The medieval beaver's self-castration was seen as an allegory of what was needed to live a chaste lifeβ€”a man must cut off his vices and throw them in the face of the devil who, seeing that the man had nothing of the devil in him, would allow him to escape. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts
There was clear confusion as to what the medieval beaver looked like. This late 12th century image is particularly surprising as, although still dog-like, the beaver's tail is almost correct. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #beaver #beavers
The medieval beaver was described as a four-footed beast that lived on land as well as in the water and was said to have webbed feet and a fish-tail as pictured in this 15th century encyclopaedia. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #beaver #beavers
This week's medieval beast is the beaver. It was hunted for its testicles which were thought to have medicinal uses. The beaver was known for self-castrating itself and throwing its testicles to the hunter to escape. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #beaver #beavers
Just gave my first keynote.
(It went wellβ€”and was fun. πŸ™‚πŸ€“)
#BookHistory #BookScience #MedievalManuscripts
The two beasts are supposed to battle in the end times and will be killed by God who will serve them up for the Elect to eat. #medievalmanuscripts #behemoth #medievalart #behemoths
This image of the behemoth and its demonic rider is again from the "Liber Floridus", this one a French version from 1260. The behemoth is from Jewish legend and is supposed to be unconquerable. #medievalmanuscripts #behemoth #medievalart #behemoths
All the images of the behemoth I have found are from versions of the "Liber Floridus" which was written by Lambert of Saint-Omer (c1061-1150). This horse-like behemoth and cloven-hooved demon are from a French version of the encyclopaedia dated to 1460. #medievalmanuscripts #behemoth #medievalart
Our medieval beast this week is the mythical behemoth which is described as "an enormous four-footed beast" It is usually shown as being ridden by a demon which may represent Satan. This image is from a 12th century encyclopaedia, the "Liber Floridus". #medievalmanuscripts #behemoth #medievalart
This adorable sleeping duck is from the British Rutland Psalter, dated to about 1260. Medieval ducks all seem to be very recognisable suggesting that the scribes were drawing from personal knowledge. #medievalbeasts #medievalmanuscripts #ducks #duck