Bestiary
Under the name bestiary comes a medieval book that is a collection of short descriptions of different real or imaginary animals - birds and even rocks that is often accompanied by a moralising explanation. This reflected the belief that the world itself was literally, the Word of God, and that therefore every living thing had its own special meaning. For example, the pelican, which was believed to tear open its breast to bring its young to life with its own blood, was a living representation of Christ. This symbolism was well known at the time - animals depicted in religious paintings were not just animals, they were symbolic of other meanings in the painting.Bestiaries were popular in the 12th century and were mainly compilations of earlier texts especially the Physiologus.
Very important part of all bestiaries were illustrations. They added a lot to the descriptions, serving then as an educational tool.
The most important of bestiaries of that time is Aberdeen Bestiary.
T.H. White's translation of a medieval bestiary can be found on-line at http://libtext.library.wisc.edu/Bestiary/
De Lorcy."
"Mme de Lorcy, my godmother, would do better to meddle with what
read in your eyes that Camille has returned to Paris. What is his
I suppose----"
"You do not suppose--you know.html">know.html">know."
"Not at all. At the same time, since hypothesis is the road which
nothing."
"Strictly speaking, I admit; but you requested me to tell him that you
correct that fault." Then playfully pinching her cheeks, he added:
years old, and you have refused five eligible offers. Have you taken a
the Albula! You know that, of all subjects of conversation, I have
Camille as I might have spoken of the King of Prussia; and you rose in
command.html">command me to marry him?"
"If I were to command, would you obey?"
"Perhaps, just for the curiosity of the thing," she rejoined,
I have been in servitude, I can scarcely emancipate myself in a day.
ministers, I am Pomponne--let us argue."
"Ah, well.html">well! you know as well as I that I have a real friendship for
ever so small, and he remembers me, too, when I was a tiny creature.
thousand little caprices. Delightful reminiscences these, but
while."
"Bah! he could never possibly have any authority over me. I.
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