Hunterian Psalter (University of Glasgow, MS Hunter 299 (U.3.2))

When Adam delved and Eve spun, f. 8r.

Colloquial name(s): Hunterian Psalter, formerly York Psalter

Official name(s): University of Glasgow, MS Hunter 299 (U.3.2)

Date: c. 1170, possibly before 1173, except last 33 folios which are written in a 14th C hand (source)

Origin: northern England, possibly York or Lincoln (source)

Online facsimile available via: selection of images available via University of Glasgow Special Collections

This manuscript is considered to be one of the most splendid surviving examples of Romanesque art (source). It is dated to c. 1170 and, seeing as it lacks an entry for Thomas Becket in its calendar of saints, it is suggested that it was made prior to his canonisation in 1173 (source). The calendar of saints includes several specifically northern saints, suggesting it was produced in the north of England (source). Its precise provenance is unknown - it has been variously suggested to have been made in York or in Lincoln and for an Augustinian house or for a private family (source). In any case, the prayers (ff. 5r-7v) were originally written with a single feminine supplicant; these were later changed to a single male supplicant before being changed again for plural male supplicants (source).

Basic descriptions of the manuscript illustrations are provided by the University of Glasgow.