Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Germany, possibly Bamberg, 1204-1219
MS M.739 fol. 16v

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Zone 1:
1) Moses: Serpent of Brass -- Serpents bite five Israelites, wearing conical hats; two are fallen. Moses, wearing conical hat, raises hands toward brazen serpent hung over branch.
Scene caption, inscribed HIE BIZZEN SIE DIE SLANGEN VN(DE) STURBEN SIE. SO SI AB(ER) DEN SLANGEN SAHEN SO GENASEN.
Zone 2:
2) Saul: anointed -- Samuel, holding roll in left hand, pours oil from horn over head of Saul raising right hand and partly kneeling. They are flanked by six Israelites; one holds crown and cross-inscribed scepter; one holds rod; and three gesture.
Scene caption, inscribed HIE SALUET SAMUEL P(RO)PH(ET)A. SAUL VN(DE) MACHET IN ZE KUNIGE IN ISR(AE)L.
Zone 3:
3) Saul: communicating with God -- Saul, crowned, in coat of mail with sheathed sword at waist, holds spear and decorated shield. He glances toward head of God, nimbed, emerging from starred clouds.
Scene caption, inscribed HIE GEBIUTET GOT DE(M) CHUNIGE.
4) Saul: Battle against Amalekites -- One of three soldiers holds sword in right hand; they stand behind Saul, crowned, in coat of mail with scabbard. He holds shield in left hand and raises sword in right hand, standing before falling towers and three fallen Amalekites. All soldiers and Amalekites wear coats of mail and helmets.
Scene caption, inscribed DAZ ER DEN CHUNIC AMALECH TODE VN(DE) SWAZ IN DEM LANDE SI KINT WIB VNDE MAN. VN(DE) FIE.