Simon Magus, Peter and Paul from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 1
Detail of a historiated initial 'Q'(uant) of Simon Magus and Peter and Paul before Nero, at the beginning of the rubric 'Ci commence li escris de seint Pere et de seint Pol encontre Symon Mague devant lempereo... More
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
Antichrist from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 232v
Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(os) of the Antichrist killing the saints. Image taken from f. 232v of Lives of the Saints. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Co... More
Archer from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 49v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of an archer, from the lower margin of the folio. Image taken from f. 49v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL R... More
Woman at a spinning wheel from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 146
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a woman at a spinning wheel and a man with a basket of loaves on his back. Image taken from f. 146 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals').... More
Monks singing from BL YT 43, f. 100
Detail of an historiated initial 'C'(antate) of monks singing. Image taken from f. 100 of Psalter and Book of Hours, Use of Saint-Omer. Written in Latin. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collecto... More
Elcanah, Hannah and Peninnah from BL Royal 3 D VI, f. 116
Detail of an historiated initial 'F'(uit) of Elcanah and his two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, at the beginning of Kings 1. Image taken from f. 116 of Historia scholastica (The 'Ashridge Petrus Comestor'). Writte... More
Arcade from BL Harley 7586A, f. 110
Initial words framed by an arcade, at the beginning of the third part of the Guide. The arcade is decorated with geometrical, palmette and foliate motifs. Image taken from f. 110 of Guide of the Perplexed (~Mor... More
King David playing the harp from BL Add 15282, f. 302
Detail of an initial-word panel with King David playing harp in the middle flanked by a lion and a stag. Image taken from f. 302 of Pentateuch (the 'Duke of Sussex's German Pentateuch') with Targum Onkelos (ff.... More
Mark the Evangelist from BL YT 5, f. 12
Miniature of Mark reading a book and holding spectacles to his eyes, his evangelist symbol, the lion, observes, decorated initial 'I'(n), and three-sided border with empty scrolls/ribbons, at the beginning of M... More
Canopus, Lepus, Orion, and Canis from BL Royal 13 A XI, f. 111
Drawings of a man with water flowing from his mouth, a leaping rabbit, a man with a sword, and a dog, representing the constellations Canopus, Lepus, Orion, and Canis. Image taken from f. 111 of Miscellany work... More
Creation of angels from BL Harley 3240, f. 4v
Detail of a coloured drawing of the Creation of angels, Christ in glory, fallen angels and mouth of Hell in the lower register. Image taken from f. 4v of Speculum humanae salvationis. Written in Latin. The "BL... More
Death of Vortigern from BL Royal 20 A II, f. 3
Miniature of Vortigern within his burning castle, and a king standing with courtiers and a hawk. Image taken from f. 3 of Drawings with various inscriptions, distichs and poems (ff. 1-9v), verse lament of Edwar... More
Arms of Henry VIII from BL Royal 12 C VIII, f. 4
Detail of two angels holding aloft the arms of Henry VIII. Image taken from f. 4 of Collenuccio's Apologues (Agenoria, Misopenes, Alithia, and Bombarda) and Lucian's Dialogues (De raptu Europae, Galene et Panop... More
Decorated initial-word panel from BL Or 2696, f. 3
Detail: decorated initial-word panel ~Bereshit~ (In the beginning), at the beginning of Genesis. Image taken from f. 3 of Pentateuch, Five Scrolls (~Hamesh megillot~) and ~Haftarot~ with ~masorah~ and Rash's co... More
Diagrams and decorated initial from BL Arundel 339, ff. 120v-121
Decorated initial 'I'(nter) and diagrams. Image taken from ff. 120v-121 of Miscellany, including De institutione arithmetica (ff. 1v-31), Astronomica (ff. 71v-89v). Guido d’Arezzo: Micrologus (ff. 98-104), Reg... More
Flight into Egypt from BL YT 30, f. 45
Miniature of the Flight into Egypt, at the beginning of Vespers in the Hours of the Virgin. Image taken from f. 45 of Book of Hours ('The Hours of Laudomia de' Medici'). Written in Latin. Henry Yates Thompson ... More
Coloured drawings from BL Harley 4402, f. 25
Detail of coloured drawings at the beginning of Le Temple de Boccace, with an angel addressing the author, Georges Chastellain (index George Chastelain), asleep on a bench, with a scroll inscribed 'lieve toy su... More
Priest administering last rites from BL YT 3, f. 211
Detail of a miniature from the lower margin of the folio, of a priest administering the sacrament of extreme unction (last rites) to a frail man lying in a canopied bed, at the beginning of Matins of the Office... More
Lions from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 6
Detail of miniature of lions breathing life into their cubs, at the beginning of the entry 'De natura leonis'. Image taken from f. 6 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago M... More
Immaculate Conception and Henry VII from BL Royal 2 A XIX, f. 2
Detail of a miniature of the Immaculate Conception and of Henry VII kneeling. Image taken from f. 2 of Proper of the Mass for the Immaculate Conception. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, al... More
Seven angels from BL Royal 19 B XV, f. 28
Detail of a miniature of seven angels with plague vials, and seven angels with harps. Image taken from f. 28 of Apocalypse, with commentary (The 'Queen Mary Apocalypse'), with the prologue of Gilbert de la Porr... More
Serra from BL Sloane 3544, f. 43
Detail of a miniature of a winged sawtail (serra) with a pointed snout, which according to the text sinks ships by piercing them with their snouts, and two men in a boat with their hands clasped in prayer. Imag... More
Pentecost from BL YT 37, f. 122
Detail of a miniature of the Pentecost, at the beginning of the Hours of the Holy Spirit. Image taken from f. 122 of Book of Hours, Use of Bourges, with a Parisian calendar. Written in Latin, with a calendar in... More
Antiochus and his daughter from BL Royal 20 C II, f. 210
Detail of a miniature of king Antiochus assaulting his daughter in her chamber, with a full border containing a space left for a shield of arms, and a foliate initial 'I'(l estoit), at the beginning of the Hist... More
Elijah from BL King's 5, f. 27 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of the right miniature of Elijah's prayer for fire to consume the offering. Image taken from f. 27 of Biblia Pauperum (a typological picture book). Written in Latin.
Crucifixion from BL YT 3, f. 142v
Detail of a miniature of the Crucifixion of Christ between the two thieves, with the Virgin and John the Evangelist at his feet, at the beginning of None of the Passion. Image taken from f. 142v of Book of Hour... More
Calendar and John the Evangelist from BL Sloane 2605, ff. 4v-5
Miniatures with the labour of the month and the zodiacal signs for November and December in the Calendar, and John the Evangelist writing the Apocalypse, with his martyrdom in the bas-de-page, at the beginning ... More
Pentecost from BL YT 37, f. 122
Miniature of the Pentecost, with a decorated initial 'D'(omine) and a full foliate border, at the beginning of the Hours of the Holy Spirit. Image taken from f. 122 of Book of Hours, Use of Bourges, with a Pari... More
Peter and Christ from BL Harley 5102, f. 129
Detail of a miniature of Peter walking on water towards Christ. Image taken from f. 129 of Psalter, with canticles (ff. 136v-139v). Written in Latin, with French in the gloss. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers... More
Leonard from BL YT 3, f. 269v - Public domain dedication image
Miniature of Leonard in a gold robe, holding the chains of two prisoners who kneel before him, while two prisoners pray to him from behind bars, with a full foliate border including two fettered men who kneel i... More
White vine initial from BL Harley 2639, f. 2
White vine initial 'G'(rammatica) and wreath enclosing the arms and helm of John Tiptoft, earl of Worcester, at the beginning of Suetonius' De grammaticis et rhetoribus. Image taken from f. 2 of De grammaticis ... More
Pope and Christian emperor from BL Royal 14 D I, f. 224v
Miniature of an emperor kneeling before a Pope, with a full border and an illuminated initial 'P'(our ce que). Image taken from f. 224v of De civitate Dei, books 1-10, in French translation (La cite de Dieu). W... More
Josias of Spain from BL Harley 4903, f. 186v
Detail of a miniature of Josias of Spain, in armour and with shield, encountering the queen and her retinue hunting, hounds attacking a stag to the right, butterfly and birds in the trees; decorated initial 'O'... More
Miniature from BL Eg 1067, f. 12
Miniature of a bishop conducting the sacrament of confirmation within his cathedral. Image taken from f. 12 of Pontifical. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Th... More
Detail from BL Arundel 157, f. 52
Detail of historiated initial of the Temptation of Christ. Image taken from f. 52 of Psalter, including a calendar (ff. 13-18v). Written in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard fa... More
The Transfiguration of Christ and the Raising of Lazarus from BL Royal...
Miniature from the prefatory cycle of the Transfiguration of Christ in the upper register, and the Raising of Lazarus in the lower register. Image taken from f. 4 of Psalter (index Old Testament, Bible). Writte... More
King David from BL Add 11639, f. 117v
Full-page miniature of King David playing a harp. Caption: 'This is King David playing a harp'. Image taken from f. 117v of Miscellany of biblical and other texts ('The Northern French Miscellany' or earlier 't... More
Horoscope from BL Eg 889, f. 5 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of a nativity horoscope of Henry VI, 1421. Image taken from f. 5 of Astronomical/astrological compendium, including a nativity horoscope for Henry VI (the 'Codex Holbrookensis'). Written in Latin. The E... More
Gregory delivering his decretals from BL Royal 10 E VII, f. 1
Detail of a historiated initial 'A'(d comentum) of Gregory delivering a letter to two cardinals. Image taken from f. 1 of Lectura in quinque libros Decretalium (Books 1-2). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manus... More
Deuteronomy from BL Harley 5710, f. 110v
Detail of an initial-word panel ~Elleh~ (these) decorated with penwork, at the beginning of Deuteronomy. Image taken from f. 110v of Bible with ~masorah magna~ and ~parva~. Written in Hebrew. The "BL Harley Ma... More
Decorated initial-word panels from BL Harley 7586B, f. 81v
Initial-word panels decorated with penwork and pen-flourishing. Image taken from f. 81v of Guide of the Perplexed (~Moreh Nevukhim~) in Samuel ibn Tibbon's translation. Written in Hebrew. The "BL Harley Manusc... More
Death of Sanguius from BL YT 12, f. 99v
Detail of an historiated initial 'N' of the death of Sanguius, who is beign murdered by his chamberlains. Image taken from f. 99v of Histoire d'Outremer, continued to 1232. Written in French. Henry Yates Thomp... More
Hawk; bats from BL Sloane 3544, f. 30
Miniatures of a hawk perched on the end of a bed and of bats. Image taken from f. 30 of Bestiary. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in the d... More
Doctor from BL Harley 3140, f. 39
Detail of an historiated initial 'Q' with a doctor (Hippocrates?), shown as a university physician with a long robe and cap, administering a liquid from a sponge or a dish to a patient in bed, attended by a stu... More
Arthur and Guinevere from BL Royal 20 D IV, f. 207
Detail of a miniature of a damsel bringing news to Arthur and Guinevere. Image taken from f. 207 of Lancelot du Lac. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, c... More
Man fighting a serpent from BL Harley 5294, f. 42
Pen drawing of a man fighting a serpent. Image taken from f. 42 of Illustrated pharmacopeial compilation including a herbal, imperfect (see Notes for contents). Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" ref... More
King Arthur from BL Royal 20 A II, f. 4
Miniature of king Arthur, holding a spear and a shield emblazoned with the Virgin and Child. Image taken from f. 4 of Drawings with various inscriptions, distichs and poems (ff. 1-9v), verse lament of Edward II... More
Annunciation to the Shepherds from BL Arundel 83, f. 124
Detail of a miniature of the Annunciation to the Shepherds, from the De Lisle Psalter (Arundel 83 II). Image taken from f. 124 of Psalter (the 'De Lisle Psalter'; 'Arundel 83 II'), including a Sarum calendar (f... More
Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere from BL Royal 20 D IV, f. 1
Detail of a miniature of Arthur engaged in conversation with his barons, while Lancelot and Guinevere are whispering together, and on the right, the king and queen presiding over a banquet. Image taken from f. ... More
Illuminated border and initial from BL King's 23, f. 1
Illuminated initial 'E'(go) and a full border with the arms probably of the Del Drago family of Rome, at the beginning of Cicero's Epistolae ad familiares. Image taken from f. 1 of Epistolae ad familiares. Writ... More
Zodiac man; volvelle from BL Eg 2572, ff. 50v-51
On the left, a drawing of zodiac man, with parts of the body linked to their governing zodiac symbols with labels and numerals. On the right is a volvelle, with movable pointer, with depictions of the signs of ... More
Tiger from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 28
Detail of a miniature of a hunter capturing a tiger's cub by distracting its mother with a mirror, at the beginning of the entry for tiger. Image taken from f. 28 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g... More
Charlemagne and his barons from BL Royal 16 G II, f. 40v
Detail of a miniature of Charlemagne enthroned consulting his barons, with a partial border, a foliate initial 'E'(n ceste), and an instruction to illuminator reading 'Icy soit fait ung palaiz ou le roy Charlem... More
Jacob wrestling with the angel from BL Royal 1 D X, f. 74v
Detail of an historiated initial 'E'(xultate) of Jacob wrestling with the angel, at the beginning of Psalm 80. Image taken from f. 74v of Psalter (index Old Testament, Bible). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Ma... More
Genesis 22 from BL Or 2737, f. 92
Full-page miniature of Abraham and Isaac riding on the ass followed by the two servants. Image taken from f. 92 of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Hispano-Moresque Haggadah'). Written in Hebrew.
Christ the Redeemer from BL YT 36, f. 178
Detail of a miniature of Dante and Beatrice before Christ the Redeemer. Image taken from f. 178 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy). Written in Italian. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British coll... More
Three Magi from BL YT 13, f. 91v
Bas-de-page scene of the three Magi joining together, accompanied by three servants, with a caption reading, 'Cy encuntreren[t] ense[m]ble li .iii roys par vertu del esteile'. Image taken from f. 91v of Book of... More
Painting an image in a shrine from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 209v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a man on a ladder painting an image in a shrine, with a church behind him and a devil on the right-hand side of the page. Image taken from f. 209v of Decretals of Gregory IX wit... More
Decorated initial-word panel with full border from BL Harley 5698, f. ...
Initial-word panel with gold letters and penwork decoration and a gold crown, foliate full border in the margins and between the two text column, at the introduction of the Mishneh Torah. The full border is unf... More
Map of the world from BL Royal 14 C IX, ff. 1v-2
Miniature of the map of the world, at the beginning of Ranulf Higden's Polychronicon. Image taken from ff. 1v-2 of Polychronicon. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal C... More
Princes from BL Royal 6 E IX, f. 6v
Detail of a miniature of the angelic personifications of Princes. Image taken from f. 6v of Address in verse to Robert of Anjou, King of Naples, from the town of Prato in Tuscany (the 'Regia Carmina'). Written ... More
Puzzle initial from BL Harley 201, f. 4
Puzzle initial 'E'(ngland) with full border. Image taken from f. 4 of Chronicle of English History in rhyming couplets (Metrical chronicle). Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collectio... More
Text pages from BL Royal 15 C XI, ff. 161v-162
Text pages. Image taken from ff. 161v-162 of Comedies; Etymologiae (lib. 1: 21). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of over 2,000 manuscripts tha... More
Julian from BL YT 3, f. 278 - Public domain dedication image
Detail of a miniature of Julian in a boat, wearing a red cloak and holding a paddle. His mother carries a lantern and holds a paddle on the other end of the boat, while between them is Christ in the guise of a... More
Hedgehogs from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 45
Detail of a miniature of hedgehogs rolling on grapes to impale them on their spines. Image taken from f. 45 of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French. The BL Royal Manuscrip... More
Musicians playing a rebec and a cithar from BL Harley 2804, f. 3v
Detail of a miniature of musicians playing a rebec and a cithar. Image taken from f. 3v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible'), Psalms-Acts 16:17, imperfect. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a coll... More
Boy received into a monastery from BL Royal 10 D VIII, f. 82v
Detail of a miniature of a boy being received into a monastery, with a foliate initial 'Q'(uidam), at the beginning of causa 1. Image taken from f. 82v of Decretum, with the Glossa ordinaria. Written in Latin. ... More
Christ from BL Royal 20 B IV, f. 78
Detail of a miniature of Christ with offended Pharisees. Image taken from f. 78 of Meditationes vitae Christi (Le Livre doré des meditations de la vie de nostre seigneur Jesu Christ). Written in French.
Marriage ceremony from BL Royal 10 E IX, f. 195
Detail of a historiated initial 'D'(e) of a marriage ceremony, at the beginning of book 4, De sponsalibus et matrimoniis. Image taken from f. 195 of Decretales, with the Glossa ordinaria. Written in Latin. The... More
Decorated initial from BL Harley 3065, f. 1
Decorated initial 'P'(auci) with stems and foliate motifs, a clasp, and a face, at the beginning of Jerome's 'Adversus Iovinianum'. Image taken from f. 1 of Adversus Iovinianum; Commentarius in Symbolum apostol... More
Detail from BL Burn 272, f. 34v
Detail of a miniature of a farm. Image taken from f. 34v of Bucolica (index Bucolics, Eclogues), Georgica (index Georgics), Aeneis (index Aeneid), with Argumentum and verses. Written in Latin.
Diagram from BL Sloane 3854, f. 133v
Diagram of a magic circle for summoning spirits of the air. Image taken from f. 133v of Collection of tracts on magic. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a ... More
Wet-nurse from BL Sloane 2435, f. 28v
Detail of historiated initial 'A' with the choosing a wet-nurse: A noble woman tests the exposed breast of a propective nurse. Image taken from f. 28v of Le Régime du corps (ff. 1-75v); Image du monde (ff. 77-1... More
Detail: Emperor Justinian from BL Arundel 484, f. 6
Miniature of the Emperor Justinian with a sword, surrounded by several figures, at the beginning of Justinian's Digestum Vetus. Image taken from f. 6 of Digestum Vetus with glossa ordinaria. Written in Latin. ... More
Christ and the moneylenders from BL Royal 20 B IV, f. 82
Detail of a miniature of Christ and the moneylenders in the Temple. Image taken from f. 82 of Meditationes vitae Christi (Le Livre doré des meditations de la vie de nostre seigneur Jesu Christ). Written in French.
Initial word from BL Add 26878, f. 57
Detail: decorated initial word. Image taken from f. 57 of Pentateuch with Targum Onkelos and Rashi's commentary (ff. 1-272), Five Scrolls (~Hamesh megillot~; ff. 273-311v) and ~Haftarot~(ff. 312-381) with Rashi... More
Nativity from BL Sloane 2418, f. 45
Miniature of the Nativity, and decorated initial 'D'(eus), at the beginning of Prime in the Hours of the Virgin. Image taken from f. 45 of Book of Hours, Use of Rome. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-17... More
Isaiah from BL Harley 2889, f. 3v
Miniature of Isaiah, holding a scroll containing text from Isaiah 11, against a blue and gold background. Image taken from f. 3v of Lectionary ('The Siegburg Lectionary') (ff. 4v-77); with the Common of Saints... More
Ox from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 32v
Miniature of an ox. Image taken from f. 32v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Coll... More
Pliny from BL Harley 2677, f. 1
Detail of a miniature in colours and gold showing Pliny writing in his study and a landscape with animals, rivers, the sea, sun and moon. Image taken from f. 1 of Historia naturalis (index Natural history). Wri... More
Death of Judas; Flagellation of Christ from BL Arundel 157, f. 10
Miniature of the Death of Judas and the Flagellation of Christ, as part of a cycle of Christological images. Image taken from f. 10 of Psalter, including a calendar (ff. 13-18v). Written in Latin. The Arundel ... More
Lactantius from BL Harley 3057, f. 5v
Detail of historiated initial 'M'(agno) with author portrait (Lactantius) at the beginning of the text. Image taken from f. 5v of Divinae institutiones (ff. 5v-108); De ira Dei (ff. 108v-118); De opificio Dei (... More
William the Conqueror from BL Royal 15 E IV, f. 236
Detail of a miniature of the Coronation of William the Conqueror, with a full border and a foliate initial 'L'(e dimence), at the beginning of book 5. Image taken from f. 236 of Anciennes et nouvelles chronique... More
Zodiac wheel from BL Royal 19 C I, f. 37
Detail of a miniature of a zodiac wheel. Image taken from f. 37 of Breviari d'Amor. Written in French (Occitan) (Provencal). The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of ... More
Fox from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 26v
Detail of a miniature of birds and a fox pretending to be dead, in the upper register, and a fox with a bird in its mouth, in the lower register. Image taken from f. 26v of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 1... More
John and Agnus Dei from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 295v
Detail of an historiated initial 'B'(enedictus) with John the Baptist with the Agnus Dei standing on a hill, and Pharisees questioning him. Image taken from f. 295v of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Writte... More
Coronation of Foulques from BL YT 12, f. 82v
Detail of an historiated initial 'B' of the crowning and anointing of Foulques. Image taken from f. 82v of Histoire d'Outremer, continued to 1232. Written in French. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a Brit... More
Foliate initial from BL Royal 12 C V, f. 4
Foliate initail 'P'(rime) with a full border, at the beginning of the preface, with the ownership inscriptions of Humphrey Lloyd and John Lumley. Image taken from f. 4 of Libellus geomancie (Book of Astrologica... More
Zodiac man from BL Arundel 251, f. 46
Drawing of a Zodiac man, at the beginning of the Numerus et Ordo signorum. Image taken from f. 46 of Medical miscellany. Written in Latin and German. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard... More
Cyrus and his troops from BL Royal 16 G IX, f. 76v
Detail of a miniature of Cyrus and his troops in a phalanx, and an illuminated initial 'T'(andis). Image taken from f. 76v of Cyropaedia (Cyropédie). Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also... More
King of Hungary from BL Harley 4903, f. 204v
Detail of a miniature of the king of Hungary fighting to deliver the imprisoned chatelaine and the four knights; decorated initial 'O'(r oez) with ivy. Image taken from f. 204v of Continuations of the Roman des... More
Creation from BL Harley 5710, f. 1
Detail of a page: Initial-word panel ~Bereshit~ (in the beginning) decorated with penwork, at the beginning of Genesis. Beneath the initial-word panel, there are seven medallions representing the seven days of ... More
Feast from BL Harley 2838, f. 45
Detail of a miniature of the Feast of Ahasuerus, with musicians. Image taken from f. 45 of Speculum humanae salvationis. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscri... More
Puzzle initial and flourished incipit from BL Arundel 383, f. 279
Puzzle initial 'D'(e sophisticis) and flourished heading, at the beginning of Boethius's translation of De sophisticis elenchis. Image taken from f. 279 of Translations of Aristotle, etc., and others, some with... More
Seraphim and angels from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 304
Detail of a miniature in nine parts of two six-winged seraphim standing on wheels, three four-winged archangels holding a sceptre, a sword and sceptre, and (Michael, in armour) a battle-axe, a six-winged angel... More
Unicorn and Lion from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 190v
Detail of a bas-de-page drawing of a unicorn and a lion. Image taken from f. 190v of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Written in Latin, with French image captions. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also k... More
Feeding of the Five Thousand from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 169
Detail of a miniature of Christ and the Feeding of the Five Thousand, with six nimbed figures in niches (Apostles?). Image taken from f. 169 of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Written in Latin, with French ... More
Arthur from BL Add 38117, f. 73v
Detail of an historiated initial 'O' of Arthur drawing the sword from the stone. Image taken from f. 73v of Joseph d'Arimathie (ff. 1-18), Le Livre de Merlin (ff. 18v-74), Suite de Merlin (ff. 74-226), ('the Hu... More
Seven angels with trumpets from BL Royal 15 D II, f. 136v
Detail of a miniature of seven angels with golden trumpets, as the first prepares to sound his trumpet, in illustration of Revelation 8:7. Image taken from f. 136v of La lumiere as lais; Apocalypse (the 'Welles... More