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.

That moment when you go to grab someone's ass, and they are interested in someone else's ass.

That moment when your friend is absorbed in a conversation with someone else and you goose him.

Seventeenth century

That is one badass mole.

From: William Lilly, Monarchy or no monarchy in England
Printed: London: for Humfrey Blunden, 1651
Image from: Early English Books Online (Wing L2228)

Seventeenth century

This mole: Always after your crown.

From: William Lilly, Monarchy or no monarchy in England
Printed: London: for Humfrey Blunden, 1651
Image from: Early English Books Online (Wing L2228)

Seventeenth century

Bill turned to his friend, "I'm not sure this is how saunas are supposed to work, Dave."

From: William Lilly, Monarchy or no monarchy in England
Printed: London: for Humfrey Blunden, 1651
Image from: Early English Books Online (Wing L2228)

"Show me your war face! …Mole! I said your war face! Mole? Mole! Fine. Jesus! Just lie there."

Both Bill and Bob died from falls from a great heights, but Bob fell with style. Be a Bob.

That awkward moment when God won't stop molesting your naked, sleeping body. #NotALion Metamorphoses Frankfurt 1563

As Deucalion and Pyrrha remind us, we should always practice safe rock-throwing,

"I thought this large platter of frog's legs looked and tasted funny, Procne."

“Roll, roll, roll in ze hay!”

This isn’t the type of wood Apollo wanted to get, Daphne.

Sixteenth century

This ape-faced devil-dog supposedly appeared to Agnes Browne, age 12, in the 1560s.

From: John Phillips, The examination and confession of certaine wytches at Chensforde
Printed: London, 1566
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 19869.5)

Sixteenth century

And you thought your cat was great. Satan here talks and promises his owner riches.

From: John Phillips, The examination and confession of certaine wytches at Chensforde
Printed: London, 1566
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 19869.5)

Sixteenth century

Suffering from a bad case of #VaginaEyes.

From: John Phillips, The examination and confession of certaine wytches at Chensforde
Printed: London, 1566
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 19869.5)

Sixteenth century

Sorry, early modern printer. This is #NotAToad.

From: John Phillips, The examination and confession of certaine wytches at Chensforde
Printed: London, 1566
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 19869.5)

When you're not feeling well but you meet with your loquacious and boring friend, Roberta, anyway.

Seventeenth century

Weirdest. Hot tub party. Ever.

From: Thomas Potts, The vvonderfull discouerie of witches in the countie of Lancaster VVith the…
Printed: 1613
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20138)

That awkward moment when your friend excitedly shows you her new pet, but it's clearly a devil.

Sixteenth century

Just poor-sighted Mother Dutten, feeding her pet dogs.

From: A rehearsall both straung and true, of hainous and horrible actes committed…
Printed: 1579
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 23267)

That moment when you are trying to think of a good comeback to something said ten minutes ago.

Sixteenth century

Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of–Oh my God! What the actual fuck???

From: The apprehension and confession of three notorious witches. Arreigned and by iustice…
Printed: 1589
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 5114)

Sixteenth century

This is how I’m going to end everything I ever write from now on.

From: The apprehension and confession of three notorious witches. Arreigned and by iustice…
Printed: 1589
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 5114)

Seventeenth century

Just three women riding a pig.

From: The witches of Northampton-shire Agnes Browne. Ioane Vaughan. Arthur Bill. Hellen Ienkenson.…
Printed: 1612
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 3907)