Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
Italy, Florence, between 1490 and 1499
MS M.14 fol. 73v

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Massacre of the Innocents -- Historiated initial C enclosing King Herod, crowned, holding scepter in left hand, seated on throne on raised dais before wall hangings. Before Herod, three women gesture to soldiers killing with swords or knives swaddled infants, bleeding from wounds.
In margins is foliate ornament, with head of Leaf Man (Green Man) in left margin, and at top, two hybrid women flanking medallion inscribed YHS.