Cain and Abel from BL Harley 4381, f. 10

Detail of a miniature of Cain killing Abel; God looks on from the heavens. Image taken from f. 10 of Bible historiale (vol. 1). Written in French, with some Latin for frontispiece.

Cain and Abel - the first two sons of Adam and Eve. According to the book of Genesis, Cain, a farmer, became jealous of Abel, a shepherd, when God accepted Abel's offering of animal sacrifice but rejected Cain's offering of crops. In a fit of anger, Cain killed Abel, making him the first murderer in human history. God punished Cain by marking him and banishing him from the land.

The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harley Manuscripts are part of the larger collection known as the Harley Collection, which was assembled by Robert Harley (1661–1724) and his son Edward Harley (1689–1741). Robert Harley was a prominent English statesman and bibliophile, and he began amassing a vast collection of books and manuscripts in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

The Harley Manuscripts are known for their diversity and include a wide range of texts, including historical chronicles, illuminated manuscripts, legal documents, literary works, and scientific treatises. The collection contains over 7,000 manuscripts, and it is considered one of the most important manuscript collections in the British Library.

The Harley Manuscripts are numbered with the prefix "Harley," followed by a specific manuscript number. Each manuscript in the collection has its own unique content and history, and they cover a broad spectrum of topics and time periods. Some of the manuscripts in the collection are beautifully illuminated, with intricate illustrations and decorations.