Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Hours of Henry VIII
France, Tours, ca. 1500
MS H.8 fol. 168r

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Gregory the Great: celebrating Mass -- Gregory the Great, nimbed, tonsured, wearing priest's vestments, kneeling, raises wafer inscribed with Crucifixion above draped altar on which are open, inscribed book on pillow, chalice and plaque. Two angels, nimbed, support Christ, cross-nimbed, as Man of Sorrows, wearing loincloth, standing with hands crossed in sarcophagus, surmounting altar.
Two deacons, tonsured, wearing vestments, assist Gregory, one holding candle, the other raising Gregory's chasuble embroided with monogram of IHS.
in background, fifteen Instruments of the Passion are hung on wall: crown of thorns, three dices, ewer and bowl, column entwined by ropes with scourge, switches, pincers, purple garment, tau-cross with titulus inscribed INRI, lantern, knife, hammer, purse, reed with sponge, spear, and ladder.