King of Hungary from BL Harley 4903, f. 204v

Detail of a miniature of the king of Hungary fighting to deliver the imprisoned chatelaine and the four knights; decorated initial 'O'(r oez) with ivy. Image taken from f. 204v of Continuations of the Roman des sept sages: Helcanus (ff. 1-16, end of text), Peliarmenus (index Pelyarmenus) (ff. 16-134v) and Kanor (ff. 135-231v). Written in French.

The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harley Manuscripts are part of the larger collection known as the Harley Collection, which was assembled by Robert Harley (1661–1724) and his son Edward Harley (1689–1741). Robert Harley was a prominent English statesman and bibliophile, and he began amassing a vast collection of books and manuscripts in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

The Harley Manuscripts are known for their diversity and include a wide range of texts, including historical chronicles, illuminated manuscripts, legal documents, literary works, and scientific treatises. The collection contains over 7,000 manuscripts, and it is considered one of the most important manuscript collections in the British Library.

The Harley Manuscripts are numbered with the prefix "Harley," followed by a specific manuscript number. Each manuscript in the collection has its own unique content and history, and they cover a broad spectrum of topics and time periods. Some of the manuscripts in the collection are beautifully illuminated, with intricate illustrations and decorations.

hungary bl harley medieval manuscripts medieval miniatures decorated initials french manuscripts aristocracy king illuminated initials medieval manuscript illustrated books history ancient history france british library

1300 - 1500

British Library

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Public Domain