Capital One

Although uninscribed this capital seems to depict two episodes of the martyrdom of John the Baptist, a scene of beheading in prison and a scene of the presentation of the head at a feast.

Biblical source: Matt 14:3-12 and Mark 6:17-29.

East View	South View
North View: John beheaded in prison.

Matthew 14:3-12:
³ For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife;
⁴ because John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."
⁵ And though he wanted to put hi to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.
⁶ But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and pleased Herod,
⁷ so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter."
⁹ And the king was sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given;
¹⁰ he sent and had John beheaded in prison,
¹¹ and his head given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
¹² And his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.

Mark 6:17-29:
¹⁷ For Herod had sent and seized John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; because he had married her.
¹⁸ For John said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife."
¹⁹ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not,
²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was much perplexed; and yet he heard him gladly.
²¹ But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and the leading men of Galilee.
²² For when Herodias' daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will grant it."
²³ And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half my kingdom."
²⁴ And she went out, and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer."
²⁵ And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
²⁶ And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word with her.
²⁷ And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head. He went and beheaded him in prison,
²⁸ and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
²⁹ When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Revised Standard Version.