Marvellous to Behold: Miracles in Medieval Manuscripts

By Deirdre Jackson

28 November 2007

What is a miracle? Why have people for millennia believed in the power of the divine to intervene in human affairs? How has the wonder-working God of Abraham shaped the traditions of Jews, Christians and Muslims? Marvellous to Behold is a lavishly illustrated picture book featuring images taken from illuminated manuscripts from these three major faiths, examined side-by-side. Readers are confronted by man-eating bears, hermits tormented by demons, and kings fluent in the tongues of birds and beasts. Deirdre Jackson offers an original and engaging look at medieval spirituality, whilst demonstrating that miracle tales are by no means the preserve of the pious.

Marvellous to Behold explores the depiction of miracles in illuminated manuscripts from Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions, relating both renowned and lesser known tales of divine intervention in the lives of believers. The book juxtaposes pictures of identical stories drawn from these three faiths, illustrating the 'shared history' of three of the world's major religions.

The publication includes nearly 120 colour illustrations supported by Deirdre Jackson's scholarly commentary, unveiling little known aspects of medieval culture and beliefs. The medieval artists who illustrated manuscripts were inspired by everyday life, and their works have as much to tell us about the societies in which they lived as about the supernatural.

For further information, images or review copies, contact Ruth Howlett at the British Library Press Office: +44 (0)20 7412 7112 or ruth.howlett@bl.uk

Notes for editors

Marvellous to Behold: Miracles in Medieval Manuscripts by Deirdre E Jackson, is published in hardback by the British Library, 21 November 2007, price £25.00 (160 pages, 280 x 216mm, 117 colour illustrations, ISBN 978 0 7123 4946 8). Available from the British Library Shop (tel: +44 (0)20 7412 7735 / e-mail: bl-bookshop@bl.uk) and online at www.bl.uk/shop as well as other bookshops throughout the UK.

Deirdre E Jackson is Project Officer of the Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Library, member of The Courtauld Association and The Society of Authors. Her doctorate from the Courtauld Institute of Art focussed on Miracles of the Virgin Mary.