Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter
France, possibly Saint-Omer, 13th century
MS M.79 fol. 111v

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Initial C of Cantate enclosing three tonsured clerics, wearing vestments, at least two with mouths opened (chanting), one with left hand to open book on lectern, all against gold background and beneath three trefoil arches, the whole frame perched on by squirrel; the initial’s ascender extending across upper and right margins terminating in foliage; the descender extending across left, lower, and right margins partly formed by hybrid man, wearing pointed hood, with right hand raising sword and with left hand grasping hairs of severed head (beheading), in lower margin walks winged hybrid animal. Initial C and marginal illustrations of Psalm 98.