Now residing in the Morgan Library & Museum in New York, the manuscript has had a long history of church, royal, government, and scholarly ownership.

Stylistically, the Worksop Bestiary is a part of a larger group of similar "sister" manuscripts all based on the Greek Physiologus.

[14] Later owners of the manuscript include the dukes of Hamilton, the Prussian government, as well as the designer William Morris who acquired the book shortly before his death in 1896 for £900.

[2] The imagery of "evil" animals such as wolves and wild donkeys is in stark comparison to how creatures such as the horse are depicted as symbols of humility as seen on folio 44 verso-45 recto.

[1] Symbolism contained in this text such as on 9 verso to 10 recto features an antelope trapped by its horns as a hunter takes advantage of its situation, which the manuscript regards as indicating both vice and temptation.

[1] The turtle doves depicted on 65 verso to 66 recto were used to model Christian monogamous relations since they mate for life - symbolism of the marriage of Christ and Church.

On folios 64 verso and 65 recto, there is a section about an unknown type of bird called a 'coot,' which is known for "staying only in one place and remaining very clean", an example that the text claims Christians should model themselves after especially in the regard to the Church.

[1] Folio 61 verso-62 recto features birds that represent the Jewish people, hinting at anti-Semitic themes which are repeated throughout this manuscript.