THE WRITING—after tenth century model (see [Plate VIII.])—has the fault (referred to at p. [421]) of showing too much thin line (running up obliquely), the upper and lower parts of the letters are not flat enough. The tail of the g is inadequate, and the lines of writing are too near together. The writing is readable, however, and fairly regular. The CAPITALS are Uncials (after [Plate V.]) and occasional “Romans.”
The RUBRIC (“¶ Then shall be said or sung”) is in red, fitted in beside the round initial and marking the top left-hand corner of the page (see footnote, p. [211]).
The word “GLORY” (and decoration)—and also the F and T, showing in recto page—are in raised burnished gold, which, it will be seen, has cracked considerably in the G (see p. [164]).
The STAVES are in red (p. [140]), the notes above GLORY in raised gold, those in the lower stave, black.
The BOOK was of a special nature (see pp. [344]–[5]), being intended for use in a certain church and on certain special festivals: hence a considerable degree of ornament and a generally decorative treatment was permitted (p. [330]). The Prayer of Consecration, together with a miniature, occupied a complete opening, the eight margins of which were filled with solid, framing borders (p. [213]) in red, blue, green, and gold. Coats-of-arms and other special symbols and devices were introduced on the Title page and in other places.
[PLATE XXIII.]—The Story of Aucassin and Nicolette, written and illuminated by W. H. Cowlishaw, 1898 A.D.
THE VOLUME consists of 50 + leaves of “Roman Vellum” (712 inches by 512 inches).
MARGINS, approx.: Inner 34 inch, Head 1516 inch, Side 138 inch, Foot 2 inches.
THE WRITING, very legible, rather “Gothic-Roman.” [p486]
THE CAPITALS are illuminated throughout the text in gold on blue and red grounds. The backgrounds are square, with edges pointed or indented, outlined black, and lined inside white. The INITIAL n is in gold on blue: the moon and stars are in white and gold and white.