Goose, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

Geese have been long hunted for their meat, fat and feathers.

The medieval bestiary suggests the goose can smell man better than any other creature, and that there are two types of goose: the wild goose that flies high in the sky in strict order and the tame goose that lives in villages. They are noisy and call constantly at night if they catch the scent of man (Barber 2008).

Transcription

Translation

Anseris quoque naturam licet de eo nichil s2c-
batur in sacra scriptura; audire delectat. Inmun-
da tn avis presumitur esse. sicut et anas. nec eo sed
legem licitum est vesci. quia clausum pellicula habet
pedem. et ideo non dundit ungulam. Preterea et
in terra et in aqua valens. et ideo inmundus. Anser
multis aucis uxoribus suis; dominatur. sicut et gallus.
Anser vigilias noctis assiduitate clangoris testatur.
Nullum quoque animal it odorem hominis sentit;
ut anser. Unde et clangore eius quasi buccina op-
timi vigilis; gallorum ascensus in capitolio deprehensus
est. Anseribus igitur debes roma quod regnas. Dii tui
dormiebant. et vigilabant ansere. Ideo illis die-
bus anseri sacrificas; et non iovi. Cedunt enim dii uri-
anseribus a quibus se sciunt esse defensos;
ne et ipsi ab hostibus caperentur.

The nature of the goose also, although nothing is traced about it in the sacred scriptures; it is pleasing to hear. A bird is presumed to be unclean, like a duck, but it is not lawful to eat it, because its foot is closed by a film, and therefore it does not break the hoof. Moreover, he is strong both on land and in water, and therefore unclean. A goose has many fowls for his wives; he dominates, just like the rooster.

Goose watches the night with constant squawking. Nor does any animal smell the scent of a man; as a goose Hence also his clarion like the trumpet of the best watchman; the ascent of the cocks in the capitol was apprehended. Therefore, you need geese to rome that you rule. Your gods were asleep, and the goose was watching. Therefore in those days you sacrifice a goose; and I did not rejoice. For the gods yield to the Urians, against whom they know that they are defended; lest they themselves should be taken by the enemy.