Why Did Monks Draw Killer Bunnies, Jousting Snails, and Farting Monks?
Holy Texts, Unholy Doodles
Open a 14th-century illuminated manuscript and you might expect solemn saints, gilded borders, and elegant script. What you might not expect is a rabbit beheading a man, a knight duelling a snail, or a monk blasting a trumpet out of his backside. Yet medieval margins are full of such absurdities — bizarre, hilarious, and often baffling.
Theories Behind the Madness
Historians have been trying to decode these weird marginalia for years, and while no single explanation covers it all, here are the most popular theories:
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Comic Relief for Monks
Life in a scriptorium was repetitive. Adding absurd doodles may have been a way for bored or cheeky monks to entertain themselves (and perhaps future readers). -
Social & Political Satire
Rabbits killing humans or snails besting knights could symbolise society flipping upside down — a quiet jab at the nobility, church politics, or even specific individuals. -
Moral Lessons in Disguise
Some bizarre images were allegories. A farting monk might be a visual warning against pride or gluttony. (Or maybe just a good joke.) -
Inside Jokes & Local Legends
Many manuscript creators were steeped in oral tradition. Some scenes might reference popular folktales, local gossip, or events long forgotten.
The Killer Bunny Phenomenon
One of the most enduring images is the killer rabbit — armed with swords, spears, or bows, gleefully chasing knights. In medieval symbolism, rabbits were often seen as timid prey. Turning them into fierce predators could have been a delightful reversal of expectations… or simply the medieval version of a meme.
Snails vs. Knights: The Slowest Duel in History
Knights charging snails appear again and again in manuscript margins. Theories range from symbolising cowardice, mocking the slow pace of justice, or even poking fun at the French nobility. Whatever the meaning, it’s a strange and oddly charming motif.
Flatulence as Fine Art
Medieval people were not as prim as modern myths suggest. Bodily humour was alive and well — fart jokes included. In fact, some marginalia suggest that monks didn’t just write history… they occasionally let one rip in it.
Why We Love It
These strange images are a reminder that medieval people, despite their distance from us in time, were still deeply human — playful, irreverent, and occasionally immature. Whether they were subverting power structures or just entertaining themselves, the artists behind these images gave us some of history’s weirdest treasures.