Quail, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, f70v. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Quail are small, plump terrestrial birds. They are seed eaters but will also take insects and similar small prey. They nest on the ground and are capable of short, rapid bursts of flight. They are a common species of game, although migrating common quail are known to eat some poisonous seeds with no apparent ill effects but store the poison in their body fat, poisoning people who subsequently eat these birds (Lewisa et al 1987).
The medieval bestiary suggests that quail travels at set times, when the summer is over they migrate across the sea in flocks. It is also suggested they eat poisonous seeds and are said to be the only creature to have seizures (Barber 2008).
Transcription
Translation
tigias vocant. eo quod vise fuerint primo; in
ortigia insula. Et dicitur coturnix quasi cotaur-
nix. Hee adveniendi habent tempora. Nam esta-
te depulsa; maria transeunt. Ortigometra dicitur
que gregem ducit. Hanc terre appropinquantem
accipiter videns rapit. Ac propterea cura est univer-
sis ducem sollicitare generis externi; pro qua ca-
veant prima discrimina. Cibos gratissimos semi-
na venenorum habent. Quam ob causam. veteres; eas ves-
ci interdixerunt. Solum enim hoc animal sicut et
homo; caducum patitur morbum. Coturnix
nobis ignota est; que olim filiis israel; nota fuit.
Quails are called by the sound of their voice, which the Greeks call Ortigias, because they were first seen in the island of Ortigia. And the quail is called like a quail[?]. Hee[?] they have come times. For you have been cast down; they cross the seas Ortigometra is said to lead the herd. A hawk, seeing him approaching the land, seizes him. And therefore it is the care of all to solicit the leader of a foreign race; for which they should beware of the first crises. Their favorite foods are poisonous seeds. For this reason, the ancients forbade eating them. For only this animal, like man, suffers a transient disease. The quail is unknown to us; which was once known to the children of Israel.
Magpie, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, f71r. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Transcription
Translation
vocis exprimat ut homo. Per ramos enim arborum
pendula inportuna garrulit arte sonans. et-
si nequit linguam sermone explicare; sonum
tamen humane vocis imitatur. de qua quidam
ait. Pica loquas certa dominum te voce salutat.
Si me non videas(changed from videamus) esse negabis avem. Pica
a pico saturni filio; nomen sumpsit. quod ea
in auspitiis utebatur. Nam ferunt hanc avem
quiddam habere divinum illo indicio. quod
in quacumque arbore nidificaverit; clavum vel
quicquid aliud fixum diu herere non potest;
quin statim excidat; ubi illa insederit;
Magpies are like a poem that expresses words in the crisis of the voice of a person[?]. For through the branches of the trees he chattered awkwardly, sounding artfully, although he was unable to explain the language in words; yet it imitates the sound of the human voice, of which some say. Pica is sure that the master greets you with a voice. If you do not see me, you will deny that I am a bird. Pica from the pica son of Saturn; she took the name because she used it in the auspiciousness. For they say that this bird has something divine in that indication that it has nested in any tree; a nail or anything else fixed cannot remain for long; lest it fall out immediately; where she sat down.
Hawk, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff71v-72r. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
The medieval bestiary records that man can train hawks to fly to their hand. They are shut away to make them tame and while they are shut up they lose their feathers and then grow new ones. When they are strong enough they are set free but they will have thin strips of leather tied to their feet to stop them flying away. When released they are carried on the left hand and fly to the right to look for prey (Barber 2008).
Transcription
Translation
ungulis. virtutem maiorem in minori corpo-
re gestans. et dicitur ab accipiendo et a capien-
do. Est autem avis rapiendis aliis avibus avida. ac-
cipiter enim dicitur. id est raptor. Unde et paulus
dicit. Sustinetis enim si quis accipit vos. Un enim
diceret. si quis rapit; dixit. Si quis accipit. hec
avis fera est; sed mansuescit. et rapinam cum
hominiubs operatur. Fertur autem circa pullos su-
os impius esse. Nam dum viderit eos posse temp-
tare volatus; nullas eis prebet escas. sed verbe-
rat pennis. et a nido precipitat. atque a tenero;
compellit ad predam. ne forte adulti pigrescant.
ne solvantur delitiis. ne marcescant otio.
ne discant cibum magis expectare; quam que-
rere. Accipiter qui mansuescit et cum hominibus
rapinam operatur; est qui mansuete vivere(added) videtur;
set cum rapacibus et potentibus et avaris rape-
re nititur. Unde in levitico accipiter iuxta
genus suum inter aves inmundas reputatur.
A hawk is a bird more armed in mind; than hooves, bearing greater power in a smaller body, and is said from receiving and from catching. Now the bird is greedy for raping other birds, for it is called a hawk, that is, a raptor. Hence he says a little. For you will stand up if someone accepts you. For one would say, if someone steals; he said. If anyone takes it, this is a wild bird; but he calms down, and commits robbery with the men. But it is said that he is wicked around his young. For as long as he sees that they can try flights; He gives them no food, but beats them with feathers, and makes them fall from the nest, and from the nest; he urges them to prey, lest perhaps the grown-ups become lazy, lest they be paid for pleasures, lest they languish in idleness, lest they learn to wait longer for food; than to complain. A hawk that tames and preys upon men; there is one who seems to live meekly; set with rapacious and powerful and greedy rapists. Hence in Leviticus the hawk is considered among the unclean birds according to its kind.
vita in terrenis lucris; imitandus non est.
Et bene dicit iuxta genus suum. quia alietus qui
dicitur gallice hobel. vel falco qui incurvos
habet digitos. et omnes huiusmodi aves quibus
alie aves capriuntur; inmunde sunt sed legem.
For the contemplative whose lesson is in heaven, and life in earthly gains; it is not to be imitated. And he says well according to his kind, because the bird which is called in French the hobel, or the hawk which has crooked fingers, and all such birds by which other birds are caught, are unclean but the law.
Bat, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff74r-72r. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
The medieval bestiary records that the bat is not thought to be a good creature. It flies but is not a bird it is a mammal, and it has teeth and does not lay eggs. It does not have feathers it has folds of skin which hold it up as if it had wings. They hang together in clusters clinging to each other (Barber 2008).
Transcription
Translation
accepit. eoquod lucem fugiens crepusculo
vespertino. volatibus irrationabilibus et flexuosis
circumvolat. precepti motu acta et non pennis.
set loco pennarum tenuissimis brachiorum mem-
branis suspensa. Est autem volatile. idemque
quadrupes et dentibus utitur. quod in aliis avi-
bus repperire non solet. Animal muribus simile.
non tam voce resonans quam stridore. Parit ut qua-
A bat is a lowly animal; It took its name from the evening, which, fleeing the light in the twilight of the evening, flies around with irrational and winding flights, driven by the motion of the command and not by feathers, but instead of feathers is suspended by the thinnest membranes of the arms. But it is a bird, and uses the same four legs and teeth, which are not usually found in other birds. An animal like mice, not so much resonating with a voice as with a shriek. It gives birth as a
et illud hoc vile animal; quod sibi invicem adhe-
rent. et quasi specie botrionis; ex aliquo loco pen-
dent. Et si se ultima queque laxaverit; omnes resol-
vuntur. Quod fit quodam munere caritatis. que
difficile in hominibus huiusmodi reperitur. De qua
dicunt quidam quod si de eius sanguine perun-
gatur capillatus; caluescit. In levitico hec avis inter
inmundas que commedi non debent; reputatur.
Quia contemplativus qui doctrinam quatuor evvan-
gelior ad terrena convertit. utens nocte cupi-
ditatis pro die contemplationis; mitandus non
est. Unde ysaias de tenebrosa doctrina hereti-
corum. qui luci veritatis non appropinquant; dicit.
In die illa proiciet homo ydola auri et argenti
sui; ut adoret talpas et vespertiliones. et cetera.
quadruped, not eggs; but chickens; living This vile animal also has that; that they adhere to each other, and hang from some place as if in the form of a cluster. And if the last one had relaxed himself; all are resolved. This is done as a kind of act of charity, which is difficult to find in people of this kind. Of which some say that if the hair is cut off from its blood, it becomes bald. In Leviticus, this bird is considered among the unclean birds that must not be eaten. Because the contemplative who turns the teaching of the four evangelists to the earthly, using the night of desire for the day of contemplation, is not to be feared. Hence Isaiah speaks of the dark doctrine of heretics, who do not approach the light of truth. In that day a man will throw away his idols of gold and silver, to worship moles and bats, and so on.
Crow, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff75r-76r. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Transcription
Translation
inmunda est. Unde in lege quicquid corvini
generis est. comedi perhibetur. hec avis nocturnas
insidias et diurnas manifestat clamore. pluvi-
as vocibus portendit. Unde est. illud. Tunc cornix
plenam pluviam vocat improba voce. Et corvus
cornix certum diei iudicium voce indicat. nec
The crow is an old bird of the raven kind, and it is dirty. Hence, in the law, whatever is of the raven's kind is said to have been eaten; Where is that from? Then the cornucopiae calls full of rain with an impudent voice. And the horned raven indicates with its voice the certain judgment of the day, and is not
bitatio. et sollerti intuitu ab ictu se precavent.
Discant homines amare filios comitatu sedulo et sol-
licite prosequantur. ne teneri forte deficiant. cibum
suggerant. ac plurimo temporis spacio nutriendi of-
ficia non relinquant. Nam femine nostri generis cito
ablactant etiam illos quos diligunt. lactare fastidi-
unt pauperiores si fuerint. parvos abiciunt et expo-
nunt. et deprehensos abnegant. Ipse quoque divites ne
per plures suum patrimonium dividatur; in uteros proprios
fetus necant. et paricidialibus suis in ipso genitali
alvo pignora sui ventris extingunt. Priusquam au -
fertur vita; quam traditur. Quis docuit nisi homo
filios abdicari. quis reperit tam immicia patrum
iura; Quis inter nature fraterna consortia fratres
impares fecit. Unius divitis filii diversitati cedunt.
Alius paterne totius sortis ac scriptionibus inunda-
tur. alius occulte hereditatis paterne deplorat exhaus-
tam atque inopem portionem. Numquid natura
divisit filiorum merita; Ex pari omnibus tribuit
deceived like a coin, and their dwelling is around their men, and they guard themselves from the blow with their clever sight. People should learn to love their children, follow them diligently and attentively, so that they do not fail to be held, suggest food, and most of the time do not leave their nursing duties. For the women of our race quickly wean even those whom they love; The rich themselves, lest their patrimony should be divided among many, kill their own children in their wombs, and with their parricides extinguish the pledges of their wombs in the very genital tract. Before life is taken away, it is given. Who has taught that it is not a man who renounces his children, who finds the rights of fathers so intrusive. Who among the fraternal associations of nature made the brothers odd. The sons of one rich man yield to diversity. Another is inundated with the entire paternal lot and writings, another secretly laments the exhausted and destitute portion of his paternal inheritance. Has nature divided the merits of children? He grants to all equally
tiam. Ipsa vos doceat non discernere patrimonio quos
titulo germanitatis equavit. Etenim quibus datur
communiter esse quod nati sunt; non debent ut commu-
niter habeant id quod una substituti sunt invi-
dere.
that they may have substance to be born and to live. Let her teach you not to distinguish between those whom she has ridden with the title of Germania. For those to whom it is given to be in common that which they were born, ought not to envy that they have in common that which they have been substituted together.
Raven, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Transcription
Translation
in pccatis. sed in adventu christi; cantate predicando; in
fenestra sensuum nostrorum. et in superliminari; videlicet
menti nostre sapientie verba infigens. Vel in ma-
lam partem totum legi potest. Per hec enim animalia
que omnia inmunda sunt; significantur vicia vel de-
monia que habitant in anima per ypocrisis similitudi-
nem; spinosa vel speciosam. et mentis rationem. et sensus nostros se-
ducunt. Limen enim; corpus vel sensualitas est. Super
liminare autem anima vel ratio. que omnia seduc-
tione demonum viciantur.
The raven is a Gentile preacher, who was black in the penances, but in the advent of Christ; sing while preaching; in the window of our senses, and on the threshold; that is, impressing words of wisdom upon our minds. Or the whole can be read in a bad way. For by this all animals are unclean; vices or demons are signified which dwell in the soul through the likeness of hypocrisy; thorny or beautiful, and the reasoning of our mind and our senses. For the threshold; it is the body or sensuality. But above the threshold, the soul or the reason, that everything is defeated by the seduction of demons.
Dove, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff76v-77r. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
The dove has particular significance in Christian art as representing the Holy Spirit.
The medieval bestiary records that the dove is a simple bird and doesn't irritate anyone or anything. It is a loving bird and sighs rather than sing. It picks out the best grain when it feeds. It sits near to running water ready to dive in if a hawk approaches and nests with others in holes in rocks (Barber 2008).
Transcription
Translation
amorem concitat. Ita predicatores sancti carent
ira. et amaritudine, quia licet irascantur; tamen
non dicitur ira cum rationabiliter irascantur.
Habet gemitum pro cantu. Ita predicatores pro-
cul a moto cantus et amore seculi; gemunt pro
suis et aliorum peccatis. Nec lacerat rostro. Et
The dove is a simple bird, lacking feathers and a kiss; it stirs up love. Thus holy preachers lack anger and bitterness, because they may be angry; yet it is not called anger when they are reasonably angry. He has a moan for a song. Thus the preachers are far from the movement of song and love of the age; they weep for their own sins and those of others. Nor should he tear it with his beak. And
76v
tas scripturas non corrumpunt sicut hereti-
ci faciunt. Meliora grana eligit. Eodem modo ipsi
meliores sentencias scripturarum eligunt. Alie-
nos pullos nutrit. Ita predicatores filios huius secu-
li alienatos a deo per peccatum suis predicatio-
nibus nutriunt trahentes eos ad christum. Iuxta
fluenta sedet ut viso accipitre; se demergat;
et sic evadat. Similiter iuxta sanctas scripturas
predicatores habitant, ut viso impetu et tempta-
tione diaboli in illis scripturis demergantur,
agendo scilicet iuxta precepta scripturarum
et sic evadant. Alis se defendunt. Ita predicato-
res sententiis patrum se muniunt et defendunt
In foraminibus petre nidificant, sic et predicatores
in vulneribus id est in fide vulnerum christi de quo dicitur,
petra autem erat christus; nidum id est indumentum sibi et illis
faciunt. Habet et hanc naturam ut visionem amis-
sam recuperet. Ita predicatores ecclesie rationem inter-
missam per aliquod peccatum; dono spiritus sancti
recuperant. Sic et david qui spiritum prophetie quem
this is well suited to preachers who do not corrupt the holy scriptures as heretics do. He chooses better grains. In the same way they choose the better sentences of the scriptures. She feeds alien chicks. Thus the preachers nurture the children of this age alienated from God through sin with their preaching, drawing them to Christ. He sits by the stream like a hawk at sight; he drowns himself; and so he escapes. Similarly, preachers live according to the holy scriptures, so that when they see the attack and temptation of the devil they drown in those scriptures, acting according to the precepts of the scriptures and thus escape. Wings defend themselves. Thus the preachers defend and defend themselves by the opinions of the fathers. They nest in the holes of the rock, so also the preachers in the wounds, that is, in the faith of the wounds of Christ, of which it is said, but the rock was Christ; they make a nest that is clothing for themselves and for them. It also has this nature to recover lost vision. Thus, those who bring the church into account have been interrupted by some sin; they recover by the gift of the Holy Spirit. So also David, who had lost the spirit of prophecy;
predicatores gregatim fidem catholicam tenentes
tendunt gressibus bonorum operum atque virtutum.
Nam quot bona opera facimus; tot gressibus ad deum
properamus.
Turtledove, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff77r-77v. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
The medieval bestiary records that the turtle dove avoids man. It is a shy bird which lives on mountain tops in the desert and woods in hollow trees. It covers its nest with the leaves of bulbous plants to protect it from wolves because wolves do not like this kind of leaf. If it loses its mate it will not take another (Barber 2008).
Transcription
Translation
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 turtle is called by its voice, a chaste bird, always dwelling in the mountain ranges and in the desert deserts, and in the forests. He flees the shelter of men and the conversation. Which in the winter time is plucked; it dwells in the hollows of the trunks of trees until it is time to return, and the wolf lays over the leaves of the squirrel in its nest so that it does not attack its young. since the leaves of this wolf flee.
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.
This lost the par; others are not connected. keeping the chastity of iiidiiiity; more than the wear of our time. Of whom the Apostle says. I want to marry the two younger ones, to have children, to be mothers of families, and to give no chance to the adversary. And elsewhere. It is good for them if they continue like this. But if they do not control themselves; they marry For it is better to marry than to burn. Therefore, let women who have reason learn to imitate turtles, who do not create even without reason; they keep chastity. The turtle does not burn in the flower of youth. He is not tempted by the lure of opportunity. The turtle does not know how to invalidate the first faith, always fixing the eyes of love on the predeceased spouse, contracting more pain from the death of a member; which he contracted of sweetness from the love of the living. For love is as strong as death. It is said that after the death of a peer he does not sit down except on dry land and in roads where there is no green grass, not on green branches, always judging himself unworthy of love, and fleeing from everything that tends to stir up lust.
Swallow, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff78r-78v. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Transcription
Translation
sed in aere escas capiat et edat. Garrula avis. per
tortuosos orbes et flexuosos et iuxta terram circuitus;
volans. et in nidis construendis educandisque fetibus;
sollertissima. habens etiam quiddam prescium; quod
lapsura deserat nec appetat culmina. A diris quoque avi-
bus non inpeditur; nec umquam preda est. Maria trans-
volans; ibi hyeme commoratur. Parva corpora; sed
pio sublimis affectu. et arte ingeniosissima. Indi-
ga rerum omnium; pretiosiores auro; nidos instruit;
quia cum sapientia nidificat. Quid enim sapientius
quam ut volandi vaga libertate potiatur. et hominibus
It is said of the swallow that the resident does not take food; but let him catch food in the air and eat it. The chattering of the birds, through the tortuous circles and windings, and round about the earth; flying, and in building nests and raising young; very skilful, having even a certain prescience; that he had abandoned the slide and did not desire the summits. He is also not troubled by wild birds; nor was he ever a prey. Mary flying across; he spends the winter there. Small bodies; but I am pious with lofty feelings, and a most ingenious art. In need of all things; more precious than gold; builds nests; because it nestles with wisdom. For what is wiser than to take possession of the wandering freedom of flight, and recommend nests and chicks to men
det. ubi subolem nullus hostis inpetere audet.
et pullos suos humane conversationi assues-
cat. Preterea nidum sine ullo adiutore artificio-
sissime componit. Legit enim festucas ore. easque luto
linit; ut glutinare possit. Sed quia lutum pedibus
deferre non potest; summitates pennarum aqua infun-
dit. ut facile hiis pulvis adhereat. et fiat limus
quo paulatim festucas vel minutos surculos(changed from furculos);
sibi colligat. atque adherere faciat. et sic totum nidum
facit; ut solidus sit. nec rimultus. ne grigus ad
pullos iiitrare possit. Hoc quoque preclarum ha-
bet et medicamenti insigne. quod pullis cecitate per-
cussis; novit lumina reformare. Hec avis velocis-
sima est. et nigra super dorsum. alba sum ventre.
vermiculata; sub gutture. habens caudam bifur-
catam. Nomine hirundiiiis aliquando dicitur christus ni-
dum ecclesie sapienter edificans. aliquando apostoli. in nido ecclesie
filios fide generantes. aliquando prophete in nido sinagoge
vel veteris testamenti; populos edocentes.
and men's dwellings, where no enemy dares to intrude, and accustom his chicks to humane intercourse. Moreover, he arranges the nest very skillfully without any helper. For he read the fescues with his mouth. and he smears them with mud; to be able to glue But because he cannot carry the mud with his feet; he infuses the tops of the feathers with water, so that it easily adheres to these dusts, and becomes a slime on which little by little the shoots or little shoots grow; gather it to himself, and cause it to adhere. and so he makes the whole nest; so that it is solid and not broken, so that the grayling cannot enter the chicks. This also has a prominent and medicinal sign. that the chickens were struck with blindness; he knows how to change the lights. This bird is very swift, and has a black back, and a white belly, covered with worms; under the throat, having a bifurcated tail. By the name of the swallows, sometimes Christ is said to be wisely building the church's nest, sometimes the apostles, begetting children by faith in the church's nest, sometimes the prophet in the synagogue's nest or the Old Testament; educating the people.
Peacock, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff79r-79v. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Transcription
Translation
vitum habitans. pennas in stellarum modum
lucentes. et pulcra varietate diversorum colorum
distinctas habens. Gaudam longissimam et pul-
cherrime lucentem; trahens. que capita regum
et divitum ornat. et a servore solis descendit. Capi-
te parvo. et desuper plumis superexcrescentibus crista-
to; et corpore magno incedit. Vox eius quasi dia-
boli. penna quasi angeli. passus; quasi latronis.
capud quasi serpentis; vulgo dicitur. Cuius caro
tam dura est; ut putredinem vix senciat. nec facile
The peacock has its name from the sound of its voice. Dwelling in rich houses, having feathers shining like the stars, and having a fair variety of distinct colors. Drawing the longest and most beautifully shining joy, which adorns the heads of kings and the rich, and descends from the servant of the sun. He walks with a small head, and a crest of feathers growing from above, and a large body. His voice is like that of a devil, his wings are like those of an angel, his suffering is like that of a thief, his head is like that of a serpent. Whose flesh is so hard; so that it scarcely perceives decay, and is not easily
ens gemmantes explicat alas. si potes hunc sevo;
tradere dura coco. Mater ova sua abscondit. et
nidum in occulto loco frequentat. ne inveniens
pater ova; ea commedat. Femina non est adeo lucen-
tibus pennis nec adeo longis; ut masculus decora-
ta. Nomine igitur pavonis; significantur sancti. decore
virtutum perfecti. Vel ypocrite speciem virtutum
tenentes. Unde in regum et in paralipomenon le-
gitur. quod naves regis salomonis ibant in tarsis;
cum servis yram semel in tribus annis. et deferebant
inde aurum et argentum. et ebur et simias et pavos.
cooked. Of whom one says thus. You wonder when it spreads its wings with a sigh, if you can save this one; to deliver hard cocoa. The mother hid her eggs. and frequents the nest in a secret place. lest the father find the eggs; eat them. A woman is not so bright nor so long; decorated as a male By the name of the peacock, therefore, are signified the holy, the beautiful perfect virtues. Or hypocritically possessing the appearance of virtues. Whence it is read in Kings and Chronicles, that King Solomon's ships went in tarsi; when the servants went once in three years, and they brought from thence gold and silver, and ivory, monkeys, and peacocks.
Chicken, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff80r-83v. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Evolving in the jungles of Asia, several wild species of junglefowl have been hybridized to produce the domesticated chicken and today chickens are the most common and widespread domesticated animal with a total population estimated at 23.7 billion in 2018. Chickens were known in ancient Greece from the 5th century BC, and would have been widespread as a domesticated animal throughout medieval Europe.
The medieval bestiary records that the cock gets its name because it is often castrated. The cocks crow is useful as it wakes people up in the morning and can encourage people who are downhearted, comforts the traveler, and could scare a robber (Barber 2008).
Transcription
Translation
ceteras aves testiculi adimuntur. Veteres enim ab-
scisos; gallos vocabant. Cuius membra ut ferunt si au-
ro liquenti misceantur; consumi dicunt. A gallo;
dicitur gallina. Gallus non una sola fallina contem-
tus est; sed multas habet coniuges quibus omnibus bene
dnatur. Et homo unam uxorem vix regere potest;
Galli cantus suavis in noctibus et utilis. et multis est.
desiderabilis. Qui quasi bonus cohabitator. et dormi-
entem excitat. et sollicitum admonet et consolatur
viantem; dum processum noctis voce canora protesta-
tur. Hoc canente latro suas relinquit suas insidias;
timens diem. Hoc; ipse lucifer excitatur quodammodo ut
oriatur. celumque illuminet. hoc canente; mesticiam
nauta trepidus deponit. et tempestas nocturna de-
ponitur et mitescit; contra diem. hoc canente. ipsa ecclesie
petra. culpam suam diluit; quoniam priusquam gallus ter can-
taret; ter negando contraxit. Respexit enim dominus
petrum et error recessit. Pulla est negacio; secuta est
confessio. Istius cantu; spes omnibus redit. Egris relevatur
The Gaul is called by castration. For he alone among other birds is deprived of his testicles. For the old ones were cut off; they called the roosters. The members of which are said to be mixed with liquid gold; they say consumed From a rooster, it is called a hen. The Frenchman was not dismayed by a single mistake; but he has many spouses, to all of whom he is well-acquainted. And a man can hardly control one wife; A sweet song of the Gauls at night, and useful, and to many,
desirable Who, like a good companion, wakes the sleeper, and warns and comforts the troubled traveler, while he protests the night's progress with a singing voice. With this song the bandit leaves his trap, fearing the day. This, Lucifer himself is somehow roused to rise and light up the sky by singing this; The troubled sailor lays down the mestice, and the nocturnal storm is laid down and calmed down; against the day, by singing this, the very rock of the church dissolves its guilt; because before the cock crowed three times; he contracted by denying it three times. For the master looked at Peter and the error disappeared. A chicken is a negation; A confession followed. His song; hope returns to all. Egris is relieved
bantes respicit. errantes; corrigit. Mucro latronis
conditur. Gallus se prius alis verberat. et sic; vocen-
dat. Profundiori nocte; altius et diutius et inso-
lenti clamat. Appropinquante autem die; omnia
temperantius agit. In die autem; silet. nisi quia
horas observat. Nomine galli predicator sig-
nificatur cui omnia predicta de natura galli; con-
veniunt. Unde iob. Quis posuit in visceribus sapienci-
am. vel quis dedit gallo intelligentiam; Predicato-
res enim in tenebris huius vite futuram lucem nuntiant
dicentes. Nox precessit dies autem appropinquavit et cetera.
Item. evigilate iusti et nolite peccare. Gallus prius noc-
turnas horas tacendo considerat et tunc clamat.
Quia prius predicator cuiuslibet naturam et vitam et
potentiam considerat. et cui que congruere conspex-
erit; predicat. Non enim una omnibus predicatio facien-
da est. sed unicuique iuxta opera sua. Quia levis subilus
equos mitigat. catulos instigat. Et herba que huic
animali vires prebet; alii mortem iiifert. Item gal-
lus profundioribus horis noctis; valentiores et
productiores cantus edit. Cum vero mane appropin-
format. Quia dum iniquis qui in profundis pec-
catorum tenebris dormiunt predicant; altis et mag-
nis vocibus terrores futuri iudicii et gehenne; cla-
mant. Sed cum lux gracie illis apparet; voces ter-
roris mitigant. et blanda et suavia vite eterne;
annuntiant. et quantum lux fidei et gratie et vir-
tutum in eis plus crescit; tantum minutiora et sub-
tiliora de misteriis divinis predicant. Item gallus
antequam cantet; prius alas excutit. et semetipsum feri-
ens; vigilantiorem reddit. Ita predicatores antequam pre(dot underneath)-
dicatores an(all have dots underneath) predicent aliis; se in bonis acconiiibus
exercent. et pectora penitendo percutiunt. et se ver-
beribus castigant. et cum se prius a sompno torpo-
ris evigilant; demum ad alios evigilando clamant.
Unde apostolus. Castigo corpus meum et inservitu-
tem redigo. ne aliis predicans; ipse reprobus effi-
ciar. Hanc intelligentiam gallo solus deus dedit.
qui omnia pro ut vulte; iuste disponit. De hoc quoque
gallo sive spiritu sancto; in evangelio dicit dominus
petro. In hac nocte antequam gallus cantet; ter
lighter and smaller and more succinct voices; forms Because while the unrighteous who sleep in the deep darkness of sins preach; with loud and loud voices the terrors of the future judgment and hell; they cry But when the light appears to them by grace; they soften the voices of terror, and sweet and sweet life eternal; they announce, and how much the light of faith and grace and virtue grows in them; they only preach more minute and subtle things about the divine mysteries. Also before the rooster crows; first he shakes his wings, and striking himself; makes him more vigilant. Thus preachers before preachers preach to others; they exercise themselves in good armor, and beat their breasts in penitence, and chastise themselves with lashes, and when they first awake from a sleep of torpor; at last they cry out to the others, waking them up. Hence the Apostle. I chastise my body and reduce my servitude, not preaching to others; I myself will be made a reprobate. God alone gave this intelligence to the rooster, who does everything as he pleases; just arranges Of this also the cock, or the holy spirit; in the gospel the Lord says to Peter In this night before the rooster crows; you will deny me three times,
dominum. primo videlicet ad vocem unius ancille. secundo ad
vocem alterius alcille(changed to ancille). tercio ad vocem virorum astan-
tium sicut habetur in matheo; statim subiungitur.
Et continuo; gallus cantavit. Et recordatus petrus
verbi iesu; quod duxerat priusquam gallus cantet. ter me
negabis; egressus est foras et flevit amare. Lucas addit
post trinam negationem. Et conversus dominus; res-
pexit petrum. Et recordatus est. petrus verbi domini
et cetera. Attende diligenter. Ecce enim media nocte ne-
gat petrus. gallicantu luce appropinquante; peni-
tet. Post resurrectionem sub luce ter confitetur se
amare; quem tem negaverat. Quia quod in mediis
tenebris oblivionis erravit; sperate iam lucis reiiie-
moratione deflevit. Et eiusdem vere lucis presentia.
plene quicquid mutaverat; correxit et erexit;
Prima ancilla. titubatio est; secunda; consensio. tertius
vir; actus. Sic et nos ter deum negamus; cum in ma-
lo delectamus. et cum consentimus; et cum mala agimus.
Item ter negamus; per malam cogitationem. et malum
sermonem. et malam operationem. Nec resurgere aut
and below. After Peter had denied his master three times, first at the voice of one of the maidservants. secondly to the voice of another maidservant, thirdly to the voice of the men standing by, as is stated in Matthew; immediately joined. And immediately; the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus; what he had brought before the rooster crowed, you will deny me three times; He went outside and wept for love. Luke adds after the triple denial. And the master turned; He looked at Peter. And he remembered, Peter, the word of the Lord, and the rest. Pay attention carefully. For behold, at midnight Peter denies. the gallic light approaching; he repents After the resurrection, under the light, he confesses three times that he loves; which he had denied. Because he wandered in the midst of the darkness of oblivion; I hope that the light has already faded from memory. And the presence of the same true light, fully changed everything; corrected and raised. The first maidservant is the hesitation; the second; consent, third man, act. Thus we deny God thrice; when we delight in evil, and when we consent; and when we do evil. Again we deny three times; by evil thought, and evil
centet. Idest nisi predicator docuerit nos viam ve-
ritatis. vel spiritus sanctus corda nostra sua inspiratio-
ne visitare dignetur. Et nisi peccatorem respexerit do-
minus oculo misericordie. et nisi fugiamus consortia
malorum. Unde petrus exeunt foras et flevit amare;
Tunc autem nobis gallus cantat; cum predicator vel spi-
ritus sanctus corda nostra ad compunctionem revocat.
Tunc incipimus flere; cum ignimur intus per scintillam
sciencie. Tunc foras eximus; cum extra consuetum
modum vivimus;
assumpsit. Unde dominus dicit in evangelio. Ierusalem
ierusalem que occidis prophetas et lapidas eos qui ad
te missi sunt. quociens volui congregare filios tuos
quemadmodum gallina congregat pullos suos sub
ala. et nolvisti. Hoc animal maximum affectum
habet in filios. ita ut eorum infirmitate infecta; ipsa
infirmetur. Et quod in nullis aliis repperitur. eos
alis protegens contra mulvum pugnet. Sic dei sapientia
per carnem infirmata; protegit nos et defendit a
diabolo. Gallina clamando rauca est. Sic et dicit christus.
Laboravi clamans rauce facte sunt fauces mee. et
laboravi sustinens. Gallina pro amore pullorum
hyspidatur et turpis sit. sic et christus ab iectus ab omni-
bus reputabatur. et leprosus dicebatur. Gallina;
precedit pullos. Et christus dicit. Qii vult meus esse. dis-
cipulus; tollat crucem suam et sequatur me. Gal-
lina unguibus pedum terram scarpendo strami-
na deicit; ut grana inveniat pullis. Sic christus per iiica-
nationis sue predicatores terram cordis nostris ape-
abiectis; granis virtutum nostrarum et bonorum
operum alios filios suos pascat. Gallina granum
ex ore proprio retrahit. et pullis proicit. Sic et christus
dicit. Aperi os tuum et implebo illud. Ale huius gal-
line sub quibus proteguntur pulli eius; sunt duo testamen-
ta. Vel misericordia et veritas. vel timor et amor. quibus
deus incipientes protegit. Dens voluit congregare fili-
os sinagoge sub alis suis; sed ipsa noluit. quia vo-
luntas dei filios eius congregavit et martires fecit;
et dominos mundi; etiam ipsa nolente; Gallina igitur
infirmitata est christus. et mater nostra est sapientia di-
vina. Nulla enim alia avis mater agnoscitur; nisi
in nido fuerit cum pullis. Gallina autem sic infirmatur
cum pullis suis. et ita fit alis demissis. et plumis his-
pida et voce rauca; et omnibus membris demissa et
abiecta; ut se si filios eius non videas nec nidum;
matrem tamen intelligas. Ecce habes infirmum ihesum. Unde
fatigatus ex itinere. sedit sexta hora ad puteum
omnia. et sine ipso factum est. nichil. Et dominus virtu-
tum ipse est rex glorie. Fortitudo christi re creavit. in-
firmitas christi; te recreavit. Condidit nos fortitudine
et quesivit infirmitate. Infirmus infirmos nutrit.
omnibus omnia factus; tanquam gallina pullos suos. In-
firmitas illius nos fortes facit. Quia quod infirmum
est dei; fortius est. hominibus. Gallina igitur christi est; pul-
los fidelium nutriens. Ipse est et aquila; pullos suos
protegens. Unde in deuteronomio. Sicut aquila
provocans ad volandum pullos suos et super eos vo-
litans.
Duck, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, f84r. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Transcription
Translation
pit. Anseris nomen anas; dedit per dirivationem.
vel asimilitudine. vel quo ipsa natandi freque-
tiam habet. Omnium autem genera volu-
crum bis nascitur. Primum enim ova gignuntur. Inde
calore materni corporis formantur et animantur.
Ova autem dicta; ab eo quod sunt humida. Unde et
uva ab eo quod intrinsecus humore sit plena. Nam
humidi est quod externis humorem habet. Uvidum;
quod interius. Quidam autem putant ovum gre-
cam habere originem nominis. Illi autem dicunt
.oa.v. littera sublata. Ova autem quedam inani-
vento concipiuntur. sed tamen non sunt generabilia;
nisi que fuerint concubitu maculino concepta;
et feminali spiritu penetrata. Ovorum vim tan-
tam dicunt; ut lignum eo perfusum non ardeat
nec vestis quidem aduratur admixta. Fertur quoque
calce ovo admixta; vitri glutinare fragmenta.
The duck received its apt name from its constant swimming. The name of goose is duck; she gave by diversion, or by assimilation, or by which she has the frequency of swimming. But all kinds of birds are born twice. For the first time the eggs are produced. Then they are formed and animated by the heat of the mother's body. And the said eggs; from the fact that they are moist. Hence the grape is full of internal moisture. For it is moist because it has external moisture. An apple tree; that interior. But some think that the egg has a Greek origin. And they say, .oa.v. letter removed Now the eggs are conceived by a certain inanimate object, but they are not generative; unless they have been conceived by sexual intercourse; and penetrated by the feminine spirit. They say that the power of eggs is so great; so that the wood permeated with it does not burn, nor does the garment burn when mixed with it. It is also served with lime mixed with an egg; glue pieces of glass.
Ape, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff84v-87r. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Apes are the clade (group of species) which include homo sapiens. Apes evolved to inhabit Africa, Europe and Asia, and are distinguishable from the group of species known as monkeys by their lack of tail. Today many species of ape are endangered in the wild due to habitat destruction and hunting.
The medieval bestiary records that apes are an animal that appear to have human characteristics, conscious of the elements and world around them, and that they will protect their young carrying them in their arms or on their backs when running from danger (Barber 2008).
Transcription
Translation
They are called apes in the Latin language, because in them much resemblance to human reason is felt. The wise of these elements rejoice at the new moon, and the mean and hollow are sad. The nature of a monkey is such that when it has given birth to twin cubs; he loves the one and despises the other. But if sometimes he is pursued by hunters; before him he embraces whom he loves, and carries another by his neck whom he hates. The ape has no tail, whose figure the devil wears; he who has a head has no tail, and although the ape is altogether ugly; but his posteriors are quite hideous and horrible. The devil began when he was an angel in heaven. But he was a hypocrite and a devil and a deceiver inwardly, and he lost his tail, because he will all perish in the end. As the Apostle says. Whom the Lord Jesus Christ will kill with the breath of his mouth. A monkey is a Greek name, that is, with compressed noses. Hence we also say of monkeys that they are with suppressed noses and ugly faces, with shameful frowns. It is true that even goats have pressure on their noses. Giraffes have tails. This is the only distinction between the first mentioned. Zenophali himself is of the number of apes; in the most crowded parts of Ethiopia. Violent to the jump. wild bite I was never so tame; that they may not be more mad. Among the apes there are also sparrows, hairy in their arms, and docile to the oblivion of ferocity.
bees Apes dicuntur vel quod se pedibus alligent.dum ramis dependent; vel quia sine
pedibus nascuntur. Nam postea et pedes et pen-
nas accipiunt. Hec sollertes in generandi mel-
lis offitio. assignatas incolunt sedes. Domicilia
in enarrabili arte componunt. et ex variis floribus
favum componunt. Textisque ceris; innumera prole
castra replent. Exercitum et reges habent. prelia mo-
vent. fumum fugiunt. tumultu exasperantur. Has
plerique experti sunt de boum cadaveribus nas-
ci. Nam pro hiis creandis; vitulorum occisorum
carnes verberantur. ut ex putrefacto cruore. ver-
mes creentur. qui postea efficiuntur apes. Proprie
nes de equis. fuci de milvis. Vespe de asinis. Cas-
tros greci appellant; qui in extremis favorum
partibus maiores creantur. quos aliqui reges
putant dici; quod castra ducant. Fucus autem
est; api similis. sed ape maior. et scrabone minor.
et depascit alienos labores quos ipse non labora-
vit. De quo virgilius. Ingavum fucum pecus; a
presepibus arcent. Sole apes communem omnibus sobo-
lem habent. Unam incolunt mansionem;
Unius patrie clauduntur limine. Communis la-
bor. communis cibus. communis volatus. communis;
fructus. communis generatio. communis virgini-
tatis integritatis(changed to integritas). Communis partus. Non enim
inter se concubitu miscentur. et subito maxi-
mum filiorum examen emittunt. Foliis atque herbis
ore suo prolem legentes. Ipse sibi regem ordinant.
Ipse populos creant. Et licet sint sub rege; tamen sunt
libere. quia regem quem ordinaverunt; diligunt
elegitur que prestet; corporis magnitudine. et man-
suetudine. et specie. Nam et si habet aculeum; tamen
eo non utitur ad vindicandum. Apes quoque alie
si aculeo suo utantur ad vindicandum. pro commissi-
pretio; sententia mortis se affligunt. Nulle apes
ad pastum exire audent; nisi precesserit earum
rex. et principatum volatus teneat. Processus est; per
rura redolentia. per hortos floribus redolentes. per
amena riparum. Illic ludus alacris iuventutis. Il-
lic campestre exercitium. Illic; curarum remissio.
Opus ipsum; suave. de floribus et herbis dulcibus fun-
damina prima castrorum ponuntur. Quid enim aliud
est favus nisi castrorum speties. in quibus minute.
et rotunde cellule quasi turres connexione sui invi-
cem fulciuntur. Cernas omnes certare de munere.
alias invigilare querendo victum. alias sollicitam
castris exhibere custodiam. alias futuros explora-
re imbres. et contemplari concursus nubium. ali-
as de floribus ceras fingere. alias rorem infusum
diari laboribus et raptu victum querere. Atque
utinam raptorum insidias non timerent. Habent
tamen spicula sua. et inter mella fundunt vene-
num; si fuerint lacessite. animasque ponunt in
vulnere. et spiculum ardore vindicte. Apis
dicitur sapiens et discretus et diligens et
proindus. Unde sapientia salomonis dicit.
Vade ad apem et vide quam operaria est. et eius imita-
re operationem. Operatio enim apis appetibilis est. om-
nibus. tam pauperibus quam divitibus. et cara et
indiscreta sui gracia; regibus pariter ac me-
diocribus equali suavitate dulcessit. et volup-
tati et saluti consulit. fauces obdulcat. et cu-
rat vulnera. Internis quoque sanat viscera. Itaque
cum sit robore infirma apes; valida est vigo-
re sapiencie et amore virtutis. Denique regem
suum apes summa protectione defendunt. et peri-
re pro eo pulcrum putant. Amisso rege. fidem
diripiunt. Quia is qui principatum habuit mune-
ris; interemptus est. Itaque cum aves alie vix in anno
edant singulos fetus; apes geminos vel triplices
creant. et multiplici ceteris fecunditate preponde-
rant. Apes iterum dicuntur maligni spiritus vel tu-
multus et compunctiones carnalium desideriorum. Unde
ysaias. In die illa sibilabit d9 musce que est.
in extremo fluminum egypti. et api que est in
terra affur. et venient et requiescent omnes in tor-
rentibus vallium et cavernis petrarum. et in omnibus
frutectis. et in universis foraminibus. Malignienin
spiritus dulcedinem huius vite sequendam suggeren-
tes; animam aculeo peccati et pene eterne transfi-
gunt. Hee musce et apes manent in terra egypti; et
in fluminibus eius et in terra assiriorum; quia demones
luxuriosis et vitiosis et tenebris ignorantie de-
ditis; dominantur. Musce sicut et apes. necate in aqua;
aliquotiens post unius hore spatium; reviviscunt.
Nomine musce aliquando dicuntur demones. vel cure secularum;
Peridexion tree, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff87v-87r. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
The Peridexion Tree, (also known as the "perindens") is a mythical tree which grows in India. Doves live in this tree, and feed on the sweet and pleasant fruit which the tree produces. Dragons, which are the enemy of doves, fear the shadow of the tree, and so the doves nest in the shade of the tree. While they remain in the tree, they are safe, but if any leave the tree, they are caught by the dragon and killed.
The story of the Peridexion Tree is allegorical of the christian faith. The tree is God the Father, the shadow of the tree is God the Son, and the fruit of the tree is the wisdom of the Lord, that is the Holy Ghost. The doves are christians, who are safe as long as they remain faithful to the church, but if they leave the church, they will be caught and devoured by the dragon , who is the devil.
Transcription
Translation
huius arboris dulcis est totus dulcis et valde suavis.
Columbe autem delectantur in fructibus huius ar-
boris. habitantque in ea pascentes fructus eius.
Draco autem inimicus est columbis timetque arborem
et umbram eius. ubi columbe morantur. et non potest ap-
propinquare arbori neque umbre eius. Si enim umbra
eius venerit ad occidentem; fugit draco ad orien-
tem. si ad orientem; fugit ad occidentem. Si autem eve-
nerit ut columba inveniatur extra arborem aut um-
bram eius; occidit eam draco. Arborem deum pa-
trem intellige. umbram filium. sicut gabriel
dicit ad mariam. Spiritus sanctus superveniet in te
et virtus altissimi obumbrabit tibi. Fructum; ce-
lestem sapientiam. deum scilicet. Columbam spi-
ritum sanctum. id est spiritualem columbam
intelligibilem de celo descendentem et manentem
super te. ne foris fias ab eternitate. alienus a patre
et spiritu sancto. et draco. id est diabolus te inte-
It is a sweet tree in India, and the fruit of this sweet tree is very sweet and very sweet. And the doves delight in the fruits of this tree, and dwell in it, feeding on its fruits. But the dragon is an enemy to doves and fears the tree and its shadow, where the doves dwell, and cannot approach the tree or its shadow. For if his shadow comes to the west; the dragon flees to the east, if to the east; he fled to the west. But if it happens that a dove is found outside the tree or its shade; the dragon killed her.
Think of the tree as the father, the shadow as the son, as Gabriel says to Mary: ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you’. Fruit is heavenly wisdom, that is, God. A dove, the holy spirit, that is, an intelligible spiritual dove descending from heaven and remaining upon you, lest you become outside for eternity, a stranger from the Father and the Holy Spirit, and let the dragon, that is, the devil, kill you.
propinquare draco. Attende ergo o homo et permane in fide
catholica. ibique habita ibique persevera. Immo quantum
potes cave ne extra domum foris inveniaris. et com-
prehendat te ille draco serpens antiqus et devoret te;
sicut iudam. qui mox ut exiit a domo foras id est a
fratribus apostolis; statim a demone devoratus est; et
periit.
For if you have the Holy Spirit, the dragon cannot come near you. Take heed therefore, O man, and persevere in the Catholic faith, and abide there and continue there. Rather, take care as much as you can that you are not found outside the house, and that ancient dragon-serpent seizes you and devours you; like a Jew who as soon as he left the house outside, that is, from the apostles' brothers; he was immediately devoured by a demon; and perished.
Asp, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff88r-88v. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
The medieval bestiary records that there are many different types of asp all of which have a poisonous bite.
Some move with their mouth open steaming. When the asp notices a snake charmer trying to get it to come out of its hole and it doesn't want to, it will lie with one ear on the ground and put its tail in the other ear to stop from hearing the charmers magic sounds (Barber 2008).
Transcription
Translation
diversa species. Videlicet dipsa. Ipnalis. emorois.
prester. Dipsa; latine dicitur situla. quia quem mo-
morderit; siti perit. et est tante exiguitatis; ut
cum calcatur non videtur. Cuius venenum ante extin-
guit; quam senciatur. ut nec tristiciam inducat morituro3.
De quo poeta. Signiferum iuvenem tirrem sanguinis
aulum; tota capud retro dipsa calcata momordit.
The asp kills with its poisoned bite. There are different types of this. Evidently: dipsa, Ipnalis, emorois, prester. Dipped; in Latin it is called a bucket, because it has bitten; he perishes of thirst, and there is so littleness; so that when it is trodden it is not seen. Whose poison he extinguishes before; as it should be felt, so as not to bring sadness to the dying. About which the poet He bit down on a significant young man with a blood stream, his entire head was trampled on the back.
apsidis sompno necat. Hanc sibi cleopatra appo-
suit. et morte quasi sompno soluta est. Emorois;
sanguinem totum humanum per dissolutas venas desu-
dare facit. Prester; semper ore patenti et vaporan-
ti; currit. Unde poeta. Oraque distendens avidus
fumantia prester. Hic quem percusserit disten-
ditur. enormique corpulentia necatur. Extube-
ratum enim putredo sequitur. Fertur autem.
omnis aspis cum ceperit pati incantatorem. ut eam
quibusdam incantationibus a cavernis suis extra-
hant; illa cum exire noluerit; unam aurem
in terram premit. alteram obturat cauda;
et operit. atque ita voces illas magicas non audi-
ens; non exit ad incantantem. Nomine igitur aspidis
dicuntur maliciosi iudei. sive venenosi he-
retici. Unde in deuteronomio. Fel draconum
vinum eorum. et venenum aspidum insanabile;
Plinius dicit venenum aspidis aceto repelli.
There was hardly any pain or sensation in the tooth. Sleep kills the type of apse. Cleopatra put this to him, and in death she was dissolved as in a dream. hemorrhoids; it causes the whole human blood to flow out through the dilapidated veins. Priest; always open-mouthed and steaming; running Hence the poet. And stretching out his mouth, the avid smoking priest. Here he whom he strikes is distended, and his enormous corpulence is killed. For exhumation is followed by decay. Now it is said that every wasp, when it has caught a charmer, has to draw it out of its caves by certain incantations; when she refused to go out; he presses one ear to the ground, the tail stops the other; and he covers, and thus not hearing those magical voices; does not go out to enchantment. Therefore, by the name of asps, the malicious Jews are called, or poisonous heretics. Hence in Deuteronomy. Their wine is the gall of dragons, and the poison of the asp is incurable. Pliny says that the poison of the asp is repelled by vinegar.
Snake, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff96v-98v. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Transcription
Translation
enim in tergore pictus. lucentibus guttis in
modum stellarum. de quo ovidius. Aptumque co-
lori; nomen habet variis stellatus corpore
guttis. Hic autem scorpionibus adeo contrarius
dicitur. ut viso eo pavorem habeant et tor-
porem . Omnes serpentes naturaliter frigi-
de sunt. Non percutiunt; nisi quando calescunt.
Unde et venena eorum que naturaliter frigi-
da sunt; plus die quam nocte nocent. In hieme
in nodos torpent. in estate solvuntur. Nec vene-
num quod frigidum est. prius nocet; quam ad sangui-
nem qui calidus est et fugit venenum per venas
tur est. frigidum. Omnia animantia serpens vi-
vacitate quadam sensus superat. Ferunt autem
quod non potest hominem nocere; nisi venenum
tetigerit sanguinem euis. Unde lucanus. Noxia
serpentum est admixto sanguine pestis. Dicunt
quod serpens hominem nudum non audet atti-
gere. De vivacitate sensus eius legitur in genesi.
quod serpens erat sapientior omnibus pecoribus
terre.
Serpens tres habet naturas. Prima eius na-
tura hec est. cum senuerit caligant oculi
eius. Et cum voluerit novus fieri; abstinet se
et ieiunat multis diebus. donec pellis eius relaxetur.
et querit angustam rimam in petra. et intrat
lem. Et nos per multam tribulationem deponamus
veterem indumentum. et queramus spiritualem petram christum.
et angustam fissuram. id est angustam portam.
Secunda eius natura est; cum venerit ad flumen bibere
aquam. non portat secum venenum sinum. sed in fovea
dimittit illud. Et nos cum in collectam venimus;
aquam vivam atque sempiternam haurientes; audire
divinum sermonem in ecclesia; debemus abicere a nobis
venenum. id est. terrenas et malas concupiscentias;
Tertia natura eius est; si viderit hominem nudum;
timet eum. si viderit vestitum; exilit in eum. Sic
et nos spiritualiter intelligamus. quia primus homo adam
quamdiu fuit nudus in paradiso; non prevaluit serpens exi-
lire in eum. Sed postquam tunica est. indutus. idest mortali-
tate corporis; tunc exilivit in eum serpens; Si habes ergo
in te mortalem vestem id est veterem hominem. et invete-
ratus fueris dierum malorum; exilit in te serpens. Si autem
expolies te indumento principum et potestatum huius seculi
pens id est diabolus. Serpens quoque pastu feniculi cecita-
tem expellit receptam. Itaque ubi oculos sibi ob-
duci senserit; nota remedia petit nec fraudatur
effectu. Testudo visceribus pasta serpentis. cum
venenum adverterit sibi serpere; organo medici-
nam sue salutis exercet. Ieiuni hominis sputum
serpens si gustaverit; moritur. Dicit plinius quod
si serpentis capud etiam cum duobus digitis eva-
serit; nichilominus vivit. Unde et totum corpus obi-
cit pro capite ferientibus. Serpentibus universis he-
bes est visus; et raro ante se aspiciunt. Nec frus-
tra. cum oculos non infronte; set in temporibus
habeant. adeo ut cicius audiant quam aspiciant.
Nullum animal cum tanta celeritate linguam
movet; ut serpens. adeo ut triplicem linguam habere
videatur; cum una sit. Serpentium humida sunt
corpora. adeo ut quaque eant; viam humore
compedibus carere videantur. Costarum et squamarum
nisibus repunt. quas a summo gutture usque ad
imum alvum parili modo dispositas habent. Squa-
mis enim quasi unguibus costis quasi cruribus inni-
tuntur. Serpentes diu vivere dicuntur. adeo
ut deposita veteri tunica; senectutem deponere
atque in iuventutem redire perhibeantur. Tunice
serpentium ex uvie vocantur. eoquod hiis quando
senescunt sese exuunt. Dicuntur autem exuvie et
induvie; quia exuuntur et induuntur. Pitagoras
dicit de medulla hominis mortui que in spina
est; serpentem creari. Quod etiam ovidius in methaph-
libris commemorat dicens. Sunt qui cum clauso putre-
facta spina sepulcro mutari credant humanas
angue medullas. Et bene ut sicut per serpentem
mors hominis. ita per hominis mortem serpens
nascatur.
Dragon, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
The dragon has a crest, a small mouth and narrow nostrils; its strength is in its tail not its teeth, its lashing tail causes more harm by blows, and it kills anything caught in its coils . The dragon is the enemy of the elephant, and hides near paths where elephants walk, entangling their feet and suffocating them. When the dragon is tempted from its cave and into the air, it stirs up the air and makes it glow. Dragons are found in India and Ethiopia. The word "dragon" is derived from the Latin "draconum", which means"huge serpent".
The devil is like a dragon because he is the worst of all serpents. The dragons crest reminds us that the devil is the king of pride, and just as the dragon leaves his cave, rising into the air making it glow, so the devil rises from the abyss and makes himself appear as an angel of light to deceive the foolish with the hope of worldly pleasures. The devil, deprived of his strength, deceives with lies, and just as a dragon lies in wait for the elephant, so the devil attacks people, lying in wait on their path to heaven, wrapping them in his coils and suffocating them with sin.
Transcription
Translation
omnium animantium super terram. Qui sepe
a speluncis extractus; fertur in aerem. Concitatur
que propter eum aer. Est autem cristatus. ore parvo.
et artis fistulis. per quas trahit spiritum. et linquam;
exerit. Vim autem non in dentibus. sed in caudam;
habet. et verbere potius quam ictu nocet. Innoxius
The dragon is the greatest of all serpents, or of all living creatures upon the earth. Who was drawn from the cave by the fence; carried into the air. He is excited that because of him the air But he is crested, with a small mouth, and artful pipes, through which he draws breath, and leaves; it will be But the force is not in the teeth, but in the tail; he has, and a beating hurts rather than a blow. He is, however, harmless
dit. A quo nec elephans tutus est. sui corporis magnitu-
dine. Nam circa semitas delitescens per quas elephan-
tes soliti gradiuntur; crura eorum nodis illigat(changed from alligat). ac
suffocatos perimit. Gignitur autem in ethiopia et in india
ubi ipso incendio iugis est estus. Huic draconi dia-
bolus assimilatur. qui est inmanissimus serpens. Se-
pe in aerem concitatur. et lucet propter eum aer; quia
diabolus ab imis se erigens; transfigurat se in ange-
lum lucis. et decipit stultos sepe false glorie leticieque
humane. Cristatus dicitur; quia ipse est. rex superbie.
Vim non in dentibus sed in cauda habet; quia suis vi-
ribus perditis; mendatio decipit quos ad se trahit. Circa
semitas per quas elephantes gradiuntur delitescit; quia
iter eorum ad celum nodis peccatorum illigat; ac suf-
focatos interimit. Quia si quis criminum vinculo
irretitus moritur; sine dubio in inferno dampnatur;
from poisons; But he tied the tail; killed From which not even an elephant is safe. the size of his body. For he was hiding around the paths along which elephants usually walk; he ties their legs with knots, and destroys those who are suffocated. But it is born in Ethiopia and in India, where it is consumed by the very burning of the ridges. The devil is likened to this dragon, who is a most inhuman serpent. The hedge is stirred into the air, and the air shines because of it; because the devil raising himself from the bottom; he transforms himself into an angel of light. and deceives fools with false glory and human flattery. It is called cristatus; because he is a proud king. He has strength not in his teeth but in his tail; because they lost their strength; a lie deceives those it draws to itself. He hides around the paths along which the elephants walk; because their journey to heaven ties the knots of sins; and destroys those who are suffocated. Because if someone dies entangled in the chain of crimes; without a doubt he is damned in hell.
Basilisk, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Folio
The legendary basilisk is often described as a crested snake, and depicted as a cock with the tail of a snake. In Greek, it is called "regulus" which means "little king", because it is the king of creeping things. It's odour can kill other snakes, and its stare can kill a person" The Weasel is the only creature that can kill a Basilisk. The Basilisk is said to be hatched by a toad from the egg of a cockerel.
Transcription
Translation
sit rex serpentium; adeo ut eum videntes fugiant.
Quia olfactu suo; eas necat. Et insimul si hominem
aspiciat; interimit. Siquidem ab eius aspectu nul-
la avis volans illesa transit. Sed quamvis procul sit; ore com-
busta devoratur. A mustelis tamen vincitur. quas illis
homines inferunt cavernis; in quibus delitescunt.
Itaque ea visa fugit. quem illa persequens; occidit. Nichil
enim ille parens rerum sine remedio constituit. Est
autem longitudine semipedalis. albis maculis linea-
tus. Nomine basilisci diabolus significatur. qui est rex omnium
demonum. Unde illud. Super aspidem et basiliscum. et cetera.
Reguli autem sicut scorpiones arentia queque sec-
tantur. Et postquam ad aquas venerint; lim-
phaticos faciunt. Sibilus idem est qui et regulus.
Sibilo enim occidit; antequam mordeat vel exurat;
Basiliscus in Greek; In Latin, regulus is interpreted as being the king of serpents; so much so that when they saw him they fled. Because by his sense of smell; it kills them. And at the same time if he looks at a man; destroys Indeed, from his sight no flying bird passes unharmed. But however far it may be; it is devoured with a burnt mouth. However, he is defeated by the weasels. which men bring to them into caves; in which they hide. And so, seeing her, she fled, whom she was pursuing; killed For that parent has established nothing without a remedy. It is half a foot long, lined with white spots. By the name of the basilisk is signified the devil, who is the king of all the demons. Where does that come from? On the asp and the basilisk, and so on. But the rulers follow each other like scorpions. And after they had come to the waters; they make lymphatics. The whistle is the same as the rule. For he killed by hissing; before it bites or burns.
Scorpion, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
Transcription
Translation
mibus ascribi deberet quam serpentibus. Sed quia
est animal armatum aculeo. et cauda figit. et
arcuato vulnere venena diffundit; inter ser-
pentes nominatur. Proprium autem scorpionis est. quod
manus palmam non feriat. Nomine igitur scorpio-
nis aliquando dicitur flagellum. aliquando hereticus. aliquando qui
inchoatas virtutes ante consummationem viciat. ali-
quando desperatio qui in fine nocet. Quando pro flagellis accipi-
untur; fiunt de spinis vel pomariis quasi virge nodose.
Vel flagellum saracenorum cum duabus virgis vel tribus. q .in sum-
mitate habent plubeas grandines. quibus martires flagellaban-
tur;
Scorpio is an earthly worm, which should rather be ascribed to worms than to serpents. But because it is an animal armed with a sting, and its tail stabs, and spreads poison with an arched wound; He is named among the serpents. But it is peculiar to the scorpion that the hand does not strike the palm. Therefore, by the name of the scorpion, sometimes it is called a scourge, sometimes a heretic, sometimes one who defeats the beginning virtues before their consummation, sometimes desperation which hurts in the end. When they are taken for whips; they are made of thorns or orchards like a gnarled vine. Or the scourge of the Saracens, with two or three rods, at the top of which the martyrs were scourged.
Viper, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Rochester Bestiary, ff91v-92r. British Library MS. Transcription by Dr Patricia Steward. Translation and commentary by Gabriele Macelletti.
It is said that both male and female snakes die when they have young, the female will die when the young bite their way out of the mother and the male dies when the female bites off its head when mating.
Transcription
Translation
ad partum ingemuerit; catuli non expectantes
maturam nature solutionem corrosis eius lateribus
in erumpunt cum matris interitu. Unde lucanus.
Viperei coeunt abrupto corpore nodi. Fertur autem
quod masculus ore inserto vipere; semen expuat.
Illa autem ex voluptate in rabiem versa; capud ma-
ris ore recepto; precidit. Ita fit ut parens uterque pe-
reat. masculus cum coit; femina cum parit. De
vipera dicit sanctus ambrosius quia nequissimum
genus bestie est. et super omnia que serpentini sunt ge-
neris; est astutior. Dicunt quidam quod cum cupi-
ditate habet. progreditur ad litus maris.
et sibilo evocat murenam maritimam. Murena cog-
noscens vipere; adest. et cum vipera venenata; con-
iunctionem non abhorret. Sed cum murenam adven-
tare cognoscit; venenum evomit. ut marito ve-
nienti verecundata nuptialem gratiam deferat. Post
completum autem comunctionis offitum venenum
quod evomerat; assumit. Multo peiores
The viper is said to give birth by force. For even when her belly groaned in childbirth; the cubs, not waiting for the mature solution of their corroded sides, break out with the destruction of their mother. Hence Lucanus. The vipers join together by an abrupt body knot. Now it is said that the male whips with his mouth inserted; he spits out the seed. But she turned from pleasure into rage; the head of the sea was taken by the mouth; cut off Thus it happens that both parents perish. when the male copulates; when a woman gives birth Saint Ambrose says of the viper that it is the worst kind of beast, and above all that are of the serpentine kind; he is more cunning. Some say that when he is full of lust, he advances to the sea-shore and whistles to the sea moray. Murena knowing the viper; it is present, and with a poisoned viper; the combination is not unlikely. But when he knows that the moray eel is coming; she spews out poison, that she may bring the nuptial grace to her husband, who is coming in shame. But after the commissary was complete, the poison which he had vomited; assumes I see couples today that are much worse
vipera aut murena video esse hodie coniuges;
Mulier enim virum suum absentem non querit.
sed venena verborum pauorum in eum ef-
fundit; cum venit. Nomine igitur vipere signifi-
cantur demones. sive venenati et perversi ho-
mines.
vipers or moray eels. For a woman does not complain of her husband when he is absent, but pours out the poison of a few words on him when he comes. Therefore by the name vipers are signified demons, or poisoned and perverted men.