Iudicium (Judgement) from BL Royal 6 E VII, f. 359v

Detail of a historiated initial 'I'(udicium) of the Last Judgement. Image taken from f. 359v of Omne Bonum (Jacob-Zacharias). Written in Latin.

The Last Judgment refers to the final judgment by God of all people, both the living and the dead, at the end of time. The Last Judgment will occur after the second coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world. On that day, the dead will rise and be judged according to their deeds, with those who have lived a virtuous life being rewarded with eternal life in heaven and those who have lived a wicked life being punished with eternal death in hell. Christ is typically shown as the judge, seated on a throne, with the dead rising from their graves to be judged. The imagery is often intended to evoke a sense of awe and fear, as well as to inspire believers to lead a virtuous life and to prepare for the day of judgment.

The concept of the Last Judgment is significant for several reasons. It provides a clear understanding of the ultimate consequences of one's actions and underscores the importance of living a virtuous life. It also serves as a reminder of the ultimate authority of God and the ultimate accountability of all people. The belief in the Last Judgment is a key part of the Christian faith and is seen as providing comfort to believers, as it offers the promise of eternal life in heaven, and justice for those who have suffered in this life.

The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of over 2,000 manuscripts that were once owned by the British monarchs, including English and later British kings and queens from the late 12th to the 19th centuries. These manuscripts are notable for their historical and artistic value.

The collection was initially stored in various royal libraries and palaces, such as the Tower of London and Westminster Palace. During the English Civil War in the 17th century and the subsequent Interregnum, many royal treasures, including manuscripts, were dispersed and sold. Some manuscripts were lost, destroyed, or ended up in private hands.

In 1757, King George II donated the Old Royal Library to the British Museum (which later became the British Library), where the manuscripts were integrated into the museum's collections. This marked the formal establishment of the Royal Manuscript Collection within the British Museum.