15th Century Writing Slope - collaborative (2013)

Hi All,

I submitted this into the St Florian De La Riviere Baronial Arts and Sciences competition held September 2013.  A very fast doco, but served the purpose.

 

 

15^th Century Writing Slope

Collaborative effort of Earl Sir Edmund of Shotley and Lady Iglesia Delamere

Multiple portraits inspired this project including all those shown in this article.  Our aim was not to construct a writing slope using period techniques, but to construct a writing slope that had the appearance of the writing slopes of the period and could have been used in period.  It was also important for it too look presentable, as it was going to mostly be a show piece (for demo’s etc).  Finished look was more important than period techniques in construction.

 

Brief Research and Design Choices

From looking at the portraits and research of others I tend to agree that writing slopes in the form we have built probably did not exist until later in the middle ages (see Figure 1 from 1480, where a portable writing slope is in use).

This seems to also align with the more common and widespread use of calligraphy and illumination during the later middle ages.  Prior this, my research suggests most slopes were fixed surfaces mostly used by monks (Panfilov, 2002). 

Various portraits showed representations of the writing slope.  There were many designs (see all figures), so there was a lot of latitude for design choices.  Edmund decided early on that the project was likely to be borrowed for events where we were doing SCA demos and so his design encapsulated that.  He also wanted to show pride in his Barony, so the back piece represents the buttony cross (of St Florian De La Riviere).

Edmund chose to put the holes in the side based on a portrait we found where the holes were used for hanging the scroll case and ink (see Figure 2).

Power tools and screws were used in the making of our writing slope – this was because strength, speed and a period look were of priority, rather than period construction techniques (for instance over screws putty was placed and painted to appear as hobnails).

 

Basic Construction Technique

1.            Design sizing and shape of writing slope and select timber based on strength, look and purpose. (we used pine due to availability and price)

2.            Cut timber to design size for major pieces (sides, back, slope)

3.            Sample for sizing, routing depth etc on scrap to confirm final aesthetic (pic 1)

4.            Connect slope faces together with connecting middle piece to secure (wood the correct dimension was not readily available) (pic 2)

5.      Drill and jigsaw all the holes and decorative lines in the sides and back, then route them according to sample selected earlier. (pic 3)

6.            Fully construct with glue and screws.

7.            Sand heavily for a smooth surface

8.            Cut and attach with nails the rail to be used to rest book/parchment on. (pic 4)

 

9.            Cover Screws with putty and colour with sharpie for hobnail appearance (pic 4)

 

10.       Multiple coats of Danish oil until desired effect is achieved (pic 5).  Your writing slope is complete

 

Bibliography

•  Panfilov, Marko Evanovich. 2002, A Scribe’s Writing Slope, Barony of Dragonsspine, Kingdom of the Outlands.

 

Portrait References

•  Figure 1 Domenico Ghirlandaio : Saint Jerome in his Study (1480 — Church of Ognissanti, Florence) Source:http://www.artunframed.com

• Figure 2 Scribes tools: detail from Hl. 1490, Ambrosius: Kunstwerk: Temperamalerei-Holz ; Einrichtung sakral ; Flügelaltar ; Oberösterreich Dokumentation: 1490 ; 1500 ; Kremsmünster ; Österreich ; Oberösterreich ; Stiftsgalerie Anmerkungen: 80x47

• Figure 3 Unknown miniaturist, Brussels Royal Library. 2nd half 15th Century, Jean Miélot at his Desk. 

 

 

Photo’s

•  Taken by Earl Edmund of Shotley and Lady Iglesia Delamere during construction (2013)