In the Middle Ages, the first letter of the first word in a manuscript was decorated, what is this called?

Answer 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminated_manuscript

Illuminated manuscript

An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented by the addition of decoration or illustration, such as decorated initials, borders and miniatures. In the strictest definition of the term, an illuminated manuscript only refers to manuscripts decorated with gold or silver. However, in both common usage and modern scholarship, the term is now used to refer to any decorated manuscript.

Answer 2

Manuscripts with this type of decoration are called "illuminated manuscripts." I did a quick search to see if there was a special term for the ornate first initial, but didn't come up with anything.

Answer 3

It's just decorative and found primarily in illuminated manuscripts. A related term is "rubric," which means putting red letters to indicate which parts of the Mass are to be recited by the congregation.

Answer 4

Decorated with local design motifs such as animals and serpents. During middle ages each of the four gosples is introuduced by the page of pure ornament(carpet page), the decorated letters of the first word of the text (the incipit.)
Well its called the INCIPIT.

Answer 5

illuminated lettering or manuscript.

Answer 6

Flourish.