Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours of Guiluys de Boisleux
France, Arras, after 1246
MS M.730 fol. 221r

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Initial H decorated with diapered infilling and formed by fantastic animal biting neck of beast head, forming ascender of interlace and knots branching into foliate tendrils, enclosing male musician playing bagpipe and female dancer, with foliate extensions in upper margin. Beginning of Fourth Lesson.
In lower margin, male figure climbing descender of the initial decorated with foliate tendrils entwined with fantastic animal with foliate tail and attacked by man raising sword.
Line ending: hybrid animal with two bodies.
Line ending: three escutcheons, the first Boisleux, the second vert, a fess argent, and the third Neuville-Vitasse.
Line ending: two men, armed with swords and shields, combatting.
Line ending: fantastic animal.
Line ending: bird pecking at protruding tongue of fox lying on its back (Bestiary: Fox feigning Death).
Line ending: three men dancing, the second with raised hands pointing to head, and the third, hooded, holding bagpipe (Sports and Games: Dancing).
Line endings: geometric and foliate ornament.
Text page of Fourth Lesson in Second Nocturn of Matins of Hours of the Virgin.