#NotALion

Lions drawn by people who had never seen one, and their cousins: #NotAnElephant, #NotADolphin, #NotABear and the rest of the menagerie.

Fifteenth century

It’s a #NotALion kind of #WoodcutWednesday.

From: Bartholomaeus Anglicus, Bartholomeus de proprietatibus rerum
Printed: Westminster: Wynkyn de Worde, 1495
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1536)

Fifteenth century

Daniel and the #NotALion’s Den.

From: Bible historiale of Guyart des Moulins
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 19 D III

Fifteenth century

A #NotA menagerie.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the book of the subtyl historyes and fables of Esope…
Printed: 1484
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 175)

Fifteenth century

I think I've found the worst woodcut of a #NotAnElephant ever. (With bonus #NotALion)

From: Bartholomaeus Anglicus, Bartholomeus de proprietatibus rerum
Printed: Westminster: Wynkyn de Worde, 1495
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1536)

Fifteenth century

"They're going to recongize that I'm a lion and be terrified," hoped this #NotALion.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Aesop’s fable of the #NotALion and the Rat.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

“#NotALion, meet #NotAnElephant. #NotAnElephant, #NotALion.”

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Well, y’all. I just found a #NotAPanther.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

This is what happens to #NotALion[s] ’round ‘ere.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

This #NotACat eats cock.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

When your friend is being an ass, and you're the only one to appreciate it.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Ummm… I don't care which one it is supposed to be. Definitely, #NotATiger.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)