The internet has resources that are very useful for historical scribes. I have put together a list of resources that I have found useful. These include general information, glues, binders, calligraphy pigments and even parchment making. The list isn’t comprehensive and it certainly isn’t exhaustive, but I do hope it is useful to you.
If you are looking for online digital manuscripts please refer to this post.
Of Monks, Medieval Scribes and Middlemen – Medievalist.net
Medieval Archaeology – Society for Medieval Arhaeology – Scans of their periodical covering vast subject matters starting with volume 1
Binders and Glues
Fish Glue
A History of Fish Glue as an Artist’s Material: Application in Paper and Parchment – The American Institute for Conservation
General Glue Information
Medieval Glues up to 1600 –Class Notes – SCA Estrella 23 Collegium, Feb 18, 2007 C. M. Helm-Clark, Ph.D.
Calligraphy
Pigments
History of Known Pigments and their Chemical Make-up 77 AD to present – Sally Randall Brunger
Pigments: Historical, Chemical, and Artistic Importance of Coloring Agents – Jeremy C. Sparks
Pigments Through the Ages – Webexibits
Scribal Tools
Ink Wells and Inkhorns – Links to pictures and manuscripts that have period ink wells and ink horns by year.Medieval Pencil – Cast Lead – The Portable Antiquities Scheme.
Medieval Writing Surfaces – Part 1 – Youtube video – Dr Mary Watt
Medieval Writing Surfaces – Part 2 – Youtube video Dr Mary Watt
Penners – Links to pictures and manuscripts of penners by year.
Scribes and Scribal Tools – Links to pictures and manuscripts of scribes and their tools by year.
Notes on the Manufacture of Gold Beaters – The American Institute for Conservation.
Vellum
Making Vellum – Dirty Jobs
