Animal visual culture in the middle ages

Abstract

This PhD thesis presents an investigation of animal visual culture in the Middle Ages. The term animal visual culture is most simply defined (and intended to be understood as), visual material culture which demonstrates animal/creature-related images or material which becomes circulated in animal/creature forms. The thesis uses an archaeological approach to investigate visualisations of animals (as opposed to a purely zoo-archaeological, historical or art historical approach). Three main types of visual material culture were researched for the representation of animals: stained and painted glass, misericord carvings and portable material culture. The representation of animals in each data source was investigated to explore the extent to which species, chronological, and either geographical or artefact patterns could be established within a 500 year period of the Middle Ages. A number of species, chronological, and either geographical or artefact patterns could be established.It was concluded that the patterns of representations were linked to the ideas various organisations and individuals had about animals or wanted others to have about animals. Animal visual culture is a manifestation of medieval life and faith. It challenges our modern day understanding of the complex medieval issues influencing the creation and intended function of animal images in society.