This year St Albans is hosting celebrations for the Magna Carta, the great charter agreed in 1215 between King John and his barons. St Albans and its abbey played their part in the events surrounding this momentous step on the way to many of our most valued freedoms.

At the time of Magna Carta, the monastery at St Albans was famous for its learned monks, like Matthew Paris, who produced many handwritten and beautifully decorated books for their own and other libraries. The first letter of a chapter as beautifully decorated although it was still recognizable. We call these letters illuminated letters.

This is the sort of illuminated letter you might come up with. Add as many amazing creatures and patterns as you can!

As part of our celebrations, we are holding a competition for children of primary school age. We would like you to produce an illuminated letter. This could be either the initial of your first name only, or you could write your first name with the first letter decorated. Remember to make the initial/first letter as attractive as you can.

It can be any size up to A4 and you can use paints, crayons, or any medium you choose. It can be in a medieval style, or something you think a modern monk might do. Scripts of any language will be welcome.

You can do a single illuminated letter or your whole name.

Download an information sheet about how to enter the competition:

• primary schools competition.doc 29.50 kB