Item Info

Script: Gothic bookhand
Language: Latin
Folio Number: ff. 52v-53r
Source: Rare Book Department
Notes: Initial Q, beginning Psalm 51
Notes: The manuscript has been dated to ca. 1270.
Notes: This initial begins Psalm 51. The figure inside the letter is the archangel Michael, who fights with the dragon that forms the cross line of the Q. The subject matter thus nicely alludes to the first line of the Psalm, which asks, "Quid gloriatur in malitia qui potens est iniquitate?" (Why dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity?).

The beginning of Psalm 51 was a common place to find decoration in psalters, because the Psalms were often divined into groups of 50, with divisions at Psalm 1, 51, and 101.
Sirsi Catalog Key: 1583247
Country: Country:France ?
Cardinal Point:northern

Creation Year (Single Year or Range Begin): 1275
Image Dimensions Width: 119 mm
ShelfMark: Lewis E 187