File:Maastricht Book of Hours, BL Stowe MS17 f255v-f256r.png

English: Two adjacent folios (pages) of the Maastricht Book of Hours (BL Stowe MS17), an illuminated manuscript mainly known for its lively depictions of animals and half-animals. The book of hours was probably made for an aristocratic lady in the Liège-Maastricht area in the first quarter of the 14th century. In the 18th century it was owned by the 1st Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, who in 1849 sold it to Lord Ashburham. In 1883 it was purchased by the British Library as part of the Stowe collection. Folios f255v-f157r constitute the prayers in French. This section begins with a full-page miniature on the left (f255v). It depicts scenes from the life of Theophilus of Adana (who made a pact with the devil). The medallions show men with scrolls (prophets? evangelists?). At the bottom is a men on his knees. The initial on the right hand page (f140r) shows Theophilus on his knees, pleading with the Virgin Mary to forgive him. At the bottom of the recto page is a decorated border with floral motives supporting an architectural structure with the Madonna and Child above and a kneeling woman below (perhaps the owner of the prayer book).