Whale

This is the classic whale illustration, and shows most of its attributes in one image. The whale spends a long time basking at the surface, until sand accumulates on its back (in this case there are also plants growing on it). Sailors mistake the sandy whale for an island, and moor their boat to it. One sailor has made a fire and is cooking something; the heat of the fire will cause the whale to dive, dragging the sailors down to their doom. The whale has enticed fish into its mouth with its breath. The sailors are pulling the ship's mast upright; perhaps they stopped at the "island" to make repairs. This is a nearly full page image; it is the last image in the manuscript.

British Library - Digitized Manuscripts

Manuscript

British Library, Harley MS 4751 [Harley Bestiary (Second Family)], folio 69r