In 1624, a #whale stranded at Santa Severa, Italy. It was measured, its anatomy examined. The artist Giovanni Bricci wrote an extensive account, describing the animal—and because words alone weren't enough, he painted it. An artist painted a portrait of the whale! I was so excited… and then THIS:

Maria of Burgundy on an allegorical sea voyage to her wedding with Maximilian I, attacked en route by Louis XI of France, represented as a #whale. #medievalsky #historicalwhale 📖Jean Molinet, Le Nauffraige de la Pucelle (15th c.); BnF, Français 14980, f. 16r; gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/b...

During the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), a mandible, a scapula, and a rib from Stralsund were taken as war booty to Golčův Jeníkov (CZ). They can still be seen today in the Church of St. František Serafínský. 6/7 📸[see last post]

Other bones were said to have been exhibited in Brandenburg, Stralsund (perhaps the scapula), and Stettin. Bones in Rostock, Bremen, Riga, and elsewhere were also attributed to the Usedom whale. 5/7 🗺️ my own

Two ribs were reportedly presented to Elector Frederick the Wise, who displayed them in the castle church in #Wittenberg. 🖼️ Georgi, Wittenbergische Klagegeschichte, 1760, Tab. III

Further reports only appear in the 17th century—and they are much more detailed. About 1,400 kilograms of blubber were rendered into oil, and the bones were distributed to various locations. 🖼️ Model of a whale’s blubber layer (Stralsund, Meeresmuseum) (my own)

The earliest report of the stranding appears in the 15th-century Old Stralsund Chronicle. It recounts how the whale was secured after stranding and how its meat was used as food. 2/7 🖼️ 1547 rorqual stranded at Egmond aan Zee (NL) (Coenen, Walvisboek, 1585; dams1.antwerpen.be/asset/jUZJkH...)

This is the scapula of a fin #whale which stranded in 1365 on the Baltic island of #Usedom. It is on display in the #Ozeaneum in #Stralsund. Bones of this whale once where on display in many places. 1/7 📸 my own #histwhale #oceanspast #medievalsky

When you thought #whale watching would be relaxing… 📖Venationes ferarum, avium, piscium, pugnae bestiariorum & mutuae bestiarum (1580) 💻https://www.europeana.eu/de/item/9200518/ark__12148_btv1b550059821?page=109 #histwhale #melvillemonday

This is a #broadsheet announcing the #stranding of a whale in Ireland in 1692. It is said that 20 men could fit in its mouth. What a lovely, scaly dragon #whale! #histwhale #oceanspast www.digitale-sammlungen.de/de/view/bsb0...

In 751, a #whale came ashore near #Bangor (Northern Ireland). Its specialty: three golden teeth, valued at 50 ounces each. How were they used? Two were sent to churches for admiration; the third was given to bridge builders as payment by the king’s son. #WorldWhaleDay 🖼️BL, Royal MS 13 B VIII, f. 16v

Seeing this depiction of a pilot #whale in an 'indigenous' context is absolutely fascinating! Originally, it was an illustration of an animal that washed ashore near #Zandvoort (NL) in 1594. www.britishmuseum.org/collection/o... #histwhale #oceanspast #melvillemonday

The #whales are back at the #IMC in Leeds! 🐳 Many thanks to our wonderful speakers for accepting the invitation! Details of our two panels are available here: imc-leeds.confex.com/imc/2026/pre... #IMC2026 #medievalsky #oceanspast #histwhale

Doubting men raking patient #whale? (Allegorical) depiction of whaling from the ‘Ci nous dit’ #histwhale #illumination #medievalsky portail.biblissima.fr/ark:/43093/m..., f. 33r (France 14th c.)

In 1458, a #whale beached itself at the mouth of the River #Llobregat and was declared a harbinger of King Alfonso V of Aragon’s imminent death. And honestly, just look at that face — this whale was clearly up to something fishy... #histwhale dogc.gencat.cat/.content/con..., S. 515.

The illumination for the whale (cetus vel balena) is very similar. This may suggest that both were perceived similarly: as big fish. However, the text highlights a significant difference: the 'whales' were hunted by the 'orcas'. patrimoine-numerique.ville-valenciennes.fr/ark:/29755/B...

‚Orca‘ in the ‚Liber de natura rerum’ of Thomas of Cantimpré. The text describes this seemingly friendly fellow as a huge mass of flesh with terrible teeth. The artist did not take these characteristics into account #medievalsky #orca patrimoine-numerique.ville-valenciennes.fr/ark:/29755/B...

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...

Yes, it does. And it is not the only one... 🙃 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!

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?...

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

A shy sea unicorn, or #narwhal. 9/10

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

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

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