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

“Are towns and churches or are people bigger?” -“People.” “Done.”

From: Archie Armstrong, A banquet of ieasts. Or Change of cheare Being a collection of…
Printed: 1630
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1368)

"Are beds on the floor or on the wall?" -"Wall probably." [Ladies' disapproval intensifies]

Seventeenth century

When you have the bachelorette party the night before the wedding.

From: Archie Armstrong, A banquet of ieasts. Or Change of cheare Being a collection of…
Printed: 1630
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1368)

"Is a mounted knight's groin at the bottom of his waist or somewhere in his Chest?" -"Chest."

Seventeenth century

I felt compelled to Photoshop this rider off his horse and doing the splits.

From: Archie Armstrong, A banquet of ieasts. Or Change of cheare Being a collection of…
Printed: 1630
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1368)

Seventeenth century

"I forgot to add this knight's lower leg." -"Whatever. Just put a rail up."

From: Archie Armstrong, A banquet of ieasts. Or Change of cheare Being a collection of…
Printed: 1630
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1368)

Seventeenth century

When you paid $50 to see a show and someone in a ridiculous hat stands in front of you.

From: Archie Armstrong, A banquet of ieasts. Or Change of cheare Being a collection of…
Printed: 1630
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1368)

When people unfollow because of #WoodcutWednesday.

"GAH! THIS WOODCUT IS DUE BY ONE O'CLOCK, BUT I'M ON ACID!" -"I'm sure it'll be fine.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 3310)

Seventeenth century

Woodcut Wednesday, 25 November 2015

From: Archie Armstrong, A banquet of ieasts. Or Change of cheare Being a collection of…
Printed: 1630
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1368)

Seventeenth century

When your saddle rides up on a long journey.

From: Archie Armstrong, A banquet of ieasts. Or Change of cheare Being a collection of…
Printed: 1630
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1368)

Fifteenth century

When you’re naked, but you know you’re looking good.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

"If you strike me down, I will become more powerful than you can… imagine."

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

"My good man, can you point me to the nearest sabbat? I'm late for an orgy."

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

When your overbearing mother returns at her own funeral to wipe dirt from your face.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

"I kind of want to draw a lion, but I also want to draw a giraffe." -"Why not both?"

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

Before trailers or storage units, early modern Walter Whites had meth caves.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

Kyle was really into architecture.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

When your friend walks in while you're abusing yourself, and it's too late to stop.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

When your friend's bae proposes to her, but you know he's not right for her.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

When your roommate smells what you’re cooking.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

"I need to draw a tower, but I don't have a model." -"Use your penis." "That works."

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Fifteenth century

Still the earliest English erect penis woodcut I’ve found.

From: John Mandeville, Here begynneth a lytell treatyse or booke named Johan Mau[n]deuyll knyght born…
Printed: 1499
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 17247)

Comparative woodcuts. John's vision of the candlesticks. Dürer vs. Image of Both Churches.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1297)