The name of the rose

You may have previously read my blog page about making a quill pen.
Making a Quill Pen from a feather

Well if you want to get 'illuminated' and go full on 'Medieval Monk' then here is how to make your own black manuscript ink.

First you need to locate your nearest oak hedge. Probably best to ask the owner of the hedge if you can search through it and remove about six to eight 'Oak Apples'. (See top image left)

Now Oak Apples are not apples at all but the larval nest of the Oak Gall Wasp. So don't try eating one!

You will also need to source a little Iron (Ferrous) Sulphate and some Gum Arabic powder. Both of these chemicals are readily available for purchase on the Internet.

Health and Safety Alert
Iron sulphate is both poisonous and corrosive so please take care not to get any of these ink ingredients on your skin, swallow them or inhale them. Mask and gloves essential  plus washing hands after use.

Method:

1) Crush and finely shred the oak apples. I used an old coffee grinder. (Wash any equipment extremely well if you intend to use again for normal kitchen activities!)

2)Weigh out 28 grams (1oz) of the ground oak apple powder.

3) Measure  235 ml (half a pint) of cold water.

4) Mix the water and powder and leave to stand for 24 hours. (see middle image left).

5) Strain the liquid through a muslin cloth (or a piece of thick kitchen towel) to remove the bits of powdered oak apple.

6) Measure 14 grams (1/2 oz) of iron sulphate and mix with the strained liquid. The liquid should turn from dark brown to black almost immediately.

7) Mix some gum arabic powder with the liquid to increase its viscosity. (How much is determined by trial and error. So add a little at a time and mix thoroughly).

8) Put the liquid in a jar with a screw top and keep out of the way of children.

You now have a jar of home made ink to use with your quill pen - all just like in the 'good' old days before Internet shopping and hyper consumerism. Enjoy but stay safe - life expectancy wasn't good in the Middle Ages even for cloistered monks! See the film 'The Name of the Rose'.