Habakkuk from BL Harley 2803, f. 278
Detail of historiated initial 'O'(nus) with Habakkuk holding a scroll, and an entwined man, at the beginning of Habakkuk. Image taken from f. 278 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis ... 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
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
John from BL Royal 1 D I, f. 532v
Detail of a historiated Initial 'S'(enior) of John holding a scroll, at the beginning of John II. Image taken from f. 532v of Bible, with the Interpretation of Hebrew names (The 'Bible of William of Devon'). Wr... More
Bishop from BL Eg 1067, f. 75 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Historiated initial of a bishop blessing nuns, with a full border, with flowers and strawberries. Image taken from f. 75 of Pontifical. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its fo... More
Temptation of Christ from BL Royal 2 B III, f. 37v
Historiated initial 'D'(ominus) of the Temptation of Christ, at the beginning of Psalm 26. Image taken from f. 37v of Psalter. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Coll... More
Adventus Domini (Incarnation) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 55
Detail of a historiated initial 'A'(dventus) of the Annunciation. Image taken from f. 55 of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Col... More
Abishag from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 79
Detail of an historiated initial 'E'(t rex) of Abishag before David. Image taken from f. 79 of Bible (the 'Big' or 'Great Bible'), with the Gospel of Nicodemus and the Interpretation of Hebrew names. Written in... More
Border decoration from BL Royal 20 E III, f. 114
Detail of a page with an historiated initial 'L'(e duc) and a decorated border. Image taken from f. 114 of Chroniques de France ou de Saint Denis (from 1108 to 1270). Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript... More
Spanish Antiphoner - Public domain dedication image
Collection of medieval manuscript pages from various sources selected by BibliOdyssey.
Obadiah from BL Harley 2803, f. 272
Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(isio Abdiae) of the prophet Obadiah holding a scroll, at the beginning of Obadiah. Image taken from f. 272 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to... More
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
Astronomy from BL Burn 275, f. 390v
Detail of historiated initial, with a female figure, possibly a personification of astronomy, showing the stars to a group of scholars, who wear versions of fourteenth-century academic dress, at the beginning o... More
Edward III and the Black Prince from BL Royal 20 D X, f. 28
Detail of an historiated initial 'E'(dwardus) of Edward III enthroned giving a charter to the kneeling Black Prince, at the beginning of a collection of documents relating to Black Prince's principality of Aqui... More
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
Historiated initial and bar border from BL Harley 2749, f. 1
Large historiated initial 'E'(go) with Cicero writing and handing a letter to a boy; bar border on either side with foliate decoration, flowers (including sweet pea) and a bird; 2 winged putti supporting an era... More
Wrestlers from BL Harley 3487, f. 34
Detail of an historiated initial 'T'(ransmuta) of two men in loincloths wrestling. Image taken from f. 34 of Libri Naturales, with extensive glosses. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a co... More
Monks singing from BL YT 43, f. 100
Historiated initial 'C'(antate) of monks singing, with a partial border including grotesques, in the Psalms. Image taken from f. 100 of Psalter and Book of Hours, Use of Saint-Omer. Written in Latin. Henry Yat... More
Solomon and Rehoboam from BL YT 41, f. 278v
Historiated initial 'P'(arabole) of King Solomon and Rehoboam. Image taken from f. 278v of Bible. Written in Latin. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled thi... More
Virgin and Child from BL Royal 1 C II, f. 215v
Detail of a historiated initial 'O'(sculetur) of the Virgin and Child, at the beginning of Song of Solomon. Image taken from f. 215v of Bible, with the Interpretation of Hebrew names (imperfect). Written in Lat... More
Woman from BL Arundel 157, f. 134
Detail of a historiated initial of a woman holding a book. Image taken from f. 134 of Office of the Dead; Hours of the Virgin. Written in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard fami... More
Fortitudo (Fortitude) from BL Royal 6 E VII, f. 151
Detail of a historiated initial 'F'(ortitudo) of a man fighting with a lion. Image taken from f. 151 of Omne Bonum (Ebrietas-Humanus). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Ro... More
Angeli (Angels) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 92
Detail of a historiated initial 'A'(primo) of a seraph. Image taken from f. 92 of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, c... More
Ars sive artes (Art or Arts) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 138v
Detail of a historiated initial 'A'(rtes) of a teacher at a desk, with pupils. Image taken from f. 138v of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known a... More
King Ahasuerus' feast from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 132v
Detail of an historiated initial 'I'(n diebus) of King Ahasuerus' feast with Esther, princes and three musicians, at the beginning of Esther. Image taken from f. 132v of Bible (the 'Big' or 'Great Bible'), with... More
Jeremiah from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 193
Detail of an historiated initial 'D' of God touching the mouth of Jeremiah. Image taken from f. 193 of Bible (the 'Big' or 'Great Bible'), with the Gospel of Nicodemus and the Interpretation of Hebrew names. Wr... More
Sacrifice of a bull from BL YT 16, f. 28v
Detail of an historiated initial 'U' of three men offering a bull to be sacrificed. Image taken from f. 28v of Bible. Written in Latin. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropi... More
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
Zephaniah from BL Harley 2803, f. 279v
Detail of a historiated initial 'V' of the prophet Zephaniah standing with a scroll inscribed '[V]'(erbum Domini), at the beginning of Zephaniah (Sophoniae). Image taken from f. 279v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible'... More
Simeon from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 222v
Detail of an historiated initial 'S'(eint) of Simeon on his pillar, with the pilgrims below. Image taken from f. 222v of Lives of the Saints. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known a... More
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
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
Church Fathers from BL Harley 4902, f. 1
Historiated initial 'G'(loriosissimam) with Augustine as a bishop, with stigmata, combined with a three-sided white vine border including the coats of arms of the Hungarian humanists Janus Vitez (index John Vit... More
Peter from BL YT 29, f. 55v - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of an historiated initial 'D'(eus) of Peter with a book, with a partial border of flowers, leaves, and a bird. Image taken from f. 55v of Book of Hours, Use of Rome (the 'Hours of Bonaparte Ghislieri', f... More
Iudei (Jews) from BL Royal 6 E VII, f. 341
Detail of a historiated initial 'I'(udei) of three Jews. Image taken from f. 341 of Omne Bonum (Ebrietas-Humanus). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, cons... More
Hosea and Gomer from BL Royal 1 C II, f. 306
Detail of a historiated initial 'V'(erbum) of Hosea and Gomer, at the beginning of Hosea. Image taken from f. 306 of Bible, with the Interpretation of Hebrew names (imperfect). Written in Latin. The BL Royal M... More
Author portrait from BL Harley 3969, f. 41
Historiated initial 'E'(x Cassiodoro) with the author Cassiodorus pointing at an open book, and a foliated tendril extending into the margin; the body of the letter contains a blue figure. Smaller historiated i... More
King Edward III from BL YT 48, f. 41
Detail of an historiated initial 'C'(ome) of Edward III, at the beginning of his Statutes. Image taken from f. 41 of Nova Statuta (index Statutes of England, Statuta Angliae, Statute book), from Edward III to H... More
Xpc (Christ) from BL Royal 6 E VII, f. 526v
Detail of a historiated initial 'X'(pc) of Christ as a king with the instruction for an illuminator reading, 'Sedeat christus…', next to the initial. Image taken from f. 526v of Omne Bonum (Jacob-Zacharias). Wr... More
Resurrection from BL Harley 2891, f. 153
Historiated initial 'R'(esurexi) of the Resurrection (Easter Sunday). Image taken from f. 153 of Missal, use of Paris. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscript... More
Stoning of Stephen from BL YT 49, vol. 1, f. 16
Detail of a miniature of the stoning of Stephen, with an historiated initial 'E'(stienne) of Stephen preaching, at the beginning of his legend. Image taken from vol. 1, f. 16 of The Golden Legend (La Légende Do... More
David and the Amalekite from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 72v
Detail of an historiated initial 'F'(actum est) of the Amalekite telling David of Saul's death and holding Saul's crown, and the Amalekite being killed, at the beginning of 2 Kings. Image taken from f. 72v of B... More
Pantaleon from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 92v
Historiated initial 'A'(tel) of Pantaleon before the emperor, at the beginning of the rubric: 'Ci commence la vie seint Pantaleon'. Image taken from f. 92v of Lives of the Saints. Written in French. The BL Roy... More
Synagogue and Ecclesia from BL Royal 3 D VI, f. 93
Detail of an historiated initial 'Q'(uinta) of Synagogue and Ecclesia, at the beginning of Deuteronomy. Image taken from f. 93 of Historia scholastica (The 'Ashridge Petrus Comestor'). Written in Latin. The BL... More
Fratres mendicantes (Mendicant friars) from BL Royal 6 E VII, f. 154
Historiated initial 'F'(ratres) of pope giving charters to representatives of three mendicant Orders, Dominican, Carmelite, and Franciscan. Image taken from f. 154 of Omne Bonum (Ebrietas-Humanus). Written in L... More
Resurrection from BL Eg 1146, f. 202
Historiated initial 'A'(lleluia) of the Resurrected Christ, with partial borders of leaves and birds, at the beginning of Matins in the Office of the Resurrection. Image taken from f. 202 of Book of Hours, Use ... More
Detail: Resurrection from BL Arundel 108, f. 10v
Historiated initial 'R'(esurrexi) with the Resurrection, angels supporting heraldic arms to the left, in a Missal. Image taken from f. 10v of Missal. Written in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was ama... More
Physician from BL Sloane 2435, f. 27v
Detail of the historiated initial 'P'(our) with a standing physician and pregnant woman. Image taken from f. 27v of Le Régime du corps (ff. 1-75v); Image du monde (ff. 77-133v). Written in French (Walloon diale... More
Death from BL Harley 2448, f. 94
Historiated initial 'D'(ilexi) of the Death and foliate borders, at the beginning of the Office of the Dead. Image taken from f. 94 of Book of Hours, Use of Rome. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" r... More
Ecclesiastes from BL Royal 1 C II, f. 212v
Detail of a historiated Initial 'V'(erba) of Solomon and a young man, at the beginning of Ecclesiastes. Image taken from f. 212v of Bible, with the Interpretation of Hebrew names (imperfect). Written in Latin. ... More
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
Baptism of Christ from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 190v
Miniature of the Baptism of Christ, with an historiated initial 'E'(xultate) of David playing the bells, at the beginning of Psalm 80, and a bas-de-page drawing of a unicorn and a lion. Image taken from f. 190v... More
Head of a woman from BL Royal 15 D II, f. 7
Detail of an historiated initial 'P'(ur) with the head of a woman, and a grotesque head. Image taken from f. 7 of La lumiere as lais; Apocalypse (the 'Welles Apocalypse'). Written in French. The BL Royal Manus... More
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.... 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
Eustace from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 207v
Detail of an historiated initial 'A'(utens que) of Eustace, his wife and children being roasted in a brazen bull as the emperor Hadrian looks on. Image taken from f. 207v of Lives of the Saints. Written in Fren... 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
Nureddin, Sultan of Damascus from BL YT 12, f. 132
Detail of an historiated initial 'R'(eines) with a mail-coated Nureddin, the Sultan of Damascus, with bare legs and an open helmet, fleeing on horseback with a foal underfoot from two knights (Godfrey Martel a... More
Tree of Jesse from BL Royal 2 A XVIII, f. 96
Historiated initial 'B'(eatus) of the Tree of Jesse with a full border. Image taken from f. 96 of Book of Hours (The 'Beaufort/Beauchamp Hours'), Use of Sarum. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collect... More
Sacrifice from BL Royal 1 E IV, f. 135
Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(ocavit) of Israelits offering sacrifice to God, at the beginning of Leviticus. Image taken from f. 135 of Bible (Octateuch). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Colle... More
Livy from BL Harley 3694, f. 2 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of an historiated initial 'M' of Livy holding a book. Image taken from f. 2 of Ab urbe condita, Fourth Decade (ff. 1v-151), Epitomies (ff. 152-186v), Periochae (ff. 187-214v). Written in Latin. The "BL ... More
Esra from BL Harley 2804, f. 108
Historiated initial 'I'(n anno) of Esra, at the beginning of Esra. Image taken from f. 108 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible'), Psalms-Acts 16:17, imperfect. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a c... More
Historiated initial from BL Add 38117, f. 97v
Detail of an historiated initial 'O' with image of King Arthur setting infants adrift in a boat. Image taken from f. 97v of Joseph d'Arimathie (ff. 1-18), Le Livre de Merlin (ff. 18v-74), Suite de Merlin (ff. 7... More
Ceremony from BL Harley 1498, f. 76
Detail of an historiated initial 'T'(his) of the manuscript in use at a ceremony. Image taken from f. 76 of Quadripartite Indenture for Henry VII's Chapel. Written in English with Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscr... More
John from BL Harley 2799, f. 185v
Historiated initial 'I'(n principio) with an Evangelist portrait of John. Image taken from f. 185v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, a... More
Ezekiel from BL Harley 2803, f. 229
Historiated initial 'E'(t) with a standing figure of Ezekiel with a scroll with foliate interlace and clasps at the beginning of Ezekiel, and on the left, the decorated initial 'I'(ezechiel), at the beginning o... 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
Divinacio (Divination) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 535v
Detail of a historiated initial 'D'(ivinacionum) of a magician and devils. Image taken from f. 535v of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as th... More
Historiated initial from BL Eg 931, f. 224v
Historiated initial of monks singing and a priest kneeling before an altar. Image taken from f. 224v of Pontifical, Use of Sens. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, ... More
Incipit page from BL Royal 1 D IX, f. 70
Historiated initial 'Q'([uonia]m) of Christ in Majesty in the bowl, with display script in gold, framed by a 'Winchester style' border with foliage intertwined with gold bars, at the beginning of Luke. Image ta... 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
Noli me tangere from BL Royal 2 B III, f. 110
Detail of an historiated initial 'C'(antate) of Christ and Mary Magdalene (Noli me tangere), at the beginning of Psalm 95. Image taken from f. 110 of Psalter. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collecti... 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
Triumph of Chastity from BL Harley 5761, f. 24
Full border with flowers, birds, portrait medallions, historiated initial 'Q'(uando), and a medallion of the Triumph of Chastity. Image taken from f. 24 of Trionfi (index Triumphs) (ff. 11-52v); Rime (ff. 55-19... 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
Christ Disputing from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 150v
Miniature of Christ in the Temple disputing with the doctors, with the Virgin Mary behind, and six niches with prophets, with an historiated initial 'D'(ixit) of David and the fool, and a bas-de-page scene of a... More
Historiated initial from BL Eg 3277, f. 133
Historated initial 'D'(omini) at the Penitential Psalms: the priests give Judas money (Luke 22:5), Christ sends Peter and John to prepare the passover (Luke 22:8), the Last Supper, the Agony in the Garden, a... More
Avaritia (Avarice) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 154v
Detail of a historiated initial 'A'(varicia) of a rich man holding a bag of silver coins, faced by a man with two children on his shoulders. Image taken from f. 154v of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Writt... More
Celebracio missarum (Celebration of masses) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 2...
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(elebrari) of a priest celebrating a mass. Image taken from f. 246v of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as... More
Angels singing from BL Royal 2 A XVI, f. 118
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(antate) of angels singing, at the beginning of Psalm 97. Image taken from f. 118 of Psalter ('The Psalter of Henry VIII'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collecti... More
God from BL Harley 2803, f. 6v - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of face of God, from an historiated initial at the beginning of Genesis. Image taken from f. 6v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley M... More
Isaiah from BL Harley 2803, f. 176
Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(isio) with Isaiah holding a scroll, at the beginning of Isaiah. Image taken from f. 176 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in La... More
Longinus from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 46v
Detail of an historiated initial 'M' of Longinus knocking down idols. Image taken from f. 46v of Lives of the Saints. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, ... More
Historiated initial from BL Harley 3647, f. 55
Historiated initial 'G'(eometrie) with a man teaching, a bar-border sprouting with foliage, a hybrid creature and a cock, at the beginning of Robertus Anglicus of Montpellier, 'Tractatus quadrantis veteris'. Im... More
Excommunicatio (Excommunication) from BL Royal 6 E VII, f. 75v
Detail of a historiated initial 'E'(xcommunicatio) of a priest excommunicating a group of people by raising a candle. Image taken from f. 75v of Omne Bonum (Ebrietas-Humanus). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Ma... More
Resurrection from BL YT 25, f. 1
Detail of an historiated initial 'A'(lleluia) of the Resurrection of Christ, from a liturgical text for Easter with musical notation. Image taken from f. 1 of Leaf from a Dominican Antiphoner (index antiphoner,... More
Monks singing from BL Harley 2909, f. 87
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(antate) of monks singing at a lecturn, at Psalm 97: 'Cantate domino canticum novum' / 'Sing to the Lord a new song', and a full border with acanthus motifs and sprays. Image ... More
Historiated initial from BL Harley 3496, f. 208v
Historiated initial 'Q'(uando) with the Triumph of Chastity. Image taken from f. 208v of Trionfi (index Triumphs). Written in Italian. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts ... More
Presentation of the text from BL Harley 7182, f. 1
Historiated initial with a portrait of Jacobus Angelus presenting to Pope Alexander V a copy of his translation of Ptolomy's ~Geography~. The pope's face has been deliberately effaced. Image taken from f. 1 of ... More
Historiated initial from BL Harley 3487, f. 140v
Detail of an historiated initial 'P'. Image taken from f. 140v of Libri Naturales, with extensive glosses. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in th... More
Detail: Jerome and pope Damasus from BL YT 22, f. 1
Historiated initial 'F'(rater) with Jerome and pope Damasus, at the beginning of the Bible. Image taken from f. 1 of Bible ('The Brantwood Bible'). Written in Latin. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a Brit... More
Maria Mater Dei Virgo (Virgin Mary Mother of God) from BL Royal 6 E VI...
Detail of a historiated initial 'M'(aria) of the Annunciation following the instruction for an illuminator reading 'salut[acio]' in the lower margin. Image taken from f. 487v of Omne Bonum (Jacob-Zacharias). Wr... More
Battle from BL YT 12, f. 109 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of an historiated initial 'C'(ourars) of a battle between Imperial knights and Saracen cavalry. Image taken from f. 109 of Histoire d'Outremer, continued to 1232. Written in French. Henry Yates Thompson... More
Archers from BL YT 12, f. 204 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of an historiated initial 'O' of archers assaulting a city, and text. Image taken from f. 204 of Histoire d'Outremer, continued to 1232. Written in French. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British... More
Henry VII receiving the book from BL Royal 19 C VIII, f. 1
Historiated initial 'A'(vous) of Henry VII receiving the book from the writer, with a partial trompe l'oeil border, including flowers and a bear. Image taken from f. 1 of Imaginacion de vraye noblesse. Written ... More
Historiated initial from BL YT 27, ff. 70v-71
Double-page with a historiated initial 'A'(d) with a monkey standing on a dog, and full borders, in the Book of Hours. Image taken from ff. 70v-71 of Book of Hours, Use of Paris ('The Hours of Yolande of Flande... More
Full border from BL Harley 4920, f. 1
Full border with rinceaux decoration, foliate motifs, and birds, with the coat of arms of Petrus de Foix, supported by two angels, and the historiated initial 'E'(go) with a man at a lecturn. Image taken from f... More
Abishag from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 79
Historiated initial 'E'(t rex) of Abishag before David. Image taken from f. 79 of Bible (the 'Big' or 'Great Bible'), with the Gospel of Nicodemus and the Interpretation of Hebrew names. Written in Latin. The ... More
Contemplacio (Contemplation) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 409v
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(ontemplacio) of a man praying before a crucifix on an altar. Image taken from f. 409v of Omne Bonum (Circumcisio-Dona Spiritui Sancti). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manus... More
Adventus domini secundus (Second coming of Christ) from BL Royal 6 E V...
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(irca) of Christ on a rainbow and the resurrection of the dead. Image taken from f. 57 of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collec... More