Back in the 1500's, although only a few people had ever "seen" a Unicorn, it was widely believed that they existed. So, when Edward Topsell published Historie of Four Foot Beasties, the first illustrated natural history in English, in 1607, he included unicorns.
Here are some excerpts from the original version of the book. Remember, as you read, that these descriptions were considered science, not fantasy.
(1658). Unicorn. Topsell's The History of Four-footed Beasts and Serpents Woodcuts. Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries. Retrieved from http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/p15195coll18/item/33
Here are some excerpts from the original version of the book. Remember, as you read, that these descriptions were considered science, not fantasy.
(1658). Unicorn. Topsell's The History of Four-footed Beasts and Serpents Woodcuts. Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries. Retrieved from http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/p15195coll18/item/33
About the Horn
We will now relate the true history of the horn of the unicorn. The horn grows out of the forehead between the eyelids. It is neither light nor hollow, nor yet smooth like other horns, but hard as iron, rough as a file. It is wreathed about with divers spires. It is sharper than any dart, and it is straight and not crooked.
The horn of the unicorn has a wonderful power of dissolving and expelling all venom or poison. If a unicorn puts his horn into water from which any venomous beast has drunk, the horn drives away poison, so that the unicorn can drink without harm.
The horn of the unicorn has a wonderful power of dissolving and expelling all venom or poison. If a unicorn puts his horn into water from which any venomous beast has drunk, the horn drives away poison, so that the unicorn can drink without harm.
The Wild Creature
Unicorns are very swift. They keep for the most part in the deserts and live solitary in the tops of mountains.
Natural Enemy
The unicorn is an enemy to the lion, wherefore, as soon as ever a lion sees a unicorn, he runs to a tree for succor, so that, when the unicorn makes force at him, he may not only avoid his horn but also destroy the unicorn, for, in the swiftness of his course, the unicorn runs against the tree wherein his sharp horn sticks fast.
Then, when the lion sees the unicorn fastened by his horn, he falls upon him and kills him.
Then, when the lion sees the unicorn fastened by his horn, he falls upon him and kills him.
Capturing the Unicorn
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It is said that unicorns above all creatures do reverence virgins and young maids, and that many times at the sight of them, unicorns grow tame, and come and sleep beside them, for there is in their nature a certain savor by which the unicorns are allured and delighted.
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Proof that Unicorns exist
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Why was Edward Topsell so sure that unicorns roamed the earth?
A matter of faith. Although he'd never seen a unicorn, Topsell believed that to doubt its existence was to deny the very existence of God. That there is such a beast Scripture itself witnesses, for David thus speaks in Psalm 92: 'My horn shall be lifted up like the horn of a unicorn.' All divines that that have ever written have not only concluded that there is a unicorn, but also affirm the similitude between the kingdom of David and the horn of the unicorn, for as the horn of the unicorn is wholesome to all beasts and creatures. |
