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

That moment when you realize someone has laced your weed. #WoodcutWednesday EBBA 20824

From: Good Subjects Delight
Printed: Printed for I. Wright, I. Clarke, W. Thackeray and T. Passenger, 1681
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20824); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 2.213

Seventeenth century

I'll just be over here waving at random flying animals. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20065

From: A Looking glasse for Corne-hoorders
Printed: Printed at London for H. Gosson, 1631
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20065); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 1.148-149

Seventeenth century

Me during the #CNNDebate #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20824

From: Good Subjects Delight
Printed: Printed for I. Wright, I. Clarke, W. Thackeray and T. Passenger, 1681
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20824); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 2.213

Seventeenth century

When you are on the job market, but never get any responses. #NotALion #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads20792

From: Mans Amazement
Printed: Printed for I. Deacon, at the Angel in Guilt-spur-streets, 1671–1702?
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20792); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 2.175

Seventeenth century

Thought I'd post some good old-fashioned anti-popery for Francis' visit. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20912

From: Ropery Routed
Printed: [London], 1689
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20912); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 2.296r

Seventeenth century

If you feelin' like a pimp [then] go and brush your shoulders off… #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 21675

From: The Old Miser Slighted
Printed: Printed for P. Brooksby, I. Deacon, I. Blare, I. Back, 1675–1696?
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 21675); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 4.8

Seventeenth century

Love is patient, love is kind, love is… AAAHH! LOVE IS SOME KIND OF DEMON! #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 21234

From: The School of Venus
Printed: Printed for C. Passinger, at the seven stars, in the New-buildings on London-Bridge, 1678–1695?
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 21234); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 3.221

Seventeenth century

I don't always drink wine, but when I do it is Falstaff's Sack. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20069

From: The Cheating Age
Printed: Printed at London by E. A. for Iohn Wright, 1625?
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20069); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 1.158-159

Seventeenth century

When it's 1 AM and your friends want to stay at the club. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20069

From: The Cheating Age
Printed: Printed at London by E. A. for Iohn Wright, 1625?
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20069); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 1.158-159

Seventeenth century

When your Tinder date shows up, and she has one #NeckBoob. #WoodcutWednesday EBBA 21269

From: The Contention, between a Countryman & a Citizen, for a beauteous London Lass
Printed: Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden Ball in Pye-Corner, 1685–1688
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 21269); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 3.255

Seventeenth century

I think we all know he is curing people with spinach. #PopeyeArm #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 21309

From: The Female Ramblers
Printed: Printed for P. Brooksby, J. Deacon, J. Blare, J. Back, 1688–1692
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 21309); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 3.294

Seventeenth century

When you desperately want your cat to love you. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20214

From: The famous Ratketcher, with his trauels into France
Printed: Imprinted at London for Iohn Trundle, and are to be sold at the signe of the No-body in Barbican, 1616?
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20214); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 1.458-459

Seventeenth century

I'll just be over here cutting off the devil's dick. #WoodcutWednesday EBBA 22015

From: The Gelding of the Devil
Printed: Printed for F. Coles, T. Vere, I. Wright, and I. Clark, 1674–1679
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 22015); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 4.351

Seventeenth century

#NotALion #WoodcutWednesday @Ebba_ballads 20826

From: Thomas D'Urfey, The Loyal Protestant
Printed: London: Printed for J. Conyers at the Black Raven in Duck Lane, 1680
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20826); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 2.215

Seventeenth century

When you get out of the shower, but you've forgotten to bring a towel. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20658

From: A Looking-Glass for a Christian Family
Printed: Printed for J. Clarke, W. Thackeray, and T. Passenger, 1684–1686
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20658); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 2.34

Seventeenth century

I'm a little tea-pot, short and stout… #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20173

From: The Shepheards Lamentation
Printed: Imprinted at London for I. W., 1617?
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20173); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 1.366-367

Seventeenth century

#HatersGonnaHate #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 22026

From: The Somersetshire Wonder
Printed: Printed for P. Brooksby, I. Deacon, I. Blare, I. Back, 1675–1696?
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 22026); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 4.362

Seventeenth century

When he says "I love you" after two unimpressive dates. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 21180

From: The Wealthy Grasier's Joys Compleated
Printed: Printed for I. Deacon at the Angel in Guiltspur-street, without Newgate, 1685–1688
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 21180); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 3.168

Seventeenth century

Their sex will result in splinters in delicate places. #WoodcutWednesday EBBA ID: 21397

From: The wounded Lover
Printed: Printed for J. Clark, W. Thackery and T. Passenger, 1684–1686
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 21397); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 3.381

Seventeenth century

Found my next Valentine's Day card. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20813

From: Villany Rewarded; or, The Pirates Last Farewel to the World
Printed: London: Printed for Charles Barnet, 1696
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20813); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 2.199

Seventeenth century

Student 2: "This is definitely going on your teaching evaluation." #WoodcutWednesday EBBA ID: 20264

From: Martin Parker, A Scourge for the Pope
Printed: London printed for John Trun[dle] and are to be sold at his Shop in Smithfield, 1624?
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20264); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 1.60-61

Seventeenth century

When your bad influence, Dennis, nopes out at the first sign of trouble. #WoodcutWednesday EBBA ID: 20788

From: On the Barbarous, Execrable, and Bloody Murder of the Earl of Essex
Printed: Printed and Sold by J. Wallis in White-Friars, 1689
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20788); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 2.172r

Seventeenth century

Now watch me whip, whip. Now watch me nae nae. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 21787

From: An Answer to the London Cuckold
Printed: Printed for I Deacon, at the Angel in Guilt-spur-street, 1685–1688
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 21787); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 4.123

Seventeenth century

When your co-worker only speaks in doggerel. #WoodcutWednesday @EBBA_Ballads 20660

From: A Caveat for Young-men
Printed: Printed for M. Cole, T, Vere, J. Wright, J. Clarke, W. Thackery, and T. Passenger, 1680–1682
Image from: English Broadside Ballad Archive (EBBA 20660); Pepys Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, Pepys Ballads 2.36