Egmond Gospels

In another description from 1805, Hendrik van Wijn describes a binding of wooden boards covered in brown leather, unmarked except for the date 1574.

The binding was replaced again in 1830 when it was acquired by the Royal Library of the Netherlands, and once more in 1949 with a calfskin parchment after it appeared that the previous hard-glued spine caused damage.

It is still possible to see places where the original text was taken out, for example folio 19 recto, at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew in the Liber Generationis.

The manuscript later came into the hands of the Frisian count Dirk II, who had its binding richly gilded and decorated with gemstones.

[1][2][3] The left miniature on folio 214 verso shows Dirk and Hildegard underneath an arched structure with the open gospel book lying on an altar.

The text in the upper lefthand corner indicates what is happening: (This book was given by Dirk and his wife Hildegard to the merciful father Adalbert, so that he will think of them in eternity.)

The recto side shows Dirk kneeling and Hildegard lying in proskynesis before Adalbert, the patron saint of the abbey, who pleads on their behalf to a Christ in Majesty.

[4][5]: 177  The manuscript was handed over in 1578 to Pieter van Driel, the tax collector of Haarlem, along with a number of other valuable items.

In that year Van Mierlo's successor, Sasbout Vosmeer took it into his possession after he was made apostolic vicariate of the diocese of Haarlem.