Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The Making of Medieval Manuscripts

Found a terrific, short video on how they used to make medieval manuscripts.  It's so much more compelling to see the steps in action, rather than simply read about the process. 

I love how they create the stunning gold using thin sheets of real gold, "gold leaf".  When you see a newly made manuscripts, using these ancient techniques, you realize how colorful the world must have been in the middle ages.  We've grown accustomed to seeing grey stone walls and faded tapestries, but in reality, the world was busting with color, in clothes, buildings, and the pages of their manuscripts.

Enjoy!




6 comments:

azteclady said...

This is wonderful.

A long time ago I read Elizabeth Lowell's Moving Target, and was very taken with Erik, the hero's, profession, as a forger/reproducer of old manuscripts. She describes the process much as the video does, which thrills me no end :grin:

Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Aztec~

Kris here, experiencing internet issues which temporarily prevent me from from signing in, or from removing the spam comment above :glares at spam:

I haven't read Lowell's MOVING TARGET, but 'm going to track it down right now! What a fascinating role for the hero. I can imagine the many layers to his motives, and to the consequences. Thanks so much for sharing!

Leah Weller (leahluvsmedieval) said...

This is just simply amazing and to think of the hours and hours spent making one.....

http://kriskennedy.net said...

Leah~

It's humbling, isn't it? And reminds me to be more appreciative in general. Rather than in general, say, being irritated at how long it takes to fold clothes that have come out of the AUTOMATIC WASHER AND DRYER. Hel-lo, Kris. Blessings. Count 'em. ;)

azteclady said...

Ms Kennedy, if you do decide to track down and read Ms Lowell's Moving Target, be aware that it is a sequel of sorts to a much earlier trilogy set in the Middle Ages (Untamed, Forbidden and Enchanted), so there are some (not so subtle) references to the previous books woven into the plot.

Mind you, it does still make sense without having read the other books, but it does gave earlier readers like me the warm fuzzies to see a certain closure for two secondary characters from those three books.

http://kriskennedy.net said...

Hi Azteclady~

Being a fan of warm fuzzies, I may have to start with the trilogy. :) Actually, it's long past time for me to read these stories, so thank-you for the heads-up, and also the unintentional prompt.