Did Medieval People Have Pets?
Getty medievalist Larisa Grollemond discusses animal companions in medieval times
A Hunter Combing a Dog (detail), about 1430-1440, French. Tempera colors, gold paint, silver paint, and gold leaf, 10 3/8 × 7 1/4 in. Getty Museum, 87.MR.34.46v
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Pet lovers, gather round.
Let’s talk all about pets in the Middle Ages.
Milking and Butter Making, about 1510-1520, Workshop of the Master of James IV of Scotland. Tempera colors, gold, and ink, 9 1/8 × 6 9/16 in. Getty Museum, 83.ML.114.3
Animals, domestic and otherwise, had a central place in the lives of medieval Europeans. And it probably won’t surprise you to know that people have always had a special place in their hearts for animal companions.
People living in the Middle Ages had pets that they loved very much. High-ranking men and women were known to keep especially spoiled ones.
Cats; A Mouse, about 1250-1260, English. Pen-and-ink drawings tinted with body color and translucent washes, 8 1/4 × 6 3/16 in. Getty Museum, 2007.16.33
Cats were prized for their skills at mousing, legendary night vision, and friendship. When Isabella d’Este, an Italian noblewoman, was given a cat as a gift it was reported that the “beautiful and delicate animal had no other home than in the arms of her excellency.”
Relatable.
Fables (detail), third quarter of 15th century, German. Pen and black ink and colored washes, 11 5/16 × 8 1/8 in. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig XV 1 (83.MR.171)
Cats and dogs weren't the only pets of the Middle Ages. Songbirds, turtledoves, parrots, and other feathered friends also found special places in medieval households.
Christ before Caiaphas (detail), about 1510-1520, Master of the Dresden Prayer Book. Tempera colors, gold, and ink, 9 1/8 × 6 9/16 in. Getty Museum, 83.ML.114.120
In medieval manuscript illuminations, you can spot even more exotic pets: ferrets, squirrels, and even monkeys. They are often depicted exceptionally well dressed.
Decorated Text Page (detail), about 1525-1530, Flemish. Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf, 6 5/8 × 4 1/2 in. Getty Museum, 83.ML.115.252
Records indicate that King Charles VIII of France even bought a little red robe for his ferret, and Isabelle of Bavaria’s squirrel reportedly sported a pearl-encrusted collar. And we think that's pretty adorable.
All of these images of medieval pets are available to download for free by searching Getty's Open Content Online Library.
Want to learn more about life in the Middle Ages from medievalist Larisa Grollemond? Head to our Instagram page.
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