St. Stephen I (pope) - Public domain medieval manuscript
Public domain scan of a medieval manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Detail from BL Burn 310, f. 158
Detail of decorated initial 'E'(go). Image taken from f. 158 of Historia Brittonum, Vita Gildae, and other Vitae. 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. The "BL Harley Manus... More
Cyprus kelia ayios antonios, religion. A close up of a painting on a w...
Architecture stock photograph: The icon of the saint in the church of st. nicholas in the monastery of saint - petersburg, russia / A close up of a painting on a wall.
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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collecti... More
The Cloisters - Column Base, 19th century
Public domain photo of a 3d object, Europe, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Adoration of the Magi from BL Eg 1139, f. 2v
Miniature of the Adoration of the Magi, and the Magi being led by an angel. Image taken from f. 2v of Psalter (The 'Melisende Psalter') with canticles, prayers, and litany. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manusc... 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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a coll... More
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. The "BL Harle... More
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
Decorated headpiece and initial from BL Arundel 529, ff. 5v-6
Simple headpiece and intial 'T'(on) in an extract from Cyril of Scythopolis's Life of Euthymius of Palestine. Image taken from ff. 5v-6 of Theological extracts and various letters. Written in Greek. The Arunde... More
November: a man knocking acorns out of an oak-tree
Public domain scan of a medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Castle of Love from BL Royal 16 F II, f. 188
Detail of a miniature of the Castle of Love, with the lover addressing three women. Image taken from f. 188 of Poems; Art d'amour; Les demands d'amour; Le liver dot grace entire sure le fait du government d'un ... More
The Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds from BL YT 31, f. 2...
Miniature of the Nativity of Christ; miniature of the Annuciation to the Shepherds, in Matfré Ermengau of Béziers's Breviari d'Amour. Image taken from f. 220 of Breviari d'Amor (Catalan prose version). Written ... 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
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
Death of Wat Tyler from BL Royal 18 E I, f. 175
Detail of a miniature of the death of Wat Tyler. Image taken from f. 175 of Chroniques. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of over 2,000 manuscr... 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
George I from BL Eg 2572, f. 20
Miniature of a bust of George I. Image taken from f. 20 of Guild Book of the Barber Surgeons of York, including its ordinances. Written in English and Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after it... More
Jesus and his disciples from BL Eg 1122, f. 1[v]
Miniature of Jesus and his disciples, at the beginning of a Gospel Lectionary for Lent. Image taken from f. 1[v] of Gospel Lectionary for Lent. Written in German with some Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collect... More
Battle of Coquerel from BL YT 35, f. 71
Detail of a miniature of the Battle of Coquerel, from Jean Cuvelier's Chanson de Bertrand du Guesclin. Image taken from f. 71 of La chanson de Bertrand du Guesclin. Written in French. Henry Yates Thompson (183... More
Alchemical apparatus from BL Sloane 1091, f. 161v
Diagram of alchemical apparatus. Image taken from f. 161v of Miscellany, including the Rosarius minor (ff. 125-132); a version of De leone viridi (ff. 102-104). Written in English; Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660... More
Dante's dream from BL Eg 943, f. 3
Detail of a miniature of Dante's dream and his soul leaving his body. Image taken from f. 3 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy): Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso, with a short Latin commentary; the Capitolo (... More
f. 121v, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 120: diagrams and sketc...
Notes and diagrams on mechanics; two schematic sketches of an hydraulic wheel. Image taken from f. 121v of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by t... More
Resurrection from BL Royal 19 A XXII, f. 16
Detail of a miniature of the Resurrection. Image taken from f. 16 of Sept articles de la foy. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of over 2,000 m... More
Miracles of Christ from BL YT 31, f. 225v
Six-part group of miniatures of the miracles of Christ. First tier (left to right): miniature of Christ healing a manman; miniature of Christ healing a paralytic, who stands before him holding out his powerle... More
Jalousie's castle from BL Eg 1069, f. 29v
Detail of miniature of Jalousie's castle. Image taken from f. 29v of Roman de la Rose. Written in French. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thomas Egerton (1540-1617), 1st Visco... More
Baptism of Clovis from BL YT 32, f. 4v
Miniature of the baptism of Clovis by a bishop, as his queen Clothilda and courtiers look on, with a miniature of the martyrdom of Maurice in a compartment on the left. With a scatter border of flowers, acanth... More
Ancestors of Christ from BL Eg 1500, f. 17
Detail of genealogical diagram of the ancestors of Christ. Image taken from f. 17 of Abbreviamen de las Estorias (begins imperfectly), or Chronologia magna. Written in French (Provençal dialect). The Egerton M... More
Resurrection of the dead from BL YT 36, f. 154
Detail of a miniature of the Resurrection of the dead. Image taken from f. 154 of Divina Commedia (index Divine Comedy). Written in Italian. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philant... More
f. 262v, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 257: sketch from BL Aru...
Notes and sketches on carriage wheels. Image taken from f. 262v of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, particularly Thomas Ho... 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
f. 164v, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 165: diagrams from BL A...
Notes and diagrams. Image taken from f. 164v of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, particularly Thomas Howard, the 2nd Earl ... More
Nativity from BL Royal 20 A XVIII, f. 20
Ink diagram of the Nativity. Image taken from f. 20 of Chronicle of England ( the 'Anonimalle Chronicle'). Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of... More
f. 164, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 165v: diagrams from BL A...
Notes and diagrams; mathematical calculations (upside-down). Image taken from f. 164 of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, p... More
Hengist from BL Eg 3028, f. 19 - Public domain document scan of drawin...
Drawing of Hengist preparing a bull's hide. Image taken from f. 19 of Roman de Brut, a verse epitome (begins imperfectly) with continuation to Edward III; Destruction de Rome; Fierabras. Written in French. The... More
Jean de Courcy and Humility from BL Royal 14 E II, f. 123
Detail of a miniature of the author, Jean de Courcy, and Humility with the ruins of the Castle of Pride, following a rubric, 'Comment l'acteur parla a humilite quant le chastel d'orgueil fut pris et abatu'. Ima... More
Rotokritos and Pezostratos from BL Harley 5644, f. 30v
Pen drawing of Rotokritos with his father Pezostratos. Image taken from f. 30v of Erotokritos, romance in 15-syllable rhymed couplets, prededed by a table of contents (ff. 1-8). Written in Greek. The "BL Harle... More
Witnesses, candlesticks, and the false prophet from BL Royal 15 D II, ...
Detail of a miniature of the two witnesses standing before two olive trees and two candlesticks, and addressing the false prophet, in illustration of Revelation 11: 3-4. Image taken from f. 147v of La lumiere a... More
Seventh vial from BL Royal 19 B XV, f. 31v
Detail of a miniature of an angel emptying the seventh vial on the left, with an angel issuing from the Temple above. Below, Babylon Is falling into ruins, while on the right, thunders and men hidden in the ea... 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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts... More
Magi before Herod from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 131
Detail of a miniature of the three Magi before Herod. Image taken from f. 131 of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Written in Latin, with French image captions. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known... More
Plan of Jerusalem - miniature, medieval manuscript
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14ht-15th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Giovanni Boccaccio - Death of Dido from BL Royal 20 C V, f. 65, illumi...
Detail of a miniature of the death of Dido. Image taken from f. 65 of Des cleres et nobles femmes, De claris mulieribus in an anonymous French translation (index De claris mulieribus, Le livre de femmes nobles ... More
Foetal presentations from BL Sloane 2463, f. 217v
Detail of roundels of various foetal presentations. Image taken from f. 217v of Medical miscellany, including texts on anatomy (ff. 1-51v); various treatments of wounds, broken bones, and internal ruptures (ff.... More
Agamemnon and Clytemnestra from BL Royal 20 C V, f. 52v
Miniature of Agamemnon being clubbed on the head by Aegisthus; Clytemnestra is in front with an attendant. Image taken from f. 52v of Des cleres et nobles femmes, De claris mulieribus in an anonymous French tra... More
Battle from BL Royal 16 F IX, f. 66v
Detail of a miniature of a battle between Greeks and Trojans. Image taken from f. 66v of Historia destructionis Troiae in a French translation. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known... 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
f. 263, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 270v: mathematical calcu...
Rough mathematical calculations. Image taken from f. 263 of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, particularly Thomas Howard, t... More
fictional protagonist and narrator from "The Works of Jonathan Swift, ...
This image has been taken from scan 000010 from volume 03 of "The Works of Jonathan Swift, D.D., D.S.P.D., in eight volumes. Containing I. His Miscellanies in Prose. II. His Poetical Writings. III. The Travels ... More
Attack on Damietta from BL Royal 16 G VI, f. 409v
Detail of a miniature of the attack on Damietta. Image taken from f. 409v of Chroniques de France ou de St Denis. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, cons... More
Tree of Affinity from BL Royal 10 D VII, f. 258
Detail of a miniature of the Tree of Affinity from a gloss on book 4 of the Decretals. Image taken from f. 258 of Decretals of Gregory IX. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection... More
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
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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collect... More
Christ teaching the Pater Noster from BL YT 11, f. 52v
Miniature of Christ in Majesty holding a sceptre and an orb, with his hand raised in blessing as the twelve apostles sit around him; below, a group of eight Jews sit on the ground, looking up and at each other.... More
Alexander fighting strange creatures from BL Royal 20 A V, f. 74
Miniature of Alexander and his army encountering men with heads on their torsos (blemmyae); miniature of Alexander and his army fighting against horse-like beasts. Image taken from f. 74 of Roman d'Alexandre en... More
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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held... More
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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The ... 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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a co... More
Scorpio and Sagittarius from BL YT 31, f. 47v
Miniature of Scorpio, the scorpion; miniature of Sagittarius, a centaur aiming his bow, in Matfré Ermengau of Béziers's Breviari d'Amour. Image taken from f. 47v of Breviari d'Amor (Catalan prose version). Writ... More
The parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins: the five wise virgins
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14ht-15th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Apothecary shop from BL Sloane 1977, f. 49v
Miniature of an apothecary's shop with apothecary jars and boxes on shelves, a seated man holding a cover jar, and a flat dish on a hook used for mixing ingredients. Image taken from f. 49v of Circa instans (in... More
Death of Telegonus from BL Royal 16 F IX, f. 98v
Detail of a miniature of the death of Telegonus. Image taken from f. 98v of Historia destructionis Troiae in a French translation. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal... More
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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refe... More
Bible scenes and moralisations from BL Harley 1527, f. 73
Detail of two Bible scenes and moralisations. Image taken from f. 73 of Bible moralisée (section of the Oxford-Paris-London Bible moralisée). Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection... More
Straw gem, Germany, The Cloisters
Public domain photo of a golden object, Europe, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Grisaille Panel, Burgundy, France, Metropolitan Museum of Art
Public domain photo of a 3d object, France, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Cycle of Old and New Testament Images, Possibly Prefatory Cycle for a ...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Candlestick: Samson and the Lion
A bronze figure of a man on a lion, Europe, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Crucifix - Public domain dedication museum photo
A statue of a man with a sarcophagus, Europe, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Two men before a bishop from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 251
Detail of a miniature of two men standing before a bishop. Image taken from f. 251 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Colle... More
Marriage from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 229v
Detail of a miniature of a priest marrying a couple. Image taken from f. 229v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection... More
Man and Virgin Mary from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 194
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a man speaking to the Virgin Mary. Image taken from f. 194 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscr... More
Man taking a woman by the hand from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 139v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a man taking a woman by the hand. Image taken from f. 139v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscr... More
Devil and Dunstan from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 248
Bas-de-page scene from the legend of Dunstan. Dunstan sits before a stand painting a picture of an insect. The devil, disguised as an injured man, tries to distract him from his work. Image taken from f. 248 o... More
Reynard the Fox from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 49v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of Reynard the Fox, with a fox wearing a bishop's mitre and carrying a crozier preaching to birds, including falcons, chickens, geese, a stork and a swan. On the right, fox runs t... More
Two men chopping down a tree from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 100v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of two men chopping down a tree with axes. Image taken from f. 100v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal M... More
Hermit in a cave from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 117v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of a sinful hermit, naked and transformed into a hairy wild man, crawling into a cave. Image taken from f. 117v of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield De... More
Two ships from BL Royal 10 E IV, f. 19
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of two ships engaged in a battle. Image taken from f. 19 of Decretals of Gregory IX with glossa ordinaria (the 'Smithfield Decretals'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript C... More
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
[Page from Xanten Bible with three columns of text.]
Public domain vintage illustrated book page scan, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Nauplius causes Greek ships to founder; Aegisthus kills Agamemnon
Public domain scan of a medieval manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Symbol of St. Matthew: angel, with (25) five lamps [of the wise or foo...
The Evangelist St. Matthew is one of the four authors of the Gospels in the New Testament often depicted in Christian art with his symbol, the angel. St. Matthew is typically depicted as a bearded man, writing ... More
Dido explains to her sister Anna the way she has found either to make ...
Picryl description: Public domain artwork of horse, equestrian horse riding, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.
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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers t... More
Hermes Trismegistos lamenting the destruction of Egyptian religion: we...
Public domain scan of a medieval manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Resurrection from BL Sloane 3451, f. 68
Detail of a drawing of the Resurrection, with angels. Image taken from f. 68 of Speculum humanae salvationis, with tabula, prohemium, and 45 chapters. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physic... More
Peacock from BL Royal 6 E IX, f. 23
Miniature of a peacock. Image taken from f. 23 of Address in verse to Robert of Anjou, King of Naples, from the town of Prato in Tuscany (the 'Regia Carmina'). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collect... More
Image from BL Eg 1146, f. 77v - Public domain medieval manuscript
Image taken from f. 77v of Book of Hours, Use of Worms, with elements of a Breviary. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thomas Egerton (1540-1617), 1st Viscount... More
Pilgrim's Badge, 14th century, Burgundy, France
Public domain photo of a 3d object, France, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
The Horatii and the Curiatii volunteer for Rome and for Alba Longa, to...
Public domain scan of a medieval manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
The Evangelist St. John writing on Patmos, with his symbol the eagle
John was banished to Patmos by the Roman authorities during the reign of the emperor Domitian, where he wrote the book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament. In works of art, St. John is often show... More
St. Libertus - Public domain medieval manuscript
Public domain scan of a medieval manuscript, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
The Woman from BL Royal 19 B XV, f. 20v
Detail of a miniature of the woman, with John on the left. Image taken from f. 20v of Apocalypse, with commentary (The 'Queen Mary Apocalypse'), with the prologue of Gilbert de la Porrée translated in French. W... More
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 La... More
Meadow Rue and Jasmine from BL Eg 747, f. 98
Miniature of a silfu, or common meadow rue plant; miniature of a sanbacus, or jasmine plant. Image taken from f. 98 of Tractatus de herbis (Herbal); De Simplici Medicina (index Secreta Salernitana); Circa insta... More
Fox from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 26v
Detail of a miniature of birds and a fox pretending to be dead, in the upper register, and a fox with a bird in its mouth, in the lower register. Image taken from f. 26v of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 1... More
Coloured drawings from BL Arundel 117, ff. 143v-144
Coloured drawings as part of a longer series, in Martinus Polonus's Chronica. Image taken from ff. 143v-144 of Chronica pontificum et imperatorum, and other prophetic texts, including Joachim of Flora's Vaticin... More
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