Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 136v

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Column miniature:
Apostle Peter, nimbed, holds key in right hand and extends left hand toward Apostle Paul, holding sword in right hand and extending left hand. Scene in landscape setting.
Upper vignette:
Maccabees: Battle against Antiochus V -- Judas Maccabaeus, wearing armor, is mounted on horse, holding sword in right hand and shield decorated with lion in left hand. Reclining on ground is soldier, wearing armor, bleeding from wounds. In background is group of fighting soldiers (most with only tops of heads visible), wearing armor. Some hold swords and some hold spears.
Lower vignette:
Codrus of Athens: Death -- Soldier, wearing armor, transfixes elephant with sword held in his right hand. In background is group of soldiers, wearing armor, some with swords, beside building upon which are more soldiers.
Caption between vignettes reads, JUDAS ET EUPATOR TOUUERENT L'UNG L'AULTRE ET YEUT GRANT ASSAT ET VNG DES ELEPHANS TUERENT CAYDANS Q(UE) LE ROY FUST EN HAULT.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including thistles and strawberries, inhabited by fly and by half-figure of hybrid animal, emerging from flower.
Fantastic animal, winged, in decorated inital D.