Lady Jane Grey inscription from BL Harley 2342, f. 76v
Text page with coloured initials and line-fillers, and a portion of a message written in the margin by Lady Jane Grey to Sir John Bridges, Lieutenant of the Tower (continued from f. 76): '… Precher sayethe ther... More
Detail from BL Sloane 6, f. 176v
Image taken from f. 176v of Medical treatise. Written in English. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in the development of British museums and libraries. Sloan... More
Knights jousting from BL Harley 4205, f. 19v
Coloured drawings of combatant mounted knights in armour and tabard. Image taken from f. 19v of Anonymous verses on the kings of England, to Henry VI, unfinished (manuscript also known as Sir Thomas Holme's Boo... More
Paraphs from BL Harley 2255, f. 8v
Paraphs with pen-flourishing including a bird. Image taken from f. 8v of Collection of 45 minor poems including 'The Legend of Saint Austin at Compton', 'The Testament', 'Fabula duorum mercatorum', and 'When sh... More
Death of Sweyn from BL YT 47, f. 83
Miniature of the apparition of Edmund, in armour, aided by an angel, slaying Sweyn in bed with a spear, from John Lydgate's Lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund. Image taken from f. 83 of Lives of Saints Edmund a... More
Giovanni Boccaccio - Detail from BL Harley 1766, f. 76, illuminated ma...
Miniature of Euridyce and Orpheus with his harp. Image taken from f. 76 of The Fall of Princes (index De casibus virorum et feminarum illustrium), abridged. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refer... More
Geoffrey Chaucer from BL Royal 17 D VI, f. 93v
Detail of a marginal miniature of Geoffrey Chaucer pointing the text, with a caption reading 'Chauceris ymago'. Image taken from f. 93v of The Regement of Princes, with other poems. Written in English. The BL ... More
Fish and Sea Monsters, Illuminated manuscript, England
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Goats, Illuminated manuscript, England, illuminated manuscript
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Sirens, Illuminated manuscript, England, illuminated manuscript
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Zoomorphic initial from BL Harley 585, f. 130 manuscript
Initial 'W'' decorated with zoomorphic motifs of snakes. Image taken from f. 130 of Medical miscellany in Old English, including the translations of the Pseudo-Apuleius's 'Herbarium', imperfect (ff. 1-66v), the... More
Rollo from BL King's 396, f. 4v
Miniature of Rollo (Robert), Duke of Normandy, seated wearing chainmail; the genealogical tree growing from near his feet. Image taken from f. 4v of Genealogy of Queen Elizabeth I. Written in English.
Image from BL Royal 17 A I, f. 30
Image taken from f. 30 of Constituciones artis gemetrie secundum Euclyde: a poem on the craft of Masonry. Written in English. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of... More
Text page from BL Add 34652, f. 5v
Text page Image taken from f. 5v of One leaf from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: the preface with West-Saxon genealogy from Cerdic (494) to Alfred (899). Written in English.
Entombment of Edmund from BL Harley 2278, f. 117
Detail of a miniature of the entombment of Edmund in the abbey at Bury St. Edmunds. Image taken from f. 117 of Metrical lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund, in the presentation copy for Henry VI, including the p... More
Edmund from BL YT 47, f. 21v - Public domain medieval manuscript
Miniature of Edmund riding to Bury St Edmunds accompanied by noblemen, with a windmill in the background, from John Lydgate's Lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund. Image taken from f. 21v of Lives of Saints Edmun... More
The Turks withdrawing their siege from BL Harley 326, f. 67v
Miniature of the Turks withdrawing their siege. Image taken from f. 67v of Edward's IV's Descent from Rollo (ff. 1-7); Romance of the Three Kings' Sons (ff. 8-123). Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscrip... More
Zodiac man from BL Sloane 442, f. 36
Drawing of a man with zodiac signs marked. Image taken from f. 36 of Medical miscellany, including the English version of Gibertus Anglicus's Compendium medicinae; a regimen for diet and bloodletting (ff. 61v-6... More
Giovanni Boccaccio - Hippolytus and Phaedra from BL Harley 1766, f. 39...
Detail of miniatures of Hippolytus and his chariot sinking in water, and Phaedra falling on her sword. Image taken from f. 39 of The Fall of Princes (index De casibus virorum et feminarum illustrium), abridged.... More
Full border with initial from BL Harley 4775, f. 3
Full border with initial 'S'(eynt) in blue, pink, and green with foliate spray. Image taken from f. 3 of Legenda Aurea (The Golden Legend), ending imperfectly. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" re... More
The Dragon Giving the Sceptor of Power to the Beast from the Sea
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Decorated initial from BL Harley 2407, f. 75v
Initial 'L'(yfe thow) with pen-flourishing with a drawing of twin dragons with the sun and moon. The dragons and text were reproduced by Elias Ashmole (b. 1617, d. 1692), on page 212 of his ~Theatrum chemicu... More
F. 19v. Sherbrooke Missal - Public domain dedication image
This beautiful Missal made from parchment originates from East Anglia. It is considered a very important manuscript as it is one of the earliest examples of a Missal of an English source. Sarum Missals were boo... More
F. 336r. Sherbrooke Missal - Public domain dedication image
This beautiful Missal made from parchment originates from East Anglia. It is considered a very important manuscript as it is one of the earliest examples of a Missal of an English source. Sarum Missals were boo... More
Three diagrams from BL Harley 2293, f. 10v
Three diagrams relating to geomancy. Image taken from f. 10v of Discourse on geomancy dedicated to King James II (r. 1685-1688). Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieva... More
Knights jousting from BL Harley 4205, ff. 19v-20
Coloured drawings of combatant mounted knights in armour and tabard jousting. Image taken from ff. 19v-20 of Anonymous verses on the kings of England, to Henry VI, unfinished (manuscript also known as Sir Thoma... More
Diagram from BL Harley 2407, f. 57
Astrological drawing of the sun, moon, and Zodiac constellations. Image taken from f. 57 of Miscellaneous treatises on alchemy, including John Lydgate's 'The Churl and the Bird' (the latter imperfect at the beg... More
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
Genealogical tree from BL Harley 674, f. 112
Genealogical tree showing the descendants of Jacob. Image taken from f. 112 of The Cloud of Unknowing, with marginal gloss. Written in English and Latin gloss. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection... More
Weasels, Illuminated manuscript, England, illuminated manuscript
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Folded physician's almanac from BL Harley 3812
Folded physician's almanac. Image taken from Physician's folding almanac, including a calendar (ff. [1]-[4]). Written in English and Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscr... More
William de la Pole from BL Arundel 119, f. 4
Foliate initial 'S'(irs) including the heraldic arms of William de la Pole, with a full foliate border, at the beginning of part 1 of Lydgate's Siege of Thebes. Image taken from f. 4 of The Siege of Thebes. Wri... More
Illuminated border and initial from BL Lansdowne 454, f. 126v
3-sided border and illuminated initial 'A' at the beginning of the first book of Kings. Image taken from f. 126v of Old Testament, the later Wycliffite version, imperfect (Genesis to Psalms). Written in English.
Christ Before Pilate - Gold leaf illuminated manuscript
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Java from BL Royal 20 E IX, f. 30 - Public domain map
Detail of a map of the world representing Java. Image taken from f. 30 of Boke of Idrography (The 'Rotz Atlas'). Written in English. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, cons... More
F. 1r. Sherbrooke Missal - Public domain dedication image
This beautiful Missal made from parchment originates from East Anglia. It is considered a very important manuscript as it is one of the earliest examples of a Missal of an English source. Sarum Missals were boo... More
Text page from BL Lansdowne 285, f. 136
Text page. Image taken from f. 136 of Sir John Paston's 'Grete Booke', a miscellany, including the challenge of an Auncestre of Therle of Warrewik (ff. 16-17v); the tournament between Lord Scales and the Bastar... More
Henry and Patrick from BL King's 396, f. 24v
Detail of miniatures of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln; and Patrick Chaworth of Kidwelly; each at the beginning of a branch of the genealogical tree. Image taken from f. 24v of Genealogy of Queen Elizabeth I. W... More
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
Creation of Eve from BL King's 395, ff. 1v-2
Miniature of the creation of Eve, with foliate border and foliate initials, and a diagram of the the descendants of Adam and Eveat the beginning of a genealogy from Adam and Eve to the Kings of England. Image t... More
John from BL Arundel 285, f. 183
Woodcut of John holding a chalice. Image taken from f. 183 of Collection of Scottish poetry. Written in English, Scots, some headings in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard famil... More
Death rites from BL Harley 3954, f. 67v
Detail of a coloured drawing depicting the death rites of Rybothe Island. Image taken from f. 67v of Travels (index Voyage d'Outre Mer, Itinerarium). Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a ... More
Giovanni Boccaccio - Expulsion from Paradise from BL Harley 1766, f. 1...
Detail of a miniature of the Expulsion from the Garden of Even. Image taken from f. 13 of The Fall of Princes (index De casibus virorum et feminarum illustrium), abridged. Written in English. The "BL Harley Ma... More
Illuminated initial from BL Eg 617, f. 164v
Detail of an illuminated initial 'T'(he) with an animal head, at the beginning of Hosea. Image taken from f. 164v of Bible, in the early Wycliffite version; Proverbs to Maccabees. Written in English. The Egert... More
Noah's Ark - Gold leaf illuminated manuscript - East Anglia
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Emblem of Percy moon receiving light from the Tudor sun from BL Royal ...
Emblem of a man (a king?) wearing a crown of flames and holding an orb marked 'Sol' in the centre of a radiating Tudor Rose inscribed with verses 'Ex paterno trono radii splendoris/ ex matre candor virginii dec... More
Head of Christ - Public domain dedication image
This beautiful Missal made from parchment originates from East Anglia. It is considered a very important manuscript as it is one of the earliest examples of a Missal of an English source. Sarum Missals were boo... More
Head of Christ1 - Public domain dedication image
This beautiful Missal made from parchment originates from East Anglia. It is considered a very important manuscript as it is one of the earliest examples of a Missal of an English source. Sarum Missals were boo... More
Nativity 01 - Public domain dedication image
This beautiful Missal made from parchment originates from East Anglia. It is considered a very important manuscript as it is one of the earliest examples of a Missal of an English source. Sarum Missals were boo... More
Detail from BL Lansdowne 378, f. 30v
Decorated cadels with human faces. Image taken from f. 30v of The Rule of St Benet, and the ritual for the ordination of nuns (ff. 43-46). Written in English, with Latin catchwords.
Detail from BL King's 395, f. 32v
Image taken from f. 32v of Biblical and genealogical chronicle from Adam and Eve to Edward VI (the Longer English genealogical chronicle of the kings of England). Written in English.
The Entry into Jerusalem - Gold leaf illuminated manuscript
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Christ Among the Doctors - Gold leaf illuminated manuscript
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description "Christ among the Doctors" is a subject in Christian art that depic... More
The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The Raising of Lazarus - Gold leaf illuminated manuscript
Public domain reproduction of English medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description The Raising of Lazarus is a story from the New Testament, recorded ... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 67v
Text page with coloured initials and line-fillers. Image taken from f. 67v of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 33
Text page. Image taken from f. 33 of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harle... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 48
Text page. Image taken from f. 48 of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harle... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 140v
Text page. Image taken from f. 140v of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Har... More
Miracle of the Wells from BL YT 47, f. 19v
Miniature of Edmund and courtiers kneeling in thanks as five springs miraculously appear, from John Lydgate's Lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund. Image taken from f. 19v of Lives of Saints Edmund and Fremund. W... More
Adrianus from BL Royal 17 C XXXVIII, f. 21v
Detail of a drawing of Adrianus, labelled 'Adrianus Imperator.' Image taken from f. 21v of Travels (index Itinerarium, Voyage d'outre mer) in Middle English. Written in English. The BL Royal Manuscript Collect... More
Blank folio from BL Harley 2342, f. 142v
Blank folio, with effaced British Museum stamp. Image taken from f. 142v of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in t... More
Image from BL Sloane 6, f. 176v
Image taken from f. 176v of Medical treatise. Written in English. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in the development of British museums and libraries. Sloan... More
Text page from BL Eg 617, f. 100
Text page in Jeremiah. Image taken from f. 100 of Bible, in the early Wycliffite version; Proverbs to Maccabees. Written in English. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thomas Ege... More
Crucifixion from BL Eg 615, f. 63
Miniature of the Crucifixion. Image taken from f. 63 of The Pilgrimage of the Soul, translated from the French of Guillaume de Deguileville. Written in English. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after... More
Diagrams from BL Royal 17 B XLVIII, f. 1
Circular diagram against lightning; below, a diagram connected with solar and lunar cycles. Image taken from f. 1 of Medical recipes and charms. Written in English, French and Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Co... More
Detail from BL Sloane 2464, f. 28v
Illuminated initials 'A's in John Lydgate and Benedict Burgh's Secrets of the Philosophers. Image taken from f. 28v of Secrets of Philosophers. Written in English. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician a... More
Queen Anne from BL Eg 2572, f. 18
Miniature of a bust of Queen Anne. Image taken from f. 18 of Guild Book of the Barber Surgeons of York, including its ordinances. Written in English and Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after ... More
Detail from BL Sloane 1853, f. 3
Image taken from f. 3 of Penitential Psalms. Written in English with Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in the development of British museums and librar... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 10v
Text page. Image taken from f. 10v of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harl... More
Marginal drawings from BL Harley 1735, f. 7
Verses concerning good and bad luck, with marginal drawings, including a pedler, money bag, and brazier. Image taken from f. 7 of John Crophill's commonplace book with astrological prognostications, cookery rec... More
Shields of arms from BL Harley 521, ff. 20v-21
Shields of arms. Image taken from ff. 20v-21 of Three collections of heraldic shields of English and foreign arms (also known as 'Portcullis' Book'). Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a ... More
Giovanni Boccaccio - Detail from BL Harley 1766, f. 50, illuminated ma...
Miniature of Queen Jocasta falling on a sword. Image taken from f. 50 of The Fall of Princes (index De casibus virorum et feminarum illustrium), abridged. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers ... More
Flagellation of Christ from BL Arundel 285, f. 5v
Woodcut of the Flagellation of Christ. Image taken from f. 5v of Collection of Scottish poetry. Written in English, Scots, some headings in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard fa... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 116
Text page with coloured initials and line-fillers. Image taken from f. 116 of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 43v
Text page. Image taken from f. 43v of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harl... More
November and December from BL Eg 2724
Miniatures of November, with a man killing a cow or deer, and December, with a king seated on a throne. Image taken from Folding almanac, with prognostications, etc., imperfect, beginning with July. Written in ... More
City from BL Harley 3954, f. 44v
Drawing depicting Cassay, a Christian stronghold known as the "City of Heaven," near Cathay. Image taken from f. 44v of Travels (index Voyage d'Outre Mer, Itinerarium). Written in English. The "BL Harley Manus... More
detail of a woman physician treating a female patient from BL Sloane 6...
detail of a woman physician treating a female patient Image taken from f. 177v of Medical treatise. Written in English. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in t... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 117v
Text page with coloured initials and line fillers. Image taken from f. 117v of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held i... More
Holy Sepulchre and Calvary from BL Royal 17 C XXXVIII, f. 19v
Marginal miniature of the Holy Sepulchre and a miraculous lamp, with inscriptions reading, 'Þe sepulchre of our lord', and 'a lampe', and a miniature of the Calvary with an inscription reading, 'Mount caluary'.... More
Coloured drawing from BL Harley 4205, f. 5v
Coloured drawing of an English king in armour and tabard (Edward II), presenting a plaque with verses. Image taken from f. 5v of Anonymous verses on the kings of England, to Henry VI, unfinished (manuscript als... More
Decorated initials from BL Harley 6613, f. 1
Initials with pen-flourished decoration. Image taken from f. 1 of Lanterne of Light, a Lollard text, imperfect. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts hel... More
Lover and Confessor from BL Harley 3869, f. 18
Detail of a miniature of the Lover kneeling before the Confessor in a landscape at the beginning of book 1 of Gower's Confessio amantis; an acanthus frame surrounds the miniature and foliate feathering extends ... More
Heraldry from BL Harley 6149, ff. 32v-33
Text page with heraldry from a heraldic treatise by Adam Loutfut; coats of arms. Image taken from ff. 32v-33 of Various heraldic treatises, including 'the Gaige of Battail' (ff. 1-5), heraldic treatise by Adam ... More
Virgin and Child from BL Arundel 285, f. 208v
Woodcut of the Virgin and Child with Anne. Image taken from f. 208v of Collection of Scottish poetry. Written in English, Scots, some headings in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the How... More
Tomb of Thomas from BL Royal 17 C XXXVIII, f. 39
Marginal miniature of the tomb of Thomas, in Mabaron, with his hand holding a document, with an inscription reading, 'tumba s[anc]ti ap[osto]li Thome', and a miniature of a pilgrim, with an inscription reading,... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 20
Text page. Image taken from f. 20 of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harle... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 10
Text page. Image taken from f. 10 of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harle... More
Note from BL Harley 7334, f. 58v
Detail of a scribal (?) note reading 'Icy commencera le fable de Gamelyn' ('Here will begin Gamelyn's tale'). Image taken from f. 58v of The Canterbury Tales. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" ref... More
Coloured drawing from BL Harley 4205, f. 5
Coloured drawing of an English king in armour and tabard (Edward I), presenting a plaque with verses. Unfinished. Image taken from f. 5 of Anonymous verses on the kings of England, to Henry VI, unfinished (manu... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 72
Text page with coloured initials and line-fillers. Image taken from f. 72 of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in ... More
Amazon from BL Royal 17 C XXXVIII, f. 36
Marginal miniature of an Amazon, with an inscription reading 'Þe lond of wymmen'. Image taken from f. 36 of Travels (index Itinerarium, Voyage d'outre mer) in Middle English. Written in English. The BL Royal M... More
Decorated initials from BL Harley 6615, f. 1
Initials with pen-flourished decoration at the beginning of 'The Chasting of God's Children'. Image taken from f. 1 of A collection of devotional treatises, including 'The Chasting of God's Children' (ff. 1-100... More
Cadels from BL Harley 4196, f. 164v
Cadels with human and animal faces. Image taken from f. 164v of Miscellany, including the Prick of Conscience and the Expanded Northern Homily Cycle. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a ... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 36v
Text page. Image taken from f. 36v of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harl... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 127v
Text page with coloured initials and line fillers. Image taken from f. 127v of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held i... More
Detail from BL Eg 2726, f. 126v
Text page and decorated catchword. Image taken from f. 126v of Canterbury Tales. Written in English. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thomas Egerton (1540-1617), 1st Viscount B... More
Text page from BL Harley 2342, f. 81v
Text page with coloured initials and line-fillers. Image taken from f. 81v of Lady Jane Grey's Prayer book. Written in English. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in... More
Image from BL Arundel 99, f. 73v
Image taken from f. 73v of Troy book, imperfect (translated from the Latin of Guido de Columna). Written in English. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, particularly Thomas Howa... More