Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Speculum humanae salvationis
England, Yorkshire?, ca. 1400
MS M.766 fol. 60r

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Left column:
Abimelech: Death -- Flanked by crowd of men and women, woman on crenellated wall holds piece of millstone over top of the wall. Below, Abimelech, wearing armor, sword hanging at his side, crouches on ground, piece of millstone on his head. Scroll next to his head is inscribed EUAGINA GLADIU(M) TUU(M) ET INTERFICE ME NE UIDEAR INT(ER)FECT(US) A MULIERE (Judges 9:54, variant). Before Abimelech stands soldier, raising sword with right hand, holding shield with left hand.
Caption, MULIER LAUDABILIS IN THEBES DEFENDIT CIUES SUOS, is inscribed above scene.
Text reference, SECUNDO REG(UM) QUARTO DECIMO (sic), is in upper margin.
Right column:
David: let down from Window -- David, name inscribed DAVID, descends from building on rope. At right, Michal, name inscribed MICOL, veiled, raising right hand, stands before two soldiers, one holding spear, the other holding shield.
Caption, MICOL DEFENDIT DAUID AB INCIDIIS APPARITO(RUM), is inscribed above scene.
Text reference, PRIMO REG(UM) NONO DECIMO, is in upper margin.