Symonne de la Croix

                    BRAZILWOOD INK                                 Part 1               Lady Symonne de la Croix                       (Corina Graham)                                27.4.20 Ok here I go again. Trying to make Brazilwood Ink this time.  I am using a medieval recipe from The book of secrets (A 1596 translation of a Dutch edition, which may have been translated from a 1531 German translation) Its been interesting trying to research what modern weight/measurements to use. There isnt a medieval to modern conversion chart that I could find 😉 I had no idea what a 'pennyworth' even was. I was confused with whether it was an actual measurement (it is) or if it was the amount that a monetary penny would buy. Then there was the problem of what differences there are with modern vs medieval wine.  I have decided to use organic wine because it has no added preservatives which medieval wine wouldn't have had. I currently

                 MEDIEVAL WEIGHTS                 Anglo-Saxon Measures                Lady Symonne de la Croix                      (Corina Graham)                              24.4.20                    In the middle ages a PENNYWEIGHT was literally and monetarily 1/20 of an ounce & 1/240 of a pound of sterling silver.  The pound unit in use in England, at that time, was the TOWER POUND, equal to 7, 680 Tower GRAINS (also known as wheat grains).   The medieval English pennyweight was thus equal to 32 Tower grains. A TROY OUNCE is used for weighing precious metals that dates back to the middle ages. Originally used in Troyes, France. One Troy ounce is equal to 31.1034768grams, according to the UK Royal Mint. [2] Prior to the adoption of the metric system, French born King Henry II of England adjusted the British coinage system to be more reflective of the French Troy system. The system was adjusted periodically, but the Troy weights, as we know them t

                      WALNUT INK                  Symonne de la Croix                     (Corina Graham)                            12.4.20 2 cups black dried walnut husks 2lts demineralised water Copperas/vitriol Gum arabic  Simmer the walnut husks with the demineralised water until you achieve the depth of colour you would like. Stirring intermittently.  I used a slow cooker on high for 6hrs as I wanted a richer colour.  {I don't think it made a lot of difference after 3hrs.} FIlter the husks out of the ink water through linen cloth Put back on the heat and reduce the fluid to about half. If a darker ink is wanted then add vitriol.  {I didn't see a darker colour but it cooled it down} Add gum arabic. (Add more or less depending on how much viscosity you like for your ink) Bottle/jar in dark airtight containers. If you don't have dark containers you can store it in a dark place. {I have started an experiment leaving som