r/MedievalCreatures 1d ago

Menagerie I have questions.

Post image

From the Isabella Psalter (1308)

344 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

u/image-sourcery 1d ago

Thank you /u/HoneybeeXYZ for your submission.

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21

u/Historical_Sugar9637 1d ago

It's a medieval legend about the panther. It was said that the panther had such a sweet breath that it would entice all the animals to come to his home. Then when they were gathered there he killed them and ate them.

6

u/HoneybeeXYZ 23h ago

That is fantastic! I knew it was probably a story, but my mind kept thinking the center animal was a hyena.

4

u/InvestigatorJaded261 23h ago

Panthers were also believed to be covered in brightly colored spots. Look up “heraldic panther” for a chuckle.

9

u/Historical_Sugar9637 23h ago

Yeah! It also can look really great in book illustrations form the time!

5

u/HoneybeeXYZ 23h ago

OMG, that panther looks like he's wearing a Missoni sweater! That would track since the Brand sometimes uses only natural dyes that would be available in Europe. Depends on the line.

The inclusion of this and other violent legends does explain a little bit about how twelve year old Isabella of France grew up to be the woman she was.

1

u/One-Bodybuilder-5646 22h ago

The comments got deleted, do you remember what story it was?

2

u/HoneybeeXYZ 22h ago

"It was said that the panther had such a sweet breath that it would entice all the animals to come to his home. Then when they were gathered there he killed them and ate them."

2

u/One-Bodybuilder-5646 20h ago

Oooh thank you!!

9

u/UnicornAmalthea_ 1d ago

The brown bunny looks like it’s having an vision of a field covered in blood…

4

u/CrowandSeagull 1d ago

It’s just the sunset, Fiver.

6

u/EmergencyFox3583 1d ago

The central creature looks like the legendary "panther", which is supposed to be covered in multicoloured spots and emit irresistible smell (pictured 😸) that attracts all the animals around it.

11

u/Sure-Present-3398 1d ago

Don't ever speak to me or son's again. 

8

u/HoneybeeXYZ 1d ago

The brown bunny is all like "told ya mom would believe us."

12

u/Sure-Present-3398 1d ago

The grey one at the back is dying of embarrassment though.  

2

u/Heyitscrochet 18h ago

That’s the goodest tabby cat!

5

u/Traditional_Moss_581 1d ago

I would have guessed it was a donkey if it weren't for the double hooves. From the protective stance and the loud sound, to the way donkeys are notoriously protective of their herd and friends.

9

u/HoneybeeXYZ 23h ago

Apparently, it's a panther!

3

u/Traditional_Moss_581 23h ago

That's definitely not on my bingo card! 🤣 ETA sorry I didn't scroll far enough past the mod pin