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.

Just a few dudes stroking their swords.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1101.5)

Seventeenth century

Dirty Randy always made everyone uncomfortable when he played grab ass from the throne.

From: The fall of Babylon in vsurping ecclesiastical power and offices And the…
Printed: 1634
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1101)

When he lied about his height on his Tinder profile.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1101.5)

Artist: "I messed up the faces." Printer: "We'll add an elaborate border. No one will know."

Seventeenth century

"I really want a castle by the water." -"It will obscure the riders." "Fuck it. Done."

From: The fall of Babylon in vsurping ecclesiastical power and offices And the…
Printed: 1634
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1101)

"This needs more carnage, but I'm bad at drawing severed heads." -"Put it behind the horse."

"Now this is how you add severed bits to a battle scene, Randall. BOOM!"

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1101.5)

Sixteenth century

When you realize you ended that conference call with “I love 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

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)

Ariel thought she could get Eric to accept her tail but had doubts about the tamborine hand.

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)

What #MensRights activists think feminism looks like.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 6452)