Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 130r

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Upper vignette:
Maccabees: Battle against Gorgias -- Judas Maccabeus, wearing armor, holds shield inscribed with lion in left hand and raises sword in right hand to strike soldier. Head on ground, bleeding from wound. In background is group of soldiers, most with only tops of heads visible, some holding spears.
Lower vignette:
Judas Maccabaeus: Cleansing of Sanctuary -- Group of soldiers (only tops of heads visible) is behind Judas Maccabaeus, wearing armor, with hands raised, beside wall of city of Jerusalem, behind which are ruined buildings.
Caption between vignettes reads, CONTRA GORGIAS BATAILLA JUDAS [?] EUT L'AUCTORITE CONTRE TOUS ET PUIS SEN ALLA EN IHERUSALEM LA CITE.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including violas, daisies, and strawberries, inhabited by snail and by hybrid animal, winged.
Fly in decorated initial L and dog (?) head in decorated initial Q.