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This illumination depicts the Witch of Endor summoning the spirit of the prophet Samuel for King Saul. The inscription circling the roundel labels each figure in the illumination: Phitonissa (sorceress), Samuel, and Saul. The Latin word “Phitonissa” is a rare word in medieval texts, and references the Witch of Endor’s powers as being similar to those of the priestess of Apollo at Delphi, the Pythia, who foretold the future. The Witch of Endor is situated directly behind Samuel, and her arms are extended in order to show that she is lifting him from his grave. In the roundel, Samuel is still wrapped in his burial shroud.
The inscription on the edges of the image reads “Querens ventura Saul, audit tristia dura”, which may be read as, “Seeking to know what will come, Saul hears terrible and sorrowful news.” In his struggle against the Philistines, Saul seeks confirmation of future victory only to learn of his forthcoming defeat and death. This image is one of five scenes on a page depicting events in the lives of Saul and David. The manuscript, the Gumbertus Bible, was created in Regensburg around 1180. Because of its large dimensions, scholars estimate over 150 animal skins were required for its pages. The Bible is extensively illustrated with full page scenes and decorated initials and ranks as one of the most complete decorative cycles in surviving Romanesque bibles.
While the Witch of Endor was typically denied agency in representations of the summoning created prior to the fifteenth century, this illumination is unique in that it shows the Witch in a position of great power. In other pre-fifteenth century illuminations, the Witch of Endor was typically depicted behind Saul, or off to the side with Saul being the main focus of the image. In this illumination, her position with outstretched arms behind Samuel indicates a role of direct, autonomous action in the resurrection. She is one of the main actors of the image, rather than being sidelined as an onlooker.
Additionally, describing the Necromancer of Endor as a "witch" was not actually popularized until the sixteenth century. The word is used in this entry to offer an easy colloquial reference; the actual historical transition to using the word "witch" is part of a less innocuous narrative. Prior to the sixteenth century, the Witch of Endor was often referred to as a necromancer, sorceress, medium, diviner, or phitonissa. These terms did not carry an inherently negative or accusatory connotation. During the period of witch hunting and persecutions in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the word "witch" was popularized in order to inextricably link the sorceress to demon worship, evil, and deceit.