The bestiary - a book of animals, both real and mythical - is one of the most interesting and appealing medieval artefacts. The "Second-family" bestiary is the most important and frequently produced version (some 49 known manuscripts exist). Of English origin and predominantly English production, it boasts a spiritual text "modernized" to meet the needs of its time, and features exceptional illustrations. This study addresses the work's purpose and audience, challenging previous assumptions with direct evidence in the manuscripts themselves, linking their use to teachers at the elementary-school level, and exploring the art, the text, and the cultural context for the bestiary. Itincludes a critical edition and new English translation, and a catalogue raisonné of the manuscripts. Fully illustrated.
Author(s): Willene B. Clark
Publisher: Boydell Press
Year: 2006
Language: English
Pages: 344
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations and conventions
Introduction
COMMENTARY
1. The Latin bestiaries: a survey and cultural contexts
2. The Second-family bestiary text: an overview
3. Particulars of the Second-family bestiary text
4. The illustrations: an overview
5. The illustrations in significant manuscripts
6. The manuscripts: origins, owners, codicology; general audience
7. Past assumptions reviewed
8. The Second-family bestiary and medieval education
9. The decline of the Latin bestiaries
EDITION and TRANSLATION
CATALOG of Second-family bestiary manuscripts
Appendix A: Chapters and contexts
Appendix B: Interpolations in British Library Harley 3244 and Gonville & Caius 109/178; selected tituli in Harley 3244
Appendix C: Additions and corrections to the list of Latin bestiaries in Clark and McMunn, Beasts and Birds (1989)
Bibliography
Index of manuscripts
General index
Photograph credits
List of illustrations by number
List of illustrations by subject
ILLUSTRATIONS
