All credit is to them. I think you'll understand why I was incapable of not sharing the joy. Apologies for the language, and if anyone can explain what is going on with these poor creatures then I think we'd all be delighted to learn about it.
44 Medieval Beasts That Cannot Even Handle It Right Now
They just can’t. They simply cannot.posted on Aug. 28, 2014, at 9:40 a.m.
My favourite is still the basilisk. That's probably a weasel it's glaring at, not a ferret - and the basilisk is maybe looking terrified as well as angry, because weasels were supposed to be the only thing in nature that could kill the basilisk. Although the British Library manuscripts catalogue simply has the following: "Detail of a miniature of a basilisk and two victims of its murderous gaze, a man and a ermine or ferret" so maybe I'm wrong.
Loved this, like, totes. I think my favourite may be the crocodile at No. 4 who quite obviously does just want it all to stop. But also the basilisk (2) who just can't with the snakes.
The whale who left the gas on! - 11.
The wolf - oh, how I feel for that wolf - who just wants the day to be over.
Thanks for sharing it - I'll be sharing it with a few.
Thank you Becca! I knew someone would know something useful. Personally I am often the wingèd asp that cannot cope with this man’s book, not even a little bit. And of course we all know that mermaid.
Rabbits often turn out to be hares in medieval illuminations and are a symbol of cowardice. To be hare-hearted was a big insult. So frequently you will see hares in military situations as ironic or snarky comment. Ditto snails. Not that the pizza bunny has anything to do with this, but the one on guard fits the brief. :-)
Number 8 - the frogs represent unclean spirits, with reference to Revelation 16:13.
Number 12- REALLY oddly, apparently "when the panther awakes from a nap, its breath is so sweet that all the animals, except the dragon, gather around to sniff it."
Number 16 - the cat is playing a rebec, a fore-runner of the violin.
25 and 26 are very interesting - they both contain a dragon with a human head, a crescent moon with 5 stars, and a sword. 25 contains a scribble that could read 'papa'/pope so I suppose the picture might be a reference to the anti-pope, the crescent moon indicating a waning power, or the rise of a new one. (ha, just checked the BL record for 26 - representing the papacy of Urban VI whose election was contested and resulted in the appointment of the anti-pope Clement VII."
My favourite is still the basilisk. That's probably a weasel it's glaring at, not a ferret - and the basilisk is maybe looking terrified as well as angry, because weasels were supposed to be the only thing in nature that could kill the basilisk. Although the British Library manuscripts catalogue simply has the following: "Detail of a miniature of a basilisk and two victims of its murderous gaze, a man and a ermine or ferret" so maybe I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteLoved this, like, totes.
ReplyDeleteI think my favourite may be the crocodile at No. 4 who quite obviously does just want it all to stop. But also the basilisk (2) who just can't with the snakes.
The whale who left the gas on! - 11.
The wolf - oh, how I feel for that wolf - who just wants the day to be over.
Thanks for sharing it - I'll be sharing it with a few.
And that pard at no.37.
ReplyDeleteI love them all, poor put-upon creatures. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you Becca! I knew someone would know something useful.
ReplyDeletePersonally I am often the wingèd asp that cannot cope with this man’s book, not even a little bit. And of course we all know that mermaid.
Rabbits often turn out to be hares in medieval illuminations and are a symbol of cowardice. To be hare-hearted was a big insult. So frequently you will see hares in military situations as ironic or snarky comment. Ditto snails. Not that the pizza bunny has anything to do with this, but the one on guard fits the brief. :-)
ReplyDeleteNumber 8 - the frogs represent unclean spirits, with reference to Revelation 16:13.
ReplyDeleteNumber 12- REALLY oddly, apparently "when the panther awakes from a nap, its breath is so sweet that all the animals, except the dragon, gather around to sniff it."
Number 16 - the cat is playing a rebec, a fore-runner of the violin.
25 and 26 are very interesting - they both contain a dragon with a human head, a crescent moon with 5 stars, and a sword. 25 contains a scribble that could read 'papa'/pope so I suppose the picture might be a reference to the anti-pope, the crescent moon indicating a waning power, or the rise of a new one. (ha, just checked the BL record for 26 - representing the papacy of Urban VI whose election was contested and resulted in the appointment of the anti-pope Clement VII."
Well that was fun! :)
This is enormous fun! You should publish it as a Christmas book, honest you should. I'd buy it!
ReplyDeleteLoved it!
ReplyDeleteSo much fun, Louisa. We seem to be having a beastly time on the History Girls this month.
ReplyDeleteBecca, Thank you!
ReplyDelete