This layout was based on an initial R from the 12th century Bible of the Monastery of Saint-Andre aux-Bois. I was mostly only able to find images from this source, but I did find one paper about it (in French). The original pages were 510mm x 350mm, laid out with two columns each 110mm wide. Like many bibles, this layout is far too large for the amount of text in a typical SCA award scroll. I took the R, which conveniently showed how it was laid out in relation to the guidelines of the column, and fitted it onto an 8″x10″ layout. As I was writing out the text, I took some measures to keep from overflowing my allotted space. To keep from having to break onto a separate line, I used an ampersand found in the text (from which I had created my ductus) to tighten things up. It was so much fun that I used it a couple more times later in the text.
Tools and Materials
- Pergamenata (natural color)
- Oak gall ink
- Steel nib pen
- Winsor & Newton gouache (mostly)
- FineTec gold paint
- Dr. Ph. Martin’s bleed proof white paint