Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Golden legend
Belgium, Bruges, 1445-1465
MS M.672-5 IV, fol. 89r

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Cornelius, Pope: Martyrdom -- Three men, including hooded man and another holding staff look on as first executioner holds sword in right hand and places left hand on head of Pope Cornelius, nimbed, wearing miter, kneeling, joined hands raised. Second executioner, placing sword in sheath, stands above fallen body of man, beheaded. Third executioner, raises sword above head of woman, kneeling hands joined, body of beheaded figure lies beside her. Forth executioner raises sword above head of second women, kneeling, joined hands raised. Another man kneels beside him, joined hands raised. Body of another man, beheaded, lies at feet of fourth executioner.
In background is landscape with buildings of city.