Party timeThe first and last text line on the medieval page was...

Party time

The first and last text line on the medieval page was a place to party. Almost the entire page the scribe had to confine himself to narrow horizontal tracks on which the lines of text were written: no room to manouvre or sidestep seriousness. Then, finally, a new page started, which meant lots of room in the upper margin: swirly lines shooting out of the top line underscore the liberation that was felt after so much confinement (Pics 2, 5, 6). Then more confinement, line after line, a page full. Until, finally, the last line on the page arrived and with it another opportunity for frivolness and fun, this time in the lower margin (Pics 1, 3, 4). You have to feel sorry for the poor scribe, being tossed back and forth between flamboyance and moderation.

Pics: Paris, Bibliothèque Mazarine, MS 1412 (source and more images here).