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 thou likest it, thou shouldst have putte a ringe on it.

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

Fourteenth century

An angel binding a demon.

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

Fourteenth century

Check out this dickhead.

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

Fourteenth century

1 Dude 2 Cups.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

#NotALion

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Sampson wrestles a #NotALion.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Protip: When courting your lady, don’t kill her unicorn.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

#NotALion Clan ain’t nuttin ta fuck wit.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Bertram, the Broccoli Knight.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Don’t touch this shit.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

David revealing he has the stones to take on Goliath.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

#Jawboned.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Rub-a-dub-YUM!

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

That moment when your dragon eats someone and their dress sticks in his throat.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Fist-bump, bro!

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Baby Christ, unused to blessing people, opted for the finger guns.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Medieval traffic jam.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

That awkward moment when an angel shows up during your threesome.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Angel Maury: “Joseph, you are not the father!”

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

TIL: Iconoclasm releases demons.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Turn down for what?

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Zombies Carl and Dave pig out at the all-you-can-eat buffet at the local churchyard.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

“What the fuck am I going to do with a handful of acorns?”

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13

Fourteenth century

Christ fails the company retreat trust exercise.

From: The Taymouth Hours
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 13