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

Just spotted this rare, multi-colored, bipedal #NotALion. #ManuscriptSafari

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

Fourteenth century

Out, vile jelly!

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

Fourteenth century

No joke here. I'm just happy to find non-racist representations of black faces in a medieval manuscript.

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

Fourteenth century

Be a model, they said. It will be fun, they said.

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

Fourteenth century

Talkst thou to the hande.

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

Fourteenth century

Bianca disapproved of Bonnie’s VERY plunging neck line.

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

Fourteenth century

Do or doest not. There ist no trie. #MedievalYoda

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

Fourteenth century

That moment when you realize someone has taken a dump in your hat.

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

Fourteenth century

Not sure that this disguise will work, cat, but you get an A for effort.

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

Fourteenth century

Just a rabbit beheading a guy.

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

Fourteenth century

Snail slaying like a boss.

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

Fourteenth century

What Christmas elves really look like.

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

Fourteenth century

The classic distract them with a hug while you boil their cat behind their back move.

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

Fourteenth century

A couple getting busy in the margins.

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

Fourteenth century

In the medieval Matrix, Neo stopped thrown hammers.

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

Fourteenth century

HOLY SHIT! #GuyBlowingANotALion

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

Fourteenth century

This is one popular #NotALion.

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

Fourteenth century

Sorry, archer. The only way you are getting rid of that thing is if you KILL IT WITH FIRE.

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

Fourteenth century

Rupert and Miguel always argue over who forgot the poop bags when they took Rover for a walk.

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

Fourteenth century

#DeadUnicorn

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

Fourteenth century

#HatersGonnaHate

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

Fourteenth century

Should have used Preparation H.

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

Fourteenth century

Dana decides to defeat her demons at the source.

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

Fourteenth century

Devils play dirty when weighing souls.

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