St. Augustine, August 28

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Leaf from an Antiphonary: Initial L with St. Augustine blessing three acolytes

Germany–Regensburg, ca. 1300

Script: Gothic

Parchment with ink, paint, and gold

Notation: Square

 

Begins the first antiphon of first Vespers for the feast of St. Augustine (Aug. 28), “Letare, mater nostra ierusalem …” (Rejoice, our Mother Jerusalem). Augustine of Hippo (354-430) was a Doctor of the Church and became Bishop of Hippo in North Africa in 396. His writings include Confessions and City of God  and have dominated Western Christian theology since his lifetime. This leaf can be dated to ca. 1300-1310.

Free Library of Philadelphia, Lewis E M 42:13

Assumption of the Virgin, Aug. 15

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Initial G with the Coronation of the Virgin Mary, August 15

Perugia, Italy – c. 1325

Script: Rotunda
Parchment with ink, paint, and gold

Notation: Square

 

This initial begins the Introit for the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin, “Gaudeamus omnes in domino diem festi celebrantes sub honore Marie virginis …” (Let all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival day in honor of the Virgin Mary). The image of Mary being crowned by her son Jesus Christ as Queen of Heaven or physically being assumed into heaven is a popular scene from the Middle Ages.  The end of Mary’s days is frequently used as the image seen for Compline, the final hour in the Little Hours of the Virgin seen in medieval books of hours.

Free Library of Philadelphia E M 72:16