Flemish Miniatures for England

In 1479 the King of England, Edward IV, paid a merchant called Philip Maisertuell ‘for certaine boks by the said Philip to be provided to the kyngs use in the partees beyond the see'. The King' s commission had been for the purchase of manuscripts in Flanders. His interest stemmed from a long tradition, for one of the striking aspects of Flemish miniature painting in the late Middle Ages was the connection with England — to the extent that a thorough survey could be written just using those codices which were sent there or which were produced as a result of commissions from England. The English public showed a lively interest in Flemish manuscripts and Flemish miniaturists were appreciated in that country.