Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours of Guiluys de Boisleux
France, Arras, after 1246
MS M.730 fol. 54r

See more information »

Initial D:
Psalm 039 (Vulg., 038).
1) Nabal: greeted by David's Servants -- Ten servants as soldiers, in chain mail, armed with lances, mounted, approach Nabal seated on ground, with scissors in right hand and left hand on shorn lamb on his lap, beside three sheep before building (pastoral scene).
Illustration of I Samuel 25:9-11.
2) David: Servants return from Nabal -- Attended by four mounted soldiers in chain mail, armed with lances, David, in chain mail, mounted, armed with bannered lance, raises left hand; all encounter four mounted servants in chain mail, armed with lances, two with shields (bucklers), and two extending right hands, reporting to the David.
Illustration of I Samuel 25:12.
Scenes in initial D decorated with ornament of foliage on gold diapered and punched backgrounds.
Line ending: fantastic animal (half visible).
Line ending: two hooded hybrid men confronting.
Line ending: fish.
Line endings: foliate and geometric ornament.