A Medieval Book of Beasts: The Second-Family Bestiary. Commentary, Art, Text and Translation.

Text, translation, and critical study of one of the most important medieval bestiaries.


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....