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1 results

  • 9 - The decoration of the earliest Welsh manuscripts

  • from PART I - THE MAKING OF BOOKS
  • Edited by Richard Gameson, University of Durham
  • Book:
    The Cambridge History of the Book in Britain
    Published online:
    28 March 2012
    Print publication:
    22 December 2011, pp 244-248

  • Summary

    The earliest illuminated manuscripts that have a definite or possible association with Wales are two gospel-books: Lichfield Gospels and Hereford Gospels. Art-historically the Lichfield Gospels may be placed somewhere between the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells. The Hereford Gospels is a rare surviving example of a non-luxury gospel-book which primarily functioned as a lectionary. Each framed page is set out on a fairly grand scale consisting of an ornamental monogram comprising three letters followed by decorative geometric capitals. The form and layout of the decoration in both manuscripts is part of an Insular continuum dating back to the eighth century. There is evidence for the continuing use of Insular illuminated exemplars in Wales as late as the mid thirteenth century. The earliest version of the Welsh law book Llyfr Iorwerth includes some heavily cropped drawings including winged evangelist symbols, in the lower margins of three pages.