This manuscript contains an illuminated Psalter that was most
likely produced in the diocese of London in the 1220s. The
manuscript’s style of decoration appears to be influenced by
contemporary French Psalters (Morgan, Early Gothic Manuscripts
(1982), pp. 86-87). Of special interest are the manuscript’s
decorated initials and many marginal decorations that contain
numerous images of fish and other zoomorphic and hybrid figures,
some of which may have been influenced by fables (e.g. the fox with
the crosier on f. 77r and f. 86v). Contents:ff. 2r-6v: A Calendar.
ff. 12v-140v: The Book of Psalms, imperfect. ff. 140v-154r:
Canticles (a canticle based on Isaiah 38; a canticle based on 1
Samuel 2; Cantemus Domino gloriose; Domine audivi auditum; Audite
celi que loquar; Benedicite, omnia opera Domini; Benedictus Dominus
Deus Israel; Magnificat; Nunc dimittis; the Athanasian Creed
(Quicumque vult)). ff. 154r-156v: The litany of saints.
Decoration:1 full-page miniature in colours against a gold
background in a rectangular frame in gold, orange and blue on f.
12r: King David playing harp with a musician. 10 two-compartment
miniatures in colours, each containing two roundels in rectangular
frames in gold, orange and blue. The subjects of the miniatures are
as follows:f. 7r: The Annunciation and the Visitation. f. 7v: The
Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds. f. 8r: The Journey
of the Magi and the Magi before Herod. f. 8v: The Adoration and the
Dream of the Magi. f. 9r: The Death of Herod and the Coronation of
Archelaus; Joseph’s Dream and the Flight into Egypt.f. 9v: Christ
teaching and Joseph advised by the angel to return from Egypt; the
return from Egypt and (possibly) the Wedding at Cana.f. 10:
Christ’s baptism and the Temptations of Christ. f. 10v: The
Raising of Lazarus and Entry into Jerusalem. f. 11r: The Washing of
the Feet and Last Supper. f. 11v: The Arrest of Christ and the
mocking of Christ. 10 roundels with the signs of the Zodiac and 10
roundels with the labours of the months, in colours against a gold
background, on ff. 2r-6v (July and August are missing). Text in
gold frames on ff. 2r-6v.1 large (full-page) initial (‘B’) with
4 prophets in medallions in the corners, 1 medallion with King
David. 1 medallion with an animal retainer, 8 medallions containing
animals playing instruments, against a blue background, in frames
of gold and orange (f. 12v). 1 large historiated initial (‘D’)
in gold, containing a miniature in colours of the Judgement of
Solomon (f. 47r). Large initials in gold and blue, some containing
fish. Medium gold initials in purple frames with anthropomorphic
(e.g. Christ on f. 13r), zoomorphic (fish and dragons) and hybrid
(e.g. a monk with a zoomorphic head on f. 24v) figures inside their
letters against a blue background at the beginning of separate
psalms. Small gold initials in purple and blue frames at the
beginning of separate verses, some with pen-flourishing in red and
blue. Line-fillers in blue and red, containing chains of human
heads, hands, and zoomorphic figures (predominantly fish). Fish,
human heads and zoomorphic figures in red and blue, with
pen-flourishing, in the margins. Many drawings based on the
manuscript’s miniatures have been added in brown ink by an owner
in the margins.
