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Even more than other types of manuscript decoration, initials had a function beyond the decorative: they would draw the eye to the beginning of texts, or important sections or sub-divisions of text.
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Initial Letters
Many medieval manuscripts are full of decorated capital letters that add colour to the page. They come in all styles and sizes, but what exactly are they and what was their purpose?
What is an illuminated initial?
The word illuminate, in the medieval sense, means to decorate with colours. An illuminated initial is an enlarged and decorated capital letter, the first letter of a section of text. They can vary from the basic pen-and-ink drawn letter to the most elaborate letter painted with gold or silver leaf. Text and illumination were complementary and were either closely related or sharply contrasted.
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These initials, like other painted elements, were added after the text had been copied, often by a different person – an illuminator. Space for these letters was marked out and left blank while the scribe worked, with just a small guide letter marked so the illuminator would know which letter to paint. In some manuscripts, the initials were never added and you can see the space that was reserved for them.
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What are they for?
Illuminated initials could have several purposes in medieval manuscripts. The most obvious is their decorative or aesthetic value.
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They could also be used to illustrate the text, in addition to or instead of miniatures. Historiated initials show a scene or a recognisable person that relates to the text, in and around the shape of the letter. Sometimes illuminated initials contrast with the text: they might show irreverent or humorous figures and scenes.
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When animal or human figures form the shape of the letter, these are called zoomorphic or anthropomorphic initials, or even zoo-anthropomorphic if there are both people and animals.
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Beyond decoration and illustration, the primary role of illuminated initials was more practical. They provide a visual point of reference, marking the division of the text into books, chapters, paragraphs and sometimes even verses.
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Unlike books published today, medieval manuscripts don’t have title pages and new chapters don’t generally start on a new page, because parchment was costly and the space on the page had to be used carefully.
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This practice continued with the first printed books, which were designed to resemble manuscripts as closely as possible. Many printers left space on the page so that initials and other elements could later be added by hand, according to the owner’s specifications.