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IM-10805: (190 x 134mm) Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Book of Hours. 14 lines of text, ruled in red, written in Latin with dark brown ink in gothic textura script on animal vellum. One two-line illuminated initial in pink with white penwork and an internal floral motif  in blue and orange on a burnished gold ground; eight one-line illuminated initials & six illuminated line-extenders in burnished gold on a red & blue ground.  Exceptionally elaborate rinceaux border (verso) in red, blue and burnished gold.  France (Paris), c. 1415-30.

The one-line illuminated ''E'' begins Psalm 62: (King James 63) 8-12: ''Ego in...'' (And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings: my soul hath stuck close to thee: thy right hand hath received me...).  The two-line illuminated ''E'' begins Isaiah 38: 10-12:  ''Ego dixi...'' (I said: I shall not see the Lord God in the land of the living.  I shall behold man no more, nor the inhabitant of rest...).

This leaf was written and illuminated in France at a pivotal point in the Hundred Year�s War - England defeated France decisively in Agincourt in 1415 and took Paris in 1420.  Not until Joan of Arc�s heroism (1428-29) could France regain hope of restoring its capital.  The book from which this came was likely in daily use at that time.