British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Bestiary, The

Synopsis
The Bestiary is the standard medieval encyclopaedia of animals, laid out like a modern one with a picture of the creature accompanied by information on size, colouring, habitat, gestation periods, and other interesting habits. However since the scribes and artists had never seen many of the creatures, and photography had not been invented, their work provides a medieval looking glass, through which such fabulous beasts as the unicorn and the manticore can be seen. The curious properties of the Sirens’ song and the elephant’s knees are also discussed. Both Chaucer and Shakespeare were familiar with bestiary lore. The video is filmed from one of the handsomest manuscripts in the Bodleian Library.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 28 min.
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Year of release
1987
Year of production
1987
Availability
Sale; 1993 sale: £15.00 (+p&p)
Notes
Shakespeare_background
Documentation
Teachers’s notes supplied.
Uses
Students of Shakespeare and medieval literature.
Subjects
Art; Biology; English language and literature
Keywords
animals; illuminated manuscripts; medieval manuscripts; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Credits

Cast
Clive Probyn 
David Blacow 
Meg Twycross 
Michael Bowen 

Production Company

Name

Lancaster University Television

Sponsor

Name

University of Lancaster, Department of English Language and Medieval Literature

Distributor (Sale)

Name

Lancaster University Television

Email
lutv@lancaster.ac.uk
Phone
01524 593984
Fax
01524 594069
Address
Bailrigg
Lancaster
LA1 4YW
Notes
Formerly: University of Lancaster Media Services Unit

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