Decorated initials from BL Royal 2 A XVI, f. 117

Illuminated initial 'D'(ominus) at the beginning of Psalm 96, with small decorated initials and line-fillers, and with a note with Henry VIII's hand. Image taken from f. 117 of Psalter ('The Psalter of Henry VIII'). Written in Latin.

The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of over 2,000 manuscripts that were once owned by the British monarchs, including English and later British kings and queens from the late 12th to the 19th centuries. These manuscripts are notable for their historical and artistic value.

The collection was initially stored in various royal libraries and palaces, such as the Tower of London and Westminster Palace. During the English Civil War in the 17th century and the subsequent Interregnum, many royal treasures, including manuscripts, were dispersed and sold. Some manuscripts were lost, destroyed, or ended up in private hands.

In 1757, King George II donated the Old Royal Library to the British Museum (which later became the British Library), where the manuscripts were integrated into the museum's collections. This marked the formal establishment of the Royal Manuscript Collection within the British Museum.

initials bl royal manuscripts medieval jean mallard england the psalter of henry viii calligraphy illuminated letters illuminated initials latin manuscript psalms decorated initials book of psalms psalter medieval manuscript illustrated books medieval miniatures british library

1540 - 1541

British Library

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