Harley MS 5233, ff 11r-339r

Nova Statuta including statutes for the reign of Edward III (r. 1327-1377) (ff. 11r-140v), Richard II (r. 1377-1399) (ff. 141r-218r), Henry IV (r. 1399-1413) (ff. 219r-265v), Henry V (r. 1413-1422) (ff. 265v-289v), to 15 Henry VI (1336) (r. 1422-1461, 1470-1471) (ff. 289v-338v).

This portion of the manuscript appears to have been written and decorated in one campaign, probably in or immediately after 1436, for which the last statutes were entered. ff. 339-340v were originally left blank, probably destined to receive the statutes promulgated during the rest of Henry VI's reign.

Added beginning of an ordinance (?) of Henry VI in Latin, incipit: 'Henricus dei gratia rex Anglie Francie et dominus Hibernie omnibus ad quos presenntes' (f. 339r).

Decoration:

5 historiated initials in colours and gold of English kings, with a full foliate bar border including acanthus leaves and foliate feathering, at the beginning of each reign (ff. 11r, 141r, 219r, 265v, 289v). Initials in blue with red pen-flourishing. Paraphs in red or blue. Ascenders decorated with pen-flourishing in brown ink with fish and birds (f. 219r).

All historiated initials, except that of Henry IV (f. 219r), were painted by one artist, whose work is stylistically close to the portrait of Henry V in Royal MS 17 D VI.