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A squire committed a crime and was imprisoned in Carrión. He lay bound in very heavy irons and chains.
He always fasted on the Virgin’s feast days and trusted in her mercy.
When the squire learned that he had been sentenced to death, he began to weep and wail, asking the Virgin to pardon his sins and to release him. He vowed to guard himself from foolishness from that time forth.
The Virgin appeared to him with a host of angels. She freed his bonds and, taking his hand, told him to leave the prison.
As he lay sleeping, the squire was released from his bonds, and when he woke up he found he was in Vilasirga.
Everyone in the church saw him suddenly appear in front of the altar, holding his irons and they all praised the Virgin.
A larger image of panel 1, Cantiga 301 |
On the left, a man sits on the floor of a prison cell. The cell is surmounted by a dome and has stone vaults. The prisoner’s neck and hands are bound with iron chains. On the right, three jailers sit at a gaming table. Their lances and sword rest nearby.
One of the jailers enters the cell and speaks to the prisoner. His companions stand at the door as if about to enter also.
On the left, the chained prisoner kneels and prays. On the right, two jailers, seated at the gaming table, have a drink.
On the left, the Virgin Mary, accompanied by angels, enters the prisoner’s cell and takes his hand. On the right, the prisoner, carrying his unfastened chains, leaves the cell. The Virgin clutches his wrist and leads him away from the jailers who sleep side by side in a bed.
The prisoner, still carrying his chains, enters a church. A group of men gaze at him and a woman prays prostrate at the altar.
The freed prisoner places his chains on the base of the altar, and points at the statue of the Virgin enshrined on it. A group of people gather around and offer praise.
