Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

Plan your visit. 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016.

The Life and Miracles of St. Edmund

025. MS M.736 fol. 13r
026. MS M.736 fol. 13v
027. MS M.736 fol. 14r
028. MS M.736 fol. 14v
029. MS M.736 fol. 15r
030. MS M.736 fol. 15v
031. MS M.736 fol. 16r
032. MS M.736 fol. 16v
033. MS M.736 fol. 17r
034. MS M.736 fol. 17v
035. MS M.736 fol. 18r
036. MS M.736 fol. 18v

One of the earliest illustrated biographies of an English saint, this lavish volume was a testimonial to patron saint and abbey alike. Most miniatures are based on the passion text of Abbo of Fleury (945–1004); the posthumous miracles depend on Osbert of Clare's text, composed for Anselm shortly before this manuscript was made. In this image, eight thieves are miraculously paralyzed when they attempt to break into Edmund's burial place. The miniatures are attributed to the Alexis Master, founder of the St. Albans school. Named after his St. Alexis cycle in the St. Albans Psalter, he skillfully combined Anglo-Saxon, Ottonian, and Byzantine influences to create England's earliest Romanesque style.