Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter
England, Canterbury, 1155-1160
MS M.724r

See more information »

ZONE 1:
1a) Pharaoh: commanding Shiphrah and Puah -- Pharaoh, crowned, with sword in left hand, sits on throne before midwives Shiphrah and Puah, both veiled.
Moses: Birth -- To right, Jochebed, veiled, holds swaddled infant Moses in ark.
1b) Moses: in Bulrushes -- Moses, swaddled, lies in ark on water in which are bodies of dead children.
2a) Moses: brought to Daughter of Pharaoh -- Woman, nude, in water, holds ark; veiled attendant presents infant Moses in ark to Pharaoh's daughter, reclining on bed beside water.
2b) Moses: Child at Court of Pharaoh -- Pharaoh, seated on throne, crowns child Moses standing before veiled woman, possibly Pharaoh's daughter; to right, young Moses tramples on crown with left foot, while male figure kicks him and grabs his head with both hands; veiled female figure, possibly Pharaoh's daughter, attempts to restrain him.
3a) Moses: Burning Bush, and Moses, Miracle of Rod changed to Serpent -- Beside burning bush, serpent crawls toward Moses as Shepherd, with head draped, stands with leprous right hand raised, beside five sheep on hill.
3b) Moses: Miracle of Rods, and Aaron: Miracle of Rods -- Pharaoh, crowned, seated on cushioned bench, extends right hand toward Moses, with rod in left hand, and Aaron; three serpents on ground at their feet; behind Aaron, two men, possibly magicians.
Scenes in frames decorated with abstract ornament.

ZONE 2:
1) Moses: crossing Red Sea -- Group of Israelites stands before Moses, white haired and bearded, with rod in right hand lowered to sea filled with fishes.
2) Moses: crossing Red Sea -- Moses, white haired and bearded, with right hand extends rod above sea filled with fishes and corpses, and stands on shore with group of Israelites departing to right.
3) Moses: Encampment in Wilderness (?) -- Group of Israelites stands among eight tents, one surmounted by bird as weather vane.
Scenes in frames decorated with abstract ornament.

ZONE 3:
1) Moses: receving Law or Moses: Tables of Law renewed -- Hand of God extends in blessing from arc of heaven toward Moses, standing on mountain, holding Tables of Law in left hand and stylus in right hand.
Moses: Serpent of Brass -- To right, dragon of brass on column is flanked by Moses, horned, and eight Israelites, three bitten by snakes.
2) Joshua: Conquest of Jericho (?) -- Groups of soldiers wearing armor, armed with shields, swords, and spears, all fighting, some within city wall of Jericho (?), some outside.
3) Saul: proclaimed King -- Saul, seated on cushioned bench, is crowned by two men and flanked by four others.
Scenes in frames decorated with abstract ornament.

ZONE 4:
1) David: arming himself before Saul -- Saul, crowned, with sword in left hand, sits on throne before young David, wearing helmet and chain mail, holding shield and spear, standing beside eight men.
2) David: slinging at Goliath -- Young David, with pedum in left hand, raises sling in right hand, releasing stone striking head of Goliath, blood flowing, wearing helmet and chain mail, holding sword, spear, and shield.
3) David: Spoiling of Goliath -- Young David, with sword in right hand, and head of Goliath in left hand, departs to left.
4) David: beheading Goliath -- To right, Hand of God extends from arc of heaven, blessing young David, with sword in right hand, cutting off head of Goliath, in chain mail, lying on ground.
Scenes in frames decorated with abstract ornament.