The other old ecclesiastical use for red ink was in church service books. Words to be uttered were written in black ink, but directions for what the celebrant should do were were written in red. These directions were therefore called rubrics, from Latin "rubrica" meaning a red-colored substance Rubrics are usually still in red, but are printed using modern printing inks.
@GuilhermePottker
5 жыл бұрын
Hence "Say the Black, do the Red"
@SporkingToast
4 жыл бұрын
That's an incredibly interesting addition, thank you!
@MrRufusjax
4 жыл бұрын
Interesting. Wasn't sure how that worked out. Seen it in Catholic works. In some Protestant bibles the red ink is used for any time Jesus spoke.
@Dillinger86
4 жыл бұрын
I love learning where words come from.
@the-chillian
3 жыл бұрын
@Manley Nelson Logwood: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haematoxylum_campechianum
@jcortese3300
5 жыл бұрын
I'm unaccountably delighted to see someone using a quill pen with good penmanship who is also left-handed!
@southernwanderer7912
5 жыл бұрын
I'm left-handed. When I started using pens in school work (weren't allowed to use them before, only pencils), I had to switch my hand position because my hand would go over the ink just written and smear it and get all over my pinky finger.
@wmluna381
3 жыл бұрын
Triple threat!
@thedictationofallah
7 ай бұрын
me!!1!!1!!
@spacemancoco
5 жыл бұрын
Nobody is ever going to convince me this Brian guy isn't some sort of daylight resistant vampire.
@SonofSethoitae
5 жыл бұрын
Teaching history nerds how to make ink seems like a weird way for a man eating monster to use his immortality
@DigitalRX2r
5 жыл бұрын
@@SonofSethoitae You get bored being immortal, eventually you do everything. This is just his most recent vampire hobby.
@JodiesSideEye
5 жыл бұрын
@@SonofSethoitae or the perfect way?
@mauimudpup
5 жыл бұрын
you watched too much Munsters, sure he looks a little like Grandpa
@flowerpower3011
5 жыл бұрын
😁👌
@crazy8sdrums
5 жыл бұрын
I have enjoyed this series of Historical Writing! It is an important topic that isn't talked about much, despite the impact historical writing has been a part of modern life. I would like to see papermaking involved in this series. People need to know how important Hemp has been to the formation and evolution of the United States!
@UnprofessionalProfessor
5 жыл бұрын
I didn't realize how often you wear hats... it's so strange to see you without one.
@drott150
5 жыл бұрын
He actually has hair. I thought for sure he'd be as bald as Yul Brenner.
@Yoachan
5 жыл бұрын
No hats in the house.
@LimeCat_Games
5 жыл бұрын
@@drott150 I see power, I see pride
@gorillaau
5 жыл бұрын
@@Yoachan That depends on where you are. There are plenty of paintings from the era where hats were being worn inside.
@giabread
5 жыл бұрын
I always thought that he did because he has a bad receding hairline, but his is actually perfectly fine.
@jasonpatterson8091
5 жыл бұрын
Iron(II) sulfate is also called ferrous sulfate. Iron(III) sulfate or ferric sulfate is not the same thing. Your chemistry nomenclature public service of the day.
@LeCharles07
5 жыл бұрын
Addendum The number refers to the oxidation state and "describes the degree of oxidation (loss of electrons) of an atom in a chemical compound."¹ ¹ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxidation_state
@apeaceofpie7035
3 жыл бұрын
Could you render a natural iron sulfate from using Leeched pyrite And iron filings boiled together or is that a more complicated process
@sweetanonymous2676
5 жыл бұрын
"That little town in Syria" is a large city dating back to 5000 BC! It's so big that with few of the surrounding cities and towns they form "Aleppo District"! Loved the series as usual. Thanks for your marvelous efforts. Cheers, Al
@Aramis419
5 жыл бұрын
It's always great to see folks who are knowledgeable and passionate about...well, any topic, really!
@MHChrono
5 жыл бұрын
never been so excited for a video about ink! Loving this series :)
@dhession64
5 жыл бұрын
Fascinating subject. I'm not kidding or making fun. The trial-and-error chemistry that went into this is over the years is so interesting; even the locations where the best stuff was being tied to the name of it is so cool. Thank you for sharing this video. Very informative. I love this stuff, and you neither asked or thought about it when you were in history class back in school. It was just stuff that........was. Again, thank you.
@adreabrooks11
5 жыл бұрын
Looove it! I'm an artist and, although I don't consider myself a prepper, I draw satisfaction from the fact that I might be able to keep pursuing my favourite pastime without the current supply chain. These videos (I also enjoyed the quill episode) have been lovely in that regard; please keep em coming! I'd love to see one on the types of "paper" (reed paper, wood, skin parchment, etc.) used in the period in which you specialize.
@dgillespielaw
5 жыл бұрын
I am watching this while flying across the country. I can be reminded of how much just went into the ink process during the 18th century. It really helps me realize much more the effort it took to live then.
@Elemiriel
5 жыл бұрын
This is a beautiful series and I am so excited for each episode as they have debuted! Lovely to feature that amazing artist too! Go Brian!
@mikemissesthefairway
Жыл бұрын
Brian seems like he loves his job. That's great to see.
@Choopytrags
5 жыл бұрын
This channel is a wonderful time travel.
@mattrisen6694
5 жыл бұрын
So happy you made these episodes, historical writing techniques and technology are a passionate hobby of mine. Very well done, thank you! I might add to anyone looking to use an ‘India Ink,’ please never use these in a fountain pen. I realize a lot of people probably already know this, but just as a heads up for those who may be starting out in the hobby.
@moozie2z
3 жыл бұрын
"Let's live dangerously John" This man has to be one of the most low-key charming presenters I've seen.
@kristijalics6790
5 жыл бұрын
Very interesting. I knew some of this, but learned some new (to me) things as well.
@mr.bluependant1871
5 жыл бұрын
I do a lot of homespun calligraphy videos on my You Tube channel. This series is very enlightening, love it so much! Thanks!
@nobodyspecial6881
5 жыл бұрын
Great video series on writing quills and ink. At one time I had a pen and ink set, and I was fairly good at it, many, many years ago back in school. Thanks for the videos.
@VikOlliver
5 жыл бұрын
As well as oak galls, dried pomegranate skins were used. Needs a soak, boil-up, and strain though, same active compound. Comes out a bit greener but already contains ascorbic acid.
@marcus8258
5 жыл бұрын
Whoever knew ink could be so interesting!
@amysbees6686
3 жыл бұрын
How interesting! Try "Gloves In A Bottle" (barrier cream) to protect your skin.
@brianvanderspuy4514
2 жыл бұрын
I found it somewhat amusing that he tells us how easily available these ingredients are. Not everywhere! I live in South Africa, where I have never seen any of it in any art supply stores. Not sure if the oaks grown here even have galls either. But many substitutes are available: you really just need a good source of tannin, and the iron component can be made up by soaking steel wool in vinegar for a few days. Very strong tea can be used as tannin, and apparently the early pioneers in this country boiled up leaves of protea trees, and it also worked. The ink you get tends to vary quite a bit in color and quality, but it does work.
@joshuarankin1905
5 жыл бұрын
Once again fine production good sir! I've experimented using walnut husk for making ink/dye in the past & knowing about the Iron2 substance would have been swell but, now I know. So again thanks for presenting this interesting topic from yesteryear in such a refined manner. Kudos & keep up the good work!
@seamus6387
5 жыл бұрын
I still love walnut ink. It's a warm, dark sepua tone. Made usually From black walnuts. Can even fund a version made these days for fountain pens.
@abcstardust
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this informative video! I’ve wondered about alternative binders. Thank you for clearing that up!
@sarahdams
5 жыл бұрын
Really digging this series
@abdalhadifitouri131
5 жыл бұрын
Dude, these experts you bring in... I am in absolute awe
@Bildgesmythe
5 жыл бұрын
Great episode, as usual!
@typograf62
5 жыл бұрын
Red ink was also used to "rubricate" written things. The term was adopted into Danish (and probably other languages) where "en rubrik" is a heading.
@bellesparks4374
3 жыл бұрын
Such a great interview!
@hlynnkeith9334
5 жыл бұрын
I feel there is much, much more to this subject.
@THall-vi8cp
10 ай бұрын
Copper(II) Sulphate was known as blue copperas, Iron(II) Sulphate was green copperas, and Zinc Sulphate was white copperas. I've been reading up lately and found a few old recipes, including the recipe Jane Austen used. Someone posted it on a fountain pen forum, and it turns out she used stale beer as an ingredient, along with the expected green copperas and Aleppo galls. Before using copperas, iron gall ink was made in old, rusty iron pots using wine, vinegar, and a solution from the galls. The process took several days (sometimes weeks) and the acid reaction with the pot provided the iron needed for the ink. I'm going to give it a go myself, using some galls I've collected, some rusted iron, and some vinegar. We'll see how it turns out.
@NobodyWhatsoever
5 жыл бұрын
Gall inks have been in use for many centuries. Some inks are wonderfully able to be transported as a powder, so it's lighter and takes less volume. It just needs a bit of water and a stir. This way, small amounts can be made as needed, not just to save space and volume, but to prevent messes in the case of a (presumably dry) spill. Enough powder to make two fluid ounces of ink takes less than a teaspoon. I've got a couple small jars here at home. Speaking of colors! Noodler's Ink makes a color called Baystate Blue. It's a modern fountain pen ink, and an intense blue. It is an attempt to reproduce a color used in the 17th and 18th Century, but with an ingredient now known to be unsafe. It stains plastic, so using it in clear pens is not advised. However, it is a wonderful ink to see on paper!
@KairuHakubi
5 жыл бұрын
I was thinking surely there are easier sources of tannic acid, but it turns out I was confusing it with tannins.
@ColbyClinePenholders
5 жыл бұрын
The best ink a calligrapher can buy! I love using iron gall ink but it's sad that it destroys the nibs so quickly. I've been very interested in making my own inks lately and I actually have a Black Walnut tree in my backyard so I think I'll start with making walnut ink. Very accurate and informative!
@khajiitkitten5679
Жыл бұрын
AND...black walnut ice cream is the BEST!!
@THall-vi8cp
10 ай бұрын
I just made some myself! Was a fun project with my kids.
@zoolzool1
3 жыл бұрын
oooooh, what a treat; John without a hat!
@randywatson8347
5 жыл бұрын
Interesting, I thought Allepo was kinda famous for their soap.
@johnlittle8975
5 жыл бұрын
I'm really enjoying these episodes. Would like to see more.
@bernadetterocha3693
5 жыл бұрын
This was so informative! I enjoy reading and writing, and find this so fascinating. This was so well informed and was taught in such a way so as to be interesting. Thank you both for this!
@annalepper457
5 жыл бұрын
Fascinating topic!
@TheRealWilliamWhite
5 жыл бұрын
This is the same idea as Ebonizing Oak, Iron Acetate reacts with the tannins in the wood. That said does it turn browner after a while? Fresh Iron Acetate is clear and dyes it deep black but turns brown afterr about a month and makes it a nice dark chocolate color.
@BarbaraFischer4
5 жыл бұрын
Looking forward to more on historical writing. Very cool!
@grumblekin
4 жыл бұрын
Modern fountain pen inks use a formulation for iron gall that doesn’t eat pens and paper. It doesn’t use sulfuric acid and Pelican 8001 blue black is one of the best. I own about 24 bottles of modern iron gall inks and they are wonderful
@Lucius1958
3 жыл бұрын
The ink recipe that I learned from my calligraphy days, was to take oak galls, soak them in water, and add some iron nails, then leave the bottle in the sun for some time. I have not tried that recipe, though. I did try mixing tannic acid and iron sulfate in water; but the resulting compound turned out rather faint. My brother suggested that the proper compound should be *gallic* acid instead: I have not tried that, though, so I do not know how it would come out.
@Fredministrator
5 жыл бұрын
As someone mostly interested in the middle ages I really appreciate that Brian included them even if it is strickly seen not topic of this channel.
@kwwiedenfeld
5 жыл бұрын
Another term is rubrics for the red words in the Roman Catholic documents. The red (rub-) writing (-ric). The red ink was used to give instructions about how the liturgy was to be celebrated and black ink was used for the actual words being said or prayed. It is still done that way to this day. Therefore the saying goes, "do the red say the black."
@faelwolf1177
5 жыл бұрын
Excellent video as always. I especially like how you get to the heart of the matter in your videos without a lot of fluff and self promotion. If you have not done so already, will we see a video on making and using sealing wax? I have been rather unhappy with the modern ones I have found.
@alvinmeeks5742
5 жыл бұрын
one home made ink, well before my grandfather died, he had me read letters from his i belive great grandfather, rev Littleton Meeks (colonial militia, yes he was with George Washington, when Conwallis surrendered)made of Polk berries Mite red but still readable.
@TheLastPhoen1x
5 жыл бұрын
Gotta love medieval alchemy.
@tinovanderzwanphonocave544
5 жыл бұрын
you can make ink from walnut husks there are 2 ways to go about it 1: find husks that are brown to black and boil them at low simmer filter husks out after an hour or so and concentrate (let simmer down) the liquid to about only 20% of its original volume and you have your ink 2: find green husks and crush them then fill a container, jar, pot or anything like that and stuff them in there as tightly as possible then add lukewarm water and close off the container off airtight or as close to that as possible then let it ferment for 4 months and be sure to reopen every 2 to 4 days or so to prevent an explosion if the opening no longer gives a pop leave it for the remainder of the 4 months after four months you should be left with coal-like bits empty the bits and fluid into a bowl and crush until you have a paste then return it into the container for another month then make a filter on a big jar (in my case 5 liters) put the paste in and pour hot water on it slowly the jar will be full in about 2 hours you can keep the paste left because the longer you keep it the more the particles will release the dye then cover the liquid with vegetable oil and leave it as long as possible this could be 2 months or 2 years! the longer it stays the more broken down the husk particles are going to be and the more dye is going to be in solution my walnut husk solution has been waiting for 3 years mold stoped on the oil after 5 months it can now no longer degrade like normal walnut husk dye/varnish take the oil layer off (a towel will do the trick) and leave it again for a long time just to see if mold does not return (if so remove mold and recover with oil and repeat the last) now it is usable as a dye or wood varnish to make ink you need to do more. take the liquid and boil it down to 20% of its former volume and you will have a walnut husk ink that will not degrade or mold ever! you can even evaporate the water completely by pouring it in a large glazed or glass flat dish and evaporate all the water at room temperature scrape the material off and grind it to a fine powder which will dissolve in water to make you even more concentrated ink. what are the benefits of method 2 compared to method 1 well, about 5 times more ink! and, the ink doesn't spoil and the trash is only 30% of what non-fermeted would be like.
@hb8718
5 жыл бұрын
You can actually use a gold nib. Gold will not corrode from iron-gall-ink. Which is actually the reason why it was often used in fountain-pens.
@PugMoon
5 жыл бұрын
I very much enjoyed this video. Thank you for making it.
@Aragornski
5 жыл бұрын
My dear sirs, In the beginning you are saying that carbon black ink is the universal medieval ink. I am afraid that is not true. The middle ages are a wide period indeed, but for more than half of it Iron gall ink was the standard, universal, wide used ink for writing. Lamp black was still used, but as a pigment in the illuminations. You later said that oak gall ink is the universal ink from the 12th c. to the 19th c. and that is much closer to the truth. It is even older, and in parts of Europe was used as universal ink before that, but towards the end of the 11th or the beginning of the 12th c. it is indeed the universal ink across the whole Europe. The video is excellent as always, and the presentation was perfect.
@dahak972
4 жыл бұрын
What a great video, thank you!
@nicolemarly6202
5 жыл бұрын
Hello ink daddy
@mrdanforth3744
5 жыл бұрын
Good ol' Nicole
@cholulahotsauce6166
5 жыл бұрын
You were fast today!
@gorillaau
5 жыл бұрын
Good work, Nicole. Nice to see you back here. Rose filled me in that you have been busy.
@shanek6582
5 жыл бұрын
Nicole Marly garand thumb comment section is spreading to every channel it seems
@KL005
5 жыл бұрын
NYCHOLE
@Afrieal
5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this, I have a heartsibling that is an author and some of this information will be incredibly useful to flesh out one of her sub plots.
@kelsigurado2563
5 жыл бұрын
Cool stuff!
@Aaronslosek
5 жыл бұрын
Thumbs up to the left handed person in the example footage
@Scriptorsilentum
4 жыл бұрын
Quills have to be cut differently for left-handers - i would know... }=( I use a glass pen quite often for personal correspondence - much smoother.
@mzansime
4 жыл бұрын
I agree. 😊 And I think that's Brian Allison himself. He's left handed; both observable and he referred to it in the video on making quills.
@BIZEB
5 жыл бұрын
It should be noted that modern methods utilize the same basic ingredients but have nullified the acidity issue so unless you're making it at home from raw materials, you shouldn't worry about it. I believe there are some commercially available of these iron gall inks. You can also find official (government) recipes for inks with the ratios required for use in business, as these inks are still used today in certain environments. Tip: don't crush the galls to a powder, just merely break them into small pieces with a hammer. Gum arabic eventually spoils if it's moistened, but keeping it refrigerated will have it last for a few months without any need for conservatives. Honey, on the other hand, doesn't really (make sure you're using uncontaminated, distilled water, and keeping it stored and sealed in a dry place), so as a thickener it's a better alternative. However, as Brian said, wine or any sort of alcohol will just do the job for you (I'd still keep it refrigerated if it's a large amount), and it was fairly common back then.
@VERLINFPV
5 жыл бұрын
Great video, but no mention of pokeweed Ink? I heard many of our historical documents were written in pokeweed ink for most of American history
@matthewklahn3204
2 жыл бұрын
Middle ages tech still holds strong in the prison system. Lamp back is used still as tattoo ink
@robmarshallofficial
3 жыл бұрын
Very interesting, I’m learning a lot from you.
@angelus_solus
4 жыл бұрын
I use cheap merlot and have never had any mould on my ink. In fact, here's how I make mine. 540ml merlot 46g wine tannin 28g gum Arabic powder 42g copperas Heat the wine, but let it not bubble, then add the powders. Stir it well for at least 30 seconds, then remove it from the heat and let it sit an hour before straining into a glass jar. Done.
@martylayman1256
5 жыл бұрын
I had heard that fermented pokeberries were popular as an ink. Also that the brownish color of the ink on some historical documents was a caused by this.
@elsalvedorven5546
3 жыл бұрын
people in the 19 century: uh not another report to right about. people in the 21 century: I want to use that pen!
@ClintGrantham
5 жыл бұрын
Great video!!!❤️
@mmmhorsesteaks
5 жыл бұрын
Diethyl zinc vapors, i think, are useful to protect paper from this. Unfortunately it's pyrophoric with air so quite hazardous to work with :)
@jeff2178
5 жыл бұрын
Awesome!
@TheWolfman112
2 жыл бұрын
I was with this until about the 7:10 mark. Honey doesn't go bad. It'll crystallize but just adding water to it will re-liquefy it again and get rid of pesky sugar crystals that form on it.
@maryannerick7617
5 жыл бұрын
Good one!
@NobodyOfTheTardis
5 жыл бұрын
Oak gaul ink was a medieval england discovery, so it is far older than the 19th century
@LordHonkInc
5 жыл бұрын
Would dipping a metal nib into a basic solution (e.g. baking soda) prevent the rusting more effectively or is the amount of ink so negligible when you just use a sufficiently large volume of clean water? I admit that I probably won't try making the ink myself, I have an irrational fear of handling chemicals by myself, but I'm still fascinated by the topic.
@Mithinco
5 жыл бұрын
That is so interesting!
@Cinomod6066
5 жыл бұрын
Never been so early for one of these lol
@willyjimmy8881
5 жыл бұрын
Where do you find these peopoe? And why don't you have your own show on TV? Some of the coolest and most interesting videos on the interwebs are Townsend videos without doubt.
@7493prado
5 жыл бұрын
I wish they taught history in school like this
@STho205
5 жыл бұрын
LL Prado. We used to in the 90s-2010. Many young teachers have lost interest in the past, in actually teaching history, and often children in classes do not have the patience and discipline to be courteous to such guests for thirty minutes at a time. I have found at historic properties and in the field as a battalion clerk or adjutant, with the writing desk and quill pens (or a stand of surveyors tools), I can teach more history casually than I can commanding a unit or standing in as a private soldier or any common civilian. However, only those interested approach me, so I may be biased by that.
@tylaney8537
5 жыл бұрын
While your on the topic of ink, clothes back then were colored, but what exactly did they use for the different color dyes? Specifically, what items (plants etc) did they use for which colors and what kind of techniques to get the dyes out of the said items. I'm curious about the color orange and and how to obtain that color for dyeing clothes from that time period or earlier. Please and Thank You!
@hpoels851
5 жыл бұрын
The dry outer layers of onions should do the trick.
@tylaney8537
5 жыл бұрын
@@hpoels851 thanks!
@scottmiller2591
3 жыл бұрын
First thought - are those nutmeg nuts? Are we going there?
@kevinkp7779
5 жыл бұрын
Fabulous
@natekrogel2179
4 жыл бұрын
Can you cut down the acidity with a little sodium bicarbonate? Or would that cause a color shift in the ink
@ratroddiesels1981
5 жыл бұрын
fascinating.
@scottyhaines4226
5 жыл бұрын
This must be the gall Steven A Smith is always talking about.
@nextlifeonearth
5 жыл бұрын
What about the bone glue based India inks? They're likely less water resistant, but moreso than plain without any binding agent.
@icanseeclearlynow4355
2 жыл бұрын
Maybe I am just tired but I had to watch this video on a slower playback speed just so I could catch all they were saying. Lol. I must be getting old.
@davidpowell5437
5 жыл бұрын
No hat, no cap, no beard - is this a fake? The only things that are familiar are the excellent and sympathetic presentation skills - grins! Thanks for shedding light on this subject. Almost forgotten now, but if people had not developed and used the means to write, history today would likely be verbal - scary thought! Writing surfaces next?
@skypausebgp2615
5 жыл бұрын
So what did they do to make their own Iron(II) sulfate?
@fornarigasoli
5 жыл бұрын
You must be see the work of Brody Neuenschwander that is a amazing artist and calligrapher, and made writtings works for piece of art and movies, because him works with goose and turkey quills. Visit this site: www.brodyneuenschwander.com/category/blog/
@BRTango
3 жыл бұрын
Can you neutralize the acidity?
@tawarwaith-en9fo
4 жыл бұрын
Sadly there is some misinformation in this video: The problem with iron gall ink is NOT, that it is acidic and 'burns' through the paper. The problems are caused by the iron contained in the ink, because as anything containing iron, it corrodes over time which causes the paper to break and creates holes where once writing was.
@Floweroftheprairie2720
5 жыл бұрын
Does anyone out there know what kind of indelible ink was used to sign quilts? (I'm sorry that I don;t know when it started, I would guesstimate near the civil war)
@LatteLover
5 жыл бұрын
Best ink is made using powdered nutmeg 😂 Joking aside, these two related episodes are very interesting!
@asmolbean9300
4 жыл бұрын
I thought they were oak galls... Huh...I didn't know you could use those for ink
@msmltvcktl
5 жыл бұрын
Who else immediately blurted out "...nutmeg?" at the oak galls : raises hand sheepishly :
@davidbrown8303
5 жыл бұрын
Does the ink work good in your printer.?
@scottsaylors1996
5 жыл бұрын
I should’ve grown up in this era
@cristobalgrip
3 жыл бұрын
honey doesn't go bad
@CharonsNightmare
5 жыл бұрын
Does someone have an idea why nicole has vanished from the comments? I miss her shenanigans :( (and ofc rose and mr bedford too)
@edwardthor7763
5 жыл бұрын
Why can't we see the video of the live stream from 4pm today?
@miniroo612
2 жыл бұрын
Everything I hear iron gall ink I think of National Treasure 😁🤣
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