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Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

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Cas des nobles hommes et femmes malheureux
France, probably Tours, ca. 1480
MS G.35 fol. 41v

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Four scenes in continuous narrative beginning at middle left:
1) Saul: seeking Asses -- Man, with left hand gestures to Saul, with name inscribed, seated astride ass, with club over right shoulder and sword sheathed at his waist.
2) Saul: anointed -- Samuel, holding vial, pours oil over head of Saul, with named inscribed, with joined hands raised, both behind draped table with plates of food, all inside house. In distance is castle on shore of lake (?), upon which are two boats, one with sail.
3) Saul: Scene, unidentified -- Saul, crowned, with name inscribed, wearing ermine-trimmed garment and holding scepter in left hand, sits on throne beneath canopy, surmounted by octagonal shrine (?) flanked by angels. Flanking Saul to left are man, kneeling on one knee, playing harp; two women, wearing hennins with veils, one playing the triangle; Samuel, with right hand indicating Saul; and three men. To right are five men, including one wearing hat and two hooded; and four soldiers, wearing armor and helmets, including two with swords sheathed at waist, one holding lance with decorated banner, and one holding halberd. Scene in interior of palace (?), with carved figural decoration, including mounted knight in roundel and standing figures.
4) Saul: Death -- Saul, wearing armor and crown, standing on bleeding bodies of fallen soldiers, with sword held in left hand transfixes himself through the breast. Behind him, armored horseman with lance transfixes Jonathan, wearing armor, with sword sheathed at his waist, seated astride horse. In background are battling armies of soldiers, wearing armor and helmets, some astride horses, some armed with bows and arrows, spears, and swords.
Margins with floreate and ivy-rinceaux ornament.



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