The Galba Psalter: pictures, texts and context in an early medieval prayerbook
Robert Deshman
The ‘Galba Psalter’ (London, British Library, Cotton Galba A. xviii) is a pocket-sized (128 × 88 mm.), early-ninth-century Carolingian book, perhaps made in the region of Liège, that was originally decorated with only ornamental initials. By early tenth century manuscript had reached England, where an Anglo-Saxon scriptorium added two prefatory quires (1r–19v) containing metrical calendar illuminated zodiac signs, KL monograms and single figures (pls. IX–X), five full-page pictures. Two miniatures Christ saints on 2v 21r X–XI) preface series prayers respectively, three New Testament pictures marked customary threefold division Psalms. Facing Ps. I miniature Nativity (pl. XII), now detached from inserted into unrelated book (Oxford, Bodleian Rawlinson B. 484, 85r). Ascension 120v XIII) prefaces CI. A third picture before LI has been lost, but almost certainly it represented Crucifixion. placement image this theme between would have appropriate narrative standpoint, some later Irish psalters psalm Obits for King Alfred (d. 899) his consort Ealhswith 902) provide terminus post quem coeval illumination. Insular minuscule script indicates West Saxon origin during first decade century. On grounds Psalter's style provenance, additions were very likely at Winchester.
Anglo-Saxon England