Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Des cas de nobles hommes et femmes
France, Paris, ca. 1475
MS M.342 fol. 42r

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Boccaccio: Text, De Casibus Virorum Illustrium, Book 2 -- Three scenes as continuous narrative, within walls of city of Jerusalem:
1) Jonathan: Death -- Helmeted Philistine soldier stands beside helmeted executioner, standing with sword raised in both hands beside Jonathan, Abinadab, and Melchisua, one lying on ground, decapitated, and the other two wearing blindfolds, kneeling.
2) Heads of Jonathan, Abinadab, and Melchisua, all blindfolded, are displayed on pikes on towers of city of Jerusalem.
3) Saul: Death -- Five helmeted soldiers, one with sword raised, witness Saul, crowned, wearing ermine-trimmed mantle, falling on sword (Suicide).
Outside city walls, helmeted Philistine soldiers, some mounted, some with spears, enter city gate. At right, helmeted Philistine soldiers, some with spears, stand beside tents.
Decorated initial A enclosing two flowers.
In margins, ivy-rinceaux foliate ornament.