Strutt, Joseph; Planché, James R. [Bearb.]: The regal and ecclesiastical antiquities of England: containing the representations of all the English monarchs, from Edward the Confessor to Henry the Eighth (London, 1842)

128

PREFACE.

only, as seemed absolutely requisite to explain them, without obliging the reader at
all times, to have recourse to the English History, where at pleasure he may meet
with fuller information.

The manuscript containing these drawings is preserved in the Royal Library
at the British Museum. By the writing and dress of the figures represented
therein, it is evident that it was written and illuminated at the commencement of
the fourteenth century. In the beginning of the book is a great variety of washed
drawings, the subjects of which are taken from the Old Testament; these are
followed by the portraitures of several Saints ; beautifully painted and decorated
with gold ; then succeeds a calendar, the psalter, with penitential hymns, and the
litany, divided into seven parts ; the whole enriched with finished paintings, and
ornamental letters of gold, equal, if not superior, in point of workmanship, to any
thing I ever saw in any MS. of that sera. The drawings from which the twelve
following plates are engraved, occur in the psalter, at the bottom of the leaves ; a
drawing of this kind belonging to every page. I have selected all that relate to
the English History ; but a great variety of other subjects are therein depicted ;
such as the miracles attributed to the Blessed Virgin ; the martyrdom of several
Saints mentioned in the golden legend ; grotesque figures, and the like.

This superb manuscript formerly belonged to Queen Mary, and was presented
to her in the year 1553, by Baldwin Smith, a citizen of London, as appears by an
entry made in the last page. The press mark is 2 B. vn.