Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter-Hours of Guiluys de Boisleux
France, Arras, after 1246
MS M.730 fol. 66v

See more information »

Psalm 053 (Vulg., 052).
1) David: Saul's Spear taken -- Six soldiers, including Abner, in chain mail, armed with spears and shields, sleep beside tent within which Saul, crowned, reclines asleep under cover on draped four-post bed, beside David, in chain mail, seizing vessel (cup of water) and bannered spear. To right, four soldiers, in chain mail, armed with spears, one bannered, and shields, approach the tent on rocky terrain.
Illustration of I Samuel 26:7-12.
2) David: Saul's Spear returned -- Outside one of four tents, Saul, crowned, and three soldiers including Abner, in chain mail, one armed with shield, all stand, raising hands and looking toward David holding bannered spear and vessel, attended by three soldiers including Abishai, two holding shields (bucklers), all standing on rocky terrain.
Illustration of I Samuel 26:13-25.
Scenes within initial D decorated with ornament of foliage, on gold diapered and punched backgrounds.
Subject description below text block of Psalm 53 (Vulg., 52) for 2) David: Saul's Spear returned.
[Continues from fol. 66r]// vo segneur le roi et n'est mie demoure en vos k'il n'est a nuit ocis. Vest se coupe et se lance. Li rois l'entent et li dist. Iou ai pechie en toi. Retorne en pais ie ne te ferai mais mal.