Illuminated Initials

Decorated initial 'L' in red and green, in a 11th-century copy of Isidore's Etymology. Image taken from f. 38v of 2 leaves of the Etymology. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and na Mehr

Detail of coloured initial. Image taken from f. 182 of Psalter and prayers ('The Eadui Psalter', 'The Arundel Psalter'). Written in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard family, pa Mehr

Initials with penwork decoration, and a leaf from an 11th-century Sacramentary used as a flyleaf on the left. Image taken from f. 3v-4 of Cycle of Aimeri de Narbonne: 'Girart de Viane' by Bertrand de Bar-sur-Au Mehr

Coloured initial 'Q'(uare) at the beginning of Psalm 2. Image taken from f. 12v of Psalter and prayers ('The Eadui Psalter', 'The Arundel Psalter'). Written in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amas Mehr

Historiated initial (dating, like the text, from the 1st half of the 11th century) and added drawing illustrating a Psalm (2nd quarter of the 12th century). Image taken from f. 29 of Added drawings. The "BL Ha Mehr

Coloured initial 'C', with a cross in the upper margin. Image taken from f. 11 of Psalter and prayers ('The Eadui Psalter', 'The Arundel Psalter'). Written in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amass Mehr

Inhabited initial 'F'(actum) at the beginning of 2 Samuel (2 Kings). Image taken from f. 133v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'P'(aulus) with clasps at the beginning of Ephesians. Image taken from f. 225 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three c Mehr

Decorated initial 'B'(eato). Image taken from f. 150v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the monstrous races Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'I'(acobus). Image taken from f. 206 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the mo Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'O' with clasps, at the beginning of Amos. Image taken from f. 269 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscr Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial at the beginning of the argumentum to Galatians. Image taken from f. 223v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three colum Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'C'. Image taken from f. 119v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the monstrous Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'H'(ec) at the beginning of Deuteronomy. Image taken from f. 76v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscrip Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'F'(actum est autem) at the beginning of 2 Kings, Chapter 2 (4 Kings, Chapter 2). Image taken from f. 162 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Wr Mehr

Decorated initial 'D'(iligiteius). Image taken from f. 69 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the monstrous r Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'N'(emo) at the beginning of the prologue to Isaiah. Image taken from f. 175v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Har Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'I'(tem) at the beginning of the argumentum to 2 Timothy. Image taken from f. 231 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three Mehr

Historiated initial 'L'(iber) with an author portrait of Matthew. Image taken from f. 155 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagra Mehr

Detail of an historiated initial 'I'(n principio) with an Evangelist portrait of John. Image taken from f. 185v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in thr Mehr

Miniature of David in penitence, decorated initial 'D'(omine), and full foliate border, at the beginning of the Penitential Psalms. Image taken from f. 117 of Book of Hours, Use of Paris. Written in Latin. Sir Mehr

Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(isio) with Isaiah holding a scroll, at the beginning of Isaiah. Image taken from f. 176 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in La Mehr

Detail of face of God, from an historiated initial at the beginning of Genesis. Image taken from f. 6v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley M Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'H'(aec), with clasps, interlace, and animal heads, at the beginning of Exodus. Image taken from f. 28 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Writt Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'M'. Image taken from f. 90 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the monstrous rac Mehr

Detail of an historiated initial of 'Q'(uom) depicting a bust of Jeremiah, holding a scroll. Image taken from f. 226v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. T Mehr

Inhabited initial 'N'(on) with two dragons. Image taken from f. 205v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'L'(ocutusque) at the beginning of Numbers. Image taken from f. 58v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscri Mehr

Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(erbum Domini) depicting Joel, holding a scroll, at the beginning of Joel. Image taken from f. 267v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Wr Mehr

Detail of an historiated initial 'L'(iber) with an author portrait of Matthew. Image taken from f. 155 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three column Mehr

Decorated initial 'P'(aulus). Image taken from f. 212v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the monstrous race Mehr

Detail of anthropormorphic initial 'I'(n mense octavo) depicting the standing prophet Zacharias, at the beginning of Zacharias. Image taken from f. 282 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Ge Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'T'(radunt). Image taken from f. 279 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'P' with clasps at the beginning of the argumentum to Philippians. Image taken from f. 226v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versi Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'L'(ucas) with clasps at the beginning of the prologue to Acts. Image taken from f. 194 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'N' with clasps. Image taken from f. 263v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collecti Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'Q'(uid) with a dragon. Image taken from f. 22v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, includin Mehr

Detail of a historiated initial 'I'(n anno) depicting the standing prophet holding a scroll, at the beginning of Haggai (Aggaeus). Image taken from f. 281 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'P'(aulus) with a dragon at the beginning of 1Timothy. Image taken from f. 230 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three co Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'L'(ucas). Image taken from f. 172v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the mon Mehr

Historiated initial 'B'(eatus), with King David playing the harp in the lower bow of the initial, which is decorated with interlace, birds, an animal mask, and hybrid monsters. Image taken from f. 23v of Psalte Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'V', with clasps. Image taken from f. 111 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the Mehr

Detail of a historiated initial 'V' of the prophet Zephaniah standing with a scroll inscribed '[V]'(erbum Domini), at the beginning of Zephaniah (Sophoniae). Image taken from f. 279v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible' Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'V'(ici). Image taken from f. 116v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of m Mehr

Detail of zoomorphic initial made up of two intertwined dragons. Image taken from f. 75 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams Mehr

Decorated initial 'A' with clasps. Image taken from f. 123v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the monstrous Mehr

Detail of the face of the prophet Zacharias, from an anthropomorphic initial at the beginning of Zacharias. Image taken from f. 282 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Writte Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'I' with a clasp, at the beginning of Jude. Image taken from f. 210v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'P'(aulus) with clasps at the beginning of 2 Timothy. Image taken from f. 231 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three col Mehr

Detail of feet, from an anthropomorphic initial depicting the prophet Zacharias. Image taken from f. 282 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'T'(itium) at the beginning of the argumentum to Titus. Image taken from f. 232 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three c Mehr

Detail of an inhabited initial 'F'(actum) at the beginning of 2 Samuel (2 Kings). Image taken from f. 133v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harl Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'S' with a clasp. Image taken from f. 89 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'T'(andum) at the beginning of the prologue to Joshua. Image taken from f. 92v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Ha Mehr

Detail of a zoomorphic initial 'I'(eremias), made up of two snakes. Image taken from f. 280v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" Mehr

Detail of the head of Amos, from a historiated initial at the beginning of Amos. Image taken from f. 269 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Mehr

Historiated initial 'Q'(uoniam) at the beginning of Luke, with an Evangelist portrait. Image taken from f. 173v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in thr Mehr

Detail of an historiated initial 'IN' with an Evangelist portrait of Mark writing. Image taken from f. 166 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three co Mehr

Detail of the head of Obadiah, from an historiated initial at the beginning of Obadiah. Image taken from f. 272 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'B'(eato). Image taken from f. 150v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the mon Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'V'(ocavit) at the beginning of Leviticus. Image taken from f. 45v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscr Mehr

Detail of historiated initial 'O'(nus) with a standing prophet, Malachi, at the beginning of Malachi. Image taken from f. 286v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'P'(aulus) with clasps at the beginning of Colossians. Image taken from f. 227v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three c Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'A'(pocalypsis). Image taken from f. 236 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of th Mehr

Detail of the face of Hosea, from a historiated initial at the beginning of Hosea. Image taken from f. 264 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harl Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'P'(aulus). Image taken from f. 212v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the mo Mehr

Historiated initial 'V'(erba) depicting Amos with a scroll, at the beginning of Amos. Image taken from f. 269 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL H Mehr

Historiated initial 'IN' with an Evangelist portrait of Mark writing. Image taken from f. 166 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and di Mehr

Detail of a zoomorphic initial 'P'(salterium) at the beginning of the preface to the Psalms, with a dragon. Image taken from f. 4v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in th Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'P'(lures). Image taken from f. 151v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the mo Mehr

Historiated initial 'E'(t) with a standing figure of Ezekiel with a scroll with foliate interlace and clasps at the beginning of Ezekiel, and on the left, the decorated initial 'I'(ezechiel), at the beginning o Mehr

Decorated initial 'I'(n illo tempore) with interlace and foliate motifs. Image taken from f. 5 of Homiliary, temporal (from Septuagesima to Easter Eve) (index Homiliae). At the end are added in a 12th-century h Mehr

Zoomorphic initial made up of two intertwined dragons. Image taken from f. 75 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, includin Mehr

Detail of an inhabited initial 'E'(t rex David) with a man, at the beginning of 1 Kings (3 Kings). Image taken from f. 146v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Lat Mehr

Detail of interlace initial 'I'. Image taken from f. 272 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'C'(on) with clasps. Image taken from f. 99v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of Mehr

Detail of an historiated initial 'E'(t factum est) depicting a standing Jonah holding a scroll, at the beginning of Jonah. Image taken from f. 273 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'S' with clasps at the beginning of 3 John. Image taken from f. 210v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, a Mehr

Zoomorphic initial 'P'(salterium) at the beginning of the preface to the Psalms, with a dragon. Image taken from f. 4v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'F'(ratris), with dragons. Image taken from f. 143 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, includi Mehr

Detail of an inhabited initial 'S'(osius) with foliate decoration and two lions. Image taken from f. 1 of Antiquitates iudaicae (books XV-XX), De bello iudaico. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collec Mehr

Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(erbum Domini) depicting Hosea, holding a scroll, at the beginning of Hosea. Image taken from f. 264 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. W Mehr

Detail of an inscription below the initial (factum est), at the beginning of Jonah. Image taken from f. 273 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Har Mehr

Inhabited initial 'P' with a man shooting a dragon or bird with an arrow. Image taken from f. 194v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, a Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'P'(ost) with clasps at the beginning of the argumentum for 2 Corinthians. Image taken from f. 221 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in thre Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'Q'(uod) with clasps. Image taken from f. 209v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'E'(pistole). Image taken from f. 211 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the m Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'C'(hromatio). Image taken from f. 57 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, including of the mon Mehr

Detail of a historiated initial 'P' with Solomon writing. Image taken from f. 57v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, incl Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'C' at the beginning of the argumentum for 1 Corinthians. Image taken from f. 216v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in th Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'S'(anctum) with clasps. Image taken from f. 267 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a c Mehr

Historiated initial 'I'(n principio) with an Evangelist portrait of John. Image taken from f. 185v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, a Mehr

Inhabited initial 'P'(ost) at the beginning of Judges. Image taken from f. 104v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'P'(aulus) with clasps at the beginning of 1 Corinthians. Image taken from f. 217 of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in thr Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'S. Image taken from f. 277v of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to Job. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieva Mehr

Detail of a decorated initial 'P'(aulus) with clasps at the beginning of Galatians. Image taken from f. 223v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three Mehr

Detail of decorated initial 'P'(aulus), from a fragment of a 12th-century copy of 1 Thessalonians. Image taken from f. 52v of Fragments of a glossed Bible of 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:3 (f. 50); 5:2-5:15 (f. 51); Mehr

Detail of historiated initial 'O'(nus) with Habakkuk holding a scroll, and an entwined man, at the beginning of Habakkuk. Image taken from f. 278 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis Mehr

Detail of a zoomorphic initial 'S'(ymon) made up of a dragon. Image taken from f. 208v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Revelation), including the Psalms in three versions in three columns, and diagrams, Mehr

Detail of historiated initial at the beginning of Proverbs, with Solomon writing and busts of virtues: wisdom, fortitutde, justice, and prudence. Image taken from f. 57v of Bible ('The Arnstein Bible') (Job to Mehr