21 Medieval Marginalia That Look Like Emojis
Just like emojis, marginalia - the pictures in the margins of medieval manuscripts - perform a bunch of different functions. They can add to, or illustrate the text they're with, or they can be completely random. And sometimes they look just like emojis.
1.
"Cow-stag of Chester".
From a 12th-century manuscript from Lincoln, England. Written by Gerald of Wales.
2.
The floating head of Christ.
From a 14th-century manuscript from London, written by James le Palmer.
3.
Hunting Grotesque.
From a 14th-century Flemish Book of Hours, a devotional book with prayers in.
4.
Head of Christ.
From a 13th-century English Book of Hours.
5.
Crocodile.
From 13th-century bestiary, probably made in Rochester, England.
6.
Angry Taurus.
From an 11th-century French manuscript containing texts on astrology.
7.
Owl trying to ignore that he's being pecked by birds.
From a 13th-century bestiary, probably made in Salisbury.
8.
Marginal head who cannot believe it.
From a 14th-century book of meditations and prayers from Flanders or the Rhineland.
9.
A pard. Like a lion but not a lion.
From a 13th-century English bestiary, probably from Salisbury.
10.
Snail cat, snail cat...
From a 14th-century Dutch book of hours.
11.
Sad Cat, so alone.
From a bestiary in a 13th-century English manuscript.
12.
Dancer. Single lady.
From a late 13th-century French manuscript with chants in.
13.
Devil and a dead man.
From an early 14th-century French manuscript.
14.
Ants.
From a 13th-century English miscellany.
15.
Trumpeter.
From a 14th-century book of meditations and prayers from Flanders or the Rhineland.
16.
Musician.
From a late 13th-century French manuscript with chants in.
17.
Party, and "a hare placing a stick upon a dog's head".
From The Barcelona Haggadah, a 14th-century Spanish manuscript.
18.
Snail with a man's head.
From a 13th-century French manuscript.
19.
"Woman of Connaught" and a friend.
From a 12th-century manuscript from Lincoln, England. Written by Gerald of Wales.
20.
The Majestic Elephant.
From a 15th-century Italian herbal.
21.
Manicule.
From a 14th-century Italian manuscript.
22.
Dancing Manicule.
From a late 13th-century English manuscript.
