Decoration

This page is a good example of the decoration used in medieval manuscripts. One of the elements included here is the elaborate decorative borders. The outer border is a foliate decoration of blue and faded gold. Within the outer border there is a partial decorative bar border to further frame the text and the miniature. Between the two columns of text there is a ribbon-like multi-colored bar.

Another element is the decorated initial. There are two such initials on this page. It not only is visually pleasing, but it also provides a good text division in the manuscript. As is typical they are both larger than the letters that follow them. The initial in the first column is larger and more elaborate, it has a height equivalent to five lines of text. The second initial has a height of only two lines and is simpler in design. These rich details are what help to make this and many other medieval manuscripts such masterpieces. The figure in the illumination is Christine in her study. Authors of manuscripts were often thus included in their work.

Much of the decorative work in The Book of the Queen was probably done by another famous woman of the time period named Anastaise. She was a famous artist and known by Christine (see section on illumination). Given the importance of this commissioned work, Christine would have chosen the best talent available.