Habakkuk from BL Harley 2803, f. 278
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 ... More
Bust of a bishop from BL Stowe 12, f. 120v
Detail of an historiated initial 'F' of a bust of a bishop. Image taken from f. 120v of Breviary, Use of Sarum with Norwich variants ('The Stowe Breviary'). Written in Latin.
Adam and Eve from BL Harley 7621, f. 1
Detail of a pge: historiated initial-word panel, ~Bereshit~ (in the beginning), of the Original Sin, at the beginning of Genesis. Above the initial word, Adam and Eve are depicted under a tree holding apples, w... More
Doctor from BL Harley 3140, f. 39
Detail of an historiated initial 'Q' with a doctor (Hippocrates?), shown as a university physician with a long robe and cap, administering a liquid from a sponge or a dish to a patient in bed, attended by a stu... More
John from BL Royal 1 D I, f. 532v
Detail of a historiated Initial 'S'(enior) of John holding a scroll, at the beginning of John II. Image taken from f. 532v of Bible, with the Interpretation of Hebrew names (The 'Bible of William of Devon'). Wr... More
Bishop from BL Eg 1067, f. 75 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Historiated initial of a bishop blessing nuns, with a full border, with flowers and strawberries. Image taken from f. 75 of Pontifical. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its fo... More
Saints from BL Add 18196, ff. 14-22, and 28-40, f. 16
Historiated initial 'S' of two saints, measuring 90 x 85 mm. Image taken from f. 16 of Cuttings from a Dominican choir book.
King David playing the bells from BL Stowe 12, f. 190
Detail of an historiated initial 'E'(xultate) depicting King David playing bells, with a partial bar border including a bearded grotesque, at the beginning of Psalm 80. Image taken from f. 190 of Breviary, Use ... More
Initial-word panel from BL Add 14761, f. 65v
Historiated initial-word panel: ~Halleluyah~ (Praise the Lord) of a service in the synagogue, at the beginning of the Hallel. Image taken from f. 65v of Haggadah, liturgical poems and biblical readings for Pass... More
Bust of a bishop from BL Stowe 12, f. 284
Detail of an historiated initial 'O'(pus) of a bust of a bishop, with a partial bar border including a hooded grotesque. Image taken from f. 284 of Breviary, Use of Sarum with Norwich variants ('The Stowe Brev... More
Temptation of Christ from BL Royal 2 B III, f. 37v
Historiated initial 'D'(ominus) of the Temptation of Christ, at the beginning of Psalm 26. Image taken from f. 37v of Psalter. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Coll... More
Adventus Domini (Incarnation) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 55
Detail of a historiated initial 'A'(dventus) of the Annunciation. Image taken from f. 55 of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Col... More
Abishag from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 79
Detail of an historiated initial 'E'(t rex) of Abishag before David. Image taken from f. 79 of Bible (the 'Big' or 'Great Bible'), with the Gospel of Nicodemus and the Interpretation of Hebrew names. Written in... More
Border decoration from BL Royal 20 E III, f. 114
Detail of a page with an historiated initial 'L'(e duc) and a decorated border. Image taken from f. 114 of Chroniques de France ou de Saint Denis (from 1108 to 1270). Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript... More
Eustace from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 207v
Detail of an historiated initial 'A'(utens que) of Eustace, his wife and children being roasted in a brazen bull as the emperor Hadrian looks on. Image taken from f. 207v of Lives of the Saints. Written in Fren... More
Elcanah, Hannah and Peninnah from BL Royal 3 D VI, f. 116
Detail of an historiated initial 'F'(uit) of Elcanah and his two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, at the beginning of Kings 1. Image taken from f. 116 of Historia scholastica (The 'Ashridge Petrus Comestor'). Writte... More
Tree of Jesse from BL Royal 2 A XVIII, f. 96
Historiated initial 'B'(eatus) of the Tree of Jesse with a full border. Image taken from f. 96 of Book of Hours (The 'Beaufort/Beauchamp Hours'), Use of Sarum. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collect... More
Sacrifice from BL Royal 1 E IV, f. 135
Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(ocavit) of Israelits offering sacrifice to God, at the beginning of Leviticus. Image taken from f. 135 of Bible (Octateuch). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Colle... More
Assumption of the Virgin from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33...
Historiated initial 'G' with the Assumption of the Virgin, measuring 80 x 85 mm. On the reverse, one four-line stave, musical notation and partial text 'collau'. Image taken from f. 15 of Cuttings from a choir ... More
Peter and Paul from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 16
Historiated initial 'N' with Peter and Paul, measuring 160 x 160 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text '..expectatio /…bis iude'. Image taken from f. 16 of Cuttings from a ... More
Livy from BL Harley 3694, f. 2 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of an historiated initial 'M' of Livy holding a book. Image taken from f. 2 of Ab urbe condita, Fourth Decade (ff. 1v-151), Epitomies (ff. 152-186v), Periochae (ff. 187-214v). Written in Latin. The "BL ... More
Seder table from BL Add 14761, f. 28v
Detail of a page; Historiated initial-word panel ~Ha lahma aniya~ (The Bread of Affliction), at the beginning of the text of the Haggadah. Beneath the initial words, a miniature depicting a family by the Seder ... More
Joseph and his brothers from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-...
Historiated initial 'U' with Joseph and his brothers, illustrating Genesis 37:18-21, measuring 165 x 165 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text 'cidam(ur) / amus si pro'. Im... More
Scenes from the life of Abraham from BL Add 14761, ff. 36v-37
Folio 36v: historiated initial-word panel with gold letters: ~Mi-thilah~ at the beginning of the passage, 'In the beginning our fathers were idolators'. Around the initial-word panel, two midrashic scenes: on t... More
Bathing of the Christ Child from BL Add 18196, f. 13, f. 13
Historiated initial 'P' of the preparation for the bathing of the Christ Child. Image taken from f. 13 of Cutting from a choir book.
Esra from BL Harley 2804, f. 108
Historiated initial 'I'(n anno) of Esra, at the beginning of Esra. Image taken from f. 108 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible'), Psalms-Acts 16:17, imperfect. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a c... More
Historiated initial from BL Add 38117, f. 97v
Detail of an historiated initial 'O' with image of King Arthur setting infants adrift in a boat. Image taken from f. 97v of Joseph d'Arimathie (ff. 1-18), Le Livre de Merlin (ff. 18v-74), Suite de Merlin (ff. 7... More
Ceremony from BL Harley 1498, f. 76
Detail of an historiated initial 'T'(his) of the manuscript in use at a ceremony. Image taken from f. 76 of Quadripartite Indenture for Henry VII's Chapel. Written in English with Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscr... More
God from BL Harley 2803, f. 6v - Public domain medieval manuscript
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... More
Isaiah from BL Harley 2803, f. 176
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... More
Longinus from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 46v
Detail of an historiated initial 'M' of Longinus knocking down idols. Image taken from f. 46v of Lives of the Saints. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, ... More
John the Evangelist from BL Stowe 12, f. 103
Detail of an historiated initial 'D'(ominica) of a portrait of a man, perhaps John the Evangelist, at the beginning of a reading for Rogation Sunday, with the text of John 16:23. Image taken from f. 103 of Brev... More
Historiated initial from BL Harley 3647, f. 55
Historiated initial 'G'(eometrie) with a man teaching, a bar-border sprouting with foliage, a hybrid creature and a cock, at the beginning of Robertus Anglicus of Montpellier, 'Tractatus quadrantis veteris'. Im... More
Excommunicatio (Excommunication) from BL Royal 6 E VII, f. 75v
Detail of a historiated initial 'E'(xcommunicatio) of a priest excommunicating a group of people by raising a candle. Image taken from f. 75v of Omne Bonum (Ebrietas-Humanus). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Ma... More
Resurrection from BL YT 25, f. 1
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
John from BL Add 22310, ff. 1-9, f. 6v
Historiated initial 'F' of John the Baptist. Image taken from f. 6v of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Battle from BL YT 12, f. 109 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of an historiated initial 'C'(ourars) of a battle between Imperial knights and Saracen cavalry. Image taken from f. 109 of Histoire d'Outremer, continued to 1232. Written in French. Henry Yates Thompson... More
Beheading of John the Baptist from BL Add 18197, ff. A and H, f. A
Historiated initial 'O' of the beheading of John the Baptist. Image taken from f. A of Cuttings from a choir book. Written in Latin.
Saints from BL Add 18196, ff. 14-22, and 28-40, f. 28
Historiated initial 'M' of two saints, measuring 105 x 100 mm. Image taken from f. 28 of Cuttings from a Dominican choir book.
Monks singing from BL Harley 2909, f. 87
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(antate) of monks singing at a lecturn, at Psalm 97: 'Cantate domino canticum novum' / 'Sing to the Lord a new song', and a full border with acanthus motifs and sprays. Image ... More
Peter from BL Lansdowne 451, f. 219
Detail of historiated initial of Peter. Image taken from f. 219 of Pontifical; Tabula. Written in Latin.
Detail of the Adoration of the Magi from BL Add 52539, f. 2
Detail of a historiated initial 'D' of the Adoration of the Magi, at the beginning of Sext in the Hours of the Virgin. Image taken from f. 2 of Leaves and bifolia from a Book of Hours, containing text for the e... More
Henry VII receiving the book from BL Royal 19 C VIII, f. 1
Historiated initial 'A'(vous) of Henry VII receiving the book from the writer, with a partial trompe l'oeil border, including flowers and a bear. Image taken from f. 1 of Imaginacion de vraye noblesse. Written ... More
Historiated initial from BL Harley 3496, f. 208v
Historiated initial 'Q'(uando) with the Triumph of Chastity. Image taken from f. 208v of Trionfi (index Triumphs). Written in Italian. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts ... More
Presentation of the text from BL Harley 7182, f. 1
Historiated initial with a portrait of Jacobus Angelus presenting to Pope Alexander V a copy of his translation of Ptolomy's ~Geography~. The pope's face has been deliberately effaced. Image taken from f. 1 of ... More
Historiated initial from BL Harley 3487, f. 140v
Detail of an historiated initial 'P'. Image taken from f. 140v of Libri Naturales, with extensive glosses. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in th... More
Detail: Jerome and pope Damasus from BL YT 22, f. 1
Historiated initial 'F'(rater) with Jerome and pope Damasus, at the beginning of the Bible. Image taken from f. 1 of Bible ('The Brantwood Bible'). Written in Latin. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a Brit... More
Maria Mater Dei Virgo (Virgin Mary Mother of God) from BL Royal 6 E VI...
Detail of a historiated initial 'M'(aria) of the Annunciation following the instruction for an illuminator reading 'salut[acio]' in the lower margin. Image taken from f. 487v of Omne Bonum (Jacob-Zacharias). Wr... More
Angel and saint from BL Add 18196, ff. 14-22, and 28-40, f. 37
Historiated initial 'N' of an angel and a saint, measuring 95 x 75 mm. Image taken from f. 37 of Cuttings from a Dominican choir book.
Archers from BL YT 12, f. 204 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of an historiated initial 'O' of archers assaulting a city, and text. Image taken from f. 204 of Histoire d'Outremer, continued to 1232. Written in French. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British... More
Historiated initial from BL YT 27, ff. 70v-71
Double-page with a historiated initial 'A'(d) with a monkey standing on a dog, and full borders, in the Book of Hours. Image taken from ff. 70v-71 of Book of Hours, Use of Paris ('The Hours of Yolande of Flande... More
Full border from BL Harley 4920, f. 1
Full border with rinceaux decoration, foliate motifs, and birds, with the coat of arms of Petrus de Foix, supported by two angels, and the historiated initial 'E'(go) with a man at a lecturn. Image taken from f... More
Abishag from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 79
Historiated initial 'E'(t rex) of Abishag before David. Image taken from f. 79 of Bible (the 'Big' or 'Great Bible'), with the Gospel of Nicodemus and the Interpretation of Hebrew names. Written in Latin. The ... More
Contemplacio (Contemplation) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 409v
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(ontemplacio) of a man praying before a crucifix on an altar. Image taken from f. 409v of Omne Bonum (Circumcisio-Dona Spiritui Sancti). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manus... More
Adventus domini secundus (Second coming of Christ) from BL Royal 6 E V...
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(irca) of Christ on a rainbow and the resurrection of the dead. Image taken from f. 57 of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collec... More
Confessio (Confession) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 354v
Detail of a historiated initial 'C'(onfessio) of a cleric hearing a confession. Image taken from f. 354v of Omne Bonum (Circumcisio-Dona Spiritui Sancti). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection,... More
Detail from BL Eg 1865, f. 36 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Detail of historiated initial of a man holding a book. Image taken from f. 36 of Genealogia deorum gentilium. Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thomas Egerton ... More
Obadiah from BL Harley 2803, f. 272
Detail of an historiated initial 'V'(isio Abdiae) of the prophet Obadiah holding a scroll, at the beginning of Obadiah. Image taken from f. 272 of Bible (the 'Worms Bible') (index Frankenthal Bible), Genesis to... More
Xystus from BL Royal 20 D VI, f. 83
Detail of an historiated initial 'C'(e fu) of Xystus before the Emperor Decius. Image taken from f. 83 of Lives of the Saints. Written in French. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Col... More
Detail of the Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds from BL A...
Detail of a historiated initial 'D' of the Nativity and the Annunciation to the Shepherds, at the beginning of Terce in the Hours of the Virgin. Image taken from f. 1 of Leaves and bifolia from a Book of Hours,... More
Astronomy from BL Burn 275, f. 390v
Detail of historiated initial, with a female figure, possibly a personification of astronomy, showing the stars to a group of scholars, who wear versions of fourteenth-century academic dress, at the beginning o... More
Edward III and the Black Prince from BL Royal 20 D X, f. 28
Detail of an historiated initial 'E'(dwardus) of Edward III enthroned giving a charter to the kneeling Black Prince, at the beginning of a collection of documents relating to Black Prince's principality of Aqui... More
Marriage ceremony from BL Royal 10 E IX, f. 195
Detail of a historiated initial 'D'(e) of a marriage ceremony, at the beginning of book 4, De sponsalibus et matrimoniis. Image taken from f. 195 of Decretales, with the Glossa ordinaria. Written in Latin. The... More
Calling of Peter and Andrew from BL Add 37955B, B
Historiated initial 'M' of the Calling of Peter and Andrew. Image taken from B of Cutting from a choir book. Written in Latin.
John the Baptist from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. ...
Historiated initial 'N' with John the Baptist, measuring 160 x 165 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text '..ni um p[er]hi /..e lumi nep'. Image taken from f. 52 of Cuttings... More
Saints from BL Add 32058, f. 2 (a), f. 2 (a)
Historiated initial 'S' of two saints stopping a soldier from killing a sheep. Image taken from f. 2 (a) of Cutting from a choir book. Written in Latin.
Historiated initial and bar border from BL Harley 2749, f. 1
Large historiated initial 'E'(go) with Cicero writing and handing a letter to a boy; bar border on either side with foliate decoration, flowers (including sweet pea) and a bird; 2 winged putti supporting an era... More
Wrestlers from BL Harley 3487, f. 34
Detail of an historiated initial 'T'(ransmuta) of two men in loincloths wrestling. Image taken from f. 34 of Libri Naturales, with extensive glosses. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a co... More
Monks singing from BL YT 43, f. 100
Historiated initial 'C'(antate) of monks singing, with a partial border including grotesques, in the Psalms. Image taken from f. 100 of Psalter and Book of Hours, Use of Saint-Omer. Written in Latin. Henry Yat... More
'We were slaves' from BL Add 14761, f. 30v
Historiated initial-word panel with gold letters: ~Avadim~ at the beginning of the passage, 'We were slaves to Pharaoh'. Beneath the initial word, the Israelites build a tower under the supervision of a task ma... More
Last Supper from BL Add 35254O - Public domain medieval manuscript
Historiated initial 'N' (cropped; the lower part of the letter is visible at the top right of the miniature) of the Last Supper beneath a cartouche inscribed in capitals 'Desiderio desideravi / hoc pascha mandu... More
Virgin Adoring the Christ Child from BL Add 39636, ff. 5-8, 11-12, 30-...
Historiated initial 'P' of the Virgin Adoring the Christ Child, measuring 250 x 210. On the reverse, partial two four-line staves, musical notation and text: '..lo tu /… Co[n]. Exulta'. Image taken from f. 7 of... More
Christ blessing from BL Add 18196, ff. 43-45, f. 43
Historiated initial 'S' of Christ blessing. Image taken from f. 43 of Cuttings from a choir book.
Christ among the Doctors from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33...
Historiated initial 'I' or 'L' with Christ among the Doctors, measuring 165 x 160 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text '..Vidi m[us] /..in oriente et'. Image taken from f... More
Adoration of the Magi from BL Add 52539, f. 2
Historiated initial 'D' of the Adoration of the Magi, with three-sided partial border of heavy acanthus ornament inhabited by a kneeling figure, human heads, and gold bezants, at the beginning of Sext in the Ho... More
Peter from BL Add 18196, ff. 43-45, f. 44
Historiated initial 'Q' of Peter. Image taken from f. 44 of Cuttings from a choir book.
Virgin and Child from BL Royal 1 C II, f. 215v
Detail of a historiated initial 'O'(sculetur) of the Virgin and Child, at the beginning of Song of Solomon. Image taken from f. 215v of Bible, with the Interpretation of Hebrew names (imperfect). Written in Lat... More
Woman from BL Arundel 157, f. 134
Detail of a historiated initial of a woman holding a book. Image taken from f. 134 of Office of the Dead; Hours of the Virgin. Written in Latin. The Arundel Manuscript Collection was amassed by the Howard fami... More
Fortitudo (Fortitude) from BL Royal 6 E VII, f. 151
Detail of a historiated initial 'F'(ortitudo) of a man fighting with a lion. Image taken from f. 151 of Omne Bonum (Ebrietas-Humanus). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Ro... More
Angeli (Angels) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 92
Detail of a historiated initial 'A'(primo) of a seraph. Image taken from f. 92 of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, c... More
Ars sive artes (Art or Arts) from BL Royal 6 E VI, f. 138v
Detail of a historiated initial 'A'(rtes) of a teacher at a desk, with pupils. Image taken from f. 138v of Omne Bonum (Absolucio-Circumcisio). Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known a... More
King Ahasuerus' feast from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 132v
Detail of an historiated initial 'I'(n diebus) of King Ahasuerus' feast with Esther, princes and three musicians, at the beginning of Esther. Image taken from f. 132v of Bible (the 'Big' or 'Great Bible'), with... More
Jeremiah from BL Royal 1 E IX, f. 193
Detail of an historiated initial 'D' of God touching the mouth of Jeremiah. Image taken from f. 193 of Bible (the 'Big' or 'Great Bible'), with the Gospel of Nicodemus and the Interpretation of Hebrew names. Wr... More
Sacrifice of a bull from BL YT 16, f. 28v
Detail of an historiated initial 'U' of three men offering a bull to be sacrificed. Image taken from f. 28v of Bible. Written in Latin. Henry Yates Thompson (1838-1928) was a British collector and philanthropi... More
Poisoning of John the Evangelist from BL Add 32058, f. 2 (b), f. 2 (b)
Historiated initial 'V' of the Poisoning of John the Evangelist, with four men kneeling before the saint who drinks from a chalice of poisoned wine. Image taken from f. 2 (b) of Cutting from a choir book. Writt... More
Christ Disputing with the Merchants from BL Add 18196, f. 49, f. 49
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
King Edward III from BL Harley 5233, f. 11
Historiated initial with king Edward III (r. 1327-1377) combined with a full foliate bar border at the beginning of his statutes. Image taken from f. 11 of Nova Statuta (index Statuta Angliae, Statute book, Sta... More
God blessing from BL Lansdowne 437, f. 1
Historiated initial of God blessing, at the beginning of the prologue. Image taken from f. 1 of Bible. Written in Latin.
Historiated initial from BL Burn 279, ff. 121v-122
Historiated initial 'I'(n) divided into five niches, each containing a seated figure, at the beginning of the Codex Justinianus of Justinian's Corpus iuris civilis. At the top is a crowned figure, representing... More
Historiated initial and border from BL Harley 3510, f. 2
Historiated initial 'M'(aecenas) with Horace, bust-length, at the beginning of the text and full decorated border with foliate decoration, flowers, besants, birds, a vase, winged putti, a wreath enclosing the M... More
Temptation of Christ from BL Royal 2 B III, f. 37
Detail of an historiated initial 'D'(ominus) of the Temptation of Christ, at the beginning of Psalm 26. Image taken from f. 37 of Psalter. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as th... More
Historiated initial-word panel from BL Add 22413, f. 148
Detail: historiated initial-word panel of a man holding a pitcher and a cup, at the beginning of a liturgical poem for Simhat Torah (Davidson vol. 1, no. 8400). Image taken from f. 148 of Festival prayer book f... More
Lactantius from BL Harley 3057, f. 5v
Detail of historiated initial 'M'(agno) with author portrait (Lactantius) at the beginning of the text. Image taken from f. 5v of Divinae institutiones (ff. 5v-108); De ira Dei (ff. 108v-118); De opificio Dei (... More
Nureddin, Sultan of Damascus from BL YT 12, f. 132
Historiated initial 'R'(eines) with a mail-coated Nureddin, the Sultan of Damascus, with bare legs and an open helmet, fleeing on horseback with a foal underfoot from two knights (Godfrey Martel and Hugh de Lu... More
Christ before Caiaphas from BL Add 18196, ff. 43-45, f. 45
Historiated initial 'O' of Christ before Caiaphas. Image taken from f. 45 of Cuttings from a choir book.
John from BL Add 69865, f. 1v - Public domain dedication image
Historiated initial 'I' of the eagle symbol of John, extension of acanthus-like foliage and bezants with single hair-line embellishment, at the beginning of a Gospel extract from John 1:1-14. Image taken from f... More
John the Baptist from BL Stowe 12, f. 257
Detail of an historiated initial 'D' of John the Baptist, holding the Agnus Dei. Image taken from f. 257 of Breviary, Use of Sarum with Norwich variants ('The Stowe Breviary'). Written in Latin.
Assumption of the Virgin from BL Add 39636, f. 1, f. 1
Historiated initial 'O' of the Assumption of the Virgin. The Madonna, seated in a mandorla supported by four angels, gives her girdle to Thomas. In the foreground are the other eleven Apostles. Image taken from... More
Detail of Christ blessing a layman from BL Add 52539, f. 11v
Detail of a historiated initial ?'A' of Christ enthroned blessing a kneeling layman, at the beginning of the Carthusian prayer cycle. Image taken from f. 11v of Leaf from a Book of Hours, containing part of the... More
Rabbis at Benei Braq from BL Add 14761, f. 31v
Historiated initial-word panel: ~Ma'aseh~, at the beginning of the account of the five rabbis at Benei Braq. The five rabbis are in the windows of a building; their pupils are knocking on the door. Full foliate... More