A medieval A to Z with letters from the collections of the British Library to colour in.

Before the invention of the printing press, books were written out by hand, and were priceless objects. The most precious books were illuminated with gold or with bright colours. Initial letters were often highlighted either as decoration or to mark an important passage.

This new colouring book is packed with a series of intricate letters carefully selected from the extensive collection of the British Library. The letters are sourced from medieval charters and seals, historical and literary manuscripts, from Virgil to Chaucer and Royal Statutes to the Book of Psalms. 

Each of the original letters is reproduced in colour, so that you can decide whether you prefer to choose your own colours, or to use the colours that the artist intended. With key facts about each of the letters and their source, this is the perfect book for history buffs and colouring-in fans alike. 


Explore the cartographic treasures of the British Library’s extensive map archive, and add your own colour. Early maps are often much more highly decorated than our own, featuring fantastical drawings of real or imaginary people and animals that may or may not occupy unknown places. Medieval maps look very different to the maps of today. Significant places were given prominence and historical or religious events were frequently included. 

This new colouring book is packed with a series of fascinating hand drawn maps carefully selected from the extensive collection of the British Library, which includes charters and seals, medieval historical and iconic atlas' from Queen Mary I's personal collection and King George III's to detailed drawings from well-known artists such as Nicolas Sanson and William Hack.

Each of the original maps is reproduced in colour, so that you can decide whether you prefer to choose your own colours, or to use the colours that the cartographer intended. With key facts about each of the maps, this is the perfect book for geography lovers, history buffs and colouring-in fanatics alike. 


Exclusive illustrations to colour in carefully selected from the British Library's archive.

Before the invention of the printing press, books were written out by hand, and were priceless objects. The most precious books were illuminated with pictures highlighted with gold or with bright colours. Real and imaginary animals populated the pages of medieval books, particularly encyclopedias.

This new colouring book is packed with familiar and exotic creatures carefully selected from the extensive collection of the British Library. The animal illustrations have been sourced from a range of documents, including charters and seals and historical and literary manuscripts, from Homer to the Codex Sinaiticus, from Beowulf to Chaucer, and from Magna Carta to the papers of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

Each of the original drawings is reproduced in colour, so that you can decide whether you prefer to choose your own colours, or to use the colours that the artist intended. With key facts about each of the animals and their source, this is the perfect book for animal lovers, history buffs and colouring-in fanatics alike.