A Bunch Of Implausible Yet Adorable Medieval Animal Illustrations

Ally Perry • Writer and Editor

May 8, 2022 6:00 PM EDT

The Middle Ages were a truly wild time. We might think we have it hard with all the trials and tribulations of life these days, but back then they couldn't move for plagues, wars, crusades, and even just plain old crippling poverty. OK, so maybe there are more similarities between now and then than we might like to think, but at least most of us can hope to live beyond the age of 30.

Another thing that differentiates this era from modern times is its art and aesthetics. If you've ever tried to read the original versions of Chaucer, you'll know that sometimes interpreting the cultural artefacts from back then can be no mean feat. At the same time, though, it's still possible to show appreciation for it — especially when it comes to the illustrations. All those monks who dedicated their lives to scrawling things on sheets of vellum could really get freaky with it, and it led to some inspired results. The medieval times were home to a fair few utter mad lads, as evidenced by these strangely cute creations.