Historiated Initial Collection

Carrying of the Cross from Book of Hours, MS 92 f.57r, Western France, 1490-1510 (pen & ink with tempera on parchment)
8374175 Carrying of the Cross from Book of Hours, MS 92 f.57r, Western France, 1490-1510 (pen & ink with tempera on parchment) by French School

The end of "The Romance of the Rose", and the beginning of "The Parlement of Foules"
7409778 The end of "The Romance of the Rose", and the beginning of "The Parlement of Foules", ie Parliament of Fowls, from The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, by William Morris

The coronation of King Edward I
3078490 The coronation of King Edward I by English School, (13th century); (add.info.: An historiated initial depicting the coronation of King Edward I (1239-1307) of England

PB 5-2001
Pages 22-23. "The Knights Tale". The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer. William Morris, Kelmscott Press. Illustrations by Sir Edward Burne-Jones

Ms 144 p. 119rv St. Mark (vellum)
IND49135 Ms 144 p.119rv St. Mark (vellum) by Spanish School; Tarazona Cathedral Archives, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain; Index Fototeca

Ms 48 fol. 95v Historiated initial V depicting the stoning of the prophet Jeremiah (vellum)
CHT252509 Ms 48 fol.95v Historiated initial V depicting the stoning of the prophet Jeremiah (vellum) by French School, (13th century); Bibliotheque Sainte-Genevieve, Paris

Ms 34. Missal (Ambrosian Rite) commissioned by Guglielmo Lampugnani for the Dominican convent of St Eustorgio in Milan
5979525 Ms 34. Missal (Ambrosian Rite) commissioned by Guglielmo Lampugnani for the Dominican convent of St Eustorgio in Milan, f.136v and 137r

Fol 1, detail, Quaestiones in quattuor libros Sententiarum, by John Duns Scotus (vellum)
2919616 Fol 1, detail, Quaestiones in quattuor libros Sententiarum, by John Duns Scotus (vellum) by Italian School, (15th century); 39.8x27.9 cm; The University of St

Fol 131, detail, Quaestiones in quattuor libros Sententiarum, by John Duns Scotus (vellum)
2919615 Fol 131, detail, Quaestiones in quattuor libros Sententiarum, by John Duns Scotus (vellum) by Italian School, (15th century); 39.8x27.9 cm; The University of St

Novella in Decretales: beginning of Book V, De accusationibus
5938149 Novella in Decretales: beginning of Book V, De accusationibus, inquisitionibus et denuntiationibus.a. c.1355-65 (parchment) by Italian School

Ms 322 f. 67r, Psalm 68, initial S, Jonah praying to Christ on his exit from the whale
476955 Ms 322 f.67r, Psalm 68, initial S, Jonah praying to Christ on his exit from the whale & Jonah thrown to the whale, illustration from the De Braile Psalter, c.1250 (vellum) by Brailes

Ms 322 f. 28r, Psalm 26, initial D, David harping before Saul
476943 Ms 322 f.28r, Psalm 26, initial D, David harping before Saul, illustration from the De Brailes Psalter, c.1250 (vellum) by Brailes

Illuminated copy of the Old Testament (vellum)
STC439664 Illuminated copy of the Old Testament (vellum) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Fol 275 verso 276 recto, from The Catechisme, 1552 (engraving)
2919626 Fol 275 verso 276 recto, from The Catechisme, 1552 (engraving) by Scottish school, (16th century); The University of St

Capital letter Q, from L Art Croquis d Animaux
STC255184 Capital letter Q, from L Art Croquis d Animaux, published Paris, c.1920 (colour litho) by Saude, Jean (Miarko) (fl.c.1900-25); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; French

Christ in Glory, c. 1467 (vellum)
BI93671 Christ in Glory, c.1467 (vellum) by Liberale (Bonfanti) da Verona, (c.1445-1527); 27.4x21.5 cm; The Henry Barber Trust, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts

Ms 186 Fol. 2v Pierre Lombard Bishop of Paris, from the
XIR165160 Ms 186 Fol.2v Pierre Lombard Bishop of Paris, from the Liber Quatuor Sententiarum ( Book of Sentences ), c.1160 (vellum) by French School, (12th century); Bibliotheque Municipale

Ms Fr 848 fol. 1 Christine de Pisan (1364-1430) presents her work to Louis
BNP159903 Ms Fr 848 fol.1 Christine de Pisan (1364-1430) presents her work to Louis, Duke of Orleans (1372-1407) from the Letter of Othea to Hector by Christine de Pisan

Ms 149 t. 3 fol. 95v Appointment of Two Knights, from the
XIR189495 Ms 149 t.3 fol.95v Appointment of Two Knights, from the Histoire des Nobles Princes de Hainaut, by Jacques de Guise (vellum) by French School, (15th century); Bibliotheque Municipale

The Kelmscott Chaucer, published 1896 by the Kelmscott Press
BCC86288 The Kelmscott Chaucer, published 1896 by the Kelmscott Press by Morris, William (1834-96); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Ms 3480 Knights in Battle, from the Livre de Messire Lancelot du Lac (vellum)
CHT214148 Ms 3480 Knights in Battle, from the Livre de Messire Lancelot du Lac (vellum) by French School, (15th century); Bibliotheque de L Arsenal, Paris

Ms 2617 The castle of the Amazons is besieged by Theseus, Duke of Athens, from La Teseida
STC205196 Ms 2617 The castle of the Amazons is besieged by Theseus, Duke of Athens, from La Teseida, by Giovanni Boccaccio (1313-75) 1340-41 (vellum) by French School

Capital letter O, from L Art Croquis d Animaux
STC439542 Capital letter O, from L Art Croquis d Animaux, published Paris, c.1920 (colour litho) by Saude, Jean (Miarko) (fl.c.1900-25); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; French

Astronomer accused of Sorcery, holding a Disc with Magic Figures
XJF193880 Astronomer accused of Sorcery, holding a Disc with Magic Figures, from The Book of Jurisprudence, illustration from Science and Literature in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance

Trompe l oeil of an open manuscript
AII86835 Trompe l oeil of an open manuscript by German School, (17th century); Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Tuscany, Italy; German, out of copyright

Ms 432 Temporal used by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Carmelites of Bruges
BMR215016 Ms 432 Temporal used by the Sisters of the Congregation of the Carmelites of Bruges, written by Sister Margarita Bruynewe, 1505 (vellum) by Wulfekkercke

Capital letter S, from L Art Croquis d Animaux
STC255109 Capital letter S, from L Art Croquis d Animaux, published Paris, c.1920 (colour litho) by Saude, Jean (Miarko) (fl.c.1900-25); Fathers of the London Oratory

Ms 479 St. Matthew, from The Gospels of the Abbey of Cysoing (vellum)
XIR269519 Ms 479 St. Matthew, from The Gospels of the Abbey of Cysoing (vellum) by French School, (12th century); Bibliotheque Municipale, Lille

Ms 322 f. 99r, Psalm 101, initial D, Christ blessing, David gazing at Bathsheba
476961 Ms 322 f.99r, Psalm 101, initial D, Christ blessing, David gazing at Bathsheba, Nathan reproves David and the penitent David praying, illustration from the De Brailes Psalter

Ms Fr 1581 Noble holding court, illustration from the Roman de Renart
XIR252921 Ms Fr 1581 Noble holding court, illustration from the Roman de Renart (vellum) (b/w photo) by French School, (13th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Capital letter H, from L Art Croquis d Animaux
STC255111 Capital letter H, from L Art Croquis d Animaux, published Paris, c.1920 (colour litho) by Saude, Jean (Miarko) (fl.c.1900-25); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; French

Ms 38-1950, f. 29r: David at the head of a procession carrying Goliath
FIT277707 Ms 38-1950, f.29r: David at the head of a procession carrying Goliaths head on a lance, from the Bohun Psalter, c.1370 (vellum) by English School

Ms 1729 Education of a kings son, illustration for the story of Balaam
BMR277056 Ms 1729 Education of a kings son, illustration for the story of Balaam and Josephat from the Legenda Aurea by Jacobus da Varagine, c.1370 (vellum) by French School

Ms 1560 Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 by Godfrey de Bouillon
BMR277034 Ms 1560 Capture of Jerusalem in 1099 by Godfrey de Bouillon and the Crusaders during the First Crusade, miniature from Fleur des Histoires (vellum) by French School

Ms 322 f. 7r, Psalm 1, initial B, Tree of Jesse, illustration from the
476958 Ms 322 f.7r, Psalm 1, initial B, Tree of Jesse, illustration from the De Braile Psalter, c.1250 (vellum) by Brailes, William de (fl.c.1230); Courtesy of the Warden and Scholars of New College

Ms 322 f. 54v, Psalm 52, initial D, Temptation of Christ
476952 Ms 322 f.54v, Psalm 52, initial D, Temptation of Christ, illustration from the De Brailes Psalter, c.1250 (vellum) by Brailes

Ms 322 f. 54r, Psalm 51, initial Q, David and Goliath, illustration from the
476951 Ms 322 f.54r, Psalm 51, initial Q, David and Goliath, illustration from the De Brailes Psalter, c.1250 (vellum) by Brailes

Ms Fr 1580 The fox, the wolf and the dog, from Le Roman de Renart
XIR414528 Ms Fr 1580 The fox, the wolf and the dog, from Le Roman de Renart (vellum) (b/w photo) by French School, (13th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Ms 372 fol. 158v Enthronement of a Bishop, from Decrets de Gratien (vellum)
XIR215999 Ms 372 fol.158v Enthronement of a Bishop, from Decrets de Gratien (vellum) by French School, (13th century); Bibliotheque Municipale, Laon, France; French, out of copyright

The Kelmscott Chaucer, published 1896 by the Kelmscott Press
STC156430 The Kelmscott Chaucer, published 1896 by the Kelmscott Press by Morris, William (1834-96); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Ms 3142 fol. 179 Armament of a knight, from Recueil de Poesies Francaises, c
XIR154948 Ms 3142 fol.179 Armament of a knight, from Recueil de Poesies Francaises, c.1280-90 (vellum) by French School, (13th century); Bibliotheque de L Arsenal, Paris, France; French

Ms. 18 f. 7v Battle of Montlhery during the War of the League of the Good Public
XIR156898 Ms.18 f.7v Battle of Montlhery during the War of the League of the Good Public, 14th July 1465, from the Memoirs of Philippe of Commines (1445-1509) (vellum) by French School

Capital letter W, from L Art Croquis d Animaux
STC255185 Capital letter W, from L Art Croquis d Animaux, published Paris, c.1920 (colour litho) by Saude, Jean (Miarko) (fl.c.1900-25); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; French

Ms 1 fol. 235 The Book of Ecclesiastes, from the Souvigny Bible (vellum)
XIR212966 Ms 1 fol.235 The Book of Ecclesiastes, from the Souvigny Bible (vellum) by French School, (12th century); Bibliotheque Municipale, Moulins, France; French, out of copyright

Adam and Eve, from The Kelmscott Chaucer, published by Kelmscott Press
STC156433 Adam and Eve, from The Kelmscott Chaucer, published by Kelmscott Press, 1896 (engraving) by Morris, William (1834-96); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; English, out of copyright

Ms Fr 12201 Fol. 1 Hayton presents his work to Pope Clement V (c
BNP159905 Ms Fr 12201 Fol.1 Hayton presents his work to Pope Clement V (c.1260-1320) from the Fleur des histoires de la terre d Orient by Hayton (d.1271) 1402 (vellum) by French School

Leaf from a Missal, 1300 (parchment)
5938288 Leaf from a Missal, 1300 (parchment) by Italian School, (14th century); 36.7x24.7 (page); 23.0x16.5 (text) cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

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The art of historiated initials is a captivating glimpse into the world of medieval manuscripts. These intricate and ornate letters, adorned with detailed illustrations, transport us to a time when books were not only vessels of knowledge but also works of art. In "The Romance of the Rose" and "The Parlement of Foules", we witness the beauty and craftsmanship that went into creating these masterpieces. The woodcuts and black type on paper bring Geoffrey Chaucer's words to life, while the coronation of King Edward I reminds us of the grandeur associated with royalty. Moving onto vellum, we encounter stunning examples such as St. Mark in Ms 144 p. 119rv, where vibrant colors breathe life into biblical scenes. In Ms 48 fol. 95v, an initial V depicts the stoning of Jeremiah with remarkable detail and emotion. A glimpse into religious texts reveals even more remarkable historiated initials. In Ms 34 Missal commissioned by Guglielmo Lampugnani for St Eustorgio convent in Milan, we find a crucifixion scene alongside an initial [T] for the Canon of Mass - a testament to faith expressed through artistry. John Duns Scotus' Quaestiones in quattuor libros Sententiarum captivate us further with their delicate vellum pages showcasing intricate details both on Folio 1 and Folio 131. As we delve deeper into illuminated copies like Novella in Decretales or Psalms 68 (initial S) and Psalm 26 (initial D), it becomes evident that these historiated initials served not only as decorative elements but also as visual aids to enhance understanding and engagement with text. Finally, an illuminated copy of the Old Testament transports us back centuries ago when scribes meticulously crafted each page using vellum sheets filled with awe-inspiring illustrations that brought stories from ancient times alive.