Peter from BL YT 36, f. 177 - Public domain medieval manuscript

Detail of a miniature of Beatrice watching as Dante kneels before Peter, who stands with the Trinity within a circle of golden stars with three naked souls, while on the right, two warriors are kneeling before a Pope, in illustration of Paradiso XXVII. Image taken from f. 177 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy). Written in Italian.

The concept of the Trinity is a central doctrine of Christianity that refers to the belief in one God who exists as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. The three persons of the Trinity are equal in power and glory, and yet distinct in their roles and relationships with one another. The Father is the source of all that exists, the Son is the redeemer of humanity, and the Holy Spirit is the comforter and guide of the Church. The doctrine of the Trinity is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, as well as in the early Christian Church's reflection on the nature of God and on the experience of God's presence in the world. The Trinity is a mystery that transcends human understanding and cannot be fully grasped by the human mind.

Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled this remarkable collection over his lifetime. The collection is now housed at the British Library in London.

Henry Yates Thompson was born into a wealthy family in 1838. Thompson began collecting manuscripts and other items in the 1870s. His collection quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality and breadth. He had a keen eye for illuminated manuscripts, which are manuscripts decorated with intricate illustrations and calligraphy. The collection has a particular emphasis on medieval manuscripts.