David in penitence from BL YT 6, f. 105

Historiated initial 'D'(omine) with David in penitence, and full foliate border with putti, bird and grotesque, at the beginning of the Penitential Psalms. Image taken from f. 105 of Book of Hours, Use of Rome. Written in Latin.

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.