Medieval Monstrosities





Bonnacon: A beast like a bull, that uses poo as a weapon

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 10



Camel

Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, 76 E 4, Folio 9r






Amphisbaena: A two headed serpent

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 54r



Crocodile

Museum Meermanno, MMW, 10 B 25, Folio 12v



Leucrota: A composite beast with a mouth that stretches from ear to ear

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 14v





Antelope

British Library, Harley MS 4751, Folio 5v



Ape

British Library, Harley MS 4751, Folio 11r




AspBlocks its ear with its tail so as not to hear the charmer

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 53r




Bat
Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 42v



Bittern: A bird that makes a booming noise

Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16, Folio 78v



Wild Boar

Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16, Folio 45v



Mermaid

British Library, Additional MS 42130, Folio 70v




Cat and mouse

British Library, Harley MS 4751, Folio 30v



Lynx: The urine of the lynx hardens into a precious stone

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 6r



Owl 

British Library, Harley MS 4751, Folio 47r





Dog

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 18r




Dolphin 

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 60v




Fish 
British Library, Harley MS 4751, Folio 68r




Horse

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 26v




Hydrus: The enemy of the crocodile, which it kills from the inside

British Library, Royal MS 12 C. xix, Folio 12v



Leopard

Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16, Folio 61r




Lizard

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 56r



Manticore: A composite beast with a man's face, a lion's body, and the stinger of a scorpion

Museum Meermanno, MMW, 10 B 25, Folio 13r




Mole

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 29r



Pard: A swift and deadly beast that kills with a single leap

British Library, Harley MS 3244, Folio 37r



Parrot 

Kongelige Bibliotek, Gl. kgl. S. 1633 4º, Folio 33v



On the Nature of the Lion, folio from Bodleian Bestiary, c.1190



Torcello Cathedral, Last Judgement (detail), 12th Century