A letter containing identifiable scene or figures, sometimes relating to the text. Historiated initials, first encountered in insular illumination of the first half of the 8th century, became a popular feature of medieval illumination. Borders can also be historiated.
An enlarged initial containing individual figures or groups that interact; they often form narrative scenes that illustrate or refer to the text they introduce.
An initial which is decorated so that it includes a specific scene or figures. The scene and figures may be from the text to which the initial relates. illumination Coloured artwork in a manuscript. Brown (1994) states that: "...Illumination, from the Latin illuminare, 'to enlighten or illuminate,' is the embellishment of a manuscript with luminous colors (especially gold and silver)...A miniature is sometimes referred to as an illumination...".
This is a popular feature of medieval illumination. Inside the illuminated letter the artist depicts a scene that the people of that time recognize. The figures or scene may or may not be related to the text. Borders or marginalia were also often historiated. The scenes could depict a recognizable person or scene with which the people would identify.
An oversize initial letter containing a narrative scene or figures, usually related to the text. Historiated initials first appeared in manuscripts of the early 800s and remained popular throughout the Middle Ages.
enlarged initial letter containing a painting relating to the text
The letter that begins a new section is often enlarged and illuminated. Sometimes recognizable figures or scenes appear in these letters. Such illuminated letters are called historiated initials (Brown 68). Hours - Hours should not be confused with the modern 24 hour day. Hours refer to the religious divisions of the day into eight periods of time. During each period clergy performed specific rites and prayers. The Hours directed all of the activities of the day in monasteries (Brown 50). According to Brown, The approximate hours were: Matins: 2:30 am Sext: noon Lauds: 5:00am None: 3pm Prime: 6:00am Vespers: 4:30pm Terce: 9:00am Compline: 6:00pm
An initial letter containing an identifiable scene or figures, sometimes relating to the text.
An historiated initial is an enlarged letter at the beginning of a paragraph or other section of text, common in illuminated manuscripts. The letter typically contains a drawing that relates to the succeeding text. These initials were first seen in the Insular script of the early 8th century.
