Henry Shaw was a prolific recorder of medieval artefacts. He was mainly interested in manuscripts (hand-written books). In 1864 he was asked to evaluate the V&A's collection of 'Illuminations'. He criticised the collection because he thought that German and Italian illumination of the later medieval period was over-represented. He suggested that the Museum should commission him to make copies rather than collect expensive originals. It could choose from a list of famous manuscripts that he would supply.

In 1866 the V&A spent nearly £100 acquiring facsimile copies of well-known manuscripts. They added a new dimension to the V&A collection. They provided examples of the marvellously inventive English Psalters of the 14th century. This example shows typical anecdotal border ornament.