Battle of the Hungarian and Turkish army from BL Royal 20 C IX, f. 278v

Miniature of a battle of the Hungarian and Turkish army, with a partial border and an illuminated initial 'M'(emoire). Image taken from f. 278v of Grandes Chroniques de France (Chronique de Charles VII). Written in French.

The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of over 2,000 manuscripts that were once owned by the British monarchs, including English and later British kings and queens from the late 12th to the 19th centuries. These manuscripts are notable for their historical and artistic value.

The collection was initially stored in various royal libraries and palaces, such as the Tower of London and Westminster Palace. During the English Civil War in the 17th century and the subsequent Interregnum, many royal treasures, including manuscripts, were dispersed and sold. Some manuscripts were lost, destroyed, or ended up in private hands.

In 1757, King George II donated the Old Royal Library to the British Museum (which later became the British Library), where the manuscripts were integrated into the museum's collections. This marked the formal establishment of the Royal Manuscript Collection within the British Museum.

jean chartier battle hungarian turkish army turkish army bl royal c ix manuscripts medieval calligraphy illuminated letters illuminated initials medieval miniatures french manuscripts medieval manuscript illustrated books france british library

1300 - 1500

British Library

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