Illuminated Manuscripts
An illuminated manuscript is a written text with illustrations. Here is a video that shares the history of these manuscripts and the way artists found their colors in the early history of books. As you view the video, watch for illuminated letters. You will see a few of them!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Examine Illuminated Letters in Primary Documents
A primary document is an original artifact. This means you are seeing or reading something that was created by someone back in history, not reading someone else's thoughts about that artifact. Primary documents are the best way to learn about history. It is amazing to look at something that someone created in the year 920!
Below, you will have a chance to interact with some illuminated manuscripts with illuminated letters. Take the time to slowly zoom in and navigate around each page. As you examine each manuscript, record your thoughts on the See Think Wonder chart.
Note to teachers: Have students fold the chart in thirds so that each section is in a separate fold. Students should complete the "See" before moving on to the "Think", and so on. After each step, pause for discussion so that students can share their notes with the class. You can also find this graphic organizer here.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Primary Document #1
A Decorated Letter, In Aldhelm's 'De Virginitate' f.158r
Date: 920
Ink and pigment on vellum
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Primary Document #2
A Collection Of Peter Of Blois's Letters, Sermons, And Other Works
Date: 1210
Ink and pigment on vellum
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Primary Document #3
Date: 1210
Ink and pigment on vellum
Start to think about how the first letter of your name would look as an illuminated letter.