Hey, all! Today I want to introduce you to an amazing woman from Heian-era Japan (794–1185), Murasaki Shikibu. She was a lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court. She lived during a time when the Japanese imperial court was at its peak. The Fujiwara clan was running the show, and life was full of poetry, art, and…
Hey, everyone! Today, I want to introduce you to an incredible woman who broke barriers during the Renaissance—Plautilla Nelli (1524–1588). She was a Dominican nun from Florence, Italy. And, she was the first known female painter of the Renaissance! Nelli wasn’t just any painter. Her large-scale works were in demand. That was a huge deal…
Thanks, WordPress, for the fantastic prompt! Honestly? I’d love to step into the shoes of my SCA persona, Jehanne Bening, and experience a day in her world. The more I research her time and place, the more I find myself wishing I could actually be there. Jehanne is a 15th-century illuminator working in Ghent and Bruges, carving out her…
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Hey, everyone! Can you believe March is just around the corner? Winter’s almost behind us, but March brings more than just the promise of warmer days—it’s Women’s History Month! It is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions women have made throughout history, in the arts and sciences. For me, it’s a time I like…
Ah, letter writing! It was a whole different game in 15th-century Bruges. No email, no texting—just quills, parchment, and a bit of wax. For people like Jehanne Bening and her friend Cornelia Cnoop, sending a letter wasn’t just about sharing news. It was a bit of an art form. Every seal and fold reflected purpose…
Have you ever stumbled across a historical figure so colorful and so intriguing? You just want to invite them to coffee—or maybe a pub—just to hear their stories firsthand. Well, meet Raphael de Mercatellis. He lived life at the intersection of privilege and power. His life also embodied piety and a passion for the written…
Every now and then, someone asks me: “With everything happening in the world, why are you so focused on the details of 15th-century Bruges?” Fair question. The short answer? Because I have to. The longer answer? Well, I think about that all the time. It’s exhausting, overwhelming, and frankly, not something I can personally fix…
Hey, my history buffs! In the bustling city of Bruges, guilds were more than just trade associations. They played key roles in the civic, economic, and spiritual life of the city. Each guild not only represented a trade or craft, it also held a special bond with a patron saint who guided, protected, and inspired…
I was cleaning out old images when I stumbled across this gem from way back in 2008. What better excuse to share it than Thursday? Just like when I started this blog and writers called it “Throwback Thursday.” This is a calligraphy and illumination piece I created for my dear SCA friend, Luciana. Luci was an…
The other day, I was chatting with my friend HL Natalya Vasilova, from the Barony of Mag Mor. We were talking about the amazing handcarved ball she was making. It’s one of her latest arts and sciences competition pieces. She mentioned the ‘backstory’ for it. Her projects’ backstories are something I’ve always admired in her…
Ah, documentation. Just hearing the word can make even the most passionate artisans let out a shaky sigh. It’s the love-hate relationship we have that’s both a badge of honor and a source of aggravation. We spend hours researching, analyzing, and organizing our projects to capture every historical detail we can. This effort gives your…
I finally finished the four beaded fibulae for Baroness Kathleen! Cue the confetti and a big “Yeah, me!” Now, I’ll admit it took a lot longer than I expected. Why? Well, first, I ran into a bead supply problem. The larger-bore beads I needed were perpetually sold out at the usual hobby stores. After scouring…
Hey everyone! The winter weather is getting chilly. I thought this would be the perfect time to share a few medieval gems. They will surely warm your spirit. The late medieval and early Renaissance periods weren’t just about knights, castles, and courtly love. They had their share of humor, too! So grab a cup of…
Hey there, book lovers (SCA and everyone else)! Can you believe 2024 is almost behind us? Time flies, doesn’t it? As the year wraps up, I thought this would be the perfect moment to chat about something we all adore—books! Specifically, what to read next year. Now, I don’t know about you, but I love…
When we think of the Middle Ages, it’s easy to imagine knights and castles. Books and SCA lovers, however, find true treasures in stunning illuminated manuscripts of the medieval world. These are glorious miniature works of art on medieval pages of parchment. What’s even more amazing is that we know a few names of these…
I’ve been saying for a while that the Burgundians used propaganda and public relations much more effectively than their opponents. In this episode I’ll explore how they did that and what it meant. For more on Burgundian Propaganda check out the work of Dr. Emily J. Hutchison. Time Period Covered: 1401-1419 Left: This badge from the…
As we usher in a new year, I thought it’d be fun to take a step back to 15th-century Bruges. We can see how Jehanne Bening might have celebrated. Spoiler alert: no champagne or midnight countdowns! But there was plenty of food, faith, and fellowship to go around in her bustling city. Let’s look at…
Hello, dear readers! As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the journey of An Itinerant Scribe. It’s been an incredible year of growth, creativity, and—most importantly—connection with all of you. I can’t resist sharing a little milestone with you today: in 2023, this humble blog had 265 visitors. Not too…
Dear Readers, As I’ve been diving deeper into Jehanne Bening’s story and life in 15th-century Bruges, I’ve realized that I might have repeated myself in a few of my recent blog posts. My enthusiasm for sharing this world and these characters with you sometimes leads me to revisit the same ideas, perhaps more often than…