Versals are an important decorative element in medieval illuminated manuscripts. There are three main types of versals :

• The historiated one, which contains a scene from a story familiar to the readers ;

• The zoomorphic one with animals or fantastic creatures ;

• The ornate versal with purely decorative drawings.

 

"In the Middle Ages, the masons and stonemasons were known as the "Lodgers of the Good Lord", the "Workers of Notre-Dame" and the "Workers of St Peter". Their brotherhood, which is one of the oldest, has a rich tradition born in the dust of sacred building sites, while the arches of cathedrals were being built. It is through the practice of the craft, the work on the material and the use of the tool that the work will be achieved. The worker is a creator, he pursues the work of God and is initiated spiritually as he learns his art. There is no distinction between art and craft, worker and artisan."

Jean-François Blondel, Mystique des tailleurs de pierre.