Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
England, possibly Winchester, 1490s
MS M.487 fol. 214v

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Erasmus of Gaeta: Scene, Martyrdom -- Erasmus (Elmo), wearing bishop's miter and short loin cloth, lays bound on board beneath windlass, onto which two men are winding his entrails from wound in abdomen. Behind windlass stands Diocletian (?), crowned, wearing animal-pointed cap and ermine cape, holding raised scimitar with right hand and pointing with left hand toward windlass; behind him are two men, one wearing hat and holding upraised sword, and the other pointing with left hand toward Erasmus.
In margin at left is young man (donor), with pouch at waist, kneeling with joined hands raised beneath scroll inscribed O SANCTE ERASIME. ORA PRO NOBIS. Margins decorated with floreate ornament.