Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Apocalypse
England and France, London, between 1255 and 1260
MS M.524 fol. 1v

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Zone 1:
1) Apocalypse: John, Vision of Open Door in Heaven -- Within trefoiled arch, Evangelist John, name inscribed S. IOH(ANNE)S, nimbed, bearded, raises left hand, and his right hand is grasped by angel, pearled nimbus. The angel holds scroll, inscribed ASCE(N)DE HUC ET OSTE(N)DA(M) T(IB)I Q(UE) OPORTET FIERI POST HEC from Revelations 4:1 in left hand extended toward open portal. Illustration of Revelation 4:1.
2) Apocalypse: Christ and Four Beasts-- To right, Christ, pearled crossed nimbus, holds book of seven seals in right hand and floreate scepter, inscribed VIRGA EQUITATIS, and sits on drapery above globe. He is flanked by heads of four Personifications of Lightning, Thunder and Voices, inscribed FULGURA, TONITRUA, and UOCES. All are in multifoiled mandorla supported by caryatid as three-quarter figure of angel, pearled nimbus, seated, and surrounded by symbols of four evangelists, inscribed with initial or name, M., MAR., LUC., and I.All but the ox are nimbed and winged; each holds inscribed open book. Two books inscribed from Revelation 4:8, SCS SCS D(OMI)N(U)S D(EU)S OM(NES)POTE(N)S. All are in multifoiled mandorla supported by caryatid as three-quarter figure of angel, pearled nimbus, seated, and surrounded by symbols of four evangelists, inscribed with initial or name, M., MAR., LUC., and I.
Above are seven flaming lamps and vertical sea of glass (green waters). Background inscriptions from Commentary of Berengaudus, PER VII LAMPADES ANTE TRONUM ARDENTES VII DONA SANCTI SPIRITUS INTELLIGUNTUR IDEM SPIRITUS DOMINI SPIRITUS SAPIENCIE ET INTELLECTUS SPIRITUS CONSILII ET FORTITUDINIS SPIRITUS SCIENCIE ET PIETATIS ET SPIRITUS TIMORIS DOMINI. QUIA SINE LUMINE HARUM SANCTA ECCLESIA UIRTUTUM IN HUIUS SECULI TENEBRIS CONSTITUTA PER UITE PRESENTIS SEMITAS AD CELESTEM PATRIAM GRADERE NULLATENUS POTEST.
Below, in two registers, are twenty-three crowned Elders, all seated, some on benches. Some play musical instruments, including harps, hurdy-gurdy, fiddle, dulcimer, trumpets, viol, and positive organ. One holds vial.
Illustration of Revelation 4:2-8.
Zone 2:
1) Apocalypse: John weeping, with Elder -- John, name inscribed S. IOH(ANNE)S, pearled nimbus, bearded, sits on bench, with staff under right arm, and raises his left hand to his face (weeping). He is addressed by Elder, wearing cap, holding scroll, inscribed NE FLEUERIS ECCE UICIT LEO DE TRIBU IUDA RADIX DAUID AP(ER)IRE LIBRUM ET SIGNACULA EIUS based on Revelation 5:5 in left hand. Two figures under trefoiled arch. Above, background inscription based on Revelation 5:4, S'. IOH(ANNE)S FLEBAM MULTU(M) QUIA NEMO DIGN(US) INUENTUS EST APERIRE LIBRUM. Background inscription from Commentary of Berengaudus, UNUS DE SENIORIBUS PROPHETAS DESIGNAT QUI QUALITEM ADUENTUS CHRISTI PREDIXERUNT.
Illustration of Revelation 5:4-5.
2) Apocalypse: Lamb taking Book, and Apocalypse: Lamb, Adoration -- To right, half figures of eight nimbed angels, with hands raised, flank Christ, inscribed D(OMINUS) D(EUS), pearled crossed nimbus. He sits behind open book, inscribed ANTE ME NO(N) (EST) FORMAT(US) DE(US) (ET) POST ME NO(N) ERIT from Isaiah 43:10, and holds floreate scepter, inscribed VIRGA IUSTITIAE INFLEXIBILE, in His left hand. With His right hand, He holds Book of Seven Seals, grasped at left by (half figure of) Lamb, inscribed AGNUS, with only two of seven eyes and seven horns represented, both in medallion. To left, half figure of nimbed angel holds scroll, inscribed QUIS (EST) DIGNUS APERIRE LIBRU(M) (ET) SOLUERE SIGNACULA EIUS, from Revelation 5:2 amid clouds. Background inscription from Commentary, ANGELUS FORTIS ANTIQUOS FORTES DESIDERANTES SIGNIFICAT.
Below, two groups of crowned Elders stand, including two holding harps, and one a viol. One points to long scroll, inscribed DIGNUS ES D(OMI)NE D(EU)S NOSTER ACCIPERE LIBRU(M) ET APERIRE SIGNACULA EIUS Q(UONIA)M OCCIS(US) ES ET REDEMISTI NOS I(N) SANGUINE TUO based on Revelation 5:9. Background inscription at right from Commentary of Berengaudus, CASUS SENIORUM HUMILIACIONEM SANCTORUM. CITARE CARNIS MORTIFICATIONEM. FIALE AUREE. CORDA SAPIENCIA. ODORAMENTA ORATIONES SANCTORUM.
Beneath the scroll, Lamb with seven eyes and seven horns holds cross-inscribed, bannered cross-staff and stands on open book, inscribed VETU(S) ET NOVU(M) TESTAMENTU(M), in medallion. It is surrounded by nimbed winged symbols of Evangelists, inscribed with initial or name, M., MARC(US), LUCAS, and I., holding open books, and flanked by eight crowned Elders kneeling with joined hands. Viol lies on ground. Background inscription based on Revelation 5:11, OMNES ANGELI STABANT IN CIRCUITU TRONI ET ANIMALIUM ET SENIORUM. Background inscription from Revelation 5:12, DIGNUS EST AGNUS QUI OCCISUS EST ACCIPERE UIRTUTEM ET DIUINITATEM ET SAPIENTIAM ET FORTITUDINEM ET HONOREM ET GLORIAM ET BENEDICTIONEM.
Illustration of Revelation 5:7, 8-14.
Framed illustrations.