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Worksop Bestiary
England, possibly in Lincoln or York
ca. 1185
215 x 155 mm
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837–1913) in 1902
MS M.81, fols. 57v–58r
Description:
Duck (left)
This cheerful duck illustrates an entry explaining that the word “duck” in Latin (anas) is connected to the fact that they are constantly swimming (natare).
Bees (right)
Categorized as birds, the giant bees shown here were presented to medieval readers as exemplary animals that worked hard for the benefit of community and king.