Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 133v

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Upper vignette:
Judas Maccabaeus: Capture of Bosora -- Soldier, wearing armor, holds torch in right hand beside soldier, wearing armor, aiming crossbow at soldiers at top of tower, some holding spears. Flames appear in windows of the tower.
Lower vignette:
Maccabees: Battle against Timotheus -- Of group of soldiers, wearing armor, fighting with swords, one (Judas Maccabaeus) holds shield upon which lion is inscribed. On ground three soldiers recline, bleeding from wounds. Scene in landscape setting.
Caption between vignettes reads, LES PLACES FORTES ASSAILLERE(N)T PACE BATAILLEBU(N) ASSORTEE TOUS LES E(N)MYS DESCO(N)FIRE(N)T ET LE CHIEF DARMES THIOE(N).
Margins decorated with floreate border, including thistles, violas, and strawberries, inhabited by bird and by hybrid animal with monkey, winged, on its back.
Dog (?) head in decorated initial Q.