The Scribal Arts
The scribal arts of calligraphy, illumination and gilding were used in the Middle Ages to create beautiful scrolls, manuscripts, legal documents, and both religious and secular books. We have a thriving community of scribes in Flintheath who learn many skills in addition to the calligraphy hands and illumination techniques of their favourite historical period. Maybe you’ve wondered how a quill was cut, ink was made or pigments blended?
All over the shire scribes practice Medieval techniques to recreate the look of a huge range of historical documents. These documents are in high demand from other people in the Society, as they can be used as contracts, agreements, promissory notes and, most notably, as physical representations of the various awards and achievements people earn.
The Scribal Arts include
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Calligraphy
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Illumination
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Gilding
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Ink and pigment making
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Parchment making
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Quill preparation and more!
There is always work for a scribe, and signing up to create award scrolls is the best way to ensuring you are constantly learning new skills and improving your existing ones, as well as having your work appreciated! You can work on scrolls as a calligrapher or illuminator, or handle both yourself. The image below shows a scroll being handed out to a grateful recipient at Court during our St Bede's event in Bourn, near Cambridge.
