Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Book of Hours
France, Paris, ca. 1500
MS H.5 fol. 89r

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Upper vignette:
David: Battle against Absalom -- David, wearing crown, mounted on horse, flees from Absalom, wearing armor, hat, and spurs, mounted on horse. Behind him is group of soldiers (only tops of heads of all but one visible), some possibly holding spears. Scene in landscape setting with buildings in distance.
Lower vignette:
Absalom: Death -- Soldier, wearing armor and holding bow and arrow, stands facing Absalom, wearing armor, hanging from tree, three arrows in his chest, bleeding from wounds. Scene in landscape setting with buildings in distance.
Caption between vignettes reads, ABSALON LA MORT PROCURA DE SON PERE EN PLUSIEURS LIEUX MAIS EN FIN PE(N)DU DEMOURA A VNG CHIESNE PAR LE CHEUEUR.
Margins decorated with floreate border, including daisies, inhabited by snail and by monkey, holding lance, mounted on hybrid animal.
Dog (?) head within decorated initial Q and viola within decorated initial B.