Queen Vashti Refuses to Appear before Ahasuerus

The beautiful queen Vashti declines the invitation for her husband King Ahasuerus' long drinking-bout. [..] therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. Ahasuerus then repudiates his wife. His eye goes out to Esther.

Mediaeval illuminations on the story of Esther and Mordecai:
Queen Vashti Refuses to Appear before Ahasuerus | Haman Convinces Ahasuerus |
Esther before Ahasuerus | Haman and Ahasuerus visit Esther | Mordecai is led through the city by Haman | Death of Haman | Death of the Eunuchs