ABSTRACT
Despite the sanctity of the Christian word, medieval artists in northern Europe were willing to deform the letters that make up that word. Letters could be decorated, as in the insular gospel books; they could also serve as supports for pictures. A huge initial C, the first letter of the Latin word "Concede", dominates a page from a manuscript known as the Drogo Sacramentary, made in the northern French city of Metz around the middle of the ninth century for Drogo, Metz's archbishop. The maker of the manuscript broke up the word, moving the initial down and to the right. Most surprisingly, he used the initial as the frame for several figurative scenes, creating what is called a historiated initial. Toward the middle of the letter three shepherds are about to learn of Christ's birth. And at the bottom of the C the Christ child receives his first bath.
