british library, history

15,108 media by topicpage 1 of 152
Jerusalem from BL Eg 1070, f. 5

Jerusalem from BL Eg 1070, f. 5

Full-page miniature of Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock Image taken from f. 5 of Book of Hours, Use of Paris ('The Hours of René d'Anjou'). Written in Latin, calendar and rubrics in French. The Egerton Manus... More

Seated scribe from BL YT 26, f. 2

Seated scribe from BL YT 26, f. 2

Miniature of a scribe writing at a desk (thought to be Bede), from the preface to Bede's prose Life of St Cuthbert. Image taken from f. 2 of Prose Life of Cuthbert; extracts from the Historia Ecclesiastica (His... More

Canon table from BL Royal 1 E VI, f. 6

Canon table from BL Royal 1 E VI, f. 6

Canon table with a zoomorphic decoration in the 'Trewhiddle Style'. Image taken from f. 6 of Gospels, imperfect (the 'Royal Bible'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Roya... More

The sword is given to Arthur from BL Add 10292, f. 100

The sword is given to Arthur from BL Add 10292, f. 100

The Archbishop presents the sword to Arthur before the people. The inscription on the stone is: 'Whoever pulls this sword out will be king of the land.' Image taken from f. 100 of L'estoire del Saint Graal (ff... More

Annunciation from BL King's 7, f. 7

Annunciation from BL King's 7, f. 7

Detail of a miniature of the Annuncation. Image taken from f. 7 of Book of Hours, Use of Rome. Written in Latin. The Annunciation is a biblical event in which the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to a... More

Decorated scribal formula from BL Or 2393, f. 329v

Decorated scribal formula from BL Or 2393, f. 329v

Decorated scribal formula at the end of Tractate Neziqim. Image taken from f. 329v of Fragment of the commentary on Seder Nashim of the Mishnah. Written in Judeo-Arabic.

Philosophy visiting Boethius from BL Harley 2688, f. 22v

Philosophy visiting Boethius from BL Harley 2688, f. 22v

Drawing of Philosophy visiting Boethius in prison. Image taken from f. 22v of Miscellany, including a wind rose (f. 17), a Greek and Latin grammatical list (ff. 19-22), and an excerpt from the 'Proverbia Salomo... More

Zoroaster from BL YT 28, f. 51 - Public domain dedication image

Zoroaster from BL YT 28, f. 51 - Public domain dedication image

Detail of a mminiature of Zoroaster with two demons, from Pseudo-Aristotle's Secreta secretorum. Image taken from f. 51 of Secreta secretorum (ff. 1-43); Il Tesoro (translation of Li Livres dou Tresor) (ff. 43v... More

John the Baptist from BL Eg 1139, f. 206

John the Baptist from BL Eg 1139, f. 206

Detail of miniature of John the Baptist. Image taken from f. 206 of Psalter (The 'Melisende Psalter') with canticles, prayers, and litany. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its... More

Haggai from BL Harley 2803, f. 281

Haggai from BL Harley 2803, f. 281

Detail of a historiated initial 'I'(n anno) depicting the standing prophet holding a scroll, at the beginning of Haggai (Aggaeus). Image taken from f. 281 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible),... More

Decorated headpiece and initial from BL Arundel 529, ff. 5v-6

Decorated headpiece and initial from BL Arundel 529, ff. 5v-6

Simple headpiece and intial 'T'(on) in an extract from Cyril of Scythopolis's Life of Euthymius of Palestine. Image taken from ff. 5v-6 of Theological extracts and various letters. Written in Greek. The Arunde... More

Adam naming the animals from BL Or 2884, f. 1v

Adam naming the animals from BL Or 2884, f. 1v

Detail of a miniature of Adam naming the animals. Image taken from f. 1v of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Sister Haggadah'). Written in Hebrew.

Purgatory: Dante observes the lustful from BL Eg 943, f. 110

Purgatory: Dante observes the lustful from BL Eg 943, f. 110

Framed miniature of Dante (with Statius and Virgil) observing the lustful. Image taken from f. 110 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with a short Latin commentary; the Cap... More

Decorated title page from BL Add 27210, f. 2

Decorated title page from BL Add 27210, f. 2

Decorated title page depicting an arcade resting on mermaid caryatids and on columns decorated with gold flowers. In the middle of the arch, there is an angel's head with wings. Early seventeenth-century decora... More

Arrival of Rollo in Normandy from BL YT 33, f. 1

Arrival of Rollo in Normandy from BL YT 33, f. 1

Detail of a miniature of the arrival of Duke Rollo in Normandy, with the city of Rouen on the left. Image taken from f. 1 of Grande Chronique de Normandie. Written in French. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) w... More

Lancelot from BL Royal 14 E III, f. 146

Lancelot from BL Royal 14 E III, f. 146

Detail of a miniature of Lancelot in conversation with a lady who is holding a small black and white dog. Image taken from f. 146 of Estoire del Saint Graal, La Queste del Saint Graal, Morte Artu. Written in Fr... More

Ghent from BL Royal 14 E IV, f. 121

Ghent from BL Royal 14 E IV, f. 121

Detail of a miniature of a military expedition from Ghent, at the beginning of book 3. Image taken from f. 121 of Recueil des croniques d’Engleterre. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also... More

Scenes from Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 179

Scenes from Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 179

Miniature with six scenes from Roman history. Image taken from f. 179 of Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et de autres gens (index Memorabilia, index Facta et Dicta Memorabilia) (part 2, vol. 1). Written in Fren... More

The battle on Salisbury Plain from BL Add 10294, f. 93

The battle on Salisbury Plain from BL Add 10294, f. 93

Miniature of the battle between King Arthur and Mordred's armies on Salisbury Plain. Image taken from f. 93 of La Queste del Saint Graal (ff. 2-53); Morte Artu (ff. 53-96). Written in French.

Cleriadus and Meliadice from BL Royal 20 C II, f. 159

Cleriadus and Meliadice from BL Royal 20 C II, f. 159

Detail of a miniature of Cleriadus and Meliadice with three pairs of dancers. Image taken from f. 159 of Cleriadus et Meliadice, Historia Apollonii regis Tyri. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collec... More

Lot and his daughters from BL Add 27210, f. 4v

Lot and his daughters from BL Add 27210, f. 4v

Loth and his daughters escaping from Sodom, detail of a miniature depicting scenes from Genesis. Image taken from f. 4v of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Golden Haggadah''). Written in Hebrew.

Battle of Hastings from BL YT 33, f. 155v

Battle of Hastings from BL YT 33, f. 155v

Detail of a miniature of the Battle of Hastings. Image taken from f. 155v of Grande Chronique de Normandie. Written in French. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who as... More

Henry VIII from BL Eg 2572, f. 8

Henry VIII from BL Eg 2572, f. 8

Miniature of a bust of Henry VIII. Image taken from f. 8 of Guild Book of the Barber Surgeons of York, including its ordinances. Written in English and Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after i... More

Rowona and Vortigern from BL Eg 3028, f. 20

Rowona and Vortigern from BL Eg 3028, f. 20

Drawing of Rowona giving Vortigern the wassail cup. Image taken from f. 20 of Roman de Brut, a verse epitome (begins imperfectly) with continuation to Edward III; Destruction de Rome; Fierabras. Written in Fren... More

Scenes from history from BL Harley 4374, f. 88

Scenes from history from BL Harley 4374, f. 88

Miniature, prefacing Book II, arranged in three registers: 'Octovien' (Augustus) holding court; Fulvius Flaccus at the siege of Capua; the capture of Capua. Arms of Philippe de Comines (quartered with that of ... More

Mass from BL YT 11, f. 6v - Public domain dedication image

Mass from BL YT 11, f. 6v - Public domain dedication image

Miniature of a mass attended by officials of a nunnery inside a church. On the right, a priest, in chasuble, is at the altar, with a deacon, an abbess with book and crozier, and nuns, including the sacristan pu... More

The giant and the harlot from BL Eg 943, f. 124

The giant and the harlot from BL Eg 943, f. 124

Detail of a framed miniature of Statius and Dante observing the giant and the harlot in an embrace. Image taken from f. 124 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with a short ... More

Two knights jousting from BL Harley 4205, f. 14

Two knights jousting from BL Harley 4205, f. 14

Detail of the lower half of the folio, with two knights jousting. Image taken from f. 14 of Anonymous verses on the kings of England, to Henry VI, unfinished (manuscript also known as Sir Thomas Holme's Book of... More

Notes from BL Arundel 263, f. 207

Notes from BL Arundel 263, f. 207

Notes. Image taken from f. 207 of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, particularly Thomas Howard, the 2nd Earl of Arundel (15... More

Detail from BL Sloane 1977, f. 50

Detail from BL Sloane 1977, f. 50

Detail of the upper 2 registers of a full-page miniature with scenes of various medical consultations, including a physician holding up a urine glass. Image taken from f. 50 of Circa instans (index Herbal). Wri... More

Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot from BL Royal 14 E III, f. 89

Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot from BL Royal 14 E III, f. 89

Detail of a miniature of Arthur and Guinevere at a banquet, while Lancelot kneels before them, requesting permission to leave the court, with a rebec player in the margin. Image taken from f. 89 of Estoire del ... More

Hyena from BL Harley 4751, f. 10

Hyena from BL Harley 4751, f. 10

Detail of a miniature of a hyena (Yena) devouring a human corpse, which it pulls from a tomb. Image taken from f. 10 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin. The "B... More

The Magi from BL Royal 1 D X, f. 2

The Magi from BL Royal 1 D X, f. 2

Detail of a miniature from the prefatory cycle of the Magi before Herod. Image taken from f. 2 of Psalter (index Old Testament, Bible). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the R... More

Wheel of Fortune from BL Stowe 54, f. 197

Wheel of Fortune from BL Stowe 54, f. 197

Detail of a miniature of the wheel of fortune. Image taken from f. 197 of Histoire ancienne jusqu'à César. Written in French.

Nascien from BL Royal 14 E III, f. 68

Nascien from BL Royal 14 E III, f. 68

Detail of a miniature of an admiral in a passing ship giving Nascien some food. Image taken from f. 68 of Estoire del Saint Graal, La Queste del Saint Graal, Morte Artu. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscr... More

Bonagiunta and Dante from BL Eg 943, f. 106

Bonagiunta and Dante from BL Eg 943, f. 106

Framed miniature of the gluttonous; Bonagiunta and Dante; Statius and Virgil. Image taken from f. 106 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with a short Latin commentary; the ... More

f. 277v, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 272: notes and sketches from BL Arundel 263

f. 277v, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 272: notes and sketches...

Notes and sketches on mechanics. Image taken from f. 277v of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, particularly Thomas Howard, ... More

Scene from Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 179

Scene from Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 179

Detail of the centre section of the miniatures: the spend-thrift son of Aesopus, the tragedian, feasts on costly song birds. Image taken from f. 179 of Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et de autres gens (index M... More

Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 123

Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 123

Detail of a miniature with a scene from Roman history. Image taken from f. 123 of Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et de autres gens (index Memorabilia, index Facta et Dicta Memorabilia) (part 2, vol. 1). Writte... More

Drawing from BL Harley 2407, f. 68

Drawing from BL Harley 2407, f. 68

Drawing of an eagle, a snake, a man and a frog, with a legend below. Image taken from f. 68 of Miscellaneous treatises on alchemy, including John Lydgate's 'The Churl and the Bird' (the latter imperfect at the ... More

Penitence, devotion, and contemplation from BL YT 11, f. 29

Penitence, devotion, and contemplation from BL YT 11, f. 29

Detail of a miniature divided in four compartments: a nun's vision of the Trinity. Image taken from f. 29 of 'La Sainte Abbaye' (ff. 2-7); a treatise on love (ff. 7-28); Livres de l'estat de l'ame (ff. 28v-51v)... More

Dante and Virgil from BL YT 36, f. 14

Dante and Virgil from BL YT 36, f. 14

Detail of a miniature of Dante and Virgil being rowed across the river Styx by a demon rower, Phlegyas, and Dante and Virgil at the brazen gates of the city of Dis, in illustration of Canto VIII. Image taken fr... More

Edmund's head from BL Harley 2278, f. 66

Edmund's head from BL Harley 2278, f. 66

Detail of a miniature of Edmund's head calling out "Here! Here! Here!" all day long until the men searching for it found it hidden in a thicket, being guarded from predatory animals by a wolf. Image taken from ... More

Monoceros (unicorn) from BL Harley 4751, f. 15

Monoceros (unicorn) from BL Harley 4751, f. 15

Miniature of a monoceros (unicorn). Image taken from f. 15 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval ma... More

Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 123

Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 123

Detail of a miniature with a scene from Roman history. Image taken from f. 123 of Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et de autres gens (index Memorabilia, index Facta et Dicta Memorabilia) (part 2, vol. 1). Writte... More

Black Horse from BL Royal 19 B XV, f. 10

Black Horse from BL Royal 19 B XV, f. 10

Miniature of John with a symbol of Luke and the vision of the Black Horse, a portent of famine, illustrating the opening of the Third Seal (Revelation 6: 5). Image taken from f. 10 of Apocalypse, with commentar... More

Rome from BL Royal 16 G I, f. 9

Rome from BL Royal 16 G I, f. 9

Detail of a miniature of the senators of Rome giving a decree regarding sending malefactors out as colonists, while in the foreground, cattle are being driven on board a ship. Image taken from f. 9 of Chronicle... More

William the Conqueror and William Rufus from BL YT 33, f. 176

William the Conqueror and William Rufus from BL YT 33, f. 176

Detail of a miniature of the funeral of William the Conqueror in the Abbaye aux hommes at Caen; on the right, a miniature of Lanfranc crowning William Rufus before a watching group of men, from the Grande Chron... More

Rollo and his descendants from BL Royal 14 B VI, Membrane 5

Rollo and his descendants from BL Royal 14 B VI, Membrane 5

Detail from the roll of the dukes of Normandy: Rollo, William, and Richard, with seven roundels showing Richard's children. Image taken from Membrane 5 of Genealogical roll of the kings of England. Written in ... More

Court of Love from BL Royal 16 F II, f. 1

Court of Love from BL Royal 16 F II, f. 1

Detail of a miniature of a lady Jeunesse presenting the author to lord Bel Accueil and lady Plaisance and their court, with a full border with two mottos, 'La plus eure' and 'Dieu et mon droit', the arms of Edw... More

Pygmalion kneeling before the statue from BL Royal 19 B XIII, f. 138v

Pygmalion kneeling before the statue from BL Royal 19 B XIII, f. 138v

Detail of a miniature of Pygmalion kneeling before the statue. Image taken from f. 138v of Roman de la Rose. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists ... More

Sketches and diagrams from BL Arundel 263, f. 223v

Sketches and diagrams from BL Arundel 263, f. 223v

Notes and diagrams. Image taken from f. 223v of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, particularly Thomas Howard, the 2nd Earl ... More

City Romorantin from BL Arundel 263, f. 270v

City Romorantin from BL Arundel 263, f. 270v

Notes and diagrams on a new royal residence in the city of Romorantin; sketch of a man's head in profile. Image taken from f. 270v of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript ... More

Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 123

Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 123

Miniatures with four scenes from Roman history. Image taken from f. 123 of Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et de autres gens (index Memorabilia, index Facta et Dicta Memorabilia) (part 2, vol. 1). Written in Fr... More

Cuthbert at a synod from BL YT 26, f. 53v

Cuthbert at a synod from BL YT 26, f. 53v

Miniature of Cuthbert accepting the bishopric at a synod of fellow monks, from Chapter 24 of Bede's prose Life of St Cuthbert. Image taken from f. 53v of Prose Life of Cuthbert; extracts from the Historia Eccle... More

Caladrius from BL Harley 4751, f. 40

Caladrius from BL Harley 4751, f. 40

Detail of a miniature of a caladrius perching at the bedside of a king, illustrating the text that states that the bird has the power to foretell whether an ill patient will live or die. If the bird turns its... More

Nativity from BL Harley 4382, f. 159

Nativity from BL Harley 4382, f. 159

Detail of a miniature of the Nativity of Christ. Image taken from f. 159 of Bible historiale (vol. 2). Written in French. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the B... More

Griffins carrying Alexander from BL Royal 20 A V, f. 70v

Griffins carrying Alexander from BL Royal 20 A V, f. 70v

Miniature of griffins carrying Alexander into the heavens. Image taken from f. 70v of Roman d'Alexandre en Prose, imperfect at the end (index Le Livre et la vraye hystoire du bon roy Alixandre, Alexander Romanc... More

Six Ages of the World from BL YT 31, f. 77

Six Ages of the World from BL YT 31, f. 77

Circular diagram of the Six Ages of the World, with an angel at the centre with outspread arms. Each of the Ages of the World is represented by an emblematic scene. First Age (from Adam to Noah): the expulsi... More

Galahad from BL Royal 14 E III, f. 91

Galahad from BL Royal 14 E III, f. 91

Detail of a miniature of Galahad withdrawing a sword from a floating marble block, while a mounted young woman arrives to question Lancelot. Image taken from f. 91 of Estoire del Saint Graal, La Queste del Sain... More

Charlemagne from BL Eg 3028, f. 113

Charlemagne from BL Eg 3028, f. 113

Drawing of Charlemagne and Richard slaying Agolafre. Image taken from f. 113 of Roman de Brut, a verse epitome (begins imperfectly) with continuation to Edward III; Destruction de Rome; Fierabras. Written in Fr... More

Cow from BL Harley 4751, f. 23 - Public domain medieval manuscript

Cow from BL Harley 4751, f. 23 - Public domain medieval manuscript

Detail of a miniature of woman milking a cow, who is licking its calf. Image taken from f. 23 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" re... More

Hengist from BL Eg 3028, f. 27 - Public domain document scan of drawing

Hengist from BL Eg 3028, f. 27 - Public domain document scan of drawin...

Drawing of Hengist takings refuge at Conisborough. Image taken from f. 27 of Roman de Brut, a verse epitome (begins imperfectly) with continuation to Edward III; Destruction de Rome; Fierabras. Written in Frenc... More

Creation from BL Eg 1894, f. 1 - Public domain medieval manuscript

Creation from BL Eg 1894, f. 1 - Public domain medieval manuscript

Detail of a miniature in the upper register on the right side, of the Second day of Creation, with God creating the firmament in the midst of the waters. Image taken from f. 1 of Egerton Genesis Picture Book. W... More

Coronation of Henry IV from BL Royal 18 E II, f. 404

Coronation of Henry IV from BL Royal 18 E II, f. 404

Detail of a miniature of the coronation of Henry IV of England, at the beginning of chapter 78. Image taken from f. 404 of Chroniques. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the R... More

Battle of Coquerel from BL YT 35, f. 71

Battle of Coquerel from BL YT 35, f. 71

Detail of a miniature of the Battle of Coquerel, from Jean Cuvelier's Chanson de Bertrand du Guesclin. Image taken from f. 71 of La chanson de Bertrand du Guesclin. Written in French. Henry Yates Thompson (183... More

King Nascien being given bread at sea from BL Add 10292, f. 56v

King Nascien being given bread at sea from BL Add 10292, f. 56v

Miniature of King Nascien alone in a boat being given bread by the commander of a ship. Image taken from f. 56v of L'estoire del Saint Graal (ff. 1-76); L'estoire de Merlin (ff. 76-216). Written in French.

Hengist from BL Eg 3028, f. 19 - Public domain document scan of drawing

Hengist from BL Eg 3028, f. 19 - Public domain document scan of drawin...

Drawing of Hengist preparing a bull's hide. Image taken from f. 19 of Roman de Brut, a verse epitome (begins imperfectly) with continuation to Edward III; Destruction de Rome; Fierabras. Written in French. The... More

Scene from Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 139

Scene from Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 139

Detail of the lower right-hand section of the miniature: a Roman woman pleads for repeal of the Oppian law. Image taken from f. 139 of Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et de autres gens (index Memorabilia, index... More

Horses from BL Harley 4751, f. 27

Horses from BL Harley 4751, f. 27

Miniature of three horses. Image taken from f. 27 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts... More

Scenes from history from BL Harley 4374, f. 161

Scenes from history from BL Harley 4374, f. 161

Miniature, prefacing Book III, arranged in three registers: Emilius Lepidus in battle whilst a child; Marcus Cato, as a child, witnessing Sulla's cruelties; Caius Cassius hits Sulla's son Faustus Sulla for defe... More

Jesus and his disciples from BL Eg 1122, f. 1[v]

Jesus and his disciples from BL Eg 1122, f. 1[v]

Miniature of Jesus and his disciples, at the beginning of a Gospel Lectionary for Lent. Image taken from f. 1[v] of Gospel Lectionary for Lent. Written in German with some Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collect... More

Creation of Adam from BL Or 2884, f. 1v

Creation of Adam from BL Or 2884, f. 1v

Detail of a miniature of the creation of Adam by the angels. Image taken from f. 1v of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Sister Haggadah'). Written in Hebrew.

Castle of Love from BL Royal 16 F II, f. 188

Castle of Love from BL Royal 16 F II, f. 188

Detail of a miniature of the Castle of Love, with the lover addressing three women. Image taken from f. 188 of Poems; Art d'amour; Les demands d'amour; Le liver dot grace entire sure le fait du government d'un ... More

Apothecary shop from BL Sloane 1977, f. 49v

Apothecary shop from BL Sloane 1977, f. 49v

Miniature of an apothecary's shop with apothecary jars and boxes on shelves, a seated man holding a cover jar, and a flat dish on a hook used for mixing ingredients. Image taken from f. 49v of Circa instans (in... More

Christ preaching from BL Royal 20 D V, f. 31v

Christ preaching from BL Royal 20 D V, f. 31v

Detail of a miniature of Christ preaching. Image taken from f. 31v of Les omelies Saint Grégoire pape. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of ove... More

Vilenie from BL Royal 19 B XIII, f. 6

Vilenie from BL Royal 19 B XIII, f. 6

Detail of a miniature of Vilenie (Villainy, Abuse, Baseness) offering the Lover (L'Amans) a potion. Image taken from f. 6 of Roman de la Rose. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known ... More

Christ and disciples from BL Royal 20 D V, f. 27

Christ and disciples from BL Royal 20 D V, f. 27

Detail of a miniature of Christ and his disciples standing. Image taken from f. 27 of Les omelies Saint Grégoire pape. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection,... More

Angels turning the axis of the world from BL Harley 4940, f. 28

Angels turning the axis of the world from BL Harley 4940, f. 28

Diagram with angels turning the axis of the world. Image taken from f. 28 of Breviari d'amor. Written in French. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Li... More

Inferno: Dante, the leopard and the lion from BL Eg 943, f. 3

Inferno: Dante, the leopard and the lion from BL Eg 943, f. 3

Detail of miniature of Dante meeting the leopard and the lion. Image taken from f. 3 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with a short Latin commentary; the Capitolo (ff. 187... More

Esther from BL Harley 4381, f. 250

Esther from BL Harley 4381, f. 250

Detail of miniature of Esther pleading with king Ahasuerus. Image taken from f. 250 of Bible historiale (vol. 1). Written in French, with some Latin for frontispiece. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a col... More

Gates of Purgatory from BL YT 36, f. 84

Gates of Purgatory from BL YT 36, f. 84

Detail of a miniature of Dante and Virgil at the gates of Purgatory, and the Proud carrying heavy stones, in illustration of Canto IX of the Purgatorio. Image taken from f. 84 of Divina Commedia (index Divine C... More

Vortigern from BL Eg 3028, f. 17

Vortigern from BL Eg 3028, f. 17

Drawing of Hengist explaining his arrival to King Vortigern. Image taken from f. 17 of Roman de Brut, a verse epitome (begins imperfectly) with continuation to Edward III; Destruction de Rome; Fierabras. Writte... More

Coloured drawings from BL Eg 289, inside upper cover

Coloured drawings from BL Eg 289, inside upper cover

Coloured drawings of a saint being brought food (?) by ravens and a person praying in bed. Image taken from inside upper cover of La Cronica General de España (tercera parte). Written in Spanish. The Egerton M... More

Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 123

Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 123

Detail of a miniature with two scenes from Roman history. Image taken from f. 123 of Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et de autres gens (index Memorabilia, index Facta et Dicta Memorabilia) (part 2, vol. 1). Wri... More

Scenes from Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 179

Scenes from Roman history from BL Harley 4375, f. 179

Detail of the centre section of the miniatures: the spend-thrift son of Aesopus, the tragedian, feasts on costly song birds, and a Roman woman pleads for repeal of the Oppian law. Image taken from f. 179 of Les... More

Headpieces from BL Eg 3125, f. 15v

Headpieces from BL Eg 3125, f. 15v

Decorated headpieces and initials. Image taken from f. 15v of Nomocanon (canon law) fragment, of two gatherings, beginning in the 23rd Canon of Basil. Written in Greek. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is nam... More

Dante and Casella in Purgatory from BL Eg 943, f. 65v

Dante and Casella in Purgatory from BL Eg 943, f. 65v

Detail of a miniature of the souls disembarking in Purgatory and Casella the musician approaching Dante. Image taken from f. 65v of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with a s... More

Merlin stands before King Arthur from BL Add 10292, f. 200v

Merlin stands before King Arthur from BL Add 10292, f. 200v

Image of Merlin disguised as a child, standing before King Arthur and his barons. Image taken from f. 200v of L'estoire del Saint Graal (ff. 1-76); L'estoire de Merlin (ff. 76-216). Written in French.

Lucifer devouring Cassius, Brutus and Judus from BL Eg 943, f. 61

Lucifer devouring Cassius, Brutus and Judus from BL Eg 943, f. 61

Detail of a miniature of Virgil showing Dante Lucifer devouring Cassius, Brutus and Judus with three mouths. Image taken from f. 61 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with ... More

Lecture from BL Royal 17 E III, f. 36

Lecture from BL Royal 17 E III, f. 36

Detail of a miniature of a lecture. Image taken from f. 36 of De proprietatibus rerum (Livre des proprietez des choses). Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collectio... More

Creation from BL Harley 616, f. 1

Creation from BL Harley 616, f. 1

Detail of a section of a six-part miniature of the days of Creation, of God creating the sun and moon and the birds and animals, at the beginning of Genesis. Image taken from f. 1 of Bible (Genesis-Psalms), imp... More

St Benedict from BL Sloane 2436, ff. 1v-2

St Benedict from BL Sloane 2436, ff. 1v-2

Miniature of a woman confessing to St Benedict, at the beginning of the Confessional de Charles de St Gelays, preceeded by the prologue and heraldic arms supported by two putti. Image taken from ff. 1v-2 of Con... More

Performers from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 58

Performers from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 58

Detail of a bas-de-page scene of performers: a man with a pipe and tabor, another with pipes, and a woman balancing on sword points. Image taken from f. 58 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the ... More

Henry I from BL Royal 14 B V, Membrane 5

Henry I from BL Royal 14 B V, Membrane 5

Detail from the roll of king Henry I, his wife Maud (or Matilda), their son William and daughter Maud (or Matilda). Image taken from Membrane 5 of Genealogical chronicle of the English Kings. Written in French.... More

Two knights fighting over a hound from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 105

Two knights fighting over a hound from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 105

Detail of a bas-de-page scene of two knights fighting over possession of a hound. Image taken from f. 105 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL... More

Xystus from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 83

Xystus from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 83

Detail of an historiated initial 'C'(e fu) of Xystus before the Emperor Decius. Image taken from f. 83 of Lives of the Saints. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Col... More

Seated man taking dictation from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 307

Seated man taking dictation from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 307

Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a seated man taking dictation from a woman. Image taken from f. 307 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL Roya... More

Bishop expelling a devil from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 242

Bishop expelling a devil from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 242

Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a bishop expelling a devil from a church tower. Image taken from f. 242 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL ... More

Two ships from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 19

Two ships from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 19

Detail of a bas-de-page scene of two ships engaged in a battle. Image taken from f. 19 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript C... More

Previous

of 152

Next