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British Library Medieval Guides
Dogs in Medieval Manuscripts
Throughout the Middle Ages, medieval manuscripts often featured dogs, from beautiful and loving depictions of man’s best friend, to bloodthirsty illustrations of savage beasts, to more whimsical and humorous interpretations. Featuring stunning illustrations from the British Library’s rich medieval collection, Dogs in Medieval Manuscripts provides—through discussion of dogs both real and imaginary—an astonishing picture of the relationship of dogs to humans in the medieval world. Now in a gift book format.
96 pages, Hardcover
Published December 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 21, 2022
I am definitely a dog person and even though I currently live with a cat and have done for quite a few years cats are still a mystery to me and my love of dogs is still there. So when I saw this book in Topping and Company bookshop in Bath I knew I had to buy it.
The things I love about this book is that it doesn’t bombard you with information like some history books do. Instead every two page spread has a beautiful example of a medieval manuscript and a fact on the opposite page with another smaller manuscript example. The pictures and the facts don’t always go together but that doesn’t matter because a description of what and where the manuscript comes from is always included on the page as well.
The book contains a wide variety of facts about dogs in medieval manuscripts all the way from what names were considered best for dogs, to what medicines you could use to treat different illnesses dogs had including some very strange ones for dogs who were rabid. There was also a very interesting use of dogs for pulling up mandrake roots.
I really enjoyed this book and will be getting Kathleen Walker-Meikle’s other books because I loved her writing style.
This review first appeared on ladybookdragon.com
The things I love about this book is that it doesn’t bombard you with information like some history books do. Instead every two page spread has a beautiful example of a medieval manuscript and a fact on the opposite page with another smaller manuscript example. The pictures and the facts don’t always go together but that doesn’t matter because a description of what and where the manuscript comes from is always included on the page as well.
The book contains a wide variety of facts about dogs in medieval manuscripts all the way from what names were considered best for dogs, to what medicines you could use to treat different illnesses dogs had including some very strange ones for dogs who were rabid. There was also a very interesting use of dogs for pulling up mandrake roots.
I really enjoyed this book and will be getting Kathleen Walker-Meikle’s other books because I loved her writing style.
This review first appeared on ladybookdragon.com
May 11, 2025
🐕 How can you not give a book about medieval dogs 5 🌟!
Some of my favourite facts that I learnt include:
- Dogs can cure wounds by licking them.
- Pressing a small lapdog to one’s chest can relieve stomach pain or weakness.
- Dogs can see into the future. Wagging tail = good, howling = bad.
- Loyal dogs could receive a pension to be fed after the death of their master.
- Images of dogs in manuscripts can be a pun or visual reference on a name.
- Nearly all mentions of dogs in the Bible are negative.
- One manuscript lists over 1,100 suitable dog names.
- Cynocephali were dog headed humans with Saint Christopher being an example.
- Symbolism of dogs in hagiography:
Loyalty, barking against the enemies of God, usually appeared in a dream while a woman was pregnant.
- Pun on Dominicans: domini canes = dogs of the Lord
- Unofficial dog Saint called Guinfort.
- Special bread given to dogs: panes pro cani is
- Lots of medieval tales warning against spoiling and indulging pet dogs and neglecting the poor, especially in monasteries and nunneries.
- Different collar styles and designs.
- Dogs are to be used to dig up mandrakes, so the owner wouldn’t hear them scream.
- By wearing the heart and right foot of an owl under your armpits, a dog will not bark at you.
Some of my favourite facts that I learnt include:
- Dogs can cure wounds by licking them.
- Pressing a small lapdog to one’s chest can relieve stomach pain or weakness.
- Dogs can see into the future. Wagging tail = good, howling = bad.
- Loyal dogs could receive a pension to be fed after the death of their master.
- Images of dogs in manuscripts can be a pun or visual reference on a name.
- Nearly all mentions of dogs in the Bible are negative.
- One manuscript lists over 1,100 suitable dog names.
- Cynocephali were dog headed humans with Saint Christopher being an example.
- Symbolism of dogs in hagiography:
Loyalty, barking against the enemies of God, usually appeared in a dream while a woman was pregnant.
- Pun on Dominicans: domini canes = dogs of the Lord
- Unofficial dog Saint called Guinfort.
- Special bread given to dogs: panes pro cani is
- Lots of medieval tales warning against spoiling and indulging pet dogs and neglecting the poor, especially in monasteries and nunneries.
- Different collar styles and designs.
- Dogs are to be used to dig up mandrakes, so the owner wouldn’t hear them scream.
- By wearing the heart and right foot of an owl under your armpits, a dog will not bark at you.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews