Fécamp Bible

It was produced in Paris during the third quarter of the 13th century, and had previously belonged in the collection of Henry Yates Thompson.

The current binding of purple velvet, with two strap-and-pin fastenings was done in the 19th century for Yates Thompson.

Each book of the Bible and the major sections of Psalms is introduced by a large historiated initial in colors and gold.

The first artist, called "A" by Branner, painted the initial for the Genesis on folio 4 verso (see illustration).

This artist also painted the initial at the beginning of the Gospel of John in a manuscript now in the Vatican Library (Vat.

The third artist, "C", painted the initials from the Book of Jeremiah through 2 Maccabees (folios 321 recto to 419 verso).

An unidentified French owner in the 15th century was responsible for the replacement of the folios mentioned above, and for neat marginal annotations.