Medieval Cats: The First Internet Memes

It turns out that Medieval Cats were the original internet celebrities—long before Wi-Fi, TikTok, or even typewriters. Across the pages of illuminated manuscripts, monks and scribes doodled mischievous cats that chased mice, mocked humans, and even, quite literally, left paw prints on holy texts. These playful drawings were the first internet memes, created centuries before our screens filled with cat GIFs.

During the Middle Ages, cats held a complicated place in society. They were loved for their ability to catch pests, yet feared for their mysterious nature and supposed links to witchcraft. In the margins of religious manuscripts, scribes often sketched Medieval Cats acting out human roles—playing instruments, wearing armor, or battling snails—adding humor and rebellion to sacred art.

These quirky illustrations show that even medieval artists couldn’t resist a good laugh. The feline jokes hidden in ancient books mirrored today’s meme culture—satirical, absurd, and oddly relatable.

Modern historians now celebrate Medieval Cats as proof that humor is timeless. Whether drawn in ink or shared online, cats have always captured our imagination and reflected our daily lives with claws and charm.

So, the next time you scroll through a funny cat meme, remember—you’re part of a thousand-year-old tradition of feline humor..