St. Stephen I (pope) - Public domain medieval manuscript
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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.
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.
Carrying case from BL Stowe 955
Carrying case. Image taken from carrying case of Petit Livre d'Amour. Written in French and Italian (f. 7v).
Text page from BL Or 2540, f. 10v
Text page in Arabic Naskhi script. Image taken from f. 10v of Fragments from Exodus (1:1-8:5). Written in Hebrew in Arabic characters.
Border from BL Add 60630, ff. 13-18, 39-42, f. 42
Section of border with floral motifs, bezants and two zoomorphic heads. Remnants of illumination visible on reverse, measuring 40 x 175 mm. Image taken from f. 42 of Cuttings from a manuscript of Pope Innocent VIII.
Text page from BL Or 2540, f. 12v
Text page in Arabic Naskhi script and an embellished rosette as line filler. Image taken from f. 12v of Fragments from Exodus (1:1-8:5). Written in Hebrew in Arabic characters.
Initials V and D, illuminated manuscript
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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.
Decorated Initial N, German manuscript
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November: a man knocking acorns out of an oak-tree
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Travellers to Tyre and Jaffa from BL Add 24189, f. 8
Miniature of travellers, arriving, above, by sea at Tyre and, below, on land at Jaffa. Image taken from f. 8 of Illustrations for Mandeville's Travels (index Voyage d'outre mer, Itinerarium).
Creation of Adam from BL Or 2884, f. 1v
Detail of a miniature of the creation of Adam by the angels. Image taken from f. 1v of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Sister Haggadah'). Written in Hebrew.
Samson from BL Or 2737, f. 35v - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of a folio: miniature of Samson rending the lion. Image taken from f. 35v of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Hispano-Moresque Haggadah'). Written in Hebrew.
Seder table from BL Add 14762, f. 6
Detail of a page: miniature of a spread Seder table surrounded by the participants. Image taken from f. 6 of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Ashkenazi Haggadah'), German rite with the commentary of Eleazar of Worms... More
The parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins: the five wise virgins
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Seder table from BL Or 2737, f. 91
Full-page miniature of a Seder table, in an architectural frame. Image taken from f. 91 of Haggadah for Passover (the 'Hispano-Moresque Haggadah'). Written in Hebrew.
King Nascien being given bread at sea from BL Add 10292, f. 56v
Miniature of King Nascien alone in a boat being given bread by the commander of a ship. Image taken from f. 56v of L'estoire del Saint Graal (ff. 1-76); L'estoire de Merlin (ff. 76-216). Written in French.
Plan of Jerusalem - miniature, medieval manuscript
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The Adoration of the Magi - Public domain medieval manuscript
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Initial I: Virgin and Child - Public domain medieval manuscript
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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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
The Horatii and the Curiatii volunteer for Rome and for Alba Longa, to...
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Foliate initial and full border from BL Arundel 124, f. 1
Foliate initial 'C'(ogitanti) and full border, at the beginning of Cicero's De oratore. Image taken from f. 1 of De oratore (ff. 1-88); De senectute (ff. 89-101); De amicitia (ff. 101v-116v); De optimo genere o... More
Crucifixion from BL Eg 3018, f. 23v
Miniature with the Crucifixion, and historiated initial with God supporting the dead Christ, with a full foliate border. Image taken from f. 23v of Missal, Use of Cologne. Written in Latin.
Fool and dog from BL Royal 19 D VI, f. 267v
Detail of a miniature of a kneeling fool with an uplifted club biting a dog's tail. Image taken from f. 267v of Bible historiale complétée (Genesis - Psalms). Written in French.
Initial from BL Add 22310, ff. 10 (1), 11 (1 and 3), 12 (1-18), f. 11 ...
Foliate initial 'S'. Image taken from f. 11 (3) of Cuttings from a choir book. Written in Latin.
Illuminated initial from BL Harley 2639, f. 15
Illuminated initial 'S'(aepe) at the beginning of Tacitus' Dialogus de oratoribus. Image taken from f. 15 of De grammaticis et rhetoribus (ff. 2-14v); Dialogus de oratoribus (ff. 15-42v). Written in Latin.
Death of Judas; Flagellation of Christ from BL Arundel 157, f. 10
Miniature of the Death of Judas and the Flagellation of Christ, as part of a cycle of Christological images. Image taken from f. 10 of Psalter, including a calendar (ff. 13-18v). Written in Latin.
King Edward III from BL Harley 5233, f. 11
Historiated initial with king Edward III (r. 1327-1377) combined with a full foliate bar border at the beginning of his statutes. Image taken from f. 11 of Nova Statuta (index Statuta Angliae, Statute book, Sta... More
Nureddin, Sultan of Damascus from BL YT 12, f. 132
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 and Hugh de Lu... More
Pen-flourished initial from BL Harley 3355, f. 10
Pen-flourished initial 'D' with floral motifs. Image taken from f. 10 of Religious Poems, with an index of first lines (ff. 2-8) (index Poemata Varia Italice). Written in Italian.
Rebus image from BL Royal 2 A XVII, f. 80v
Detail of a marginal image of the letters 'ry', a car, a letter 'd', a pair of shears and a man, perhaps giving the name of the owner, illuminator or scribe: 'Rycard Shearman'. Image taken from f. 80v of Book o... More
Assumption of the Virgin from BL Add 39636, f. 1, f. 1
Historiated initial 'O' of the Assumption of the Virgin. The Madonna, seated in a mandorla supported by four angels, gives her girdle to Thomas. In the foreground are the other eleven Apostles. Image taken from... More
Decorated initial from BL Harley 2700, ff. 1v-2
Large foliate initial 'O' in red, partly original and partly restored by Bartolomeo Sanvito. Image taken from ff. 1v-2 of Epigrams (index Epigrammatum), imperfect. Written in Latin.
Rabbis at Benei Braq from BL Add 14761, f. 31v
Historiated initial-word panel: ~Ma'aseh~, at the beginning of the account of the five rabbis at Benei Braq. The five rabbis are in the windows of a building; their pupils are knocking on the door. Full foliate... More
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.
David and Goliath: David beheads Goliath with his sword (1st of 3)
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St. Michael holding a sword and scales
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St. Augustine discussing with Simplicianus about the Trinity; St. Augu...
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Carmina figurata of a hybrid from BL Add 26878, f. 199
Carmina figurata of a hybrid, at parashat matot (Num. 30:2-32:42). Image taken from f. 199 of Pentateuch with Targum Onkelos and Rashi's commentary (ff. 1-272), Five Scrolls (Hamesh megillot; ff. 273-311v) and ... More
Table and illuminated initial from BL Arundel 356, ff. 37v-38
Table with arcades, and illuminated initial 'L'(una) in Hermann of Reichenau's Computus. Image taken from ff. 37v-38 of Various lunar and astronomical tables and tracts, including Computus, a calendar and diagr... 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.
Image from BL Eg 1146, f. 155 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Image taken from f. 155 of Book of Hours, Use of Worms, with elements of a Breviary. Written in Latin.
Puzzle initial from BL Lansdowne 460, f. 191v
Puzzle initial 'A'(dorna) with penwork floral decoration. Image taken from f. 191v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Wolf from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 19
Detail of a miniature of a wolf approaching a sheepfold. Image taken from f. 19 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Detail from BL Lansdowne 460, f. 173v
Detail of puzzle initial 'D'(uem) with penwork decoration. Image taken from f. 173v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
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.
Puzzle initial from BL Eg 3271, f. 8
Flourished puzzle initial 'B'(eatus), at the beginning of the Breviary. Image taken from f. 8 of Breviary, Brigittine use. Written in Latin.
Decorated initial from BL Harley 2475, f. 122
Decorated initial 'O'(mnes) with foliate extensions. Image taken from f. 122 of Vita Terentii (ff. 1-2); Comoediae (index Comedies) (ff. 2-121v); Catilina, Jugurtha (ff. 122-198); De re militari (ff. 218-265v).... More
Four elements from BL YT 19, f. 28
Detail of a miniature of the four elements, with a sick man and a physician holding up a bottle, and a decorated initial 'C'(hi), in Brunetto Latini's Le Livre du Trésor. Image taken from f. 28 of Li Livres dou... More
Historiated initial-word panel from BL Add 22413, f. 148
Detail: historiated initial-word panel of a man holding a pitcher and a cup, at the beginning of a liturgical poem for Simhat Torah (Davidson vol. 1, no. 8400). Image taken from f. 148 of Festival prayer book f... More
Fortune turns her wheel - Public domain medieval manuscript
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St. Agatha of Catania raises a sword over Quintianus, consular of Sici...
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Unicorn caught by a virgin - Public domain medieval manuscript
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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
The coronation of Mary by an angel before God enthroned in heaven
The Coronation of Mary, also known as the Assumption of Mary or the Crowning of the Virgin, depicts the crowning of the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven. Mary was assumed into heaven after her death and was crown... More
St. Pachomius orders a bishop to build a church
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Nauplius causes Greek ships to founder; Aegisthus kills Agamemnon
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St. Bartholomew holding a book - Public domain medieval manuscript
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The martyrdom of St. Erasmus of Formiae: his bowels are wound on to a ...
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The Crucifixion, with Mary and St. John
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St. Jerome as a cardinal with the lion
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St. Libertus - Public domain medieval manuscript
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Minerva, inventor of armour, gives it to soldiers
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The adoration of the Christ-child by the Magi
The Adoration of the Christ, also known as the Adoration of the Christ Child, is a subject in Christian art that depicts the presentation of the baby Jesus to the Magi (also known as the Three Wise Men). The Ad... More
The prophet Haggai - Public domain medieval manuscript
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Lactantius from BL Harley 3057, f. 5v
Detail of historiated initial 'M'(agno) with author portrait (Lactantius) at the beginning of the text. Image taken from f. 5v of Divinae institutiones (ff. 5v-108); De ira Dei (ff. 108v-118); De opificio Dei (... More
Madonna: Mary enthroned, holding the Christ child; an angel playing a ...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14ht-15th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description. The image of Mary holding the Christ Child is a common depiction... More
John the Baptist from BL Stowe 12, f. 257
Detail of an historiated initial 'D' of John the Baptist, holding the Agnus Dei. Image taken from f. 257 of Breviary, Use of Sarum with Norwich variants ('The Stowe Breviary'). Written in Latin.
Christ's Entry into Jerusalem from BL Add 18196, ff. 87-89, f. 88
Miniature of Christ's Entry into Jerusalem and an initial letter 'D'. Image taken from f. 88 of Cuttings from Missals of Innocent X.
Judgement of Paris from BL Royal 6 E IX, f. 22
Miniature of the Judgement of Paris, with Pallas Athena, Juno and Venus sitting at a table, and Paris giving an olive branch to Venus. Image taken from f. 22 of Address in verse to Robert of Anjou, King of Napl... More
The Calling of Peter and Andrew. from BL Add 18196, f. 84, f. 84
Historiated initial 'D' of the Calling of Peter and Andrew. Image taken from f. 84 of Cutting from a choir book.
The Ark of the Covenant - Public domain dedication image
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Happiness in an Hortus Conclusus; Fortune turning her wheel (backgroun...
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![Symbol of St. Matthew: angel, with (25) five lamps [of the wise or foolish virgins], (26) Host, (27) busts of Pilate and high priest, (28) three ointment-jars](https://cache.getarchive.net/Prod/thumb/cdn8/L3Bob3RvLzIwMTYvMDUvMTUvc3ltYm9sLW9mLXN0LW1hdHRoZXctYW5nZWwtd2l0aC0yNS1maXZlLWxhbXBzLW9mLXRoZS13aXNlLW9yLWZvb2xpc2gtdmlyZ2lucy03YjNhYTEtMTAyNC5qcGc%3D/40/55/webp "Symbol of St. Matthew: angel, with (25) five lamps [of the wise or foolish virgins], (26) Host, (27) busts of Pilate and high priest, (28) three ointment-jars")
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
Two souls in Purgatory - Public domain medieval manuscript
Purgatory is a concept in Roman Catholicism and some other Christian denominations that refers to a state or place where souls undergo purification after death, in preparation for entering heaven. According to ... More
Nehemiah gives wine to Artaxerxes
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The Flight into Egypt: Mary, St. Joseph and the Christ-child on their ...
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Hermes Trismegistos lamenting the destruction of Egyptian religion: we...
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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.
Christ before Caiaphas from BL Add 18196, ff. 43-45, f. 45
Historiated initial 'O' of Christ before Caiaphas. Image taken from f. 45 of Cuttings from a choir book.
The sacrifices of Cain (who is holding a lamb instead of a sheaf of co...
Public domain reproduction of Greek Byzantine medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Cain and Abel - the first two sons of Adam and Eve. Accordi... More
Prudence and Justice from BL Royal 6 E IX, f. 21
Miniature of personifications of Prudence, as a young woman, and Justice, as an armed man bearing a shield inscribed with the word 'Lex'. Image taken from f. 21 of Address in verse to Robert of Anjou, King of N... More
The prophet Hosea and his wife Gomer
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Tree of Virtues from BL Arundel 83, f. 129
Miniature of the Tree of Virtues, from the De Lisle Psalter (Arundel 83 II). The Tree grows from the lily-vase of the Annunciation, representing the purity of the Virgin, into seven branches of circular cluste... More
Marriage at Cana from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 168v
Miniature of the marriage feast at Cana with a kneeling maid holding up a cup of the miraculous wine and six angels playing musical instruments in niches, three on either side, with an historiated initial 'S'(a... More
The healing of Tobit: Tobias puts the gall of the fish on his father's...
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An angel announces the birth of Samson to Manoah and his wife
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Ezekiel's vision of the valley of the dry bones
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A large fish appears while Tobias is washing his feet, and bites his f...
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Antiochus IV Epiphanes is unable to take a Persian city (Elimais, Pers...
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The betrayal of Christ: as a reward Judas receives pieces of silver fr...
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The miraculously floating axe-head: followers of Elisha cut trees near...
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