Decorated initials from BL Sloane 263, f. 50v

Decorated initials 'A'(quila) and 'D'(elphin), in an Astronomical treatise. Image taken from f. 50v of Astronomical treatises (ending imperfectly). Written in Latin.

Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in the development of British museums and libraries. Sloane was a fellow of the Royal Society and a physician to the royal family. He also traveled extensively and collected items from all over the world.

Sloane's collection was vast and eclectic, encompassing a wide range of subjects, including natural history, botany, ethnography, medicine, antiquities, and more. His manuscript collection included medieval and early modern texts, as well as materials from various cultures and time periods. His collection formed the basis for the British Museum (now part of the British Library), the Natural History Museum, and the British Museum Library (now part of the British Library).

helperic bede etc initials sloane bl sloane manuscripts medieval latin manuscript decorated initials england theologian venerable bede bede anglo saxon diagram medieval manuscript astronomy british library

0750 - 1200

British Library

http://europeana.eu/

Public Domain