sub-virtues (Charity may have up to ten sub-virtues, so we’ll say roughly fifty subvirtues in total) as leaves. These vary in details, but always include the four cardinal virtues of the Greek ethical tradition (Fortitude, Temperance, Prudence and Justice) and the three theological virtues (Faith, Hope and Charity) of Christianity. 26r.ī EGINNING in the 11th century we find in Western medieval manuscripts frequent portrayal of virtues and vices as tree diagrams. Tree of Virtues from Speculum Virginum, Walters Art Museum Ms.
