King Henry's Prayer Book

King Henry's Prayer Book

The private prayer book of King Henry VIII of England is one of the most beautiful and intimate objects associated with his person. A work by the French miniaturist Jean Mallard, the payer book’s 360 pages are lavishly adorned. The gorgeous miniatures have a continuous, unmitigated reference to the King, who even appears himself several times! Additional priceless idiosyncrasies include countless handwritten notes by the King on the margins of the text pages that can still be read! These demonstrate the significance that the gorgeous manuscript had for Henry VIII as a private religious devotional book and journal.

A French Work of Art for the English King

The elegant prayer book of King Henry VIII is stored today in the British Library in London. The manuscript is a special treasure from the King’s private library. The prayer book, originating 1540–1541, is a work by the significant French master Jean Mallard. Mallard was employed, inter alia, by the French King Francois I. At the behest of the English King, he created a true gem of a private prayer book, which glimmers with seven miniatures and gorgeously-designed pages of text. The prayer book was made uniquely and exclusively for the English King and has direct references to his person.

Henry VIII as the Biblical King David

The miniatures on the altogether 360 parchment pages amaze with their masterful execution. Mallard presents himself here as a master of the Trompe-l`oeil technique whenever he imitates a wood frame or a small arrangement of fruit. Adorned with ornamental garlands, these frames contain scenes with biblical content or depictions of Henry VIII himself. One miniature shows the King in a splendid palatial room – his bedchamber – sitting on a stool and intently reading the book of hours. An additional depiction can be found with Henry VIII playing the harp, an allusion to King David, with whom Henry sits in a row. A particularly beautiful miniature finally shows Henry VIII in the battle of David versus Goliath: Henry as a small David fights against the huge Goliath with the gestalt of Pope Paul III, who had excommunicated the English King.

A Glimpse into the Innermost Thoughts of the King

The gorgeous pages of text were in no way subordinate to the miniature pages in King Henry’s Prayer Book, but rather were designed with just as much effort. Gloriously colorful and varied initials adorn the texts: An additional idiosyncrasy makes the prayer book a unique artifact: over 100 handwritten notes in the margins. These are private annotations and records by the King, who made notes while he read. They grant an insight into the innermost thoughts of the King, who apparently concerned himself thoroughly with the Psalms and religious thoughts of the prayer book.