Tudor Rose from BL Royal 11 E XI, f. 2
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 from BL Harley 1117, f. 117v
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
Decorated initials from BL Harley 1117, f. 55
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
Interlace initial from BL Harley 1117, ff. 3v-4
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 from BL Harley 1117, f. 43
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 from BL Harley 1117, ff. 24v-25
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 from BL Harley 1717, f. 251v
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.
Detail: Decorated initials from BL YT 24, f. 91
Four-line musical notation with decorated initials. Image taken from f. 91 of Sidrak and Bokkus. Written in English.
Detail: Decorated initials from BL YT 24, f. 91
Four-line musical notation with decorated initials. Image taken from f. 91 of Sidrak and Bokkus. Written in English.
f. 136, displayed as an open bifolium with f. 137v: sketches, diagrams...
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.
Initial P with the Martyrdom of Saint Peter Martyr
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
Decorated headpiece from BL Eg 2390, f. 4
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.
Manuscript Leaf with Foliated Initial P, from an Antiphonary
Made in possibly Arezzo, Italy
Animals from BL Eg 2977, f. 110
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.
Parrots from BL Eg 2977, f. 1v
Initial 'A' with two parrots and another bird. Image taken from f. 1v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary), Winter season. Written in Latin.
Birds from BL Eg 2977, f. 159v
Decorated initial 'Q'(ui) with two birds. Image taken from f. 159v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary), Winter season. Written in Latin.
Initial, border and bas-de-page from BL Lansdowne 463, f. 104
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
Resurrection from BL YT 25, f. 1
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
Michael from BL Add 22310, ff. 1-9, f. 2
Historiated initial 'V' of Michael weighing a soul. Image taken from f. 2 of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
The Resurrection from BL Lansdowne 462, f. 51v
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
Ape on horseback from BL Eg 274, f. 27v
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.
Longinus from BL Add 22310, ff. 1-9, f. 7v
Historiated initial 'B' of Longinus holding a spear. Image taken from f. 7v of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Annunciation from BL Add 18197, ff. E-F, f. E
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
Decorated initials from BL Harley 6157, f. 1* v
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.
Musical notation from BL Harley 978, f. 10
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
Musical notation from BL Sloane 1086, f. 40
Musical notation. Image taken from f. 40 of Fragment with Antiphons for the Nativity of the Lord. Written in Latin.
Foliate initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 3...
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.
Helen from BL Add 18197, ff. D, G and I, f. G
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
Musical notation, heraldic decoration and David from BL Arundel 83, f....
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
Image from BL Eg 1624, f. 109v
Image taken from f. 109v of Former pastedowns; fragments of a noted Antiphonary. Written in Latin.
Decorated initial and border from BL Lansdowne 461, f. 29v
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.
Border from BL YT 25, f. 1
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
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
Royal arms of England from BL Royal 8 G VII, f. 2v
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
Decorated initials 'P'(rimo) and 'B'(eatus) with partial .. from BL Sl...
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
Detail from BL Lansdowne 460, f. 191v
Detail of puzzle initial 'A'(dorna) with penwork floral decoration. Image taken from f. 191v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Foliate initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 5-8, 11-12, 30-32, f. 30
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.
Foliate initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 4...
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
Funeral from BL Add 18197, ff. D, G and I, f. I
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
Martyr saint from BL Add 39636, ff. 5-8, 11-12, 30-32, f. 8
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.
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.
Decorated initial and musical notation from BL Harley 2906, f. 17v
Decorated initial 'O'(mnipotens) and musical notation. Image taken from f. 17v of Pontifical. Written in Latin.
Bifolium with Initial L, from an Antiphonary
Made in Bologna?, Italy
Foliate initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 5-8, 11-12, 30-32, f. 32
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.
Text pages from BL Royal 8 G VII, ff. 23v-24
Text pages with musical notation. Image taken from ff. 23v-24 of Book of 28 motets. Written in Latin.
Calligraphic initials from BL Royal 8 G VII, ff. 56v-57
Calligraphic initials 'A'(bsalon), 'T'(enor), 'C', and 'B'. Image taken from ff. 56v-57 of Book of 28 motets. Written in Latin.
Decorated initial from BL Eg 2615, f. 91
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.
Illuminated initial from BL Lansdowne 462, f. 62
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.
Musical notation from BL Eg 3307, f. 11
Musical notation. Image taken from f. 11 of Music and carols for Holy Week (begins and ends imperfectly). Written in Latin, French, and English.
Musical notation from BL Eg 3267, f. 56v
Musical notation. Image taken from f. 56v of Gradual, of Carthusian use, imperfect, including Temporale and Sanctorale. Written in Latin.
Simon and Andrew from BL Add 22310, ff. 1-9, f. 8v
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.
Adoration of the Magi from BL Add 39636, ff. 5-8, 11-12, 30-32, f. 5
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
Bishop from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 50
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.
Initial S with Saint Peter Liberated from Prison
Made in Florence, Italy
Abraham and the three angels from BL Add 74233B
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
Two saints from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 4
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.
Foliate initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 4...
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
The vision of Ezechiel from BL Add 18197, ff. D, G and I, f. D
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 from BL Lansdowne 460, f. 173v
Detail of puzzle initial 'D'(uem) with penwork decoration. Image taken from f. 173v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Puzzle initial from BL Lansdowne 460, f. 173v
Puzzle initial 'D'(uem) with penwork decoration. Image taken from f. 173v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Foliate initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 4...
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 from BL Lansdowne 460, f. 191v
Puzzle initial 'A'(dorna) with penwork floral decoration. Image taken from f. 191v of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Presentation in the Temple from BL Add 22310, ff. 1-9, f. 3v
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.
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
Dedication of a church from BL Add 60630, f. 10, f. 10
Initial 'T' of the dedication of a church. Image taken from f. 10 of Cutting from an Antiphoner (index Antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Musical notation from BL Arundel 356, f. 45
Musical notation. Image taken from f. 45 of Various lunar and astronomical tables and tracts, including Computus, a calendar and diagrams. Written in Latin.
Benedictine monks chanting from BL Add 39636, ff. 10, 13, 28, 29, f. 1...
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
A blessed Benedictine Cardinal from BL Add 18197, ff. E-F, f. F
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
Detail from BL Sloane 1044, f. 151
Detail of decorated initials and musical notation. Image taken from f. 151 of Leaf of a noted Gradual. Written in Latin.
Illuminated initials from BL Harley 5289, ff. 285v-286
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.
Decorated initial from BL Harley 2849, f. 47
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.
Historiated initial from BL Harley 2856, f. 8
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
Manuscript Leaf with Foliated Initial A, from an Antiphonary
Made in Bologna (?), Italy
Musical notation from BL YT 24, f. 91
Four-line musical notation with decorated initials. Image taken from f. 91 of The Pontifical of Guilelmus Durandus, Use of Mende. Written in Latin.
Foliate initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 5-8, 11-12, 30-32, f. 31
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.
Benedict from BL Add 39636, ff. 10, 13, 28, 29, f. 13
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
Illuminated initials from BL YT 8, f. 101v
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.
Nicholas from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 49
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.
Portcullis from BL Royal 8 G VII, f. 3
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.
Detail from BL Lansdowne 462, f. 42
Detail of marginal figures and a cadel. Image taken from f. 42 of Gradual, Use of Sarum, with portions of a Magnificat and motets. Written in Latin.
Royal arms of England and devices of Henry VIII from BL Royal 8 G VII,...
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
Lucy from BL Add 22310, ff. 1-9, f. 5v
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.
Coloured initial from BL Harley 5977, f. 79
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
Musical notation from BL Harley 3095, f. 111v
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
Decorated initial from BL Harley 3073, f. 108
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
Monks singing from BL Harley 2888, f. 98v
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
Music notation from BL Harley 978, ff. 8v-9
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 initial from BL Harley 3895, f. 6
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
Decorated initials from BL Sloane 1086, f. 38
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.
Initial from BL Add 22310, ff. 1-9, f. 1
Initial 'V' with filigree penwork decoration. Image taken from f. 1 of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Detail from BL Lansdowne 462, f. 50v
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.