Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Cas des nobles hommes et femmes malheureux
France, probably Tours, ca. 1480
MS G.35 fol. 247v

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Five scenes in continuous narrative.
Lower register:
1) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Death of Julius Caesar -- Julius Caesar, wearing ermine-trimmed robes, grasping pillar upon which is crowned and armored statue, is supported by Marcus Antonius, with name inscribed, wearing helmet and armor; a soldier pierces Caesar in the side with a halberd. Four other soldiers stand nearby, including one with sword raised to Caesar. To left, soldier, sheathing sword, stands beside decapitated bleeding body of Julius Caesar, with name inscribed, laying on floor. To right, soldier raises sword above Caesarion (?), possibly with name inscribed, kneeling, bleeding from wound in head and holding object (?) in right hand.
2) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Quintus Gallius blinded -- Helmeted soldier with knife held in right hand, gouges out eye of Quintus Gallius, name inscribed, seated with hands bound, with his shoulders held by another helmeted soldier.
Upper register:
4) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Julia the Elder -- Julia, name inscribed, stands before forest. Army of helmeted soldiers with spears before her.
5) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Unidentified -- Man raises sword above man, kneeling (?) before him. Scene outside building.
6) De Casibus Virorum Illustrium: Scene, Unidentified -- Man, (name inscribed but illegible), is stretched by ropes tied to his hands and feet and pulled by two men. Three men, including one wearing hood and pointing, witness scene from balcony. Scene in room.
Margins with floreate and ivy-rinceaux ornament.