I’m excited to announce my next blog series because the information I unearthed about Raphael de Mercatellis was so interesting. The series is titled “Manuscripts & Mischief: 15th-Century Bruges’ Most Fascinating People!” We’ll explore the lives of artists, nobles, and book collectors. They turned Bruges into a buzzing hub of creativity and intrigue. From lavish…
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…
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…
“Where hands and minds combine, the painted word shines bright. In Bruges, masters craft the heavens in their works, making gold and light dance upon the page.”—Attributed to a 15th-century observer of the Bening Workshop Hello, everyone! Thank you for joining me as we recap the journey of Jehanne Bening, a 15th-century apprentice in Bruges….
Hello, dear readers! Today, I want to share the fascinating story of Christine de Pizan. She was a remarkable woman who paved the way for women’s rights long before modern feminism had a name. She wasn’t just any medieval writer. She was a trailblazer. She used her creative skills to redefine the roles of women…
“Writing is excessive drudgery. It crooks your back, it dims your sight, it twists your stomach and your sides.” — The scribe’s lament. Hey, friends. Can you imagine the toll that illuminating manuscripts took on the artists and scribes of the Middle Ages? The quote above from a 9th-century Irish manuscript is perfect. It captures…
“What beauty is, I know not, though it adheres to many things.” – Albrecht Dürer, 16th century Introduction: Hey, all! Are you curious about medieval art, workshops, or what life was like in the Middle Ages? As an SCA artisan, finding the right resources can make all the difference when recreating medieval art. Whether you’re…
Now I’ve written the whole thing; for Christ’s sake give me a drink. -15th century scribe Hey everyone! If you’re a scribe in the SCA, this might sound familiar, but stick around. We’re diving into the artistic process of creating a 15th-century illuminated manuscript. Whether you’re new to this or just need a refresher, let’s…
“The apprentice sharpens the quills, fetches the ink, and ensures the vellum is smooth, for in these small services he learns the grand art.” Anonymous, French Manuscript (15th century) Welcome to another installment of “Journey and Art in 15th-Century Bruges.” This time we explore the daily life of Jehanne Bening. That’s me, or at least…
Humor often cuts through serious matters more forcefully and effectively than sharpness. — Horace, Satires Book 1, Satire 10, Line 14 Hey, friends! I came across something interesting today—a post about the history of memes. Naturally, my mind went straight to thinking about how far back memes might go. I was hoping for a fun…
“Where hands and minds combine, the painted word shines bright. In Bruges, masters craft the heavens in their works, making gold and light dance upon the page.” Anonymous (15th-century), on the Bening Workshop In the bustling city of Bruges, the Bening workshop stood out. It was a beacon of artistic excellence. This was during the…
Hello scribes and historical arts fans! As SCA scribes, we have the incredible opportunity to bring the past to life through our award scrolls. One of the best ways to deepen our craft is by diving into the world of illuminated manuscripts. These historical treasures offer a wealth of inspiration and insight, helping us to…
Hello, dear readers! I have some exciting news to share with you all! I’m launching a new blog series that will transport us to the enchanting city of Bruges in the 15th century. In it we’ll walk in the steps of Jehanne Bening, my persona. Jehanne is a talented craftswoman working in the famous workshop…