Decorated initial from BL YT 26, f. 7v
Detail of a decorated initial 'P'(rincipium), from Chapter 2 of Bede's prose Life of St Cuthbert. Image taken from f. 7v of Prose Life of Cuthbert; extracts from the Historia Ecclesiastica (History of the Engli... More
Philosophy visiting Boethius from BL Harley 2688, f. 22v
Drawing of Philosophy visiting Boethius in prison. Image taken from f. 22v of Miscellany, including a wind rose (f. 17), a Greek and Latin grammatical list (ff. 19-22), and an excerpt from the 'Proverbia Salomo... More
Samson from BL Harley 2803, f. 111v
Detail of drawing of Samson carrying of the gates of Gaza. Image taken from f. 111v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin.
The Crucifixion from BL Eg 1139, f. 8
Miniature of the Crucifixion. Image taken from f. 8 of Psalter (The 'Melisende Psalter') with canticles, prayers, and litany. Written in Latin.
Beavers from BL Harley 4751, f. 9v
Detail of a miniature of beavers (Castor) with hunters, illustrating the text that the beavers' testicles had healing properties, and that the animals would bite them off in order to escape capture. Image taken... More
Caladrius from BL Harley 4751, f. 40
Detail of a miniature of a caladrius perching at the bedside of a king, illustrating the text that states that the bird has the power to foretell whether an ill patient will live or die. If the bird turns its... More
King and messenger from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 302v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a king and a messenger. Image taken from f. 302v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
Pope and cardinals from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 4
Detail of a miniature of the pope and cardinals. Image taken from f. 4 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
Two knights fighting from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 304v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of two knights fighting. Image taken from f. 304v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
An amorous encounter from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 139
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a woman at a spinning wheel being kissed by a man while patting her on the bottom. Image taken from f. 139 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decr... More
Rabbits from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 61
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of two rabbits dragging a naked man by the heels; another rabbit walks behind. Image taken from f. 61 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals').... More
Woman carding wool from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 138
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a woman carding wool. Image taken from f. 138 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
Two knights fighting over a hound from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 105
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of two knights fighting over possession of a hound. Image taken from f. 105 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
Messenger from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 3v
Detail of the bottom border of the folio with a bas-de-page scene of a messenger delivering a letter to a man seated at a desk. Image taken from f. 3v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smit... More
Three monks from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 281v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of three monks. Image taken from f. 281v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
David and Goliath from BL Harley 2948, f. 96
Miniature of David and Goliath, decorated initial 'D'(omine) and full foliate borders, at the beginning of the Penitential Psalms. Image taken from f. 96 of Book of Hours, Use of Paris. Written in Latin and some 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.
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
Illuminated initial from BL Lansdowne 842, f. 19
Detail of illuminated initial. Image taken from f. 19 of Opera omnia. Written in Latin.
Tiger from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 6v
Detail of a miniature of a man capturing a tiger cub by leaving a mirror to distract its mother. Image taken from f. 6v of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Osprey from BL Royal 13 B VIII, f. 9
Detail of a miniature of an osprey diving for fish. Image taken from f. 9 of Topographia Hiberniae, Expugnatio Hibernica, Itinerarium Kambriae; De purgatorio sancti Patrici, Excerpts from the Chronicle of Euseb... More
Universe from BL Harley 3647, f. 29
Detail of a diagram representing the universe, combining in one image the earth (with its equator, its tropics, the arctic and antarctic circles and the poles) and the heavens (with the ecliptic circle marking ... More
Saffron Crocus and Safflower from BL Eg 747, f. 24v
Miniature of a croci orientalis, or saffron crocus plant; miniature of a crocus ortensis, or safflower plant. Image taken from f. 24v of Tractatus de herbis (Herbal); De Simplici Medicina (index Secreta Salerni... 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 Latin.
Diagram from BL Harley 3667, f. 8
Byrhtferth's diagram' relating to the computation of the date of Easter and other astrological and natural science topics. Image taken from f. 8 of Portion of the annals of Peterborough Abbey. Written in Latin.
Detail from BL Lansdowne 462, f. 62
Image taken from f. 62 of Gradual, Use of Sarum, with portions of a Magnificat and motets. Written in Latin.
Diagram from BL Eg 844, f. 16 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of marginal diagram, probably unfinished. Image taken from f. 16 of Scientific miscellany, including Tractatus de Sphaera, Compotus, etc. Written in Latin.
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
Mugwort from BL Eg 747, f. 7v - Public domain medieval manuscript
Miniature of an artemisia maior, or mugwort plant. Image taken from f. 7v of Tractatus de herbis (Herbal); De Simplici Medicina (index Secreta Salernitana); Circa instans; Antidotarium Nicolai. Written in Latin.
Assumption of Mary from BL YT 45, f. 228v
Detail of a miniature of the Assumption of Mary, at the beginning of her suffrage. Image taken from f. 228v of Book of Hours, Use of Paris (The 'Hours of Nicolas Rolin'). Written in Latin and French.
Annuncation to the Shepherds from BL Harley 2884, f. 66v
Full-page miniature of the Annunciation to the Shepherds at the beginning of Terce in the Hours of the Virgin. Image taken from f. 66v of Book of Hours, Use of Rome. Written in Latin.
Image from BL Eg 1146, f. 286 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Image taken from f. 286 of Book of Hours, Use of Worms, with elements of a Breviary. Written in Latin.
Caladrius bird from BL Harley 3244, f. 52
Detail of a miniature of a king asleep in bed with a caladrius bird perched on him. Image taken from f. 52 of Theological miscellany, including the Summa de vitiis (see Notes for contents). Written in Latin.
Epithet from BL Stowe 1016, f. 116v
Drawing of a epithet with putti. Image taken from f. 116v of Silloge, in the third recension (ff. 4-245), with calendar (ff. 1-3v), De xiv urbis regionibus (ff. 246-253v), De notis antiquis (ff. [254-269v]), an... More
Plants from BL Sloane 4016, f. 36
Miniatures of plants, including flowers. Image taken from f. 36 of Herbal. Written in Latin.
Tiger from BL Sloane 3544, f. 2
Miniature of a tiger. Image taken from f. 2 of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
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
Cat and mouse from BL Harley 3244, f. 49v
Detail of miniatures of a cat and a mouse, and a mouse. Image taken from f. 49v of Theological miscellany, including the Summa de vitiis (see Notes for contents). Written in Latin.
Griffin from BL Harley 3244, f. 38v
Detail of a miniature of a griffin. Image taken from f. 38v of Theological miscellany, including the Summa de vitiis (see Notes for contents). Written in Latin.
Asp from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 66
Text page relating to the asp. Image taken from f. 66 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Sun, Mercury, and Venus from BL Royal 12 F X, f. 15
Detail of a diagram of the sun with Mercury and Venus. Image taken from f. 15 of Dragmaticon philosophiae, imperfect at the beginning and the end (index Dramaticon). Written in Latin.
Caladrius bird from BL Sloane 3544, f. 24
Miniature of a man in bed with a caladrius bird on his chest. Image taken from f. 24 of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Funeral from BL Harley 2915, f. 55v
Miniature of a funeral mass. Image taken from f. 55v of Book of Hours, Use of Sarum. Written in Latin.
Illuminated initial from BL Harley 2991, f. 43v
Illuminated initial 'D'(eus) with foliate and interlace decoration. Other capital lettering in gold. Image taken from f. 43v of Gregorian sacramentary, with benedictions. Written in Latin.
A crippled man from BL Royal 13 B VIII, f. 30v
Detail of a miniature of a crippled man using wooden blocks to move himself around, in the lower margin of the folio. Image taken from f. 30v of Topographia Hiberniae, Expugnatio Hibernica, Itinerarium Kambriae... More
Wedding at Cana from BL Eg 2781, f. 15v
Miniature of the wedding at Cana. Image taken from f. 15v of Book of Hours, Use of Sarum (The 'Neville of Hornby Hours'). Written in Latin and French.
Emblems from BL Royal 12 C III, f. 20
Full-page miniature of various emblems, including a sword, a crown, a wheel, and a serpent. Image taken from f. 20 of Hieroglyphica and Emblematic Inscriptions. Written in Latin.
Zodiac man from BL Harley 5311, f. F, i.e. 5
Miniature of Zodiac man. Image taken from f. F, i.e. 5 of Physician's folding almanac, including Somer's 'Calendar' (ff. B-E, i.e. 9-6), diagrams of solar and lunar eclipses from 1398 to 1462 (ff. G-I, i.e. 4-2... More
Scourging from BL King's 9, f. 231v
Miniature of Christ as the Man of Sorrows kneeling before his tomb, wearing the crown of thorns and with the instruments of the Passion behind him. Image taken from f. 231v of Book of Hours, Use of Sarum. Writt... More
William I from BL Royal 14 C VII, f. 8v
Detail of a miniature of William I. Image taken from f. 8v of Historia Anglorum, Chronica majora, Part III; Continuation of Chronica maiora. Written in Latin.
Illuminated initial from BL Arundel 490, f. 7
Illuminated 'Channel-style' foliate initial 'H' with naked men 'white lions' or dogs, and animal head terminations. Image taken from f. 7 of Decretum; collections of Alexander III's decretals, with marginal glo... More
Crocodile from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 24
Detail of a miniature of a crocodile. Image taken from f. 24 of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
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
Luke painting the Virgin from BL Royal 1 E V, f. 3
Full-page miniature of Luke painting seated at an easel supporting an arch-topped panel, and holding a brush and palette, with a winged bull, Luke's symbol, behind him, and a scroll bearing the opening words of... 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.
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.
Peacock from BL Harley 2433, f. 81
Detail of a peacock, from the right margin of the folio. Image taken from f. 81 of Book of Hours, Use of Tournai, imperfect. Written in Latin and Dutch.
Annunciation to the shepherds from BL Harley 2974, f. 60
Miniature of the Annunciation to the shepherds, decorated initial 'D'(eus) and foliate borders, at the beginning of Terce in the Hours of the Virgin. Image taken from f. 60 of Book of Hours, unidentified Use. W... More
Last Supper from BL Add 35254O - Public domain medieval manuscript
Historiated initial 'N' (cropped; the lower part of the letter is visible at the top right of the miniature) of the Last Supper beneath a cartouche inscribed in capitals 'Desiderio desideravi / hoc pascha mandu... More
Evangelist Mark from BL Harley 2820, f. 78
Miniature of Mark, quill in hand, seated at a lecturn. Image taken from f. 78 of Gospels (the 'Cologne Gospels') with prologue, argumentum, and the Capitulare evangelorum. Written in Latin.
Unicorn from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 21
Detail of a miniature of a unicorn. Image taken from f. 21 of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Mice and worms from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 23v
Detail of a miniature of mice and worms. Image taken from f. 23v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Bees from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 45
Detail of a miniature of bees returning to their hive. Image taken from f. 45 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Plants from BL Harley 1585, ff. 34v-35
Miniatures of plants. Image taken from ff. 34v-35 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Diagram from BL Eg 845, f. 21 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Astrological diagram, headed by the sun and the moon. Image taken from f. 21 of Tractatus de sphaera (index De sphera). Written in Latin and English.
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.
Four at table from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 199v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of three men and a woman at a table. Image taken from f. 199v of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Written in Latin, with French image captions.
Abraham and Isaac from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 11v
Detail of a miniature of Isaac carrying wood and following Abraham, in the upper register. Image taken from f. 11v of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Written in Latin, with French image captions.
Martyrdom of Agnes from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 239
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of the martyrdom of Agnes, beheaded by a man holding up a sword. Image taken from f. 239 of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Written in Latin, with French image captions.
Paul's baptism from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 304v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene with Paul, naked in a large font, baptized, by the hand of God in a cloud above. Image taken from f. 304v of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Written in Latin, with French image captions.
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.
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.
Detail from BL Eg 1865, f. 13 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of miniature. Image taken from f. 13 of Genealogia deorum gentilium. Written in Latin.
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
Blank page from BL Royal 2 A XVIII, f. 19
Blank page. Image taken from f. 19 of Added prayers to saints. Written in Latin.
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
Full border and white vine initial from BL Harley 4769, f. 1
Full acanthus border with a large white vine initial 'P'(rofitetur) and the Fiato arms in the lower margin. Image taken from f. 1 of Epitome in vitas scriptorum illustrium. Written in Latin.
Single leaf from a 15th-century book of hours : in Latin
Public domain reproduction of illuminated book page, medieval or early renaissance, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Red rose from BL Royal 11 E XI, f. 2v
Miniature of a red rose surrounded by a canon with music inscribed on two circular staves. Image taken from f. 2v of Motets. Written in Latin.
Blank page from BL Royal 2 A XVI, f. 1
Blank page. Image taken from f. 1 of Psalter ('The Psalter of Henry VIII'). Written in Latin.
Charter from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 167
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a rabbit-eared man giving a charter to another man. Image taken from f. 167 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
The Betrayal from BL King's 5, f. 12
Detail of the centre miniature of the Betrayal, and Peter's cutting off of the ear of the servant. Image taken from f. 12 of Biblia Pauperum (a typological picture book). Written in Latin.
Man bathing in tub from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 297v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a man bathing in a tub, with attendants. Image taken from f. 297v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
Cuthbert preaching from BL YT 26, f. 22v
Miniature of Cuthbert preaching to gathered people from the village, from Chapter 9 of Bede's prose Life of St Cuthbert. Image taken from f. 22v of Prose Life of Cuthbert; extracts from the Historia Ecclesiasti... More
Inhabited initial from BL Arundel 156, f. 101
Inhabited illuminated initial 'P'(er) at the beginning of the prefaces to the Mass, with foliage, men, animals, hybrids, and animal heads. Image taken from f. 101 of Gradual, Sequentiary, and Sacramentary. Writ... More
Cuthbert at a synod from BL YT 26, f. 53v
Miniature of Cuthbert accepting the bishopric at a synod of fellow monks, from Chapter 24 of Bede's prose Life of St Cuthbert. Image taken from f. 53v of Prose Life of Cuthbert; extracts from the Historia Eccle... 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.
375 MS 65 F186, illuminated manuscript
Created between 1405 and 1408 or 1409, probably in Paris, the Belles Heures, or Beautiful Hours, a private devotional book, is one of the most sumptuous manuscripts to have come down to us from the Middle Ages.... More
Decorated initial from BL Royal 13 A XI, f. 32v
Decorated initial 'D'(e temporum), at the beginning of book 3 of Bede's De Temporum Ratione. Image taken from f. 32v of Miscellany works on Computus and astrology. Written in Latin.
Miraculous loaves from BL YT 26, f. 18
Miniature of Cuthbert discovering three loaves of bread in a previously empty storehouse (a miracle from God in return for his kindness to a visiting angel), from Chapter 7 of Bede's prose Life of St Cuthbert. ... More
Coloured letters from BL Eg 3278, f. 1v
Coloured letters. Image taken from f. 1v of A fragment of Book 5.19-20 of the Historia ecclesiastica. Written in Latin.
Detail: from BL Sloane 263, f. 47v
Image taken from f. 47v of Astronomical treatises (ending imperfectly). Written in Latin.
Canon table from BL Royal 1 E VI, f. 6
Canon table with a zoomorphic decoration in the 'Trewhiddle Style'. Image taken from f. 6 of Gospels, imperfect (the 'Royal Bible'). Written in Latin.
Virgin Mary from BL Harley 2904, f. 3v
Detail of tinted drawing with the Virgin Mary standing at the base of the cross. Image taken from f. 3v of Psalter (the 'Ramsey Psalter' or 'Psalter of Oswald'), in the Gallican version, with a litany (ff. 209-... 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.
John the Baptist from BL Eg 1139, f. 206
Detail of miniature of John the Baptist. Image taken from f. 206 of Psalter (The 'Melisende Psalter') with canticles, prayers, and litany. Written in Latin.
Cow from BL Harley 4751, f. 23 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of a miniature of woman milking a cow, who is licking its calf. Image taken from f. 23 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Bishop expelling a devil from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 242
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a bishop expelling a devil from a church tower. Image taken from f. 242 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
Man and woman from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 186
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a man and a woman. Image taken from f. 186 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.
Two men embracing from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 310v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of two men embracing, as their horses are held by attendants. Image taken from f. 310v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin.