The Commonplace Book

Woodcuts and pictures from other people’s books, copied out with a caption apiece, as early modern readers kept commonplace books. First gathered on Twitter: #WoodcutWednesday, #NotALion and the manuscripts.

Fourteenth century

If there was one thing Rupert hated, it was those fucking butterflies.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

It's not the size of the sword in the fight. It's the number of swords in your face.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

Put your hand up if you don’t have herpes!

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

"Enough of that monkey business, Pete. I have shit to do," fumed Sinclair.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

Just a rabbit playing a horn–or hitting a bong. Take your pick, still badass.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

That moment you discover you have a flower sprouting from your ass.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

There's always that one creepy guy who joins in your conga line uninvited.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

#SideButt

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

Interpretive dance routine.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

The Malone Society dance always gets out of control.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

That moment you happen upon a naked man bathing in the woods and he asks you to join him.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

1: Cut a hole in a box 2: Put your junk in that box 3: Make her open the box

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

“Damn that Dave and his large spoons,” fumed Gary. #SmallSpoonSyndrome

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

That moment when you storm a castle and realize you only have one sword.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

Medieval psychoanalysis got a little weird.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

King George makes the final preparations for Medieval Festivus.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

What would Jesus do? Apparently, bong hits with Wise Men.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

For Earl, “beating a dead horse” didn’t go far enough.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

Clothed king, naked king. Whatever. You can both SUCK IT.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

WUT.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

Let the wild rumpus start!

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

Melvin thought his Trojan Unicorn disguise was sure to work this time.

From: The Romance of Alexander
Image from: Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 264

Fourteenth century

Sweet hair, bro.

From: The Smithfield Decretals
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 10 E IV

Fourteenth century

Janice really could do it all.

From: The Smithfield Decretals
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 10 E IV