Omne Bonum (BL Royal 6 E VI & 6 E VII)

Adolescence, Royal 6 E VI, f. 58v.

Colloquial name(s): Omne Bonum

Official name(s): British Library Royal MS 6 E VI and British Library Royal MS 6 E VII

Date: c. 1360-75 (source & source)

Origin: London, S.E. England (source & source)

Online facsimile available via: British Library Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts - Royal 6 E VI and Royal 6 E VII

This illustrated general encyclopaedia was written by James le Palmer (b. before 1327, d. c. 1375), probably between c. 1360 and 1375 (source and source). These two manuscripts constitute the only known copy of this book and it is probably autographed ('Jacobus' in the preface on f. 18v of Royal 6 E VI) (source and source). Royal 6 E VI contains the first two books - Absolucio-Circumcisio and Curcumcisio-Dona Spiritui Sancti (source). Royal 6 E VII contains the last two books  - Ebrietas-Humanus and Jacob-Zacharias (source). The text has been left unfinished, with only one article under each letter from 'N' to 'Z' (source and source).

Absolucio-Circumcisio contains 109 tinted prefatory miniatures, numerous large and small historiated initials in colours and gold and several sketches for illuminators next to historiated initials (source). Circumcisio-Dona Spiritui Sancti contains 1 miniature in colours and gold, numerous large and small historiated initials in colours and gold and numerous red and brown ink sketches of heads, hands and busts in the margins (source). Ebrietas-Humanus contains approximately 119 large and small historiated initials in colours and gold as well as similar brown ink sketches to the previous book (source). Jacob-Zacharias contains approximately 74 large and small historiated initials plus similar brown ink sketches to the previous two books (source).

These manuscripts have been illustrated by four artists (source and source). Artist A1 and Artist A illuminated all of Royal 6 E VI and ff. 1r-240v, 503r-506v and 518r-523v of Royal 6 E VII (source and source). Artist A has been identified with the illuminator of Bodl. Laud Misc. 165, the Gospel Commentary of William of Nottingham, which was also written and owned by James le Palmer (source and source). Royal 6 E VII was subsequently completed by two different artists - Artist B, who illuminated ff. 243v-417r and 443r-447v, and Artist C, who illuminated ff. 434v-348r and 452v-532r (source and source). Artist C also completed the illuminations of Bodl. Laud Misc. 165 (source and source).

Basic descriptions of the illustrations are provided by the British Library with the facsimiles.