Musical Notation

Detail of an allegorical miniature of a bush of the Tudor rose incorporating a Latin poem celebrating the House of Tudor, with a scroll reading 'Salve, radix varios producens germine ramos, / Quos inter ramus s More

Diagram. Image taken from f. 117v of Lives of Cuthbert in prose (ff. 2-42v) and verse (ff. 45-62v), with services for Cuthbert, Benedict and Guthlac with musical notation (ff. 43-44; 63-66). Written in Latin, w More

Coloured and decorated initials. Image taken from f. 55 of Lives of Cuthbert in prose (ff. 2-42v) and verse (ff. 45-62v), with services for Cuthbert, Benedict and Guthlac with musical notation (ff. 43-44; 63-66 More

Title page and interlace initial 'P'(rincipium) with animal heads and mask. Image taken from ff. 3v-4 of Lives of Cuthbert in prose (ff. 2-42v) and verse (ff. 45-62v), with services for Cuthbert, Benedict and G More

Coloured initials with the hymns for vespers on the day for the commemoration of the birth of Cuthbert. The words of the songs are written in black, while the terms identifying them (such as 'a' for 'antiphon', More

Coloured initials. Image taken from ff. 24v-25 of Lives of Cuthbert in prose (ff. 2-42v) and verse (ff. 45-62v), with services for Cuthbert, Benedict and Guthlac with musical notation (ff. 43-44; 63-66). Writte More

Musical notation, on four-line red staves, 13th century. Image taken from f. 251v of Chronique des ducs de Normandie (index Chronicle of Normandy; Chronique de Normandie). Written in French. The "BL Harley Man More

Four-line musical notation with decorated initials. Image taken from f. 91 of Sidrak and Bokkus. Written in English. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled th More

Four-line musical notation with decorated initials. Image taken from f. 91 of Sidrak and Bokkus. Written in English. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropist who assembled th More

Saint Peter Martyr, a hero of the Dominican order who was murdered by heretics in 1253, was named a saint within two weeks! When the Dominicans established their liturgy three years later, the feast of Saint Pe More

Musical notation; sketches and diagrams of musical instruments (mechanical organ and timpani/drums; notes (some written side-on). Image taken from f. 136 of Notebook ('The Codex Arundel'). Written in Italian. More

Decorated headpiece and initials. Image taken from f. 4 of Sticherarion (hymnal of the Greek Church), for Saint's days and festivals, with musical notation. Written in Greek. The Egerton Manuscript Collection More

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Made in possibly Arezzo, Italy Public domain scan of mensural notation, illuminated medieval manuscript, 13th-14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Public domain reproduction of illuminated medieval manuscript page, Latin, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Decorated initial 'I'(sti) with an animal head, and a bird in the lower margin. Image taken from f. 110 of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary), Winter season. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Co More

Initial 'A' with two parrots and another bird. Image taken from f. 1v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary), Winter season. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founde More

Decorated initial 'Q'(ui) with two birds. Image taken from f. 159v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary), Winter season. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, More

Historiated initial 'N' of the Annunciation. On the reverse, two four-line red staves, musical notation, and text '..Rorate celi / …s pluant in'. Image taken from f. E of Cuttings from a choir book, probably a More

Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14ht-15th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Public domain photo of Antique sculpture, Europe, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Decorated foliate initial 'B'(eatus), and a three-sided foliate border with a bas-de-page scene of a farmer's wife pursuing a fox who has stolen a goose, at the beginning of the Ordinal. Image taken from f. 104 More

Illuminated border and historiated initial of the Resurrection, with Christ standing on a closed tomb and four soldiers in contemporary dress. Image taken from f. 51v of Gradual, Use of Sarum, with portions of More

Foliate initial 'D' [inverted], measuring 75 x 85 mm. On the reverse, one four-line stave, musical notation and partial text (bottom right). Image taken from f. 37 of Cuttings from a choir book. Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'B' of Longinus holding a spear. Image taken from f. 7v of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'V' of Michael weighing a soul. Image taken from f. 2 of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'A'(lleluia) of the Resurrection of Christ, and a partial border with animals, including a hare blowing a horn and a monkey with a bow and arrow, a hybrid creature, and birds, in a liturgic More

Decorated initials and musical notation. Image taken from f. 1* v of Fragment with musical notation (perhaps from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary)). Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" re More

Musical notation. Image taken from f. 40 of Fragment with Antiphons for the Nativity of the Lord. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in the d More

Musical notation. Image taken from f. 10 of Musical, medical and literary miscellany, 'Sumer is icumen in', Fables and Lays of Marie de France (index Fables de Marie de France, Lais) (ff. 40-67v, 118-160), poem More

Illuminated initial 'C'(um) with a mounted ape holding a sword and shield and musical notation. Image taken from f. 27v of Musical miscellany. Written in Latin and French. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is More

Made in Bologna?, Italy Public domain scan of mensural notation, illuminated medieval manuscript, 13th-14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Historiated initial 'F' of John the Baptist. Image taken from f. 6v of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'I' of a male martyr saint, measuring 100 x 95. On the reverse, partial four-line stave, musical notation and text: '..ti eum'. Image taken from f. 8 of Cuttings from a Gradual. Written in Latin.

Detail of an historiated initial 'A'(lleluia) of the Resurrection of Christ, from a liturgical text for Easter with musical notation. Image taken from f. 1 of Leaf from a Dominican Antiphoner (index antiphoner, More

Image taken from f. 109v of Former pastedowns; fragments of a noted Antiphonary. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thomas Egerton (1540-1617), 1st Viscount Bra More

Decorated initials 'P'(rimo) and 'B'(eatus) with partial borders with dragons and a bird, and musical notation. Image taken from f. 1 of Miscellany, including a Psalter, prayers, litany and canticles, and hymns More

Miniature of the royal arms of England supported by a red dragon and a white greyhound, surmounted by a crown and encircled by the Garter, with a Tudor rose and a pomegranate; and an illuminated initial 'T'(eno More

Detail of the lower section of the border, with a hare playing a horn and a monkey with a bow and arrow, from a a liturgical text for Easter with musical notation. Image taken from f. 1 of Leaf from a Dominican More

Decorated initial 'U' and full border, in the Antiphonary. Image taken from f. 29v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary), use of Sarum (begins and ends imperfectly). Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'O' of a funeral with a saint burying a man. On the reverse, two four-line red staves, musical notation and text '…meoru[m] neq[ue] /…as de pecca'. Image taken from f. I of Cuttings from an More

Page from the Howard Psalter (Arundel 83 I) showing the incipit of Psalm 80 ("Exultate Deo"). In the initial 'E', a seated king plays bells. In the border, hybrids hold trumpets bearing the Fitton and Frevill More

Foliate initial 'S' [inverted], measuring 80 x 85 mm. On the reverse, one four-line stave, musical notation and partial filigree initial and text (bottom right). Image taken from f. 47 of Cuttings from a choir More

Detail of puzzle initial 'A'(dorna) with penwork floral decoration. Image taken from f. 191v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'C' of Helen praying before the Cross. On the reverse, two four-line red staves, musical notation and text '..cut docuit /…lo'. Image taken from f. G of Cuttings from an Antiphoner (index an More

Decorated initial 'O'(mnipotens) and musical notation. Image taken from f. 17v of Pontifical. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Lib More

Foliate initial 'E', measuring 75 x 75. On the reverse, partial four-line stave, musical notation and text: '..me'. Image taken from f. 30 of Cuttings from a Gradual. Written in Latin.

Historiated initial G' of a bishop saint, measuring 75 x 80 mm. On the reverse, one four-line stave, musical notation and partial text 'dant'. Image taken from f. 50 of Cuttings from a choir book. Written in Latin.

Historiated initial ?'O' of two male saints, measuring 155 x 100 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text 'eluia'. Image taken from f. 4 of Cuttings from a choir book. Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'O' of the Adoration of the Magi, including an African king, measuring 140 x 160. On the reverse, partial two four-line staves, musical notation and text: '..regi da et m /..filio regis'. Im More

Historiated and foliate initial 'B' with, in the lower section, Abraham kneeling in prayer, and in the upper section, three angels. Image taken from Cutting from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). W More

Made in Florence, Italy Public domain photograph of Italian artifact, archaeological object, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Public domain photograph of Italian art, object, More

Illuminated initial with foliate decoration. Image taken from f. 62 of Gradual, Use of Sarum, with portions of a Magnificat and motets. Written in Latin.

Foliate initial 'S', measuring 80 x 80. On the reverse, partial four-line stave, musical notation and text: '…um no(n)'. Image taken from f. 32 of Cuttings from a Gradual. Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'D' with Simon and Andrew fishing on Lake Galilee. Image taken from f. 8v of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Text pages with musical notation. Image taken from ff. 23v-24 of Book of 28 motets. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of over 2,000 manuscripts More

Musical notation. Image taken from f. 56v of Gradual, of Carthusian use, imperfect, including Temporale and Sanctorale. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thoma More

Calligraphic initials 'A'(bsalon), 'T'(enor), 'C', and 'B'. Image taken from ff. 56v-57 of Book of 28 motets. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists More

Decorated initial and musical notation. Image taken from f. 91 of Motets, in an Office for the Feast of the Circumsion; Hymns, Miracle play on the history of Daniel (ff. 95-108). Written in Latin and French. T More

Musical notation. Image taken from f. 11 of Music and carols for Holy Week (begins and ends imperfectly). Written in Latin, French, and English. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Si More

Historiated initial 'C' of the Vision of Ezechiel. On the reverse, two four-line red staves, musical notation and text '..ue sub ipso /…le bant'. Image taken from f. D of Cuttings from an Antiphoner (index anti More

Detail of puzzle initial 'D'(uem) with penwork decoration. Image taken from f. 173v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Foliate initial 'S' [inverted], measuring 150 x 150 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text 'si no(n) me'. Image taken from f. 43 of Cuttings from a choir book. Written in Latin.

Puzzle initial 'A'(dorna) with penwork floral decoration. Image taken from f. 191v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Puzzle initial 'D'(uem) with penwork decoration. Image taken from f. 173v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Foliate initial 'I' [inverted], measuring 80 x 80 mm. On the reverse, one four-line stave, musical notation and partial text 'oc. Ps(almus)' (bottom right). Image taken from f. 42 of Cuttings from a choir book. More

Initial 'T' of the dedication of a church. Image taken from f. 10 of Cutting from an Antiphoner (index Antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'D' or 'O' of Christ Disputing with the Merchants. The robe of the figure to the right is inscribed 'A. P. S. VITV. SI?S'. Image taken from f. 49 of Cutting from an Antiphoner (index antipho More

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Historiatd initial 'A' of the Presentation in the Temple. Image taken from f. 3v of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin. The Presentation in the Temple, also known as th More

Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.

Musical notation. Image taken from f. 45 of Various lunar and astronomical tables and tracts, including Computus, a calendar and diagrams. Written in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the More

Historiated initial 'D' of a blessed Benedictine Cardinal reading in a walled garden. On the reverse, two four-line red staves, musical notation and text 'ad / ma[tins] / an[tiphona] Gloria /…vir q tun et'. Im More

Miniature of Benedictine monks chanting at a lectern; another takes holy water on entering, and an initial 'K'. On the reverse one and a half four-line red staves, musical notation and partial text 'Kyrie /.. l More

Detail of decorated initials and musical notation. Image taken from f. 151 of Leaf of a noted Gradual. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in More

Illuminated initials and musical notation. Image taken from ff. 285v-286 of Missal, for monastic use, including a calendar (ff. 2-7v). Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of med More

Initial 'D'(ilexi) with pen-flourishing at the beginning of the Office of the Dead, with musical notation. Image taken from f. 47 of Book of Hours, Use of Sarum. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" re More

Historiated initial 'B'(eatus) with King David playing the harp at the beginning of Psalm 1. Image taken from f. 8 of Psalter, imperfect, with a calendar and Canticles, the Athanasian Creed, the litany (incompl More

Made in Bologna (?), Italy Public domain reproduction of Italian medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Historiated initial 'T' of a Romanesque church with a rose window by a lake, measuring 100 x 115. On the reverse, partial four-line stave, musical notation and text: '..deficit'. Image taken from f. 12 of Cutti More

Decorated initial 'D'(ulciter) and musical notation. Image taken from f. 108 of Letter of dedication to count Henry I of Champagne, sermons, exposition on the Psalms, responsory, lections, and sequences (ff. 12 More

Miniature of the royal arms of England supported by a red dragon and a white greyhound, surmounted by a crown and encircled by the Garter, with a Tudor rose and a pomegranate; and an illuminated initial 'T'(eno More

Miniatures of a portcullis and an initial 'T'(enor) in the form of half-Tudor rose, half-pomegranate, with a partial trompe l'oeil border. Image taken from f. 3 of Book of 28 motets. Written in Latin. The BL R More

Musical notation on stave with stave-high coloured capitals. Image taken from ff. 8v-9 of Musical, medical and literary miscellany, 'Sumer is icumen in', Fables and Lays of Marie de France (index Fables de Mari More

Decorated initials and musical notation. Image taken from f. 38 of Fragment of a Missal, with part of the Mass for the 18th Sunday after Trinity. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician a More

Musical notation: the Greek Cherubic Hymn or 'Cheroubikon' in a Latin translation. Image taken from f. 111v of 'Vitae' (f. 1v), 'De consolatione philosophiae', Books 1-5, with glosses (ff. 2v-110v), 'Opuscula s More

Coloured initials with penwork decoration and music staves. Image taken from f. 79 of Fragment from a Missal, with musical notation (Chants for the Masses of St Mary Magdalene and St Apollinaire), on parchment. More

Historiated initial 'L' of Lucy holding eyes on a dish and a palm leaf. Image taken from f. 5v of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.

Historiated initial 'B' with Nicholas of Bari, measuring 80 x 80 mm. On the reverse, one four-line stave, musical notation and partial text 'r. V'. Image taken from f. 49 of Cuttings from a choir book. Written in Latin.

Historiated and zoomorphic initial 'B' of Benedict seated and holding a crozier, the body of the initial composed of horns sprouting foliage and a hedgehog. One the reverse two four-line red staves, musical not More

Foliate initial 'S', measuring 75 x 80. On the reverse, partial four-line stave, musical notation and text: '…tate e'. Image taken from f. 31 of Cuttings from a Gradual. Written in Latin.

Illuminated initials and musical notation. Image taken from f. 101v of Breviary, Use of Verdun, Winter portion ('The Breviary of Renaud de Bar' or 'The Breviary of Marguerite de Bar'). Written in Latin. Henry More

An historiated initial 'C'(antate) depicting two monks singing at a lectern, with one conducting; musical notation and border decoration with grotesques. Image taken from f. 98v of Psalter, imperfect, with cale More

Four-line musical notation with decorated initials. Image taken from f. 91 of The Pontifical of Guilelmus Durandus, Use of Mende. Written in Latin. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and More

Decorated initial 'A'(d). Image taken from f. 6 of Compilation of saints lives (Thomas Becket, Pelagius, Eustace, Anianus, bishop of Orléans, Katherine), and other devotional material, including a hymn to Kathe More

Detail of historiated initial 'R'(esurrexi) with Christ standing on the tomb, and sleeping soldiers. Image taken from f. 50v of Gradual, Use of Sarum, with portions of a Magnificat and motets. Written in Latin.