About this episode

Amy explores the creation of beautifully illuminated medieval manuscripts and the skilled work of scribes.

What does an oyster shell have to do with medieval books? This week, Amy explores one of her favourite moments in history: when medieval scribes started to create beautifully illuminated manuscripts. She’s exploring the complex, multi-faceted and highly skilled work that helped create these works of literature and art. From a stinky parchment creation process to fine pigments and steady hands working by candlelight, making medieval books was far from a simple task, as English Heritage’s Dr Susan Harrison and Dr David Rundle from the University of Kent explain. Find out about artistry, quiet devotion, cheeky doodling in the margins and how these objects moved from monastic workshops into wider medieval life. Don’t forget to follow this podcast and leave a review if you love the show. Join English Heritage: ⁠https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/join/⁠ Podcast listeners can get 20% off the first year of an annual membership. Use code POD20 at checkout.* Support our work: ⁠https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/support-us/⁠ The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a limited company, no. 07447221, registered in England and Wales. *Offer is available through the use of…

People in this episode

Host: Amy

Guests: Dr Susan Harrison, Dr David Rundle

Topics covered

• medieval manuscripts
• illuminated manuscripts
• medieval history
• scribes
• artistry
• literature

Keywords

• medieval books
• parchment
• pigments
• candlelight
• monastic workshops

Sponsors

English Heritage

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: English Heritage, University of Kent

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