Performative Calligraphy Workshop

When: Wednesday 08 July, 14.00-16.00
Where: University House: St George Room
Open to: IMC Delegates
Price: Free
How to Book: No Booking Required, Free of Charge

Directed by Elizabeth Moodey, Kathryn Rudy, and Irene van Renswoude

'To all scholars who desire to write well quickly'

Medievalists often study images of scribes at work, yet rarely get a feel for the physical labour of actually learning to write like one, or the kinds of places where that learning happened. This workshop offers a hands-on introduction to medieval writing techniques and their social setting — come and imagine what it was like to be a medieval student of the pen.

Enter Herman Strepel, Professional Writing Master.

You are customers who have responded to Herman Strepel's shop sign. Strepel worked around the middle of the fifteenth century in the German city of Münster, and he advertised his calligraphy classes by posting a parchment sheet showing potential customers all the scripts he could teach them (The Hague, Royal Library, 76 D 45). His invitation read:

To all scholars who desire to write well quickly: come to Herman Strepel! I will reveal to them the secrets of its sweetness as best as I can, so that in a short time they can become proficient writers.

The advertisement displays two alphabets and seven different scripts: fractura, rotunda, and several fancier ones.

Elizabeth Moodey will assume the role of Herman Strepel, assisted by his apprentices Kate Rudy and Irene van Renswoude (one of whom is lefthanded). You, the seminar participants, are his customers. Together, we recreate the bustle of a late medieval writing workshop. Elizabeth will lead the group through several scripts, starting with basic strokes and building toward letterforms, using a facsimile of a German calligraphy textbook now preserved at the Beinecke. The apprentices demonstrate strokes, correct posture and grip, and enforce the disciplined routines of the workshop.

Each participant will receive a dip pen, iron-gall ink, and paper. Quills and a limited number of parchment samples will also be available for those who want to experiment further once the initial exercises are done.

This workshop can only accommodate a limited number of participants. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis.