Our final medieval hare may be my favourite. This free-floating, baffled-looking hare is playing a set of bagpipes in the Rothschild Canticles, c1300. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #hares #hare

A surprising number of medieval hares are shown with dogs in this image of a hare playing a pipe organ with a dog helping by blowing the organ's bellows. The image is from the Macclesfield Psalter, 1330-1340. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #hare #hares

Many medieval manuscripts focused on psalms or music are illustrated with hares playing instruments as in this image of a hare playing a pipe. It is from the Rutland Psalter, c1260. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #hare #hares

Our medieval beast this week is the hare which is described as a timid beast which runs fast and has the ability to change sex. This lovely hare is from the Helmingham Herbal and Bestiary, c1500. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #hare #hares

These particular barnacle geese are from the third version of "Topographia Hibernica" created under the supervision of the author, Gerald of Wales (c1146-c1223). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #barnaclegoose #barnaclegeese

Medieval barnacle geese that missed the water when they fell from their originating tree died as in this image from a c1287 version of "Der Naturen Bloeme". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #barnaclegoose #barnaclegeese

Gerald of Wales (c1146-c1223) is said to have developed the idea of barnacle geese generation while on an 1185 tour of Ireland. His descriptions imply that the geese are formed from goose barnacles which were really seeds. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #barnaclegoose #barnaclegeese

In medieval thought, barnacle geese hatched from trees which grew over water. They would hang off the tree by their beaks until mature when they would fall down into the water as seen in this 13th century image. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #barnaclegoose #barnaclegeese

There is only one "Fourth Family" bestiary. It dates from 1450-1475 and is unfinished. It includes "Etymologiae" as well as extracts from "De proprietatibus rerum" by Bartholomaeus Anglicus. It does not yet appear to have been digitised. #medievalmanuscripts #bestiary #fourthfamily

"Third Family" bestiaries begin with fabulous races of humans from Isidore of Seville's "Etymologiae" and include works by Bernard Silvestris. They all date from the 13th century. This image is from the Westminster Abbey Bestiary (c1275-1300). #medievalmanuscripts #bestiary