Historiated Initial With Robert Grosseteste, In A Volume Of His Works

Robert Grosseteste (b. c.1175) Bishop of Lincoln (1135-1153) was 'one of the most learned men of the Middle Ages'. His writings, on a variety of subjects, including theology and science, are voluminous -- this manuscript contains about 30 separate works. On the flyleaves are a copy of an agreement between the Prior of St. Mary's, Merton, in south-west London, and the Warden and Fellows of New College, Oxford, and an ownership inscription of Merton Priory. The initial 'A' at the start of the text depicts Grosseteste in his Episcopal vestments; a common form of 'author portrait'.