The Holkham Hall Manuscripts and Printed Books

Among the twelve manuscripts purchased from the Holkham Library, the three produced in the 14th century are of outstanding artistic merit: 1) the English Bible Picture-Book; 2) the copy of Aristotle's Secreta Secrerorum written and illuminated for presentation to King Edward III; 3) the great Italian Bible which once formed part of the Library of the Anti-Pope Clement VII (elected 1378). The Bible Picture-Book is a treasure comparable to the Luttrell Psalter, ArtFunded in xxx. It consists of 42 leaves, filled with three distinct series of Biblical scenes - (a) the Old Testament from the Creation to the Flood; (b) the Life of Christ, and (c) the Fifteen Signs preceding the Last Judgment, based on some lost Apocalypse.