Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/294

224. ON THE BRONZE DOORS OF THE CATHEDRAL OF GNESEN. bishop is a figure in a tub, and behind, a group of unarmed men in tunics. This would seem to represent the baptism of the natives in Poland or at Dantzic. In the twelfth, a bishop is seen exhorting a group of men in tunics, but unarmed ; behind him are three ecclesiastics, one of whom holds a book, and another a scroll. This is obviously the preaching of the bishop to the natives, and, as they seem to hear it without repugnance, it is probable that it is not the Prussians who are here meant. The thirteenth panel is the one represented in the accom- panying woodcut. Although in the early Lives nothing is said of the presence of the Prussians at the mass celebrated on the morning of the Martyrdom, it probably is intended to represent that occurrence. The anger and aversion of the heathens is very plainly expressed, and here they are repre- sented armed. The priest celebrating mass wears a chasuble, and none of the figures are in episcopal attire. The fourteenth panel contains the martyrdom of the saint. He is clad in an alb, and on his knees. One of his mur- derers pierces him with a lance, while another, bestriding his body, raises an axe. The action of these figures is vigorous and natural ; his three companions at a short distance raise their hands in grief and horror. The fifteenth panel is partly occupied by the lion's head for the ring ; the rest of the space is filled by the watch of the eagle over the body. The corpse is represented as swathed in wrappings, and placed upon a board supported l)etwcen a tree and the stake on which the head is fixed ; behind it is another tree, on which the eagle perches. Both