St Andrew from BL YT 13, f. 84v

Bas-de-page scene of the martyrdom of St Andrew. Image taken from f. 84v of Book of Hours, Use of Sarum ('The Taymouth Hours'). Written in Latin and French.

According to tradition, St. Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross, known as a Saint Andrew's Cross. This distinctive form of crucifixion is said to have been chosen as a reflection of St. Andrew's humility, as he felt unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus Christ. The image of St. Andrew holding the X-shaped cross has been a popular subject in Christian art and is a symbol of the saint's martyrdom. St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland and is revered by the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican Churches.

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.