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’s a good way to get birds to shit in your mouth, Dave.

God always fancies a game of Whack-A-Fool.

Just one of those days when it feels like the world is on your shoulders.

You could also go with this #NotALion from #LC1493. (If you're not feeling as grumpy)

Fifteenth century

When the teacher drops an F-bomb in class.

From: of Metz Gossuin, Hier begynneth the booke callyd the Myrrour of the worlde ...
Printed: 1490
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24763)

ICYMI: New blog post with ALL THE WOODCUTS!!!

Fifteenth century

Melvin immediately regretted purchasing the extra-large buttplug.

From: of Metz Gossuin, Hier begynneth the booke callyd the Myrrour of the worlde ...
Printed: 1490
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24763)

Fifteenth century

“But I just came in to have a mole removed,” said Adam.

From: of Metz Gossuin, Hier begynneth the booke callyd the Myrrour of the worlde ...
Printed: 1490
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24763)

Fifteenth century

The good old days when teachers could make their students huddle on the floor.

From: of Metz Gossuin, Hier begynneth the booke callyd the Myrrour of the worlde ...
Printed: 1490
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24763)

Sixteenth century

When the Special Collections Librarian finally pulls your request.

From: John Lydgate, The hystorye, sege and dystruccyon of Troye
Printed: 1513
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 5579)

Sixteenth century

"Are people bigger or smaller than ships and castles?" -"Bigger." "Okay."

From: John Lydgate, The hystorye, sege and dystruccyon of Troye
Printed: 1513
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 5579)

Sixteenth century

When you discover the conference room you reserved is too small for your event.

From: John Lydgate, The hystorye, sege and dystruccyon of Troye
Printed: 1513
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 5579)

Sixteenth century

When you're supposed to be slaying a dragon, but you can't stop thinking about pancakes.

From: John Lydgate, The hystorye, sege and dystruccyon of Troye
Printed: 1513
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 5579)

Sixteenth century

Wheel of Fortune was a very different game before @PatSajak took over.

From: John Lydgate, The hystorye, sege and dystruccyon of Troye
Printed: 1513
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 5579)

"I want a battle scene in the woods, but the trees get in the way." -"Try really small trees."

Sixteenth century

"Oops. I made this castle too small." -"Just put tiny soldiers coming out of it."

From: John Lydgate, The hystorye, sege and dystruccyon of Troye
Printed: 1513
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 5579)

What @Nero imagines feminism looks like.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 6452)

Sixteenth century

There might be a slight problem with this depiction of the Trojan Horse…

From: John Lydgate, The hystorye, sege and dystruccyon of Troye
Printed: 1513
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 5579)

Twelfth century

When even Jesus is fed up with your bullshit.

From: The Floreffe Bible
Image from: British Library, Add MS 17737

Fourteenth century

This God: “They did what in my name???”

From: The St Omer Psalter
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 14, f. 7r

Fourteenth century

Jesus: Fed up with your shit.

From: The St Omer Psalter
Image from: British Library, Yates Thompson MS 14, f. 120r

Thirteenth century

Why are manticores always hipsters?

From: Bestiary
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 12 C XIX, f. 29v

“That’s not how digging works, Dave.”

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 7260)

"I'd love to help you with your dragon problem, miss, but I owe Randall the next round."

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 7260)