Podcast Summary: Ologies with Alie Ward – "Medieval Codicology (WEIRD MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT ART & MEMES & SNAILS)"

Introduction to Medieval Codicology and Snail Imagery

In this engaging episode of Ologies with Alie Ward, host Alie Ward delves into the fascinating world of medieval codicology, focusing specifically on the peculiar and symbolic use of snails in medieval manuscript art. Joining her is Evan Pritmore, a renowned medieval codicologist and social media executive for a prestigious rare book dealer, who brings his extensive knowledge and passion for medieval manuscripts to the conversation.

Understanding the Medieval Manuscript

Alie opens the discussion by explaining codicology—the study of ancient books—and introduces the concept of illuminated manuscripts from the Middle Ages. These manuscripts often featured intricate drawings in the margins, footnotes, and decorative borders, with snails being a recurring motif.

Evan Pritmore on His Journey and Expertise

Evan shares his academic journey, highlighting his undergraduate and master's studies in Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the University of Winchester. Currently pursuing a PhD, Evan works at Peter Harrington, one of the world's leading rare book dealers, where he handles invaluable historical texts such as Shakespeare's First Folio.

Challenging the Victorian Perception of the Middle Ages

Alie and Evan discuss how the Victorian era distorted the perception of the Middle Ages, branding it the "Dark Ages" characterized by brutality and barbarism—despite much of this imagery being Victorian invention. They clarify the historical timeline:

• Classical Antiquity: 8th century BC to 5th century AD (including Ancient Rome and Greece)
• Middle Ages: 5th to 15th century, with the early part often mislabeled as the Dark Ages
• Modern Era: Post-1500, marked by events like the fall of Constantinople and the Renaissance

The Symbolism of Snails in Medieval Art

The core of the episode explores why snails were prominently featured in medieval manuscripts. Evan explains that snails symbolized the Lombards, a group from the Lombardy region, who were met with xenophobia in medieval Europe due to their involvement in usury and money lending—professions looked down upon and associated with greed. This association led to snails being depicted as slimy, cowardly, and menacing creatures in artwork.

Evan Pritmore [08:36]: "The snails are a representation of the Lombards, a group of people from the Lombardy region, and they were seen as slimy and greedy because of their roles in usury."

Transition to Anti-Semitic Symbolism

As the episode progresses, Alie and Evan discuss how the negative symbolism of snails evolved to represent Jewish populations by the 13th and 14th centuries. This shift coincided with increased anti-Semitic sentiments and expulsions, such as the infamous expulsion of Jews from England in 1290.

Evan Pritmore [33:11]: "After a hundred years or so, the focus turned away from the Lombards and toward Jewish populations, because the cultural enemy can be a moving target, but there's always a target."

Artistic Representations and Marginalia

The discussion highlights the distinctive style of medieval manuscript art, where human features were often anthropomorphized onto animals, making them appear both whimsical and unsettling. These designs were not only decorative but also served as social and political commentary:

• Books of Hours and Psalters: Religious texts heavily adorned with snail and animal motifs
• Marginalia: Decorative doodles that included symbolic representations, often reflecting the societal attitudes of the time

Alie Ward [12:15]: "Unless it was like a full illumination on a page that was meant to tie in with the text, a lot of these were either marginal or just decorative."

Listener Questions and Expert Insights

The episode transitions into a Q&A segment where listeners pose intriguing questions about medieval snails:

1. Snail Tattoos: Evan confirms that modern tattoo enthusiasts do opt for medieval snail designs, often divorced from their original symbolic meanings.

   Evan Pritmore [43:27]: "People do get tattoos of medieval snails. Sometimes, frankly, it is just decorative without the original symbolism."

2. Consumption of Snails: Listeners inquire whether snails were consumed during medieval times or solely seen as pests. Evan notes that while snails were indeed eaten, much like chickens, their depiction in art remained largely negative due to their association with unwanted professions and xenophobic views.

3. Artistic Conventions: Questions about the tools and materials used in creating these manuscripts reveal the meticulous process involving quills, brushes, gold leaf, and natural pigments derived from plants and insects.

   Evan Pritmore [52:55]: "Most of these illustrations would have been made by monks or nuns using brushes or styluses for fine control, with pigments derived from natural sources like cochineal insects."

4. Decline of Snail Motifs: Evan explains that the decline in snail imagery coincided with societal changes, such as the expulsion of Jews and the waning xenophobic sentiments, leading to a shift towards more decorative and less politically charged representations.

   Evan Pritmore [61:07]: "Between 1310 and 1320, the snail motifs became more fanciful and decorative as the initial xenophobic symbolism faded."

Modern Relevance and Reclamation

Evan touches upon the potential for reclaiming snail imagery in modern contexts, though historically, such efforts were nonexistent due to the temporal distance and lack of necessity.

Evan Pritmore [63:43]: "I think we should reclaim snails 2025. Reclaim snails. ... It wasn't something that normal people would have known, so reclaiming it wasn't really a thing."

The Artistic Process and Materials

Detailed insights into the creation of medieval manuscripts reveal the intricate and labor-intensive processes involved, from creating pigments to preserving manuscripts on vellum made from animal skins. The use of gold leaf, costing significantly due to its thinness and beauty, signified wealth and prestige in illuminated manuscripts.

Evan Pritmore [56:07]: "Gold leaf was popular because it's shiny and glittery, making the manuscripts look rich. However, it was extremely thin—0.0001 mm—and required significant resources."

Evan’s Research Challenges and Favorite Finds

Evan shares the challenges faced in his research, such as limited access to digitized manuscripts and the scarcity of sources directly linking snails to their symbolic meanings. Nevertheless, he finds joy in uncovering uniquely "terrible" snail illustrations that reflect the quirky nature of medieval artistry.

Evan Pritmore [67:23]: "Finding sources is hard because a lot of them are either gone or gibberish. I walked through hundreds of manuscripts without finding any snails, which was incredibly frustrating."

Conclusion and Recommendations

As the episode wraps up, Alie and Evan reiterate the importance of understanding historical contexts behind artistic motifs. Evan advises caution when adopting medieval snail imagery in tattoos due to its historical connotations but encourages the appreciation of these artworks for their unique aesthetic value.

Evan Pritmore [70:22]: "Avoid owl tattoos due to their anti-Semitic associations, but feel free to choose more neutral or decorative snail motifs."

Alie concludes with heartfelt thanks to Evan for his expertise and passion, highlighting the extensive research and dedication required to specialize in such a niche field.

Final Thoughts and Additional Content

Alie shares a personal anecdote about cleaning a vintage kilt, adding a humorous and relatable touch to the episode. She also mentions upcoming episodes and resources available in the show notes, ensuring listeners have access to further information and supporting Evan’s causes through donations to the World Central Kitchen and the ACLU.

Notable Quotes:

• Evan Pritmore [08:36]: "The snails are a representation of the Lombards, a group of people from the Lombardy region, and they were seen as slimy and greedy because of their roles in usury."
• Evan Pritmore [33:11]: "After a hundred years or so, the focus turned away from the Lombards and toward Jewish populations, because the cultural enemy can be a moving target, but there's always a target."
• Evan Pritmore [52:55]: "Most of these illustrations would have been made by monks or nuns using brushes or styluses for fine control, with pigments derived from natural sources like cochineal insects."

Conclusion

This episode of Ologies with Alie Ward offers a deep dive into medieval codicology, unraveling the complex symbolism of snails in illuminated manuscripts. Through Alie and Evan’s insightful dialogue, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how art reflected and influenced societal attitudes during the Middle Ages. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply curious about the oddities of medieval art, this episode provides a rich and engaging exploration of how even the simplest creatures, like snails, can carry profound historical meanings.