Петр и Павел из BL YT 4, f. 182

Detail of an historiated initial 'P'(etrus) of Peter and Paul, in semi-grisaille, with partial foliate borders. Image taken from f. 182 of Book of Hours, Use of Rome ('Hours of Jacques de Brégilles'). Written in Latin, with some French.

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.