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.

Noah's drunkenness from the 1523 ix Drunkardes, cautioning against strong drink.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 7260)

The sins of Sodom as represented in The ix Drunkardes (1523).

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 7260)

Judith decapitates Holofernes. ix Drunkardes, 1523.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 7260)

Beware the #GodHand.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 7260)

When your dinner party gets out of control.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 7260)

Thirteenth century

When you want to fight, but your horses just want to hug it out.

From: The Rochester Bestiary
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 12 F XIII, f. 42v

Thirteenth century

A little ass-play. I’ll show myself out…

From: The Rochester Bestiary
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 12 F XIII, f. 39v

Fifteenth century

When you find a recently published book that scoops your research.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

"They're going to recongize that I'm a lion and be terrified," hoped this #NotALion.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

When you're so bored as a third-wheel that you start a conversation with the sun.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

One of Aesop’s lesser-known fables: Two rats and the dick factory.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Just a man beating his serpent.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Celia couldn't feed her young in public without some dumbass mansplaining why she shouldn't.

Fifteenth century

Aesop’s fable of the #NotALion and the Rat.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

"One day my log will have something to say about this. My log saw something that night."

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

“#NotALion, meet #NotAnElephant. #NotAnElephant, #NotALion.”

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

When you're holding a spear, and there's no one around to light your bowl.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

"Are dogs or rabbits bigger?" -"They're about the same size, really." "Okay."

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Even this wolf knows this isn’t how you draw a skull.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

“Are frogs or oxen bigger?” -“Oxen–but only just slightly.” “Done.”

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

When it’s 3 AM and people start getting naked at your party.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Well, y’all. I just found a #NotAPanther.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Is it just me or is this ram a little too into this?

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

This is what happens to #NotALion[s] ’round ‘ere.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)