Juliana from BL YT 49, vol. 1, f. 60

Detail of a miniature of Juliana beating the devil, with an illuminated initial 'I'(ulienne), at the beginning of her legend. Image taken from vol. 1, f. 60 of The Golden Legend (La Légende Dorée). Written in French.

Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled this remarkable collection over his lifetime. The collection is now housed at the British Library in London.

Henry Yates Thompson was born into a wealthy family in 1838. Thompson began collecting manuscripts and other items in the 1870s. His collection quickly gained recognition for its exceptional quality and breadth. He had a keen eye for illuminated manuscripts, which are manuscripts decorated with intricate illustrations and calligraphy. The collection has a particular emphasis on medieval manuscripts.