Turtledove, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

The turtledove, named after its distinctive call, is a symbol of purity and fidelity. This reserved bird prefers the solitude of mountain ridges, deserts and forests, shunning human settlements. In winter, it seeks refuge in the hollow trunks of trees until summer's return. To shield its chicks from predators, it places squill leaves over its nest, as wolves are said to avoid these leaves.

The turtledove's commitment to chastity, even after losing its mate, serves as a powerful symbol. Unlike some biblical advice that encourages younger widows to remarry and manage households to avoid scandal, the turtledove exemplifies unwavering faithfulness. It remains devoted to its lost companion, experiencing deeper sorrow from its death than joy from their shared love.

This bird's enduring loyalty—refusing to mate again and avoiding places associated with temptation—mirrors the strength of love described in the Bible. It is a living testament to the ideal of steadfast devotion, making it a poignant model for those striving for spiritual purity and commitment.

Turtur de voce vocatur. avis pudica. sem-
per in montium iugis et in desertis solitudi-
nibus. et in silvis commoratur. Tecta hominum
et conversationem fugit. Que in hiemis tempore
deplumata; in cavis truncis arborum commora-
tur donec redeunte estus tempore exeat. hec
nido suo ne pullos suos incurset lupus squil-
le folia superiacit. quoniam huius folia lupi fugiunt.

The turtledove is named after its call. It is a modest bird, always dwelling in the mountain ridges, in solitary deserts and in forests. It avoids human dwellings and society. During winter, when it loses its feathers, it stays in the hollow trunks of trees until the return of summer, when it emerges. To protect its chicks from wolves, it places squill leaves over its nest, as wolves flee from these leaves.

Hec amissa pari; alii non coniungitur. servans
iiidiiitatis castimoniam; plusquam indue tempo-
ris nostri. De quibus dicit apostolus. Volo iiidu-
as iuniores nubere. filios procreare. matres fami-
lias esse. nullam occasionem dare adver-
sario. Et alibi. Bonum est. illis si sic permaneant.
Quod si se non continent; nubant. Melius est
enim nubere quam uri. Discant igitur mulieres qui rationem
habent. imitari turtures que etiam sine ratio
ne create; castitatem servant. Turtur non uri-
tur flore iuventutis. non temptatur occasio-
nis illecebra. Turtura nescit primam fidem ir-
ritam facere. semper oculos amoris in coniuga-
lem premortuam figens. plus doloris contra-
hens ex sodalis morte; quam contraxerit suavitatis
ex viventis dilectione. Fortis enim ut mors dilec-
tio. Fertur quod post mortem paris non sede-
at nisi super arida et in viis ubi non fuerit viror
herbe. non in ramis virentibus. se semper amore
indignam iudicans. et omnia que luxuriam com-
movere solent; fugiens.

When it loses its mate, it does not mate with another but maintains chastity. The Apostle says thereof: 'I wish younger widows to marry, to bear children, to manage their households, and to give the adversary no occasion for slander.' Elsewhere: 'It is good for them to remain as they are. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.' Therefore, rational women should learn to imitate the turtledove, which maintains chastity, even irrationally. The turtledove is neither consumed by the bloom of youth nor is it tempted by the temptations of the moment. The turtledove remains always faithful, always fixing its gaze of love on its deceased mate, drawing more pain from the death of its companion than pleasure from their love whilst the companion was alive. Love is as strong as death. After the death of its mate, this bird is believed not to perch anywhere but on dry places and paths where no green grass grows nor on green branches, always considering itself unworthy of love and fleeing from all things that usually cause lust.

Further Reading

David Badke, The Bestiary Blog: Animals in the Middle Ages, turtledove, November 6 2023, https://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast254.htm

Mynott, J, Birds in the Ancient World (New York: Oxford University Press 2018)

Josh Goldenberg (BA 2012) and Matt Shanahan (BA 2014), Logeion, November 2022, https://logeion.uchicago.edu/

Castiglioni, L. and Mariotti, S. (1996). Vocabolario della Lingua Latina: Latino-Italiano Italiano-Latino. Terza Edizione. Loescher Torino

Curley, M. J., Physiologus: A Medieval Book of Nature Lore (University of Chicago edition 2009)

Rackham, H., M.A., Pliny Natural History Volume III, Libri VIII-XI (London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1949)

Collins, A. H., M.A., Symbolism of Animals and Birds (New York: McBride, Nast & Company, 1913)

Henderson, C., The Book of Barely Imagined Beings (London: University of Chicago Press, 2013)

White, T. H., The Bestiary: A Book of Beasts (New York: G.P Putnam’s Sons, 1960)

Matthews, J. and Matthews C., The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z of fantastic beings from myth and magic (London: HarperElement, 2005)

Barney, S. A., Lewis, W. J., Beach A., Berghof O., The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006)

Endnotes

[1] Squill refers to a genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, specifically Scilla or Squilla. Notably, Scilla maritima, also known as sea squill or squill, is a bulbous plant native to the Mediterranean region. The plant produces a tall spike of star-shaped, blue or white flowers. Its bulb has been historically used for medicinal purposes due to its expectorant and diuretic properties. In medieval texts, squill is sometimes mentioned in the context of its protective qualities; for example, it was believed that placing squill leaves around nests could deter predators like wolves. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scilla

[2] 1 Timothy NKJV 5:14: "So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander." In this passage, the Apostle Paul advises that younger widows should remarry and focus on family life as a way to avoid giving opponents of the faith an opportunity to speak negatively. This advice is part of Paul's instructions on church leadership and conduct within the Christian community.

[3] 1 Corinthians 7:9: "But if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." In this passage, the Apostle Paul is addressing questions about marriage and celibacy. He advises that if someone cannot maintain self-control and is consumed by passion, it is preferable for them to marry rather than struggle with unfulfilled desires.