Date: Friday, 22 November 2024
‘Crafting the Book’ is a one-day workshop aimed at current Oxford University students with an academic interest in the history of the book and material culture of medieval manuscripts and early printed texts, including their production, decoration, and provenance through signs of ownership. They will engage with historic materials and develop a deeper understanding of contemporary artistic and reader practices through taking part in hands-on activities with craft methods.
Lunchtime Lecture: Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre at the Weston Library, 1-2pm (BOOK HERE)
Talks by expert speakers Sara Charles and Eleanor Baker with focus on their wide-ranging research on medieval illumination, calligraphy, and early printing techniques. Sara is currently a PhD student at the Institute of English Studies studying manuscript production in the Latin Christian world, and has a forthcoming trade history book, The Medieval Scriptorium: Making Books in the Middle Ages (Reaktion Books, August 2024). Eleanor is currently the English Subject Lead for the University of Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year, with a forthcoming trade history book, Book Curses (Bodleian Publishing, November 2024).
Practical Workshops: Bodleian Bibliographical Press, times TBA (Booking required, links will be shared closer to the date)
Sara Charles is leading a practical session on making and writing with iron gall ink as well as painting on parchment. Eleanor Baker is leading a separate session on creating book curses with early printing techniques.
Please contact event organiser Alison Ray (St Peter’s College Archivist) with any questions.
‘Crafting the Book’ is generously supported by the Oxford Medieval Studies Small Grant Scheme.