Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Historien Bibel
Germany, between 1375 and 1400
MS M.268 fol. 16r

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Upper half: Samson: blinded by Philistines -- At left, foremost of three Philistines as soldiers, with dagger, piercing right eye of Samson, seated, bound hands raised. Scene inscribed DO STECHEN SY YM ... SEIN GESICHT UND BRINGEN YM SIN FROD EINUUHT Samson: in Prison -- Samson, inscribed SAMPSON, hair shorn, turning handle of mill. Samson: rending Columns of Temple -- At right, Samson, arms around tower, breaking, three figures visible on top of the tower. Youth behind Samson playing horn. All scenes from chapter 16 of Judges. Lower half: Samuel: Birth -- At left, Anna, mother of Samuel, veiled with wimple, right hand to head, semi-reclining on draped bed with canopy. Nude infant Samuel held by one of two maidservants, veiled with wimples, standing next to the bed. From chapter 1 of I Samuel (Vulg., I Kings). Samuel: brought to Eli -- Anna, with two maidservants, all veiled with wimples, standing next to altar below canopy. Anna, extending hands to High Priest Eli, wearing conical hat and cope, left hand touching foot of Samuel. Man with joined hands raised standing next to the altar. From chapter 1 of I Samuel (Vulg., I Kings). Ark of Covenant: taken by Philistines -- Four Philistines carrying ark of covenant, in shape of building, on shoulders. From chapter 4 of I Samuel (Vulg., I Kings).