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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
Image from BL Harley 1585, f. 23
Image taken from f. 23 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Text page from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 11
Text page with text relating to the beaver. Image taken from f. 11 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Mermaid from BL Sloane 3544, f. 28v
Detail of a miniatures of men in a boat, and a mermaid holding fish. Image taken from f. 28v of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Front cover from BL Royal 12 C XIX, binding
Front cover of the binding. Image taken from binding of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Unicorn from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 21
Detail of a miniature of a unicorn. Image taken from f. 21 of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Plants from BL Harley 1585, f. 48v
Miniature of plants. Image taken from f. 48v of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Coloured initials from BL Arundel 292, f. 6
Coloured initials. Image taken from f. 6 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
Sheep from BL Sloane 3544, f. 16v
Miniatures of sheep. Image taken from f. 16v of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Image from BL Harley 1585, f. 45
Image taken from f. 45 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Fire-stones from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 26v
Miniature of two people standing among fire-stones. Image taken from f. 26v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Coloured initials from BL Arundel 292, f. 10
Coloured initials. Image taken from f. 10 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
Hydra from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 13
Detail of a miniature of a multi-headed hydra. Image taken from f. 13 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Parandus and yale from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 30
Miniatures of the parandus and the yale (two horned beasts) Image taken from f. 30 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Monkey from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 17
Detail of a miniature of a hunter and dogs pursuing a monkey and its young. Image taken from f. 17 of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Plants from BL Harley 1585, ff. 90v-91
Miniatures of plants. Image taken from ff. 90v-91 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Plants from BL Harley 1585, ff. 40v-41
Miniatures of plants. Image taken from ff. 40v-41 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Mastiffs from BL Royal 12 F XIII, f. 29v
Detail of a two-part miniature of mastiffs guarding sheep. Image taken from f. 29v of Bestiary (ff. 3-141), Lapidary (ff. 141v-149). Written in Latin and French.
Crow from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 43
Detail of a miniature of a crow. Image taken from f. 43 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Asp from BL Sloane 3544, f. 37
Miniature of a man and an asp blocking its ear. Image taken from f. 37 of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Hawk; bats from BL Sloane 3544, f. 30
Miniatures of a hawk perched on the end of a bed and of bats. Image taken from f. 30 of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Adam and animals from BL Sloane 3544, ff. 15v-16
On the left, a miniature of Adam naming the animals, with various animals including a lion, deer, dog, rabbit, and horse, and on the right, sheep and rams. Image taken from ff. 15v-16 of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Magpies from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 42v
Detail of a miniature of two magpies. Image taken from f. 42v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Tiger from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 28
Detail of a miniature of a hunter capturing a tiger's cub by distracting its mother with a mirror, at the beginning of the entry for tiger. Image taken from f. 28 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g... more
Eagles from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 38
Miniature of eagles. Image taken from f. 38 of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Plants from BL Harley 1585, ff. 85v-86
Miniatures of plants. Image taken from ff. 85v-86 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Ox from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 32v
Miniature of an ox. Image taken from f. 32v of Bestiary, and various theological texts, e.g., Isidore of Seville, Imago Mundi. Written in Latin.
Plants from BL Harley 1585, ff. 88v-89
Miniatures of plants. Image taken from ff. 88v-89 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Dragon from BL Sloane 3544, f. 34v
Miniature of a dragon. Image taken from f. 34v of Bestiary. Written in Latin.
Plant from BL Harley 1585, f. 18
Miniature of a plant. Image taken from f. 18 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Birds from BL Harley 1585, ff. 75v-76
Drawings of four different birds. Image taken from ff. 75v-76 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Note... more
Plants from BL Harley 1585, ff. 53v-54
Miniatures of plants. Image taken from ff. 53v-54 of Medical miscellany of a pharmacopeial compilation, including a herbal and bestiary illustrating the pharmocopeial properties of animals (see Notes). Written in Latin.
Genealogical diagram of English monarchs from BL Harley 838, f. 38
Genealogical diagram of English monarchs. Image taken from f. 38 of Miscellany including works on heraldry and genealogy, a bestiary and book of birds, historical annals of St David's and Llandaff, an English t... more
Leucrota from BL Royal 12 C XIX, f. 37v
Detail of a 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.
Asses; horse from BL Sloane 3544, f. 18v
Miniature of a wild ass (onager) being emasculated by another, and of a man leading a horse. Image taken from f. 18v of Bestiary. Written in Latin.