Book of Deer Date: Early tenth century(?) Place of Production: Lowland Scotland(?) Description: The Book of Deer/Leabhar Dhèir is a Gospel Book written in Latin, and was produced in the tenth century, perhaps in the Scottish lowlands: it is the earliest manuscript to survive that was made in Scotland. In the twelfth century, annotators from the monastery at…
The Beatus of La Seu d’Urgell Date: Late 10th century Place of Production: Rioja(?) Description: This remarkable book was produced in somewhat mysterious circumstances – no reference to or hint of the author, date or place of production survives. It is full of illustrations, some of the most impressive of which depict the Apocalypse, and the Commentary of…
Codex Aureus of Echternach Date: c. 1030 Place of Production: Echternach Description: This large manuscript has 41 miniatures, thirteen decorated pages and more than 250 golden initials. The miniatures depict different images, among which is a cycle of seven images of St Stephanus, the first martyr. The codex is also called ‘codex Aureus’, because the text is…
Otto III’s Prayer Book Date: 983–991 Place of Production: Mainz Description: This lavish book was made for Otto III, who was three when he became king. It is likely that his mother who commissioned it for him. The manuscript is a prayer book, and contains many beautiful illustrations and detail in gold leaf. Held at: Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, München, Clm…
The Egbert Psalter Date: c. 980 Place of Production: Reichenau Description: The psalter (a book containing the psalms) was given to Egbert, archbishop of Trier (975-993). It contains a calendar and a psalter. The manuscript holds several full-paged portraits of archbishops of Trier. It was illuminated in Reichenau, one of the most rich and creative centres in the…
The Egbert Codex Date: Late tenth century Place of Production: Reichenau Description: This gospel book was commissioned by archbishop Egbert of Trier (975-993) and contains one of the most elaborate collections of miniature drawings illutrating the life of Christ. The codex holds the Gospel readings throughout the ecclesiastical year, and it has 60 illuminated pages and 140 decorated…
