Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Speculum humanae salvationis
England, Yorkshire?, ca. 1400
MS M.766 fol. 51v

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Left column:
Virgin Mary: treading on Beasts -- Virgin Mary, nimbed, holding scourge and club or stick with right hand, stands on and transfixes dragon or devil with spear held in left hand. Behind her are column with rope, cross with titulus inscribed IHESUS NAZARENUS REX IUDEORUM, and sponge on reed in container.
Caption, MARIA SUP(ER)AUIT HOSTEM NOSTRUM DIABOLU(M), is inscribed above scene.
Right column:
Judith: slaying Holofernes -- Judith, veiled, raises scimitar with right hand and extends left hand to crown worn by Holofernes, nude, reclining on draped bed.
Caption, IUDITH DECOLLAU(IT) HOLOFERNE(S) HOSTEM FILIO(REM) ISR(AE)L, is inscribed above scene.
Text reference, IUDITH TERTIO DECIMO, is in upper margin.