In this work, I discuss the management of the initial iconic peritext of
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in a paper edition, a translation, and a
digital facsimile. Writing from the perspective of cognitive narratology, I argue
that the miniature is not a disposable illustration but a framing border, the
(non) reproduction of which in each modern rendition of the text has different
consequences on the mental processes involved in reading the poem.