Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Psalter
England, Oxford, between 1212 and 1220
MS M.43 fol. 8v

See more information »

1) Cain: cursed -- Christ-Logos, cross-nimbed, emerges from cloudy arc of heaven, with scroll in right hand raised toward Cain with scroll in left hand and right hand raised.
Lamech: slaying Man -- To right, Lamech, blind (no pupils), releases arrow from bow in his left hand, piercing throat of man, eyes closed, gesturing beside tree. Youth touches Lamech's garment and points to the stricken man.
Scene captions in Anglo-Norman French, CAIN EST ENCHASSE DE DEX E PUS EST TUE P(AR) LAMECH QI QUI DOIT KE IL UIT ESTE UNE AUTRE BESTE. KAR IL NE POAIT BEN UER E PUS TUAIT SON PAGE P(UR) CEO KE IL NE LI GARNIST.
2) Noah: Building of Ark -- Noah holds axe and plank, before planks of wood and partially built ark of three tiers with animal-headed prow. Its keel rests on four furcae supports.
Scene caption in Anglo-Norman French, CI FEST NOE LA NEIF.
Scenes within decorated frames.