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.

Fifteenth century

This #NotACat eats cock.

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)

Despite his best efforts, Dan failed to get Al to recognize the inefficiency of blowgun fishing.

Remember that time I found a woodcut of Grumpy Cat? #WoodcutWednesday blast from the past

#NotALion is not impressed.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20923)

Chauntecleere the Cocke testifying against Reynard the Foxe before the King #NotALion.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20923)

Fifteenth century

How Not to Train Your Dragon.

From: The Talbot Shrewsbury Book
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 15 E VI, f. 6r

Fifteenth century

When your dragon interrupts your dinner party to beg for table scraps.

From: The Talbot Shrewsbury Book
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 15 E VI, f. 6v

Fifteenth century

Alexander the Great as a child: Kind of a dick.

From: The Talbot Shrewsbury Book
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 15 E VI, f. 7r

Fifteenth century

Following Skyrim's example, a young Alexander the Great fought mudcrabs to increase his XP.

From: The Talbot Shrewsbury Book
Image from: British Library, Royal MS 15 E VI

Fifteenth century

When your friend is being an ass, and you're the only one to appreciate it.

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 a naked man with an axe tells you to jazz hands, you jazz hands.

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

Ummm… I don't care which one it is supposed to be. Definitely, #NotATiger.

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

Out, vile jelly!

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

Want to call this one a #HeadDesk, but it’s more of a #HeadChimney.

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

Tree sex is the best sex.

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

Instagram vs. real life

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)

Sixteenth century

The birth of the Antichrist.

From: Here begynneth the byrthe and lyfe of the moost false and deceytfull…
Printed: London: Wynkyn de Worde, ca. 1520–25
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 670)

Sixteenth century

"I'm glad for your enthusiasm, Ralph, but let's wait for execution day next time."

From: Here begynneth the byrthe and lyfe of the moost false and deceytfull…
Printed: London: Wynkyn de Worde, ca. 1520–25
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 670)

When you're at a book burning and you realize you might have mistakenly added your own manuscript.

Sixteenth century

That moment when you realize your prayers didn’t work.

From: Here begynneth the byrthe and lyfe of the moost false and deceytfull…
Printed: London: Wynkyn de Worde, ca. 1520–25
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 670)

Sixteenth century

Woodcut Wednesday, 10 February 2016

From: Here begynneth the byrthe and lyfe of the moost false and deceytfull…
Printed: London: Wynkyn de Worde, ca. 1520–25
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 670)

Sixteenth century

When your neighbor decides your garden fountain is an excellent place to bathe.

From: Pius II, Here begynneth the egloges of Alexa[n]der Barclay prest wherof the fyrst thre…
Printed: 1530
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1384)

Sixteenth century

Carnies: Always surly, stoned, and bored af

From: John Lydgate, Here begynneth the boke of Iohan Bochas
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 3176)

Sixteenth century

When you don't know whether to read Apple's terms and conditions or just hit accept.

From: John Lydgate, Here begynneth the boke of Iohan Bochas
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 3176)