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

"Careful, Chef Claude, human meat gets tough without a steady, slow heat."

From: Bible historiale of Guyart des Moulins
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 19 D III

Fifteenth century

#NeckBoob

From: Bible historiale of Guyart des Moulins
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 19 D III

Fifteenth century

"What kind of presents are these for a kid? I'm returning this shit for an Xbox One."

From: Bible historiale of Guyart des Moulins
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 19 D III

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

Reggie thought Blain's love of the vuvuzela would not outlast the World Cup. He was wrong.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 177)

Sean might not have been the best shepherd, but he knew a sheep molester when he saw one.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 177)

This camel can’t even.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 177)

“I told Dave playing dead doesn’t work with a #NotABear.”

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 177)

Stoner Steve finally found an audience for his crazy conspiracy theories.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 177)

This peacock: Tired of your shit.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 177)

Fifteenth century

…And, lo, a wild naked Virgin appeared.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the book of the subtyl historyes and fables of Esope…
Printed: 1484
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 175)

Fifteenth century

And Aesop just sat back and enjoyed what he'd created–a complete and total barf-o-rama!

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the book of the subtyl historyes and fables of Esope…
Printed: 1484
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 175)

Charlie's seemingly clever ruse of making his poncho double as a jerk yurt concealed nothing.

Fifteenth century

If you feelin’ like a pimp, go and brush your shoulders off.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the book of the subtyl historyes and fables of Esope…
Printed: 1484
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 175)

That awkward moment when someone starts getting a blow job at the table during your dinner party.

Martin Luther, consummate flasher.

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

The Commonplace Book

"Careful, Chef Claude, human meat gets tough without a steady, slow heat."

#NeckBoob

"What kind of presents are these for a kid? I'm returning this shit for an Xbox One."

1 Dude 2 Cups.

#NotALion

Sampson wrestles a #NotALion.

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

Reggie thought Blain's love of the vuvuzela would not outlast the World Cup. He was wrong.

Sean might not have been the best shepherd, but he knew a sheep molester when he saw one.

This camel can’t even.

“I told Dave playing dead doesn’t work with a #NotABear.”

Stoner Steve finally found an audience for his crazy conspiracy theories.

This peacock: Tired of your shit.

…And, lo, a wild naked Virgin appeared.

And Aesop just sat back and enjoyed what he'd created–a complete and total barf-o-rama!

Charlie's seemingly clever ruse of making his poncho double as a jerk yurt concealed nothing.

If you feelin’ like a pimp, go and brush your shoulders off.

That awkward moment when someone starts getting a blow job at the table during your dinner party.

Martin Luther, consummate flasher.

#NotALion Clan ain’t nuttin ta fuck wit.

Bertram, the Broccoli Knight.

Tired of life, the feeble-minded Jack decided to blow himself away.

It was at this moment that Belle realized that Davis' idea of kinkiness exceeded her own.

“Now hold very, very still.”