#manuscripts

You know, I've seen manuscript abbreviations that looked like text-speak, but hand-drawing emojis to stand in for the word ceann (head) in a passage about Cú Chulainn being beheaded is taking that all to a new level

(The line from another manuscript: "Is ann sin d'éirgedar datha aille iongantacha do cheann Choingculoinn")

Manuscript is RIA 23 H 10, Oidheadh Con Culainn, written in 1808.

Folio from a Manuscript of the Qur'an. Iran, Shiraz, 1550-1575. Ink, colors and gold on paper.

illustration from Doktor Johannes Faust’s Magia naturalis et innaturalis, 1849

source

here's a fun parchment fact for you re: reusing a surface: sheepskin was often used for legal documents because it's hard to scrape out a word and rewrite without it being obviously damaged, unlike good quality calfskin where it can be undetectable that something has been altered

08|08|2026

Historical buildings, frescos and stunning ceiling art, and many many manuscripts. Honestly I couldn't ask for anything better than this. Visiting museums as soon as they open in the morning is also the absolute best, the air is still somewhat fresh and there are not many people at all. Everything that is left to do for today is to read a bit and get some sleep.

Actually I'll be glad to share those sites <3 1. Digital Bodleian (here you can find not only medieval manuscripts, but all kinds of written and artistic heritage from different parts of the world) 2. Digitised manuscripts and archives from British Library 3. Digital Library of Medieval Manuscrips (my favorite site so far, love all the materials here) 4. IIIF Collections by Biblissima (here you can search manuscripts by collections from different libraries and museums) And here are some beauties that I found there so far