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Category Archives: animals

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heorot

Posted on February 22, 2024 by Hana Videen

heorot, m.n: male deer, hart, stag (occasionally also used of the female), perhaps the red deer specifically. (HEH-o-rot / ˈhɛɔ-rɔt)

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gīw

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Hana Videen

gīw, m.n: griffin. (YEE-ew / ˈjiːw)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is on lore-smiths. Read it on Patreon.

Medieval manuscript image of an orangey-brown griffin, sporting a pair of feathery wings, four talon-like feet and an eagle’s hooked beak; it poses sedately with one forefoot in the air.
Wonders of the East; England, mid 11th century; British Library, Cotton MS Tiberius B V/1, f. 86v. [bl.uk]
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basilisca

Posted on January 12, 2024 by Hana Videen

basilisca, m.n: basilisk. (BA-zih-liss-ka / ˈba-zɪ-lis-ka)

Medieval manuscript image of a basilisk — a serpentine creature with bird’s wings and talons wearing a crown — with three lesser snakes paying homage.
Bestiary; England, 1226-1250; Bodleian Library, MS. Bodl. 764, f. 93v. [digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk]
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hæn-fugul

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Hana Videen

hæn-fugul, m.n: hen. (HAN-FUH-gull / ˈhæn-ˌfʌ-gʌl)

Medieval manuscript image of a rooster swinging a gold censer in its beak.
Book of Hours; England, c. 1300; Walters Art Museum, MS W.102, f. 77v. [manuscripts.thewalters.org]
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turtle

Posted on December 27, 2023 by Hana Videen

turtle, m/f.n: turtledove. (TURT-luh / ˈtʌrt-lə)

This week’s Wordhord Wednesday post is on turtles. Read it on Patreon.

Medieval manuscript image of two white doves facing each other, perched on a plant inside a double circle frame, which is inside a square frame with an interlace design.
Aberdeen Bestiary; England, c. 1200; Aberdeen University Library, MS 24, f. 32r. [abdn.ac.uk]
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nēat

Posted on December 21, 2023 by Hana Videen

nēat, n.n: ox or cow; beast, animal. (NAY-aht / ˈneːat)

Medieval manuscript image of baby Jesus in a manger, with Joseph watching over him, a star shining above, and a donkey and an ox munching on hay beside him.
De Lisle Psalter; England (Westminster), 1310-1339; British Library, MS Arundel 83 II, f. 124r. [imagesonline.bl.uk]
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eosol

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Hana Videen

eosol, m.n: donkey, ass. (EH-oh-zoll / ˈɛɔ-zɔl)

Medieval manuscript image of a donkey seated on its rear, playing a harp with its forefeet.
Antiphonal; Cambrai or Tournai, c. 1260-70; Getty Museum, Ms. 44 / Ludwig VI 5, p. 115. [getty.edu]
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dā

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Hana Videen

dā, m/f.n: doe, perhaps the roe deer specifically. (DAH / ˈdaː)

Medieval manuscript image of a haloed monk holding a tiny doe who rests her head on his lap.
St Giles in the Cuerden Psalter; England (Oxford), c. 1270; Morgan Library & Museum, MS M.756 f. 9r. [ica.themorgan.org]
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bār

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Hana Videen

bār, m.n: boar. (BAR / ˈbaːr)

Medieval manuscript image of two wild boars, one blue and one orange, rooting at the ground beside a tree.
Aberdeen Bestiary; England, c. 1200; Aberdeen University Library MS 24, f. 21v. [abdn.ac.uk]
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henn

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Hana Videen

henn, f.n: hen. (HEN / ˈhɛn)

Medieval manuscript image of four ordinary-looking red hens and a rooster.
Self-immolating hens of the Wonders of the East; England, mid 11th century; British Library, Cotton MS Tiberius B V/1, f. 79r. [bl.uk]
Posted in animals, deorhord book Leave a comment

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