4. Yale
Once again we have Pliny the Elder to thank for bringing this remarkable creature to the attention of medieval audiences. Descriptions of the yale vary, some suggest it is the size of a horse with the tail of an elephant, whereas other descriptions suggest it is a goat-like creature.
One feature all commentators agree on is that it has two large horns which can swivel in either direction. During a fight, one horn is pointed backwards and kept in reserve in case the front horn gets damaged.
The yale’s enemy is the basilisk, which will sting the yale between the eyes, resulting in the eyes swelling until they burst.
Yales can be found on many coats of arms, and are a popular symbol in European heraldry. The yale can be seen on the roof of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, and they also grace the gates at Christ College in Cambridge.
