Geese from BL Harley 4751, f. 54
Detail of a miniature at the top left of the folio: geese hissing at a fox who holds another goose in his mouth. Image taken from f. 54 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Writte... more
Cow from BL Harley 4751, f. 23
Detail of a miniature of woman milking a cow, who is licking its calf. Image taken from f. 23 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Swan from BL Harley 4751, f. 41v
Miniature of a Swan (Olor), with a fish in its beak. Image taken from f. 41v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Salamanders from BL Harley 4751, f. 33v
Detail of a miniature of salamanders (Salamandra). Image taken from f. 33v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Asp from BL Harley 4751, f. 61
Miniature of an asp and a man, illustrating the text that the asp puts one ear against the ground, and blocked its other ear with the tip of its tail, so that it could not hear a snake-charmer's spell. Image ta... more
Unicorn from BL Harley 4751, f. 6v
Detail of a miniature of a unicorn being held by a woman and pursued by three men, one of whom spears it with a lance, and another with a sword. Image taken from f. 6v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus C... more
Two parrots from BL Harley 4751, f. 39v
Detail of a miniature of two green birds, like parrots. Image taken from f. 39v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Eagles from BL Harley 4751, f. 25v
Miniature of eagles, one holding a fish, illustrating the text that when it is young the eagle can see fish in the sea from a great height; but when it gets old its eyes become dim, so it flies towards the sun ... more
Bonnacon from BL Harley 4751, f. 11
Detail of a miniature of hunters spearing a bonnacon, and protecting themselves from its burning dung with a shield. Image taken from f. 11 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Wr... more
Cranes from BL Harley 4751, f. 39
Detail of a miniature of cranes , illustrating the text that cranes took it in turns to sleep: in this miniature, four cranes are sleeping while the fifth stands on one leg with a stone held in its other claw s... more
Phoenix from BL Harley 4751, f. 45
Detail of a miniature of a phoenix burning, illustrating the text that when it felt that it was growing old, it would make its own funeral pyre, and allow itself to be consumed in the flames, which it fanned wi... more
Partridges from BL Harley 4751, f. 48
Miniature of a partridge (Perdix), shown in two roundels. Above, a dog crouches below four partridges. Below, a partridge tends her eggs, or perhaps one partridge is stealing eggs from another's nest, an activ... more
Cats and mice from BL Harley 4751, f. 30v
Miniature of cats, and a mouse; below, a miniature of a mouse stealing eucharistic wafers. Image taken from f. 30v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Hydra and crocodile from BL Harley 4751, f. 62v
Detail of a miniature of a hydra swallowed by a crcodile and bursting through its side. Image taken from f. 62v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Beavers from BL Harley 4751, f. 9v
Miniature of beavers (Castor) with hunters, illustrating the text that the beavers' testicles had healing properties, and that the animals would bite them off in order to escape capture. Image taken from f. 9v ... more
Swallows from BL Harley 4751, f. 52v
Detail of a miniature of swallows (Hyrundo) flying to their nests under eaves. Image taken from f. 52v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Bear from BL Harley 4751, f. 15v
Detail of a miniature of a mother bear licking her cub, to give it its shape. Image taken from f. 15v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Horses from BL Harley 4751, f. 27
Miniature of three horses. Image taken from f. 27 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Owl from BL Harley 4751, f. 47
Detail of a miniature of an owl (Bubo) being attacked by three smaller birds. Image taken from f. 47 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Detail from BL Harley 4751, f. 51v
Detail Image taken from f. 51v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Hyena from BL Harley 4751, f. 10
Detail of a miniature of a hyena (Yena) devouring a human corpse, which it pulls from a tomb. Image taken from f. 10 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Vipers from BL Harley 4751, f. 60
Miniature of a viper, birthing its babies through its side. Image taken from f. 60 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Siren from BL Harley 4751, f. 47v
Detail of a miniature of the siren (Syrene) or mermaid who holds a fish, and the prow of a boat with two men in it, one rowing. Image taken from f. 47v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Iri... more
Cats and mice from BL Harley 4751, f. 30v
Detail of a miniature of cats, and a mouse; below, a miniature of a mouse stealing eucharistic wafers. Image taken from f. 30v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Basilisk from BL Harley 4751, f. 59
Detail of a miniature of a basilisk, with snakes. Image taken from f. 59 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Vipers from BL Harley 4751, f. 60
Detail of a miniature of a viper, birthing its babies through its side. Image taken from f. 60 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Horses from BL Harley 4751, f. 27
Detail of a miniature of three horses. Image taken from f. 27 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Dragon and elephant from BL Harley 4751, f. 58v
Detail of a miniature of a dragon attacking an elephant. Image taken from f. 58v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Bonnacon and apes from BL Harley 4751, f. 11
Miniature of hunters spearing a bonnacon, and protecting themselves from its burning dung with a shield. In the roundel below: miniature of a mother ape climbing a tree and trying to escape from hunters, with... more
Image from BL Harley 4751, f. 37
Image taken from f. 37 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Hawking from BL Harley 4751, f. 49
Miniature of men and hawks catching ducks. Image taken from f. 49 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Image from BL Harley 4751, f. 55
Image taken from f. 55 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Donkey from BL Harley 4751, f. 25
Miniature of a donkey (Asinus) prompted towards a water wheel by a man with a stick and a whistle. Image taken from f. 25 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Apes from BL Harley 4751, f. 11
Detail of a miniature of a mother ape climbing a tree, attempting to escape from hunters, with one baby in front and a second on her back. Image taken from f. 11 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambren... more
Anphivena from BL Harley 4751, f. 62
Detail of a miniature of an anphivena. Image taken from f. 62 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Herons from BL Harley 4751, f. 41
Detail of mniature of herons (Ardea). This image can be interpreted in two ways: the herons can be seen as a group of three, standing together eating eels. Alternatively, it can be interpreted as a single he... more
Phoenix from BL Harley 4751, f. 45
Detail of a miniature of a phoenix biting a branch. Image taken from f. 45 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Donkey from BL Harley 4751, f. 25
Detail of a miniature of a donkey (Asinus) prompted towards a water wheel by a man with a stick and a whistle. Image taken from f. 25 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Image from BL Harley 4751, f. 11v
Image taken from f. 11v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
House martins from BL Harley 4751, f. 37v
Detail of a miniature of house martins diving for mud (although the birds depicted are coloured more like swallows). Image taken from f. 37v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. W... more
Fish and reptiles from BL Harley 4751, f. 68
Detail of a miniature of fish (Pisces) and reptiles, some fabulous. Image taken from f. 68 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Unicorn from BL Harley 4751, f. 6v
Miniature of men killing a unicorn that has been lured into a maiden's lap. Image taken from f. 6v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Antelope from BL Harley 4751, f. 5v
Miniature of an antelope and a man with an axe. The antelope has caught its saw-like antlers in a shrub, giving a hunter the chance to kill it. Image taken from f. 5v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus C... more
Monoceros (unicorn) from BL Harley 4751, f. 15
Miniature of a monoceros (unicorn). Image taken from f. 15 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Panther from BL Harley 4751, f. 4
Detail of a miniature of a panther. Image taken from f. 4 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Pelicans from BL Harley 4751, f. 46
Detail of a miniature of pelicans (Pelicano). On the left side of the miniature, the pelican kills one of its young; on the right, it revives it by feeding it his blood. Image taken from f. 46 of Bestiary, wit... more
Animals from BL Harley 4751, f. 2v
Detail of miniature of animals. Image taken from f. 2v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Pelicans from BL Harley 4751, f. 46
Miniature of pelicans (Pelicano). On the left side of the miniature, the pelican kills one of its young; on the right, it revives it by feeding it his blood. Image taken from f. 46 of Bestiary, with extracts f... more
Reptiles from BL Harley 4751, f. 62
Miniatures of two kinds of reptiles (Scicalis and Anphivena). Image taken from f. 62 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Monoceros (unicorn) from BL Harley 4751, f. 15
Detail of a miniature of a monoceros (unicorn). Image taken from f. 15 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Birds from BL Harley 4751, f. 36
Detail of a miniature of birds hanging from branches by their beaks. Image taken from f. 36 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Cow from BL Harley 4751, f. 23
Miniature of woman milking a cow, who is licking its calf. Image taken from f. 23 of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Caladrius from BL Harley 4751, f. 40
Detail of a miniature of a caladrius perching at the bedside of a king, illustrating the text that states that the bird has the power to foretell whether an ill patient will live or die. If the bird turns its... more
Beavers from BL Harley 4751, f. 9v
Detail of a miniature of beavers (Castor) with hunters, illustrating the text that the beavers' testicles had healing properties, and that the animals would bite them off in order to escape capture. Image taken... more
Owls from BL Harley 4751, f. 46v
Detail of a roundel of two owls, one of whom has caught a rodent. Image taken from f. 46v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Phoenix from BL Harley 4751, f. 45
Miniature of a phoenix biting a branch, and below, burning, illustrating the text that when it felt that it was growing old, it would make its own funeral pyre, and allow itself to be consumed in the flames, wh... more
Whale from BL Harley 4751, f. 69
Miniature of a whale and a sailing boat, illustrating the text that a whale was so large and could go to sleep for so long, that men might mistake its back for an island, land on it, and try to light a fire bef... more
Image from BL Harley 4751, f. 13v
Image taken from f. 13v of Bestiary, with extracts from Giraldus Cambrensis on Irish birds. Written in Latin.
Grotesque dragons from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 138v
Detail of a bas-de-page scene of two grotesque dragons, with heads in their tails, twisted together (similar to the amphivena of bestiaries). Image taken from f. 138v of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Writ... more
Grotesque dragons from BL Royal 2 B VII, f. 138v
Bas-de-page scene of two grotesque dragons, with heads in their tails, twisted together (similar to the amphivena of bestiaries). Image taken from f. 138v of Psalter ('The Queen Mary Psalter'). Written in Latin... more
Text page from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 61v
Text page with text relating to the dragon. Image taken from f. 61v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Quail from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 44v
Miniature of a quail. Image taken from f. 44v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Swan from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 39v
Detail of a miniature of a swan. Image taken from f. 39v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Text page from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 27v
Text page. Image taken from f. 27v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Elephants from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 13v
Detail of a miniature of one big and one small elephant in a stream full of fish. Image taken from f. 13v of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Mice and worms from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 23v
Miniature of mice and worms. Image taken from f. 23v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Ibex; hyena from BL Sloane 3544, f. 6v
Miniature of an ibex, and a hyena eating a corpse. Image taken from f. 6v of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Plants. from BL Harley 1585, ff. 27v-28
Miniatures of plants. Image taken from ff. 27v-28 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Fox from BL Harley 1585, f. 64v
Miniature of a fox. Image taken from f. 64v of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Camels from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 38
Miniature of three camels. Image taken from f. 38 of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Cheetah and its young from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 11
Detail of a miniature of a cheetah and its young. Image taken from f. 11 of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Plants from BL Harley 1585, ff. 51v-52
Miniatures of plants. Image taken from ff. 51v-52 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Bird from BL Sloane 3544, f. 25v
Miniature of a bird. Image taken from f. 25v of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Eagles from BL Sloane 3544, f. 22v
Miniature of eagles. Image taken from f. 22v of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Satyr; stag from BL Sloane 3544, f. 8
Miniature of a satyr and a stag consuming a snake. Image taken from f. 8 of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Plants and snake from BL Harley 1585, ff. 25v-26
Miniatures of plants; miniature of a man spearing a snake. Image taken from ff. 25v-26 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial proper... more
Plants from BL Harley 1585, ff. 35v-36
Miniatures of plants. Image taken from ff. 35v-36 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Ravens from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 43
Detail of a miniature of ravens attacking a horse. Image taken from f. 43 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Cats and mice from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 36v
Detail of a miniature of a gray cat and a white cat, hunting mice. Image taken from f. 36v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Coloured initials from BL Arundel 292, f. 4
Coloured initials. Image taken from f. 4 of Devotional miscellany, including the Creed in English, a bestiary, Apollonius of Tyre (ff. 41-61); Henry of Sawtrey's De purgatio Sancti Patricii (ff. 73-88). Written... more
Coloured initials from BL Arundel 292, f. 8v
Coloured initials. Image taken from f. 8v of Devotional miscellany, including the Creed in English, a bestiary, Apollonius of Tyre (ff. 41-61); Henry of Sawtrey's De purgatio Sancti Patricii (ff. 73-88). Writte... more
Cat from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 43
Detail of a miniature of a cat chasing two mice. Image taken from f. 43 of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Detail from BL Sloane 3544, f. 15v
Detail of a miniature of Adam naming the animals, with various animals including a lion, deer, dog, rabbit, and horse. Image taken from f. 15v of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Animals from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 9
Detail of a miniature of stags, a striped creature with cloven hooves, and dragons. Image taken from f. 9 of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Plants from BL Harley 1585, ff. 33v-34
Miniatures of plants, a man, and a man with winged feet holding plants. Image taken from ff. 33v-34 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmoc... more
Antelope, Unicorn from BL Sloane 3544, f. 4
Miniatures of an antelope with its saw-shaped horns entangled in tamarisk being killed by a hunter, and below, a unicorn lured into a woman's lap being killed by a man with a spear. Image taken from f. 4 of Bes... more
Coloured initial from BL Arundel 292, f. 4v
Coloured initial. Image taken from f. 4v of Devotional miscellany, including the Creed in English, a bestiary, Apollonius of Tyre (ff. 41-61); Henry of Sawtrey's De purgatio Sancti Patricii (ff. 73-88). Written... more
Plants from BL Harley 1585, f. 38v
Miniature of plants. Image taken from f. 38v of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Aquatic animals from BL Sloane 3544, ff. 42v-43
Miniatures of a winged sawtail (serra) racing against a boat with two men; a whale (depicted as a large fish) with open mouth swallowing smaller fish; a man in a boat playing a musical instrument, followed by... more
Serra from BL Sloane 3544, f. 43
Detail of a miniature of a winged sawtail (serra) with a pointed snout, which according to the text sinks ships by piercing them with their snouts, and two men in a boat with their hands clasped in prayer. Imag... more
Leucrota from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 37v
Miniature of the leucrota. Image taken from f. 37v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.