England

2. DECORATED INITIAL 'E' Boethius, De Musica; (and Guido of Arezzo, Micrologus), Latin England (Christ Church, Canterbury), c.1125-50 Parchment, 21.1 x 14.4 cm 102 leaves Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand/Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, MSR-05, fol. 50v			The splendid intial 'E' is one of five Romanesque initials that introduce the book-divisions in a medieval copy of the treatise on music by the philosopher Boethius (480-524). The initials are composed of vegetal, interlace and zoomorphic motifs, in which a winged dragon and dragon-heads feature prominently - characteristics that have been associated with Norman illumination.

7. DECORATED INITIAL 'B'; AND BORDER Psalter, Latin England (probably London), beginning of 15th century Parchment, 19.4 x 12.9 cm 201 leaves Bible Society of New Zealand/Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, MSR-01, fol. 7r			The psalms of the Old Testament were adopted by the Church as the basis for Christian prayer and were often illuminated. The psalms were the focus for both monastic and private devotion and were often preceded by a calendar, which established the days when the feast days and anniversaries of the saints were to be celebrated. In this English manuscript, a series of decorated initials and borders mark the beginning of the psalter and its division into sections for recitation throughout the week. The lacy tendrils that radiate from the border's central spine are characteristic of 15th century English decoration.

8. DECORATED INITIAL 'D'; & BORDER

Book of Hours, Use of Sarum, Latin and English
England, first half of 15th century
Parchment, 14.2 x 9.5 cm 160 leaves

National Library of Australia, Clifford Collection, MS 1097/2, fol.13r

Initial and border decoration mark the opening page of the Hours of the Virgin in this English book of hours. The lush, curling acanthus leaves, the pomegranates and the feathered sprays are familiar motifs of 15th century illumination.