Liverpool University Press Inside the Scriptorium 1: Inks, Paints & Quills DVD

This video focuses on how inks, paints, binders, and quills were made in the Middle Ages. It had an informative introduction and voiceover by Bernard J Muir, and includes a description and demonstration of the various stages of the making of different inks and paints by David Coles, who manufactures artists' supplies in Melbourne for worldwide distribution. The first part of the film is set in a recreated 'medieval scriptorium' and the second in Coles' modern-day factory. A bonus computer disc of supplementary resources includes longer film sequences of the making of individual colours, an illustrated glossary of technical terms, a gallery of dozens of original images by award-winning photographer David Paul, images of the minerals and plants used in making the inks and paints, and a number of brief illustrated essays on aspects of codicology and paleography. There is also a recipe book derived from medieval manuscript sources illustrating the different ways in which different colours were produced, and a PowerPoint™ presentation on the development of Western European handwriting. The medieval and Renaissance background music is performed by Ruth Wilkinson on a variety of instruments. About the Author Bernard Muir is Professor of Medieval Studies at the University of Melbourne. His publications include The Exeter Anthology of Old English Poetry (Exeter); A Pre-Conquest English Prayerbook (Boydell).