The beheading of Silvester Budes.
PLATE XXII.
BEHEADING OF SILVESTER BUDES.
Silvester Budes, marching against Pope Urban the Sixth, was defeated by Sir John Hawkwood, who commanded the Papal forces, and carried prisoner to Rome: he was in daily expectation of being put to death, when he effected his escape, and took shelter with the rival Pope—Clement, at Avignon; he was, however, unfavourably received, and at the instigation of the Cardinal of Amiens, whose baggage and plate he had formerly plundered to pay his soldiers, he was beheaded in the city of Mascon. The Illumination represents the headsman performing his office with a two-handed sword, in the presence of the Pope and Cardinal.
