Evangelica secundum Matthaeum et Marcum

University Library, MS Kk.2.8, f. 151v
Northern France (Paris?), second quarter of the thirteenth century
Vellum, 315 x 220 mm (190 x 130 mm), II + 238 ff.
(Binski Zutshi 312)

Gospel books were often highly embellished due to their role in the celebration of the Mass and other public events. This manuscript is in remarkably good condition: the vellum is a beautiful bright white, and the ruling is still visible. On the top of the page, the running title makes immediately evident that this is Mark’s Gospel (‘MAR’). The decorated initial ‘I’ runs more than half the length of the page and at its base, in a tower, we see the Evangelist in red holding up his Gospel. Just beneath the Evangelist’s feet, the scroll he is standing on terminates in a beast’s head. Illuminators took great pleasure in occasional grotesque ornaments such as these, even in religious texts.