I. What are manuscripts composed of ?

Illuminated manuscripts are hand-produced books that include drawn, painted, and gilded (covered with gold) decoration on pages made of vellum, specially prepared and polished skin. The simplest manuscripts are adorned with calligraphic pen work dividing one paragraph of text from another. More lavish examples are embellished with initials, enlarged and colorful letters that contain tiny representations of figures or biblical scenes. The brilliant pictures that illustrate and accompany the texts in a manuscript are called miniatures, not only because they are small, but because the Latin word miniare (to color with red lead) has been used since the Middle Ages to describe these illustrations. When a miniature contains gold or silver, it is considered to be illuminated. Important divisions in the text of an illuminated manuscript are sometimes decorated with a series of miniatures depicting
traditional religious subjects.

II. What were the manuscripts written on?

Manuscripts were written on an array of materials prepared from the hides of domestic animals and sometimes from the skins of fish. The two materials most commonly used were sheepskin parchment, and vellum made from calfskin. The hides of stillborn calves became the finest vellum and were used in some of the most magnificent Bibles in history.

Manuscript Bibles required three years of work to create. Then an artist illuminated specific pages to make the Bible unique. (Courtesy Sotheby's & Connections web site)

III. How were the manuscripts prepared?

The preparation of an illuminated manuscript was costly and very time-consuming; however, it remained one of the most flourishing forms of art until the sixteenth century when the luxuriously decorated, hand-written codices were gradually replaced by the printed book. In the early middle ages, most painters of miniatures were monks, but on occasion nuns, members of the clergy, or laymen also worked in the scriptoria (a room set apart for writing, especially in a monastery).

IV. My thoughts

I found that manuscripts were defently an amazing creation, to think of all the work that they put into the manuscripts. As long as it took I would think they would have thought of an easier way to produce writings. Especially, because it was so costly and time-consuming, they were done so beautifully and done so perfectly with no flaws.

Websites

· Stanford University Library Medieval pages: Manuscripts

· Hill Monastic Library: Electronic Access to Medieval Manuscripts

· Writing Materials & The History of Books and Printing: Some Related Links

· http://www.cepuckett.com/