Rabbit rules• for Jacob
Tattoo from @notattoo_berlin
Medieval manuscripts are full of weird and wonderful marginalia, and one of the most famous recurring themes is killer rabbits—ferocious bunnies wielding swords, axes, or even hunting dogs to attack knights, hunters, and other people.
Why Did Medieval Artists Draw Killer Rabbits?
The exact reason isn't fully known, but there are a few strong theories:
The World Turned Upside Down: Medieval humor often involved reversing normal roles (e.g., rabbits, which are prey, becoming the hunters). This theme was used to entertain and sometimes subtly critique social hierarchies.
Satire of Cowardice: Rabbits were associated with cowardice, so having them as deadly warriors could have been a joke at the expense of knights or people who lacked courage.
Drolleries & Playfulness: The margins of medieval manuscripts often featured whimsical "drolleries" (playful drawings) that didn’t necessarily have deep meanings. These could be the medieval equivalent of doodles or inside jokes.
Religious & Cultural Symbolism: Rabbits had multiple meanings in medieval culture—sometimes representing fertility and innocence, but also excessive lust. Their reversal into warriors might have been part of this complex symbolism.
Where Can You See These Killer Rabbits?
Some famous examples of medieval killer rabbit art can be found in:
The Smithfield Decretals (c. 1300s, British Library) – Features rabbits hunting men like they are dogs.
The Gorleston Psalter (14th century) – Shows rabbits in battle, wielding weapons.
Various French & English medieval manuscripts feature similar bunny warriors.