Making Manuscripts

Summary

The video delves into the meticulous process of parchment making and manuscript creation during the Middle Ages. It details how animal skins were transformed into parchment through soaking, scraping, and stretching. Scribes crafted quills and ink from natural materials to copy texts, while illuminators added vibrant colors and gold leaf to enhance the pages. The binding process involved sewing parchment sheets and covering them with various materials, reflecting the wealth and purpose of the manuscripts. This art form not only preserved knowledge but also showcased the intricate craftsmanship of its time.

Takeaways

• 📜 Parchment was the primary material for book pages in the Middle Ages, made from animal skins.
• 🐑 The preparation of parchment involved soaking animal skins in limewater, scraping away hair and flesh, and stretching the skin on a frame.
• ⏳ The scraping process took several days to achieve the desired thickness and smoothness of the parchment.
• 🔍 Before writing, the parchment surface was prepared by roughening it with pumice powder and applying a sticky powder for better ink adherence.
• ✍️ Scribes used quills made from bird feathers to write, which required careful carving and ink preparation.
• 🖌️ Ink was made from materials like gallnuts and carbon, producing dark, black ink for writing.
• 📏 Scribes ruled the parchment to ensure a neat and elegant script, allowing for corrections when errors occurred.
• 🌟 Illuminators added colorful decorations and gold leaf to the manuscript pages after the text was copied.
• 📚 Manuscripts were bound by sewing gatherings of parchment together and attaching them to wooden boards for stability.
• 🎨 The binding and decoration of a manuscript varied based on the wealth of the patron and the intended use, with some receiving elaborate designs.

Q & A

What materials were used to make parchment in the Middle Ages?

Parchment was made from the skins of sheep, goats, or calves.

Describe the initial process of preparing animal skins for parchment.

The skins were soaked in limewater for three to ten days to loosen the hair, then scraped to remove the hair and any remaining flesh.

How did parchment makers achieve the desired thickness of parchment?

They used a special rounded knife to scrape the hide to the desired thickness and continually tightened the tension on the stretching frame while the skin dried.

What steps were taken to prepare parchment for writing?

Parchment was rubbed with pumice powder to roughen the surface and then dusted with a sticky powder to make it receptive to inks and colors.

What tools did scribes use to write on parchment?

Scribes used quills made from bird feathers and made ink from materials like gallnuts or dissolved carbon sources.

How did scribes correct mistakes in their writing?

Scribes could scratch out errors with a pen knife, and the resilient parchment could withstand many erasures.

What role did illuminators play in manuscript creation?

Illuminators decorated the pages with designs, using paint and precious metals after the scribe had finished copying the text.

What materials were used for decorating manuscripts?

Decorations included thin sheets of precious metals like gold leaf, vegetable dyes, and mineral substances.

How were the pages of a manuscript bound together?

Pages, called gatherings, were sewn together with strong linen thread onto flexible supports like leather thongs.

What factors influenced the decoration of manuscript bindings?

The materials and decoration of bindings depended on the wealth of the patron, the type of manuscript, and its intended use.