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.

Fifteenth century

When your friend's bae proposes to her, but you know he's not right for her.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

When your roommate smells what you’re cooking.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

"I need to draw a tower, but I don't have a model." -"Use your penis." "That works."

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

Still the earliest English erect penis woodcut I’ve found.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

When the teacher drops an F-bomb in class.

From: of Metz Gossuin, Hier begynneth the booke callyd the Myrrour of the worlde ...
Printed: 1490
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24763)

Fifteenth century

Melvin immediately regretted purchasing the extra-large buttplug.

From: of Metz Gossuin, Hier begynneth the booke callyd the Myrrour of the worlde ...
Printed: 1490
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24763)

Fifteenth century

“But I just came in to have a mole removed,” said Adam.

From: of Metz Gossuin, Hier begynneth the booke callyd the Myrrour of the worlde ...
Printed: 1490
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24763)

Fifteenth century

The good old days when teachers could make their students huddle on the floor.

From: of Metz Gossuin, Hier begynneth the booke callyd the Myrrour of the worlde ...
Printed: 1490
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24763)

Fifteenth century

When you find a recently published book that scoops your research.

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

"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

When you're so bored as a third-wheel that you start a conversation with the sun.

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

One of Aesop’s lesser-known fables: Two rats and the dick factory.

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

Just a man beating his serpent.

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

"One day my log will have something to say about this. My log saw something that night."

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

When you're holding a spear, and there's no one around to light your bowl.

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

"Are dogs or rabbits bigger?" -"They're about the same size, really." "Okay."

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

Even this wolf knows this isn’t how you draw a skull.

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

“Are frogs or oxen bigger?” -“Oxen–but only just slightly.” “Done.”

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 it’s 3 AM and people start getting naked at your party.

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

Is it just me or is this ram a little too into this?

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)