Illuminated initial from BL Harley 2904, f. 151v
Detail of illuminated initial 'B' (eati inmaculati) at Psalm 118. Image taken from f. 151v of Psalter (the 'Ramsey Psalter' or 'Psalter of Oswald'), in the Gallican version, with a litany (ff. 209-211) followed... More
Richard II from BL Harley 1319, f. 53v
Miniature of Richard II being delivered to the citizens of London. Image taken from f. 53v of La Prinse et mort du roy Richart (Book of the Capture and Death of King Richard II) (index Histoire rimée de Richar... More
Detail from BL Harley 4328, f. 410
Detail of miniature of the Resurrection. Image taken from f. 410 of Life of Christ (books 6-10). Written in French.
Cassiodorus' children and the lion from BL Harley 4903, f. 156v
Detail of a miniature with Cassidorus' children placed by the lion in the mountain, with a figure standing to the right (probably 'Nichole'). Image taken from f. 156v of Continuations of the Roman des sept sage... More
Relief ships arriving in Ireland from BL Harley 1319, f. 7v
Detail of a miniature of the relief ships arriving in Ireland to bring supplies to Richard II. Image taken from f. 7v of La Prinse et mort du roy Richart (Book of the Capture and Death of King Richard II) (ind... More
Coloured drawing from BL Harley 4205, f. 6v
Coloured drawing of an English king in armour and tabard (Richard II), presenting a plaque with verses. Image taken from f. 6v of Anonymous verses on the kings of England, to Henry VI, unfinished (manuscript al... More
Marginal drawings from BL Harley 1735, f. 12
Verses concerning good and bad luck, with marginal drawings, including a dagger and an arrow. Image taken from f. 12 of John Crophill's commonplace book with astrological prognostications, cookery recipes, and ... More
Deucalion and Pyrrah from BL Harley 4425, f. 153
Detail of a miniature of Deucalion and Pyrrah repopulating the world after the Flood (humans spring forth from the stones that they cast behind them). Image taken from f. 153 of Roman de la Rose (index Romance ... More
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
Bloodletting-zodiac man from BL Harley 3719, ff. 158v-159
Detail of a miniature of a bloodletting man with one foot in a bleeding pan and a spindle in his hand, with English captions. Image taken from ff. 158v-159 of Miscellany with various astronomical, calendrical, ... More
Genealogy of Edward IV from BL Harley 7353
Detail of the upper-right hand section at the end of the roll: the genealogy of Edward IV. Image taken from Typological life and genealogy of Edward IV. Written in Latin.
Anthropomorphic initial from BL Harley 7399, f. 4
Initial B(ENIST) with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic features and interlace decoration, and coloured drawings of a cock and a plant. Image taken from f. 4 of A collection of French 'airs de cour'. Written in French.
Decorated initial from BL Harley 527, f. 1
Decorated initial 'O'(iez seigneurs baruns deu uus creisse buntez). Image taken from f. 1 of Chanson of Gui de Bourgogne (ff. 1-32), Chastoiement d'un Père à son fils, imperfect at the end (ff. 32v-46v), an exc... More
Musicians playing bells and a horn from BL Harley 2804, f. 3v
Detail of a miniature of musicians playing bells and a horn. Image taken from f. 3v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible'), Psalms-Acts 16:17, imperfect. Written in Latin.
Introduction of the Mishneh Torah from BL Harley 5698, ff. 11v-12
Opening with decorated initial-word panels: on f. 11v, two citations from Deuteronomy (Deut. 1:5 and 4:44), on f. 12, the beginning of Maimonides' introduction to his Mishneh Torah with a full foliate border i... More
Lion and birds, bound upside down in the manuscript from BL Harley 282...
Patterned page with a lion and four birds, bound upside down in the manuscript. Image taken from f. 198 of Gospels, with canon tables, chapter lists, and lections. Written in Latin.
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
Diagram from BL Harley 13, f. 127v
Detail of diagram. Image taken from f. 127v of Miscellaneous scientific treatises. Written in Latin.
Table from BL Harley 3647, f. 168v
Excerpt from the Toledan tables. Image taken from f. 168v of Astronomical miscellany including Sacrobosco, 'De sphaera' (ff. 22-33); Solar tables for 1292-95 (ff. 61-62v); 'Theorica Planetarum' (ff. 81-88); can... More
Zoomorphic initial from BL Harley 585, f. 47v manuscript
Initial 'W' decorated with the zoomorphic motif of a dragon. Image taken from f. 47v of Medical miscellany in Old English, including the translations of the Pseudo-Apuleius's 'Herbarium', imperfect (ff. 1-66v),... More
Decorated border from BL Harley 2690, f. 1
Decorated border with candelabras, a snail, a dolphin, birds, putti including two supporting a cardinal's unidentified arms, and decorated initial 'Q'(uintus) at the beginning of the text. Image taken from f. 1... More
Decorated initial from BL Harley 4977, f. 2
Initial with added penwork decoration. Image taken from f. 2 of Medical Compendium, imperfect. Written in Latin.
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.
Teacher lecturing to students from BL Harley 3745, f. 1
Detail of an historiated initial 'P'(ostquam) of a teacher lecturing to a group of students, with a dog chasing its prey into a hole above. Image taken from f. 1 of Medical miscellany, including the Book on Sim... More
Map of the world from BL Harley 7182, ff. 58v-59
Map of the world entitled, 'Totius Orbis Habitabilis Brevis Descriptio' with personifications of the twelve winds and the signs of the zodiac. Image taken from ff. 58v-59 of Geography (index Cosmographie primus... More
Orpheus and Eurydice from BL Harley 4431, f. 126v
Detail of a miniature of Orpheus looking back as he leads Eurydice from Hell, in 'L'Épître Othéa'. Image taken from f. 126v of Various works (also known as 'The Book of the Queen'), including 'Cent balades' (ff... More
Christine de Pizan from BL Harley 4431, f. 4
Miniature of Christine de Pizan in her study, at the beginning of the 'Cent balades'. Image taken from f. 4 of Various works (also known as 'The Book of the Queen'), including 'Cent balades' (ff. 4-21), 'Le Déb... More
Christine de Pizan from BL Harley 4431, f. 290
Detail of a miniature of Christine de Pizan before the personifications of Rectitude, Reason, and Justice in her study, while outside, the ladies build the Cité des dames at the beginning of 'La Cité des dames'... More
Duke of True Love from BL Harley 4431, f. 143
Detail of a miniature of the Duke of True Love and his lady, in 'Le Duc des vrais amants'. Image taken from f. 143 of Various works (also known as 'The Book of the Queen'), including 'Cent balades' (ff. 4-21), ... More
Illuminated initial from BL Harley 2663, f. 94
Detail of an illuminated initial with knotwork motifs 'A'(nnus). Image taken from f. 94 of Ab urbe condita (index De gestis romanorum; Historia romana). Written in Latin.
Assault on Ribodane from BL Harley 4379, f. 83v
Miniature of an assault on Ribodane. Image taken from f. 83v of Chroniques, Vol. IV, part 1 (the 'Harley Froissart'). Written in French.
Frontispiece to ~Yoreh Deah~ from BL Harley 5716, f. 151
Frontispiece to the second pillar of ~Arbaah Turim~, ~Yoreh Deah~ (Teaching Knowledge). The initial-word panel ~Barukh~ (blessed) is decorated with white vine motifs. The text is framed by a full floral border ... More
Frontispiece to ~Hoshen ha-Mishpat~ from BL Harley 5717, f. 79
Frontispiece to the fourth pillar of ~Arbaah Turim~, ~Hoshen ha-Mishpat~ (The Breastplate of Judgement). The initial-word panel ~Barukh~ (blessed) is inhabited by three white rabbits and accompanied by a full f... More
Frontispiece to ~Hoshen ha-Mishpat~ from BL Harley 5717, f. 79
Detail of the full floral border with birds and medallions, from the frontispiece to the fourth pillar of ~Arbaah Turim~, ~Hoshen ha-Mishpat~ (The Breastplate of Judgement). Image taken from f. 79 of ~Even ha-E... More
Annunciation from BL Harley 2943, ff. 17v-18
Miniature of the Annunciation; historiated initial 'H'(ere) with Virgin and Child shown as the woman of the Apocalypse and foliate borders including John on Patmos and Augustus with the Tiburtine Sibyl, at the ... More
Three Living and Three Dead from BL Harley 2953, f. 19v
Miniature of the Three Living and the Three Dead on a tipped-in leaf. Image taken from f. 19v of .
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
Bolingbroke meeting the Dukes from BL Harley 1319, f. 30v
Detail of a miniature of the meeting between Bolingbroke and the Dukes. Image taken from f. 30v of La Prinse et mort du roy Richart (Book of the Capture and Death of King Richard II) (index Histoire rimée de R... More
Abbess from BL Harley 2962, f. 41
Detail of miniature depicting an abbess. Image taken from f. 41 of Book of Hours, Use of Rome. Written in Latin.
Dedication from BL Harley 4335, f. 10
Detail of a miniature of Jean de Meun presenting his translation to the French king Philippe IV the Fair. Image taken from f. 10 of Le Livre de Boece de Consolacion (index Consolation of Philosophy; De Consolat... More
Peacock from BL Harley 3244, f. 53v
Detail of a miniature depicting a peacock. Image taken from f. 53v of Theological miscellany, including the Summa de vitiis (see Notes for contents). Written in Latin.
Calendar from BL Harley 3735, f. 6v
January in a calendarial table, in a treatise attributed to Robert Grosseteste 'Lincolniensis': Image taken from f. 6v of Various calendarial and computistical treatises. Written in Latin.
Capricorn from BL Harley 2506, f. 39
Drawing of the constellation Capricorn, with the stars picked out as red dots. Image taken from f. 39 of Phaenomena (also known as the Aratea). Written in Latin.
Decorated initials from BL Harley 2799, f. 5
Detail of decorated initials 'B'(eatus) at the beginning of the Psalms in three versions, with foliate decoration, clasps, and a dog or quadruped. Image taken from f. 5 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to R... More
David and Goliath from BL Harley 2803, f. 126v
Detail of a marginal drawing of David and Goliath. Image taken from f. 126v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin.
Monk from BL Harley 2803, f. 1v
Detail of a monk, from a miniature at the beginning of Jerome's letter to Ambrose. Image taken from f. 1v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin.
Knights in combat from BL Harley 4418, f. 56
Detail of miniature depicting knights in single combat, with spectators. Image taken from f. 56 of Jean d'Arras, Roman de Mélusine (imperfect). Written in French.
Christ in Majesty from BL Harley 1810, f. 135v
Miniature of Christ in Majesty. Image taken from f. 135v of Four Gospels. Written in Greek.
Noah's ark from BL Harley 4381, f. 12
Miniature of Noah's ark. Image taken from f. 12 of Bible historiale (vol. 1). Written in French, with some Latin for frontispiece.
Henry VIII from BL Harley 472, f. 1
Miniature portrait of Henry VIII wearing an emblazoned coat. Image taken from f. 1 of Collection of arms and mottoes of Companies and Corporations of London. Written in English.
Duke of Salisbury arriving at Conway from BL Harley 1319, f. 14v
Miniature of the Duke of Salisbury arriving at Conway in a fleet of late-era cog ships. Image taken from f. 14v of La Prinse et mort du roy Richart (Book of the Capture and Death of King Richard II) (index His... More
Heraldry from BL Harley 6149, ff. 28v-29
Text pages with heraldry from a heraldic treatise by Adam Loutfut; coats of arms. Image taken from ff. 28v-29 of Various heraldic treatises, including 'the Gaige of Battail' (ff. 1-5), heraldic treatise by Adam... More
Richard II at Conway from BL Harley 1319, f. 19v
Detail of a miniature of Richard II at Conway, disguised in a priest's cowl. Image taken from f. 19v of La Prinse et mort du roy Richart (Book of the Capture and Death of King Richard II) (index Histoire rimée... More
Knights jousting from BL Harley 4205, f. 37
Coloured drawings of mounted knights in armour and tabard jousting. Top row, from left to right: Troghtbek, Watyrton. Bottom row, from left to right: Wyllowsby, Hoghton. Image taken from f. 37 of Anonymous ... More
Dancing from BL Harley 4425, f. 14v
Miniature of the Carolle (round dance with music) in the garden of Sir Mirth, watched by the narrator of the Roman de la rose, dressed in blue, at the left. Image taken from f. 14v of Roman de la Rose (index Ro... More
Queen and monk from BL Harley 4399, f. 22
Detail of a miniature of a queen equipping a monk with a scrip and staff from a chest. Image taken from f. 22 of Pèlerinage de vie humaine (index Pelerinage de vie humaine, Pilgrimage of the life of man). Writt... More
Nature from BL Harley 4425, f. 123v
Detail of a miniature of an allegorical figure of Nature holding an anvil. Image taken from f. 123v of Roman de la Rose (index Romance of the Rose). Written in French.
Penwork embellishments from BL Harley 7586A, f. 178
Penwork embellishments accompanying the initial words and spreading to the entire length of the leaf. Image taken from f. 178 of Guide of the Perplexed (~Moreh Nevukhim~) by Maimonides in Samuel ibn Tibbon's tr... More
Arcade from BL Harley 7586A, f. 63
Initial words framed by an arcade, at the beginning of the second part of the Guide. The arcade is decorated with geometrical, palmette and foliate motifs. Image taken from f. 63 of Guide of the Perplexed (~Mor... More
Decorated initials from BL Harley 3045, f. 45
Decorated foliate initials 'E'(n) and 'O' with clasps at the beginning to book 2, chapters 23 and 24. Image taken from f. 45 of De laudibus sanctae crucis, prefatory material (ff. 2v-5v), book 1 (ff. 6v-34), bo... More
Pope Clement VI from BL Harley 1340, f. 6
Miniature of Pope Clement VI. Image taken from f. 6 of Vaticinia de Pontificibus (index Prophecies of the Popes). Written in Latin.
Eridanus from BL Harley 647, f. 10v
Detail of an illustration of the longest constellation in the sky, Eridanus or river god with his body formed of text or scholia. An Anglo-Saxon reader has made several corrections to the verses of the 'Aratea... More
Illuminated initial from BL Harley 2639, f. 15
Illuminated initial 'S'(aepe) at the beginning of Tacitus' Dialogus de oratoribus. Image taken from f. 15 of De grammaticis et rhetoribus (ff. 2-14v); Dialogus de oratoribus (ff. 15-42v). Written in Latin.
King Edward III from BL Harley 5233, f. 11
Historiated initial with king Edward III (r. 1327-1377) combined with a full foliate bar border at the beginning of his statutes. Image taken from f. 11 of Nova Statuta (index Statuta Angliae, Statute book, Sta... More
Pen-flourished initial from BL Harley 3355, f. 10
Pen-flourished initial 'D' with floral motifs. Image taken from f. 10 of Religious Poems, with an index of first lines (ff. 2-8) (index Poemata Varia Italice). Written in Italian.
Decorated initial from BL Harley 2700, ff. 1v-2
Large foliate initial 'O' in red, partly original and partly restored by Bartolomeo Sanvito. Image taken from ff. 1v-2 of Epigrams (index Epigrammatum), imperfect. Written in Latin.
Decorated initial from BL Harley 3062, f. 1
Decorated initial 'P'(opulus) at the beginning of Usuardus's Martirology. Image taken from f. 1 of Martyrology (index Martirologium), imperfect at the end. Written in Latin.
Man with bells from BL Harley 4951, f. 299v
Detail of a man holding a set of bells, representing the fourth musical mode. Image taken from f. 299v of Gradual of Saint-Etienne of Toulouse, including a tonary (a collection of chant melodies). Written in Latin.
Vices and Virtues from BL Harley 3244, ff. 27v-28
Diagram of the seven vices represented as devils: Superbia (Pride), Invidia (Envy), Ira (Wrath), Accidia (Sloth), Avaricia (Covetousness), Gula (Gluttony), and Luxuria (Self-indulgence), each subdivided, and co... More
Decorated initial from BL Harley 2475, f. 122
Decorated initial 'O'(mnes) with foliate extensions. Image taken from f. 122 of Vita Terentii (ff. 1-2); Comoediae (index Comedies) (ff. 2-121v); Catilina, Jugurtha (ff. 122-198); De re militari (ff. 218-265v).... More
Man spearing a snake from BL Harley 1585, f. 26
Miniatures of a plant and a man spearing a snake. Image taken from f. 26 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animal... 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
Hector and Priam from BL Harley 4431, f. 136
Detail of a miniature of Hector bidding farewell to Priam, who implores him not to fight, in 'L'Épître Othéa'. Image taken from f. 136 of Various works (also known as 'The Book of the Queen'), including 'Cent b... More
Priam and Helen from BL Harley 4431, f. 115
Detail of a miniature of a deputation of Greek messengers demanding the return of Helen from King Priam, in 'L'Épître Othéa'. Image taken from f. 115 of Various works (also known as 'The Book of the Queen'), in... More
Queen and attendant from BL Harley 4431, f. 290
Detail of a the right-hand portion of the miniature, depicting a queen and her attendant building the Cité des dames at the beginning of this text. Image taken from f. 290 of Various works (also known as 'The B... More
Phoebe from BL Harley 4431, f. 101
Detail of a miniature of Phoebe with a bow and arrow, presiding over her followers, in 'L'Épître Othéa'. Image taken from f. 101 of Various works (also known as 'The Book of the Queen'), including 'Cent balades... More
Andromeda and Perseus from BL Harley 4431, f. 98v
Miniature of Andromeda being rescued from a monster by Perseus, riding on Pegasus, in 'L'Épître Othéa'. Image taken from f. 98v of Various works (also known as 'The Book of the Queen'), including 'Cent balades'... More
Woman reading from BL Harley 4431, f. 259v
Detail of a miniature of a woman reading moral proverbs at the beginning of the 'Proverbes moraux'. Image taken from f. 259v of Various works (also known as 'The Book of the Queen'), including 'Cent balades' (f... More
Prayer from BL Harley 5686, f. 60
Detail of a miniature of a man kneeling in prayer on a hill. Behind him two young youths are looking for shelter in a house from the heavy hail. Image taken from f. 60 of Festival prayer book (~mahzor~) with mi... More
Courtiers at a joust from BL Harley 4379, f. 23v
Detail of a miniature of courtiers at a joust. Image taken from f. 23v of Chroniques, Vol. IV, part 1 (the 'Harley Froissart'). Written in French.
Frontispiece to ~Even ha-Ezer~ from BL Harley 5717, f. 2
Frontispiece to the second pillar of ~Arbaah Turim~, ~Even ha-Ezer~ (The Stone of Help). The initial-word panel is decorated with white vine motifs. The text is framed by a full floral border inhabited by birds... More
Rabbits from BL Harley 5716, f. 8
Detail: initial-word panel inhabited by rabbits. Image taken from f. 8 of ~Arbaah Turim~ (The Four Pillars). Written in Hebrew.
John from BL Harley 2934, f. 17
Miniature of John writing, assisted by his evangelist symbol, the eagle, with an angel looking upon from an open window, with an illuminated initial 'I'(n) and a full foliate border. Image taken from f. 17 of B... More
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.
Historiated initial and border from BL Harley 3510, f. 2
Historiated initial 'M'(aecenas) with Horace, bust-length, at the beginning of the text and full decorated border with foliate decoration, flowers, besants, birds, a vase, winged putti, a wreath enclosing the M... More
Monstrous races from BL Harley 2799, f. 243
Drawings of seventeen monstrous races, including from left to right, on the top row, a Dog head, or Cynocephali; a Round-eye, or Cyclops; two Blemmyae, with faces on their chests or shoulders, the latter someti... More
Diagrams from BL Harley 3099, f. 157
Text with diagrams. Image taken from f. 157 of Etymologies; De natura rerum (ff. 154-166), and other short texts. Written in Latin.
Women spinning from BL Harley 4375, f. 179
Detail of the lower left-hand miniature with a scene of women spinning. 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... More
Constantine the Great from BL Harley 5632, ff. 2v-3
Miniature of Emperor Constantine the Great. Image taken from ff. 2v-3 of Chronicle of the Byzantine emperors, beginning with Constantine the Great (ff. 3-492); Last vision of Daniel (f. 494-496v). Written in Greek.
Giovanni Boccaccio - Julian the Apostate from BL Harley 1766, f. 201v,...
Detail of a miniature of Julian the Apostate being pierced by a spear. Image taken from f. 201v of The Fall of Princes (index De casibus virorum et feminarum illustrium), abridged. Written in English.
Old Testament figures from BL Harley 4940, f. 51
Diagram showing Old Testament figures, etc. Image taken from f. 51 of Breviari d'amor. Written in French.
Explicit from BL Harley 6149, f. 126
Explicit of the 'vii Deeds of Honoure and their Seven Crownys'. Coloured drawing of the seventh crown. Image taken from f. 126 of Various heraldic treatises, including 'the Gaige of Battail' (ff. 1-5), heraldic... More
Richard II from BL Harley 1319, f. 44
Miniature of Richard II, disguised in a priest's cowl, encountering the soldiers of the Earl of Northumberland on the road to Chester. Image taken from f. 44 of La Prinse et mort du roy Richart (Book of the Cap... More
Coloured drawings from BL Harley 4205, ff. 18v-19
Coloured drawings of combatant mounted knights in armour and tabard. Image taken from ff. 18v-19 of Military Roll of Arms (manuscript also known as Sir Thomas Holme's Book of Arms) (index Heraldry).
Pygmalion and the statue from BL Harley 4425, f. 177v
Detail of a miniature of Pygmalion and the statue. Image taken from f. 177v of Roman de la Rose (index Romance of the Rose). Written in French.
Mermaid from BL Harley 4372, f. 79v
Detail of a miniature a mermaid with a mirror and comb, from the lower margin of the folio. Image taken from f. 79v of Les Fais et les Dis des Romains et de autres gens (index Memorabilia, index Facta et Dicta ... More
Ercole I d'Este from BL Harley 3311, f. 21v
Full-page portrait of Ercole I d'Este. Image taken from f. 21v of Annali di Ferrara, books 4-5. Written in Italian.
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
Adam and Eve from BL Harley 7621, f. 1
Detail of a pge: historiated initial-word panel, ~Bereshit~ (in the beginning), of the Original Sin, at the beginning of Genesis. Above the initial word, Adam and Eve are depicted under a tree holding apples, w... More
Decorated initials from BL Harley 1895, f. 1
Pen-flourished initial 'O'(rbis) and plain initial 'O'(mne). Image taken from f. 1 of De Cosmographia, in three books (ff. 1-22), Excerpts from Virgil with paraphrases of the Old and New Testaments (ff. 23-34v)... More