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folio 64r
Detail of a pen drawing illustrating Psalm 119
British Library, MS Harley 603
Harley Psalter
Description: Pen drawing illustrating Psalm 119: A man building a city wall (left), the Psalmist being given weapons by the Lord, a warrior shooting sharp arrows and the burning broom bush (centre).
Origin: England, S. E. (Canterbury), Christ Church Cathedral Priory
Date: 1st half of the 11th century
British Library, MS Harley 603
98A-LUtrecht[Harley] Psalter, Wessex, early 11th century
(British Library, Ms. Harl. 603, London, England)
A-f.69r; B-f.73; C-f.25; D-f.68r[f65v]; E-F f.68r; G-f.69r; H-f.25; I-f.29v; J-f.73[f.64r]; K-L f.25. This and similar manuscripts are believed to be copies of a Carolingian psalter [the Utrecht Psalter]. They use the same agitated linear style, but are clearly not following all the details of military equipment shown in the original manuscript. Not only are kite-shaped shields shown (D and L). but so are tall saddles with raised pommel and cantle, almost exactly the same as seen in the Bayeux Tapestry (I). Another horseman has a straight-legged riding position and a very long cavalry sword (A). Other features are more old-fashioned, including many round shields (B, C, E,F, H, K and L) and the throwing of javelins (A, C, K and H). Such a mixture of old and new would not be surprising in the early to mid-11th century. The angel using a bow (J) is ultimately copied from a southern European original, whereas the armoured figure (B) might reflect the best equipped huscarls of the period. He has a conical helmet with a broad nasal and a mail hauberk without a coif but with short, broad, untailored sleeves.