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.

Seventeenth century

Even angels love

From: Francis Quarles, Emblemes
Printed: London: G. Miller, sold by John Marriot, 1635
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20540)

Seventeenth century

That moment when someone catches you playing

From: Francis Quarles, Emblemes
Printed: London: G. Miller, sold by John Marriot, 1635
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20540)

Seventeenth century

That moment when you catch a Scyther.

From: Francis Quarles, Emblemes
Printed: London: G. Miller, sold by John Marriot, 1635
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20540)

Seventeenth century

When someone drops incense at the local park.

From: Francis Quarles, Emblemes
Printed: London: G. Miller, sold by John Marriot, 1635
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20540)

Seventeenth century

Early modern Pokemon.

From: Francis Quarles, Emblemes
Printed: London: G. Miller, sold by John Marriot, 1635
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20540)

Seventeenth century

When you take your local gym, but you know Valor is just down the block.

From: Francis Quarles, Emblemes
Printed: London: G. Miller, sold by John Marriot, 1635
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20540)

Seventeenth century

When he’s super cute, but you get close and he has that stank breath.

From: Francis Quarles, Emblemes
Printed: London: G. Miller, sold by John Marriot, 1635
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20540)

Seventeenth century

Early modern Pokemon.

From: Francis Quarles, Emblemes
Printed: London: G. Miller, sold by John Marriot, 1635
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20540)

Seventeenth century

“And that, son, is why we are a dog family.” Reynard the Fox.

From: Edward Reynolds, The shieldes of the earth A sermon preached before the reverend judges…
Printed: 1636
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20932)

Seventeenth century

Smash the patriarchy. …Or, maybe, #GnoshThePatriarchy?

From: Edward Reynolds, The shieldes of the earth A sermon preached before the reverend judges…
Printed: 1636
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20932)

Seventeenth century

Interviewer: Where do you see yourself in five years? Me: Minerva Britanna. London, 1612.

From: Henry Peacham, Minerua Britanna or A garden of heroical deuises furnished, and adorned with…
Printed: 1612
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 19511)