Decorated initial from BL Eg 2615, f. 80
Decorated initial and musical notation. Image taken from f. 80 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
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
Illuminated initial from BL Eg 3153, f. 81v
Illuminated initial ''V'(espere) with foliate decoration and musical notation. Image taken from f. 81v of Missal, including a calendar (ff. 1v-7). Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named a... More
Foliate initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 4...
Foliate initial 'I' with an statue in an alcove and two cherubs [inverted], measuring 160 x 140 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text 'no(n) te sa(n)cto / Hec' and filigree... More
Bifolium with Initial L, from an Antiphonary
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
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 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
Bifolium from an Antiphonary, tempera
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
Manuscript Leaf with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial V, fro...
The Assumption of the Virgin, celebrated on August 15, is an especially important holiday in Siena. Niccolò di ser Sozzo, one of the city's renowned illuminators of the fourteenth century, painted it numerous t... More
Illuminated initial from BL Eg 274, f. 25v
Illuminated initial 'N' and musical notation. Image taken from f. 25v of Musical miscellany. Written in Latin and French. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thomas Egerton (1540-... More
Detail from BL Lansdowne 462, f. 62
Image taken from f. 62 of Gradual, Use of Sarum, with portions of a Magnificat and motets. Written in Latin.
Illuminated initial and musical notation from BL Add 25588, f. 28
Illuminated initial 'E'(cce) and musical notation. Image taken from f. 28 of Missal, use of Sarum, with calendar. Written in Latin.
Initial from BL Add 22310, ff. 1-9, f. 9
Initial 'A' with filigree decoration. Image taken from f. 9 of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Detail from BL Lansdowne 463, f. 104
Image taken from f. 104 of Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary), Use of Sarum (ff. 1-97v); Calendar for Salisbury (ff. 98-103v); Ordinal, Use of Sarum (ff. 104-133); Breviary, Use of Sarum (ff. 134-202v)... More
Pen-flourished initial and musical notation from BL Harley 2990, f. 15...
Pen-flourished 'L'(audate) and musical notation. Image taken from f. 155v of Ritual, Ambrosian use, including a prayer for the duke of Milan and count of Pavia (ff. 42r-v, 48v) and one for the congregation of S... More
Decorated initial from BL Sloane 1044, f. 149
Decorated initial and musical notation. Image taken from f. 149 of Leaf of a Missal. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in the development of... More
Decorated initials from BL Sloane 1044, f. 141
Decorated initials and musical notation. Image taken from f. 141 of Leaf of a Breviary with musical notation, with collects to be read before mass. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician... More
Decorated initial from BL Hirsch III.606, f. 245
Decorated initial 'E' and musical notation. Image taken from f. 245 of Antiphoner (index antiphoner, antiphonary) (Sanctorale only). Written in Latin.
Dragon from BL Eg 3153, f. 147 - Public domain medieval manuscript
Decorated initial 'E' with a dragon, and musical notation. Image taken from f. 147 of Missal, including a calendar (ff. 1v-7). Written in Latin. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Si... More
Musical notation from BL Sloane 121, f. 127
Musical notation. Image taken from f. 127 of Medical miscellany, including the medical rules according to the homo signorum (ff. 35-36); a recipe for gingerbread. Written in Latin, English. Sir Hans Sloane (16... More
Bifolium with Initial L, from an Antiphonary
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Image from BL Eg 1624, f. 109v - Public domain medieval manuscript
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 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.
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. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Lib... More
Border from BL YT 25, f. 1 - Public domain medieval manuscript
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Sir Thoma... More
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. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named after its founder, Si... More
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. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of over 2,000 manuscripts ... More
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
Initial S with Saint Peter Liberated from Prison
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 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.
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. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists ... More
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.
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. T... More
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.
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 '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
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.
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
Antiphonary, page of illuminated manuscript
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
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. The Presentation in the Temple, also known as th... 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.
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
Peter from BL Add 22310, ff. 1-9, f. 4v
Historiated initial 'S' of Saint Peter dressed as a pope and holding a book. Image taken from f. 4v of Leaves from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary). Written in Latin.
Bifolium from an Antiphonary, tempera
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
Christ from BL Lansdowne 462, f. 148v
Historiated initial of Christ showing his wounds. Image taken from f. 148v of Gradual, Use of Sarum, with portions of a Magnificat and motets. Written in Latin.
Decorated initial from BL Harley 2945, f. 49
Decorated initial 'P'(ange) with pen-flourishing and musical notation. Image taken from f. 49 of Processional, imperfect. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscr... More
Decorated initials from BL Harley 275, f. 2*
Initials with penwork decoration and 4-line staves with musical notations. Image taken from f. 2* of Two leaf fragments from an Antiphoner (index antiphonal, antiphonary), including excerpts from the Common of ... More
Decorated initials from BL Sloane 1044, f. 138
Decorated initials and musical notation. Image taken from f. 138 of Fragment of a noted leaf. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturalist who played a crucial role in the devel... More
Michael from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 53
Historiated initial 'B' with Michael trampling the devil and weighing souls, measuring 165 x 165 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text 'crisi / rum alle'. Image taken from ... More
Decorated initial from BL Sloane 1580, ff. 152v-153
Decorated initial 'V'(eni) and musical notation on 4-line staves at the beginning of the sequence Veni Sancte Spiritus et emitte caelitus, for Whit Sunday. Image taken from ff. 152v-153 of Theological miscellan... More
Initial and music from BL Harley 110, f. 1v
Initial and musical notation in Anglo-Saxon neumes. Image taken from f. 1v of Leaves from a Gradual. Written in Latin. The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the Brit... More
Single leaf from a 14th-century antiphonal : in Latin
Public domain reproduction of illuminated medieval manuscript page, Latin, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Resurrection from BL Add 35254D-F, f. D
Historiated initial 'R' of the Resurrection, the body of the letter composed of antique motifs, within a geometric frame with trompe l'oeil pearls. Beneath the miniature is a single line of text 'Resuresit C[h]... More
Three clerics singing from BL Arundel 83, f. 63v
Detail of an historiated initial for Psalm 95 ("Cantate Domino canticum novum") from the Howard Psalter (Arundel 83 I). Inside the initial 'C', three clerics sing from a scroll draped over a lectern the motet... More
Foliate initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16, 19-27, 33-58, f. 3...
Foliate initial 'A' with a male anthropomorphic bust, measuring 160 x 160 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text 'Et angeloru(m) / nt(?ur). Glo' with filigree initial 'G'. I... More
Last Judgment in an Initial C - Public domain dedication image
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Manuscript Illumination with Tobit, Tobias, and the Archangel Raphael ...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Decorated initial from BL Hirsch III.606, f. 25v
Decorated initial 'O' and musical notation. Image taken from f. 25v of Antiphoner (index antiphoner, antiphonary) (Sanctorale only). Written in Latin.
Musical notation from BL Burn 357, ff. 15v-16
Two-part sequence 'Amor patris et filii veri splendor', with narrow, oblong note-forms and vertical lines showing word-divisions in six pairs of four-line staves. Image taken from ff. 15v-16 of Polyphonic sequ... More
Decorated initial from BL Eg 2615, f. 88v
Decorated initial and musical notation. Image taken from f. 88v 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. ... More
Detail from BL Lansdowne 462, f. 64
Detail of a historiated initial of Pentecost. Image taken from f. 64 of Gradual, Use of Sarum, with portions of a Magnificat and motets. Written in Latin.
Musical notation from BL Arundel 248, f. 154v
Musical notation for canticles to Mary Magdalene, and verses to the Virgin upon the Crucifixion, in English and Latin. Image taken from f. 154v of Miscellany. Written in Latin, English, and French. The Arundel... More
Foliate and anthropomorphic initial from BL Add 39636, ff. 4, 9, 15-16...
Foliate initial 'C' with anthropomorphic heads, measuring 155 x 160 mm. On the reverse, two four-line staves, musical notation and partial text 's me deus / ris meus. Ps(almus)'. Image taken from f. 24 of Cutti... More
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. The BL R... More
Calligraphic initials from BL Royal 8 G VII, f. 23v
Calligraphic initials 'M'(issus est) and 'T'(enor). Image taken from f. 23v of Book of 28 motets. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also known as the Royal Collection, consists of over 2,00... More
Decorated initial from BL Sloane 1044, f. 156
Decorated initial and musical notation. Image taken from f. 156 of Two leaves of a noted Missal, with part of the masses for the dead. Written in Latin. Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) was a physician and naturali... More
Cutting from a 14th-century antiphonal : in Latin
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Gloria in excelsis from BL Royal 8 C XIII, f. 7
Decorated initials 'G'(loria) and 'X'(piste). Small initials. Musical notation, with neumes and heightened neumes. Image taken from f. 7 of Troper. Written in Latin. The BL Royal Manuscript Collection, also kn... More
Mary from BL Eg 274, f. 7v - Public domain medieval manuscript
Historiated initial 'O' (maria) with Mary and a marginal figure, and musical notation. Image taken from f. 7v of Musical miscellany. Written in Latin and French. The Egerton Manuscript Collection is named afte... More
Annunciation in an Initial M - Public domain dedication museum photo
Public domain photo of a golden object, Italy, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description The Annunciation is a biblical event in which the angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to a... More
Annunciation in an Initial M - Public domain dedication image
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description. The Annunciation is a biblical event in which the angel Gabriel appea... More
Manuscript Illumination with Scenes of Easter in an Initial A, from an...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Bifolium with Initial C, from an Antiphonary
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
Manuscript Illumination with Scenes of Easter in an Initial A, from an...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Bifolium with Initial C, from an Antiphonary
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Initial A: Christ Wiping the Tears from the Eyes of the Saved
Public domain reproduction of Italian medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Initial A: Christ Wiping Away the Tears of the Saints
Public domain reproduction of Italian medieval illuminated manuscript page, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Initial A with the Battle of the Maccabees
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, 14th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Ascension in an Initial V - Public domain dedication image
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Manuscript Leaf with the Assumption of the Virgin in an Initial V, fro...
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Ascension in an Initial V - Public domain dedication image
Public domain reproduction of illuminated manuscript page, medieval, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description.
Single leaf from a 14th-century antiphonal : in Latin
Public domain reproduction of illuminated medieval manuscript page, Latin, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Single leaf from a 14th-century antiphonal : in Latin
Public domain reproduction of illuminated medieval manuscript page, Latin, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description