| A late twelfth-century or early thirteenth-century composite manuscript has the Vita Prima on folios 40v-105v - 'Vita S. Bernardi abbatis Claraevallensis in V libros'. A very large initial B in red and blue covering approximately three-quaters of the height of the folio at the beginning of Book One has intricate scrollwork within, and, on the righthand side, the clefts in the letter are connected by clasps with the motif of five nails. The rest of the word (ernhardus) in red ink is placed vertically on the side. The upper half of the letter has an image of a frontal Bernard. He is nimbed and bearded, has a simple crozier in his right hand while his left hand is raised in blessing. The text above the initial announces the beginning of Book One.
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