Marie Jaros
@mariejaros.bsky.social
Medievalist, PostDoc, curiously looking towards the early modern period, currently working on historical whales, but also Kingdom of Sicily, Italy and charters
@humboldtuni.bsky.social
@humboldtuni.bsky.social
You're right — some very nice results, and a rabbit hole! 🙂 Did you see this wonderful depiction of the 'Whale' constellation?
www.europeana.eu/en/item/9200...
www.europeana.eu/en/item/9200...
September 10, 2025 at 7:17 AM
You're right — some very nice results, and a rabbit hole! 🙂 Did you see this wonderful depiction of the 'Whale' constellation?
www.europeana.eu/en/item/9200...
www.europeana.eu/en/item/9200...
Yes, it does. And it is not the only one... 🙃
Lippische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 70, f. 84r
Lippische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 70, f. 84r
September 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Yes, it does. And it is not the only one... 🙃
Lippische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 70, f. 84r
Lippische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 70, f. 84r
Dear #MedievalSky & #SkyStorians, could you help, please? I am looking for depictions of orcas from before 1700
I already know:
Olaus Magnus, Sebastian Münster, Pierre Belon, Guillaume Rondelet, Conrad Gessner, as well as the ones on bestiary.ca (s. pic) & the mural in Greifswald
Thanks in advance!
I already know:
Olaus Magnus, Sebastian Münster, Pierre Belon, Guillaume Rondelet, Conrad Gessner, as well as the ones on bestiary.ca (s. pic) & the mural in Greifswald
Thanks in advance!
September 9, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Dear #MedievalSky & #SkyStorians, could you help, please? I am looking for depictions of orcas from before 1700
I already know:
Olaus Magnus, Sebastian Münster, Pierre Belon, Guillaume Rondelet, Conrad Gessner, as well as the ones on bestiary.ca (s. pic) & the mural in Greifswald
Thanks in advance!
I already know:
Olaus Magnus, Sebastian Münster, Pierre Belon, Guillaume Rondelet, Conrad Gessner, as well as the ones on bestiary.ca (s. pic) & the mural in Greifswald
Thanks in advance!
Who could fail to recognise the #whale ( #cetus ) with its characteristic shape and scales?
#melvillemonday #historicalwhale
Jacob van Maerlant, Der naturen bloeme (1300); Berlin, Staatsbibliothek, Ms. germ. f. 52 digital.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/werkansicht?...
#melvillemonday #historicalwhale
Jacob van Maerlant, Der naturen bloeme (1300); Berlin, Staatsbibliothek, Ms. germ. f. 52 digital.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/werkansicht?...
September 8, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Who could fail to recognise the #whale ( #cetus ) with its characteristic shape and scales?
#melvillemonday #historicalwhale
Jacob van Maerlant, Der naturen bloeme (1300); Berlin, Staatsbibliothek, Ms. germ. f. 52 digital.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/werkansicht?...
#melvillemonday #historicalwhale
Jacob van Maerlant, Der naturen bloeme (1300); Berlin, Staatsbibliothek, Ms. germ. f. 52 digital.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/werkansicht?...
A huge amount of ambergris. This substance, which comes from the bowels of sperm whales, was very valuable and was used in medicine and perfumery. Olaus seemed to confuse it with the sperm of these whales. 10/10
August 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
A huge amount of ambergris. This substance, which comes from the bowels of sperm whales, was very valuable and was used in medicine and perfumery. Olaus seemed to confuse it with the sperm of these whales. 10/10
The 'Physeter' (sperm whale) was said to spray large quantities of water at ships, which could cause them to sink. 8/10
August 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The 'Physeter' (sperm whale) was said to spray large quantities of water at ships, which could cause them to sink. 8/10
The whale island is not to be missed! Sailors who mistake a big whale for an island anchor their boats and set foot on the animal to make a fire and cook a meal. Awakened by the heat, the whale dives down, pulling the sailors with it. 7/10
August 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The whale island is not to be missed! Sailors who mistake a big whale for an island anchor their boats and set foot on the animal to make a fire and cook a meal. Awakened by the heat, the whale dives down, pulling the sailors with it. 7/10
On the Faroe Islands, a caught whale is processed. It is fixed to the land with an anchor while men cut the blubber and fill barrels with it. 6/10
August 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
On the Faroe Islands, a caught whale is processed. It is fixed to the land with an anchor while men cut the blubber and fill barrels with it. 6/10
The sailors from Denmark were less fortunate. 5/10
August 18, 2025 at 7:19 PM
The sailors from Denmark were less fortunate. 5/10
Other whales frighten sailors from Lübeck and must be driven away with loud wind instruments or by throwing barrels into the sea. 4/10
August 18, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Other whales frighten sailors from Lübeck and must be driven away with loud wind instruments or by throwing barrels into the sea. 4/10
Here, you can see a 'balena' — with its two blowholes (or tubes), apparently a member of the baleen whale family — being attacked by an #orca. This behaviour has indeed been observed in some species of killer whale. You can also see the whale's offspring drinking its mother's milk. 3/10
August 18, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Here, you can see a 'balena' — with its two blowholes (or tubes), apparently a member of the baleen whale family — being attacked by an #orca. This behaviour has indeed been observed in some species of killer whale. You can also see the whale's offspring drinking its mother's milk. 3/10
I finally made it to Olaus Magnus's Carta Marina. The map was printed in Rome in 1539 while Olaus Magnus, the Archbishop of Uppsala, was in his exile there. 1/10
August 18, 2025 at 7:07 PM
I finally made it to Olaus Magnus's Carta Marina. The map was printed in Rome in 1539 while Olaus Magnus, the Archbishop of Uppsala, was in his exile there. 1/10
🚨🐳We’re putting together a panel on #whales in medieval #literature for #IMC2026! Two papers are already confirmed: Icelandic sagas and English poetry. We’re looking for one more speaker to join us. If your research touches literary traditions too, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please DM.
August 17, 2025 at 5:59 PM
🚨🐳We’re putting together a panel on #whales in medieval #literature for #IMC2026! Two papers are already confirmed: Icelandic sagas and English poetry. We’re looking for one more speaker to join us. If your research touches literary traditions too, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please DM.
Currently travelling on the night train via Stockholm to the #ESEH2025 conference in Uppsala. I am very grateful for the opportunity to discuss initial ideas on how stranded #whales were used by pamphlet authors of different denominations in their arguments.
#envhist
www.conftool.pro/eseh2025/ind...
#envhist
www.conftool.pro/eseh2025/ind...
August 17, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Currently travelling on the night train via Stockholm to the #ESEH2025 conference in Uppsala. I am very grateful for the opportunity to discuss initial ideas on how stranded #whales were used by pamphlet authors of different denominations in their arguments.
#envhist
www.conftool.pro/eseh2025/ind...
#envhist
www.conftool.pro/eseh2025/ind...
Drawings of right and sperm whales, accompanied by the coordinates at which they were sighted.
#Log of the ship Indian Chief by Thomas R. Bloomfield (1842–1844).
#whale #historicalwhale #oceanspast
🌐https://archive.org/details/ms220log119/page/n3/mode/2up
#Log of the ship Indian Chief by Thomas R. Bloomfield (1842–1844).
#whale #historicalwhale #oceanspast
🌐https://archive.org/details/ms220log119/page/n3/mode/2up
July 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Drawings of right and sperm whales, accompanied by the coordinates at which they were sighted.
#Log of the ship Indian Chief by Thomas R. Bloomfield (1842–1844).
#whale #historicalwhale #oceanspast
🌐https://archive.org/details/ms220log119/page/n3/mode/2up
#Log of the ship Indian Chief by Thomas R. Bloomfield (1842–1844).
#whale #historicalwhale #oceanspast
🌐https://archive.org/details/ms220log119/page/n3/mode/2up
This engraving by Willem Pietersz #Buytewech depicts the same event.
“It was 52 feet long and 36 feet wide; its tail was 5 feet wide.”
Apparently, the engraver had difficulty visualising the number '6' in reverse.
id.rijksmuseum.nl/200127458
#whale #oceanspast
“It was 52 feet long and 36 feet wide; its tail was 5 feet wide.”
Apparently, the engraver had difficulty visualising the number '6' in reverse.
id.rijksmuseum.nl/200127458
#whale #oceanspast
June 5, 2025 at 8:17 AM
This engraving by Willem Pietersz #Buytewech depicts the same event.
“It was 52 feet long and 36 feet wide; its tail was 5 feet wide.”
Apparently, the engraver had difficulty visualising the number '6' in reverse.
id.rijksmuseum.nl/200127458
#whale #oceanspast
“It was 52 feet long and 36 feet wide; its tail was 5 feet wide.”
Apparently, the engraver had difficulty visualising the number '6' in reverse.
id.rijksmuseum.nl/200127458
#whale #oceanspast
Warning: Probably the grumpiest #dolphin in the world.
Adriaen Coenen, Walvisboek (1584-1585); dams.antwerpen.be/asset/jUZJkH...
Adriaen Coenen, Walvisboek (1584-1585); dams.antwerpen.be/asset/jUZJkH...
June 5, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Warning: Probably the grumpiest #dolphin in the world.
Adriaen Coenen, Walvisboek (1584-1585); dams.antwerpen.be/asset/jUZJkH...
Adriaen Coenen, Walvisboek (1584-1585); dams.antwerpen.be/asset/jUZJkH...
Actually, I was looking for a picture of a whale in Ulisse Aldrovandi's De piscibus (1613), but then I came across this one: a harbour #seal ('vitulus marinus').
📖 historica.unibo.it/entities/pub...
📖 historica.unibo.it/entities/pub...
April 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Actually, I was looking for a picture of a whale in Ulisse Aldrovandi's De piscibus (1613), but then I came across this one: a harbour #seal ('vitulus marinus').
📖 historica.unibo.it/entities/pub...
📖 historica.unibo.it/entities/pub...
A whale of good news! 🐳
Today I signed a contract with the @uniwalespress.bsky.social to write the book "Introduction to the Medieval Whale"!
I am very grateful for the opportunity.
Excited to dive into the depths of medieval whale history. Join the voyage!
🖼️Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1511, f. 86v
Today I signed a contract with the @uniwalespress.bsky.social to write the book "Introduction to the Medieval Whale"!
I am very grateful for the opportunity.
Excited to dive into the depths of medieval whale history. Join the voyage!
🖼️Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1511, f. 86v
April 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
A whale of good news! 🐳
Today I signed a contract with the @uniwalespress.bsky.social to write the book "Introduction to the Medieval Whale"!
I am very grateful for the opportunity.
Excited to dive into the depths of medieval whale history. Join the voyage!
🖼️Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1511, f. 86v
Today I signed a contract with the @uniwalespress.bsky.social to write the book "Introduction to the Medieval Whale"!
I am very grateful for the opportunity.
Excited to dive into the depths of medieval whale history. Join the voyage!
🖼️Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1511, f. 86v
Today my research project on the "History of the Whale in Flanders, the Netherlands and Northern Germany (c.1300-1600)" starts. I will be looking at the management and use of (mostly stranded) whales in non-whaling societies
🖼️A. Coenen, Walvisboek (1584-85); Antwerp, Erfgoedbibl. Hendrik Conscience
🖼️A. Coenen, Walvisboek (1584-85); Antwerp, Erfgoedbibl. Hendrik Conscience
March 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Today my research project on the "History of the Whale in Flanders, the Netherlands and Northern Germany (c.1300-1600)" starts. I will be looking at the management and use of (mostly stranded) whales in non-whaling societies
🖼️A. Coenen, Walvisboek (1584-85); Antwerp, Erfgoedbibl. Hendrik Conscience
🖼️A. Coenen, Walvisboek (1584-85); Antwerp, Erfgoedbibl. Hendrik Conscience
A 1794 Japanese artist gave the beauty of this #humpback #whale three pages.
Let’s give them more than just pages—let’s protect their oceans
#WorldWhaleDay #SaveTheWhales
🌐https://digital.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/werkansicht?PPN=PPN3303600015&view=overview-tiles&PHYSID=PHYS_0068&DMDID=DMDLOG_0021
Let’s give them more than just pages—let’s protect their oceans
#WorldWhaleDay #SaveTheWhales
🌐https://digital.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/werkansicht?PPN=PPN3303600015&view=overview-tiles&PHYSID=PHYS_0068&DMDID=DMDLOG_0021
February 17, 2025 at 10:49 AM
A 1794 Japanese artist gave the beauty of this #humpback #whale three pages.
Let’s give them more than just pages—let’s protect their oceans
#WorldWhaleDay #SaveTheWhales
🌐https://digital.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/werkansicht?PPN=PPN3303600015&view=overview-tiles&PHYSID=PHYS_0068&DMDID=DMDLOG_0021
Let’s give them more than just pages—let’s protect their oceans
#WorldWhaleDay #SaveTheWhales
🌐https://digital.staatsbibliothek-berlin.de/werkansicht?PPN=PPN3303600015&view=overview-tiles&PHYSID=PHYS_0068&DMDID=DMDLOG_0021
"Fishes [are] reptiles which swim [...]. Although they can dive into the depths, they can still move in a creeping motion as they swim."
Now you know.
🖼️📖Bodleian Library MS. Bodl. 764, f. 106r-v (Bestiary, ca. 1226-1250); digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/e6ad...
Now you know.
🖼️📖Bodleian Library MS. Bodl. 764, f. 106r-v (Bestiary, ca. 1226-1250); digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/e6ad...
February 14, 2025 at 11:52 AM
"Fishes [are] reptiles which swim [...]. Although they can dive into the depths, they can still move in a creeping motion as they swim."
Now you know.
🖼️📖Bodleian Library MS. Bodl. 764, f. 106r-v (Bestiary, ca. 1226-1250); digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/e6ad...
Now you know.
🖼️📖Bodleian Library MS. Bodl. 764, f. 106r-v (Bestiary, ca. 1226-1250); digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/e6ad...