Moralised Bibles

Moralised Bibles

1. 13th c. set of illuminated manuscripts from Paris

   • Usually commissioned for French royals and used under the tutelage of a private chaplain.

2. Images became an integral part of Christian bibles in this period.

3. Particularly negative in their portrayal of the Jews and Jewish money lending.

   • Jews associated with usary, avarice and the destructive effects of money capital.
     • Worship of the devil connected to the sin of avarice.

4. Practice of idolatory is negatively associated with Jews and Jewish money lending.

   • Depicted praying to idols with money bags in their hands.

5. Crows and ravens as symbols for greed.

6. Money lending hurts Christian society in practical ways.

7. Frog: swollen with usary and greed.

8. Antichrist depicted as golden calf, horned creatures or creatures with three faces.