Decorated initial from BL Arundel 222, f. 1

Decorated initial 'S'(anctissimo) at the beginning of Bede's Life of Cuthbert, with the ink stamp of the Royal Society of London in the lower margin. Image taken from f. 1 of Prose Vita sancti Cuthberti (ff. 1-34v), two miracles from the Historia ecclesiastica, De gestis pontificum Anglorum, the miracles of Andrew. Written in Latin.

The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, particularly Thomas Howard, the 2nd Earl of Arundel (1585-1646). Thomas Howard, the 2nd Earl of Arundel, who was a prominent figure during the early 17th century in England. Thomas Howard enjoyed a close relationship with King Charles I, and this connection allowed him to expand his collection. The king was granting him privileges to purchase manuscripts and books, and the collection grew in size and importance.

The English Civil War and the execution of King Charles I had a significant impact on Thomas Howard's life. During the war and the Commonwealth period, his collection faced threats of dispersion and destruction. Howard managed to protect many of his books and manuscripts by sending them abroad for safekeeping. After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the collection was returned to the Howard family.