Century XI
Cnut Gospels; 1020
Anonymous, «The Cnut Gospels», call number Royal MS 1 D IX, illuminated manuscript, Canterbury, circa 1020.
Contents and history
This manuscript, containing the Four Gospels, dates from the early 11th century. It is believed to have belonged to Christ Church, Canterbury, and may have been created there. It is named after Cnut, King of England, who reigned from 1016 to 1035, due to an added text in Old English that names Cnut and his brother Harold as brothers of the monastery.
Despite its royal associations, the manuscript only entered the Old Royal Library in the early 17th century, when Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, acquired the library of John, 1st Baron Lumley.
Decoration and inscription details
The manuscript features full-page decorations at the beginning of each Gospel, with initials illuminated in gold, and lush stylized leaves in the borders, characteristic of late Anglo-Saxon decoration. For example, the border of the Gospel of Mark includes stylized leaves and embedded roundels of saints, and the incipit page for the Gospel of John is particularly notable for its decorated frame and gold initials.
Bibliographical reference of century XI.
Classification: Manuscript, English language and In color.
Author: unknown.
Bibliographical reference mentioned in the following article:
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Language
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Categories of heraldry
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Divisions of the field
- Without divisions
- Party per pale
- Party per fess
- Party per bend sinister
- Tierce
- Tierce sinister
- Tierced per bend
- Quarterly
- Quarterly per saltire
- Gyronny
- Party per fess, the chief per pale
- Party per pale, the sinister per fess
- Party per fess, the base per pale
- Party per pale, the dexter per fess
- Party per chevron
- Enté en point
- Flanched
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Metals
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Colours
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Furs
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Other tinctures
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Ordinaries and sub-ordinaries
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Diminutives of the ordinaries
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Other charges
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Charges from Nature
Eagle, Bald eagle, Eagle claw, Dorsal fin, Tail fin, Two hands clasped, Lark, Tree, Trunk, Rainbow, Atom, Barbel, Acorn, Arm, Owl, Horse, Head, Thistle, Kapok tree, Stag, Doe, Crescent, Increscent, Tail, Ermine spot, Heart, Roe deer, Neck, Roe deers' attires, Raven, Dolphin, Diamond, Tooth, Elephant, Emerald, Starling, Mullet, Mullet of four points, Star of David, Estoile, Male figure, Fleur de lis, Hop cone, Puffin, Ash, Claw, Talons, Goose, Heron, Seagull, Pomegranate, Sunflower, Falcon, Leaf, Boar, Goldfinch, Laurel, Barn owl, Lion, Lioness, Lion passant, Leopard, Lion rampant guardant, Lynx, Lily, Flame, Wolf, She-wolf, Moon, Hand, Apple, Martlet, Wing, Two wings in vol, Covert, Mount, Trimount, Fly, Wrist, Olive tree, Orbital, Bear, Palm frond, Palm tree, Dove, Poplar leaf, Paw, Forepaw, Peacock, Chest, Pelican, Pelican in her piety, Dog, Brach hound, Fish, Hoof, Beak, Quill, Cinquefoil, Quetzal, Branch, Caboshed, Oak, Holm oak, Rose, Double rose, Serpent, Sun in splendour, Ray of the sun, Stem, Badger, Tyger, Wheat, Wheat spike, Bull, Tulip, Udder, Escallop and Fox.
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Artificial charges
Halberd, Plough share, Ace of spades, Anchor, Cyclamor, Torch, Arch, Harp, Non-classic artifact, Crozier, Ship, Beret, Grenade, Ecclesiastical cap, Chain, Covered cup, Bell tower, Cannon dismounted, Carbuncle, Castle, Clarion, Nail, Cord, Dagger, Key ward, Turret, With a turret, Sword, Sabre, Scroll, Arrow, Garb, Gauntlet, Axe, Buckle, Spear, Spear's head, Letter, Book, Closed book, Open book, Page, Line, Key, Four crescents joined millsailwise, Hammer, Menorah, Number, Knot, Celtic Trinity knot, Water-bouget, Comb, Parchment, Piano, Millstone, Millrind, Millwheel, Clay pot, Bridge, Hourglass, Chess rooks, Compass rose, Rosette of acanthus leaves, Mullet of six points pierced, Broken, Portcullis, Wheel, Wagon-wheel, Symbol, Sackbut, Drum, Tower, Trident, Trumpet, Double vajra and Anvil.
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Immaterial charges
Angel, Heart enflamed, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Paschal lamb, Dragon, Wyvern, Phoenix, Garuda, Griffin, Sea-griffin, Winged hand, Our Lady of Mercy, Pegasus, Saint George, Mermaid, Trinity, Triton, Golden fleece, Unicorn and Ouroboros.
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External elements
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Heraldic creations
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References
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Formats
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Keywords on this page
Bibliography, In color, English language, Manuscript and Century XI.