Illuminating a Document
Traditionally, the word "illumination" only refers to decoration
with gold leaf, but in our time it is used rather loosely, to mean any decoration.
Note that illumination is not the same thing as illustration: the pictures
aren't there to make the text more intelligible, but to make the page nicer
to look at. Illuminations don't need to depict the contents of the text.
They should, of course, be made in medieval style if you are making a medieval-styled
document.
What you will do is probably heraldic shields, acanthus leaf or Celtic knotwork
borders, and other ornaments. An absolute minimum is an illuminated initial.
You have probably seen examples of medieval illumination which can be truly
impressive. At the same time, there were reactions against the extravagances
of illumination even in the middle ages. St Bernhard (in the early 12th
century) thundered against the vanity and waste of effort: "What is
the purpose of all this? Those unclean apes... those half-men... those fighting
knights... those hunters winding their horns". There are other examples
of vitriolic monastic protests against the too-rich and too-profane ornamentation
in churches and manuscripts.
We may not agree with St Bernhard, but we should remember that the most
important part of a scroll is the text. Illuminations are there to make
the text more beautiful to look at. They should never become so big or elaborate
that they make the document into a painting rather than a text. In the Middle
Ages, calligraphy and illumination were often done by different people.
The scribe wrote, and the illuminator embellished. We can also employ this
system. If you love painting ornaments but hate writing, you can make a
deal with someone who loves to write but doesn't paint. Or vice versa. But
of course, your satisfaction will be greater if you do both things yourself.