Tag: Cramp Ring

Artists of Northern Europe, Illuminated manuscripts, Renaissance, The Hapsburgs

Of Parrots, kings and other things!

Melanie V Taylor

Parrots emerged as symbols of status in Europe after Alexander the Great brought them from India. Initially viewed as divine for their speech, their trade was primarily controlled by Arab merchants. Subsequent explorations expanded knowledge of various parrot species, including those from the New World, which became prized possessions among the elite.

Artists of Northern Europe, Illuminated manuscripts, portrait miniature, Renaissance, Subjects for discussion, Symbols and emblems, The Hapsburgs, Tudor portraiture

The Good Friday Ceremony of the blessing of cramp rings and the curing of the King’s Evil

Melanie V Taylor

For those of you who have visited Westminster Abbey's gallery displaying various treasures of our ancient abbey, you may have well have failed to notice an illuminated manuscript known as The Cramp Ring manuscript.  In 2006 when I was researching my Master’s dissertation I was allowed to photograph the whole manuscript and the images of the… Continue reading The Good Friday Ceremony of the blessing of cramp rings and the curing of the King’s Evil