bas-de-page

(French: “bottom of page”). In medieval illuminated manuscripts, bas-de-page scenes are unframed, sometimes whimsical images that appear below the written text and may or may not refer to it. See also: drollery.

bas-de-page-yates-thompson-ms-8-f-269Bas-de-page from a breviary. 1302–1303. British Library, London. Yates Thompson MS 8, folio 269.