Apocalypsis cum glossa

University Library, MS Add. 3028, f. 1r
France, first half of the twelfth century
Vellum, 254 x 153 mm (165–174 x 48 mm), 34 ff.
(Binski Zutshi 292)

In the twelfth century, complete Bibles of the size of this manuscript were relatively rare, and tended to be highly elaborate and expensive. Consequently, codices containing individual books of the Bible, such as the Apocalypse, were much more common. The Apocalypse was a particularly popular choice in the Middle Ages, and often bore elaborate decoration. On the opening page of the manuscript, we see a fine example of a common medieval formula for a gloss, wherein the text of the Apocalypse, in larger lettering, is interspersed with lines of gloss that sit between the lines and in the margins. A large ornamental initial in brown-black ink, complete with foliage and dragons, refers obliquely to the biblical text.