Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, between 1230 and 1239
MS M.92 fol. 99v

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1) Christ: Nativity -- Virgin Mary, veiled, lies on draped bed before Joseph the Carpenter, wearing pointed cap and leaning on his right arm, seated. To left, Christ Child, cross-nimbed, swaddled, lies in manger on column, before ox and ass (only heads visible).
Scene within decorated initial C and line ending of bird.
2) Stephen, Protomartyr: Stoning -- Two male executioners heave stones at Stephen Protomartyr, nimbed and tonsured, in deacon's vestments, kneeling with joined hands raised.
Scene within decorated initial D and line ending of abstract penwork.
3) Evangelist John as scribe, nimbed, sits on bench, writing with pen in right hand on scroll on lectern.
Scene within decorated initial E.
4) Innocents: Massacre -- Herod the Great, crowned, sits on bench, raising his right hand toward soldier wearing chain mail. He holds sword in his right hand and head of decapitated infant in left hand above heads of infants on ground.
Scene within decorated initial D with dragon stem, and line ending of dragon with round object in its jaws.