Evil medieval bunnies

[topum]

You might remember that I was puzzled by the medieval obsession with snails a while ago (look here).

I was looking through some medieval manuscript marginalia again and noticed that rabbits were also very popular but in those times they didn't seem to see them quite as we do. They must have been much less cuddly then.



And if the snails were often depicted being attacked by or fighting the knights, the rabbits appear to be way more sinister and are usually shown capturing, killing or torturing humans.











And it was not only humans the evil bunnies had beef with, they were not fond of the hounds too it seems.











But there were some nice and cute ones in those times too.



Another post on art is here.

Comments

[real-marsel.livejournal.com]

So funny

[mimoiikit143.livejournal.com]

You should watch the movie "The Witch (The VVitch)". It should provide you great insights on evil bunnies and animals among others.

[mallorys-camera.livejournal.com]

Hares are one of my totem animals, so I love these.

[beautesauvage13.livejournal.com]

Those are some scary rabbits.  Still would make an excellent stew though I bet. 

I had the best rabbit pot pie once at this place in New Orleans.  It was the restaurant that was next to the hotel I stayed in the Wyndham on Royal Street.   I really need to get back down there. 

Athena

[diejacobsleiter.livejournal.com]

Just amazing...

The last one must be Irish?

[sleepybadger.livejournal.com]

Dang, those are some badass bunnies!

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Being snaily myself, I was aware of the medieval fixation with snails... but bunnies! That's a new one to me *g* Aren't they fabulous?

Thank you for educating me yet again.

[slobberpuppy.livejournal.com]

These are fantastic, I wonder what energy the rabbit was meant to represent? Where do you find the images?

I'd like to think that I would have been working as an illuminator back in those times...

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

Maybe as rabbit was a popular food they imagined what if the hunted were the hunter? Just imagine what fantasy films they could have made if films had been invented!

[topum.livejournal.com]

Yes, the "Revenge of the Bunnies" would have been one hell of a movie.