The manuscript contains a Psalter and Book of Hours and was made for a member of the de Bohun family. The decoration is of a very high quality comprising historiated initials and decorated borders, indicative that this was a de luxe production.
It is likely that this volume was commissioned by either Humphrey de Bohun (either the 6th or 7th Earl of Hertford) or for Mary de Bohun (d.1394).
The following extract is from the FNL Annual Report 1943, page 4
'This Psalter and Hours is profusely illustrated, with 15 large miniatures and 332 smaller historiated initials. It is a very interesting series iconographically, quite apart from their artistic merit. It was made in England, probably London, in the second half of the 14th century. It is the sixth of a remarkable group of ... illuminated manuscripts executed for Humphrey de Bohum (died 1373) or members of his family.
The..group represents (to quote Dr Millar) "the revival or, it is preferred, survival of the art of illumination in this country" after the gap which folliws the production of the Luttrell Psalter, due probably to the ravages of the Black Death...
It is particularly important because, in all probability, it was the last manuscript of this school that was left in private hands and the last, therefore, which the British Museum could ever hope to acquire. Of the other five, one is in the library of Exeter College, one in the Bodleian and one in the Fitzwilliam. The other two are abroad, one being in the Royal Library in Copenhagen and one in the National Library of Vienna.'
Dr I H Bell
Catalogue reference: Egerton MS 3277
