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Main => The Round Table => Topic started by: Sir Edward on 2013-10-01, 15:36:05

Title: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Edward on 2013-10-01, 15:36:05: What’s So Funny about Knights and Snails?
http://www.gotmedieval.com/2009/07/whats-so-funny-about-knights-and-snails.html (http://www.gotmedieval.com/2009/07/whats-so-funny-about-knights-and-snails.html)

This is some speculation about depictions of Knights vs Snails in illuminated manuscripts. Apparently it was a somewhat common theme.
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir William on 2013-10-01, 15:42:15: I don't know what to say to this.
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Vander Linde on 2013-10-01, 19:55:16: Having seen a snail eat I would look worried as well if I came a crossed a snail that large.
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Douglas on 2013-10-01, 20:12:52: Well...how 'bout that. :o

I wonder if the original intent was indeed humorous, or if it was a metaphor for something.
Maybe 500 years from now, someone will find all of my doodles in my old school textbooks and wonder, "What does it mean!?" ;)
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Nate on 2013-10-01, 20:39:41: Dude no joke in elementry school I drew a picture of a crusader saving a peasant from a slug about the same as those drawn in those picks, and he has sword pointed right at it. lol
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2013-10-01, 22:46:27: i got nothing :o
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Martyn on 2013-10-01, 23:24:31: Salt-coated blade?
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Thorsteinn on 2013-10-02, 01:59:11: English vs French?
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir James A on 2013-10-02, 02:34:55: Quote
Because of its slowness, the snail has traditionally been seen as a symbol of laziness. In Christian culture, it has been used as a symbol of the deadly sin of sloth.[3][4] Psalms 58:8 uses snail slime as a metaphorical punishment.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snail#Symbolism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snail#Symbolism)

Perhaps knights fighting sloth and/or the seven deadly sins? Laziness being unfitting of a knight?
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Patrick on 2013-10-02, 04:36:05: I maybe this has the answer: http://medievalscribbles.blogspot.com/2012/05/historian-and-snail.html?m=1 (http://medievalscribbles.blogspot.com/2012/05/historian-and-snail.html?m=1)
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Lord Dane on 2013-10-02, 05:27:44: All snails are FRENCH ... I say we make some snail soup. :P
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Nate on 2013-10-02, 21:04:03: Im french you silly king! why do you think Im a Snail!!!!
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Gerard de Rodes on 2013-10-07, 20:24:07: Mmmm escargot ;)
G.
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Lord Dane on 2013-10-08, 03:45:59: I guess a silly king beats a fairy queen.
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Wolf on 2013-10-08, 11:33:08: sloth?
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Edward on 2013-10-08, 13:09:05: Quote from: Sir Wolf on 2013-10-08, 11:33:08
sloth?

Actually I suspect that's a big part of it.
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir James A on 2013-10-09, 02:25:22: Quote from: Sir Wolf on 2013-10-08, 11:33:08
sloth?

Can't be. Sloths really know how to treat the ladies! Sexy Sloth Knows How to Treat a Lady (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snBH49RpE5k#ws)
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Aiden of Oreland on 2013-10-17, 03:35:47: I have slain many foul creatures of fierce qualities but a snail? I'd never take the chance. I almost encountered one once. Nearly soiled my armor.
Hmm... Maybe the slug represents slimy, sticky, french crossing the English and moving into England slowely. And the shell shows it has much strength and can take a blow.
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Edward on 2013-10-17, 13:23:06: Knight v Snail
http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2013/09/knight-v-snail.html (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2013/09/knight-v-snail.html)
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Lord Dane on 2013-10-17, 15:21:44: I would hardly agree with that analogy.... As we all know the FRENCH are weak by their nature. Ask any English man of the day. LOL ;D
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Sir Douglas on 2013-10-17, 16:21:33: Quote from: Sir Edward on 2013-10-17, 13:23:06

http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2013/09/knight-v-snail.html (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2013/09/knight-v-snail.html)
How to battle a snail in six easy steps!

Shoot fireballs from your hands. (Fig. 1 (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef019aff95a55b970c-800wi))
Use an anthropomorphic face-shield. (Figs. 2 (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef019aff95ab29970c-800wi) & 5 (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef019aff98b2b1970d-800wi))
Joust it in the trees. (Fig. 3 (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef019aff97efdf970b-800wi))
Get assistance from your friendly neighborhood lion-dragon-man. (Fig. 4 (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef019aff982f4e970c-800wi))
Pray that it goes away. (Figs. 6 (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef019aff9846b2970c-800wi) & 7 (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef019aff980edd970b-800wi))
Have a monkey and/or small, woodland creature fight it for you. (Figs. 8 (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef019aff9847ff970c-800wi) & 9 (http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/.a/6a00d8341c464853ef019aff984c3b970c-800wi))
Title: Re: Knights vs Snails
Post by: Aiden of Oreland on 2013-10-18, 18:51:22: LordDane, you have an excelent point, maybe not as stronge as mother England, but manages not to be vanquished by them. Thus a stronge defence. And next time I see a snail, I will most definitely use those tips lol.💪😄👍