Beavers

Medieval lore held that male beavers bit off their own testes trying to escape hunters.

Beaver on Heraldic Art. 


Castor dicitur a castrando (Harley 4751, fol. 9v), 13th C.

Hunter and a Beaver (Ms. Ludwig XV 4 83.MR.174, fol. 87), 1277

Beaver (Der naturen bloeme LoC 2021668057), 1340-1350

Beaver (Livre des simples médecines BNF Fr. 12322 fol. 188), 1480

Beaver (Gart der Gesundheit NLM 9412223), 1485

Beaver, Helmingham Herbal & Bestiary (Yale Center for British Art, Folio C 2014 4, fol. 15v), 1500  

Woodcut (Welcome Collection 41004i), ca. 1560

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