The Luttrell Psalter represents something truly awesome in the development of posh manuscripts produced by private commission, having been produced for Sir Geoffrey Luttrell around 1340. Every page is lavishly decorated and the Gothic textura prescissa script, while bold and legible, is nevertheless painstakingly produced. It is regarded as one of England's national treasures, which may have either delighted, amused or irritated Sir Geoffrey. This page shows the end of Psalm 79 and the beginning of Psalm 80 in the Vulgate version, corresponding to the end of Psalm 80 and the beginning of Psalm 81 in a modern Bible.
The work is famed for its illustrations, which include marvellous historiated initials and marginalia scenes, some of which are Biblical or ecclesiastical scenes, some of which reflect 14th century life on a well managed English estate, and some of which contain the weirdest creatures to be found in a medieval manuscript anywhere.
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Script sample for this example Index
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