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.

Sixteenth century

Apparently, “Latyn” men have no chins or necks.

From: Andrew Boorde, The fyrst boke of the introduction of knowledge
Printed: London: William Copland, 1555?
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 3383)

Sixteenth century

"Shit on me again, and I'm going to stuff you into another bird and roast you."

From: Andrew Boorde, The fyrst boke of the introduction of knowledge
Printed: London: William Copland, 1555?
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 3383)

Sixteenth century

“Manscaping, motherfucker.”

From: Andrew Boorde, The fyrst boke of the introduction of knowledge
Printed: London: William Copland, 1555?
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 3383)

Sixteenth century

Adam fails to read Apple’s terms and conditions.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

When you find a book that already makes the argument you were writing about.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

A unicorn and what can only be described as a dick-plant.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

The #NotAnElephant is strong with this one.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

BOOM! You’ve just been basilisked, suckers!

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

This whole thing is my spirit animal.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

That one friend that overuses hand gestures.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

Apparently, M.C. Escher helped Noah design his ark.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

Despite Dan’s objections, Rafe insisted on fishing with his blowgun.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

[Hellmouthing intensifies]

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

When you're having a conversation, but you're not really saying anything.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

Sixteenth century

It isn’t just Joseph who is unsure about this whole baby thing.

From: John Bucke, Instructions for the vse of the beades conteining many matters of meditacion…
Printed: 1589
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 4000)

Sixteenth century

When he leaves you with a child and won't even return your calls anymore.

From: Gaspar de Loarte, Instructions and aduertisements, how to meditate the misteries of the rosarie of…
Printed: 1597
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 16646)