Medieval Beasts

The manuscripts known as bestiaries are among the most attractive medieval books, containing depictions and descriptions of all manner of beasts - some real, some imagined. Ann Payne has chosen illustrations of 60 of these beasts from manuscripts in The British Library's collections, accompanied by translations of the original descriptions. She also provides an introduction in which the production of the manuscripts is discussed. With illustrations reproduced in full colour and the same size as they appear in the original manuscripts, this is a book which will appeal to all age-groups. Ann Payne is a curator in the department of manuscripts at the British Library and the author of "British Heraldry" and "Views of the Past".