Beware the Unicorn

If you thought unicorns in sixteenth-century literature are all about sparkly rainbows and laying their heads in maidens’ laps. think again. Unicorns in Renaissance stories are fierce, untamed creatures. That’s why they’re so prominent in heraldry.

"wert thou the unicorn, pride and wrath would confound thee and make thine own self the conquest of thy fury"

William Shakespeare, Timon of Athens

If you’re ready for a fierce unicorn that’s uninterested in maidens, rainbows, or peace and love, check out this illustration by Steven Bachan — and back A Bestiary of Enchanted England on Kickstarter!

October art updates for A Bestiary of Enchanted England

A bunch of art has dropped this week for the upcoming A Bestiary of Enchanted England, yo! (Follow the project on Kickstarter to get notified when it launches later in October 2022!)

We have 25 creatures in all. Here are five more of them, one from each of our artists:

Elves by Teresa Guido

The elves, people under the hills, are growing more elusive as towns grow and ancient forests are cleared for fields and pasture. Yet some of them have learned to adapt to an urbanizing Enchanted England …

Basilisk by Steven Bachan

The basilisk would kill you as soon as look at you. In fact, it can do both at the same time!

Whale Eater by Colin Throm

You know those maps where it says at the edge “here be dragons?” In Magonomia, that’s perfectly accurate!

Walking Stones by Jeff Koch

The locals said not to linger near the ancient standing stones. But you had to go see for yourself … Based on authentic British folklore. Back the Kickstarter to unlock the riddle of why the stones walk.

Tombwardens by Angela Taylor

Another lesser-known legend our foklore experts unearthed is the tombwardens. Grave robbers beware!